This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:📕📕📕📕📕
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨.25


First Impressions
Iron Master is the 12th installment in the "Shifter's Unbound" series and I was eager for this one because the hero and heroine have both been in many books in the series play significant roles and there has been slow tension that has been building between them for quite a while. I really admired the way that this book was written, it had a fun plot and the romance was endearing even if it was low key. I am sure my enjoyment was severely impacted by my health issues but I did a combo of this one in both ebook and the audio and both versions were quite fun to read and these are shorter books now so you can get through it pretty quickly.

First Line
"Stuart"

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Stuart
The Heroine:Peigi

What I Loved
Iron Master was quite fun. We have a great forbidden love match in a way between these two. Although no one is shocked that they end up together in Shiftertown even though Stuart Reid is a fae and one of their enemies that they just work with because he is rejected by his own people and have helped them in different ways. I really found it intriguing in the way in which the author show cased this element. I found the plot of the story to be the highlight of the story actually. It definitely keeps you on edge all the way through and I was always questioning where it would go and how it would be resolved in the end. And I did enjoy the setting being not in shiftertown like many of these books, but set in the fae realms and you can definitely feel like more is going to happen to where it left off here.

The romance was interesting. It was more softly placed so if you are a fan of how romantic suspense books are written, then you will enjoy this. The romance I wouldn't say being the primary focus, it was definitely the suspense plot of things, but it was well established within the story, but you would probably get more out of it if you have read the previous books so that you can get the slow build up all the way through.

What I Struggled With
I wanted to love this one more than I did but I just didn't feel the connection that is between Stuart and Peigi to be honest. I knew of their connection beforehand as I have read the previous books but I was disappointed that I didn't get more feels from their relationship. I felt like it was so focused on the plot and the sexual side of it that we didn't see much development in the emotional side of the relationship. I know it may work for some readers, but it fell a bit short for me but still ended up being a solid read.

Narration
I really enjoyed the narration of this story. It really dug into the vibe of the series and captured it just right from what us readers have loved since the very beginning.

Overall View
Iron Master is a well crafted story that digs into well detailed plot lines, capturing the culture of shiftertown and delivering a well balanced tale of suspense and laughter to entertain from beginning to end.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance
Character Types: Shape Shifter, Bears, Fae/Elves
Themes: Small Town, Tear Jerker, Kids/Teens, Danger/Suspense, Heart/Touching, Dual Pining
Tropes: Friends to Lovers, Opposites Attract, Forced Proximity, Forbidden Love

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A Mix

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Christine Feehan
Lora Leigh
Lara Adrian

Song This Book Inspires
Anti Hero

Recommendation For Reading Order
For this book, I would recommend reading this series in order to see the slow build up of their relationship.

Steam/Spice Explanations

Steamin' up the room -the sexual content is more explicit in the language and tone, heavier amount of sexual scenes.

Narrators:
Cris Dukehart 

 This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
Blood Bound is the second book in the "Mercy Thompson" series and I have been reading this whole world in order alongside with the "Alpha and Omega" series with it which has definitely had more positives than negatives. I really found it interesting but it did have less romance in it than even the first book did. I didn't really understand Sam living with her when she hasn't truly decided on what is happening with Adam, but hopefully that will all get figured out in Iron Kissed (crossing fingers) I did enjoy the plot with the vampires and the sorcerer and very curious to see how the events that happen in this book will reflect in Iron Kissed.

First Line
Like most people who own their own businesses, I work long hours that start early in the morning.

Summary
This is the story that continues a bit the connection that Mercy has with Adam who has claimed her as her mate but she has yet to accept that claim, and then her childhood friend who once broke her heart, Sam who is a pack doctor. We have a mystery involving a dangerous sorcerer and some vampire politics happening that Mercy is dragged into and caught into a conflict that brings the packs into the fray. But will Mercy be able to defeat a danger that no one else has been able to?

What I Loved
Honestly....the plot of the story was the best part of this book. It kept me on edge and was packed with danger and mystery. And when the villain attacks her in her home....LITERAL CHILLS! It was so so spooky! I can see this one being the perfect read for Halloween or October reading haha

I did enjoy seeing the growth and action that we get from Mercy. You can definitely feel the build up in the relationships that she has with both characters even though there was little attention to it in this book here. I am curious to see how this conflict between the three of them will be resolved in the end though.

What I Struggled With
LACK OF ROMANCE .....it just felt so much lower than the first book so I am craving more heart and feels with her relationships with these two men. I kinda know who she ends up but I was hoping for more happenings between these three that what was reflected in the story and y'all know how much I need a good romance element in my story.

Narration
BRILLIANT! This narrator really brings out the story and especially Mercy so well. I am loving her character quite a bit. Probably one of my more favorite UF heroines, she just is so real and normal haha

Overall View
Blood Bound is an action packed, leaves you with thrills and chills and delivers a well satisfying ending that only gives you a true gem of a read.

Favorite Quote(s)
“We’d spent years as adversaries, two predators sharing territory and a certain, unwelcome attraction. Somehow, during all those years I spent outwardly acquiescing to his demands while making sure I held my own, I’d won his respect. I’d had werewolves love me and hate me, but I’d never had one respect me before. Not even Samuel. Adam respected me enough to act on my suspicions. It meant a lot.”

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Urban Fantasy
Character Types: Blue Collar Heroine, Alpha Males, Shape Shifter-Werewolves
Themes: Danger/Suspense Elements
Tropes: Love Triangle

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
More plot than relationship being focused on

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Nalini Singh
Ilona Andrews
Kira Brady

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes I would recommend reading these books in order

Steam/Spice Explanations

Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy

Narrators:
Lorelei King
 

 This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
Scorpion is the long awaited story of Kevin Hage. Who was featured as the lost suitor in Penelope's story in The Serpent and is also the long lost son whose father recently passed away. (I am still on the fence on how I feel about this author killing off her characters even if they are older haha) I honestly didn't know how I felt about this story. I almost DNF because I wasn't sure that I was in the correct mood for this type of story. However, I can say that I absolutely fell hard for this story and this type of forbidden love I was NOT expecting but whew this author really made it work out so well in the end.

First Line
"Watch your head!"

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Sir Kevin Hage (The Scorpion)
The Heroine: Lady Annavieve

Summary
Scorpion features the son of Hage and de Wolfe, Sir Kevin Hage, who has spent years fighting and has finally returned home and when he makes his report to the king he learns of the tragic news of his father's death and is reassigned to serve a arrogant but powerful lord in the kingdom. Lady Annavieve has been raised in a convent and finds herself married to the King's cousin who is also a Duke. A man who is secretly gay, and has no wish or want for a wife. When he learns that the King is demanding he bear a child with her, he forces his new Knight, Sir Kevin to lay with her and be the father of his child. Both Kevin and Annavieve is forced into a situation out of their control and through the course of events they fall hard for each other. But any tenderness or love is forbidden because she is another man's wife.

What I Loved
There are many aspects to the story that I actually really enjoyed. The first is the character growth that we see from both Kevin and Annavieve. Both are strong-willed characters as they both have had tough lives and had to overcome much adversity. We also see how these two are just so willing to do their duty above all else. I really liked what a fabulous heroine Annevieve actually was. She could be soft and feminine, but she also was willing to stand by Kevin when it mattered most and I just loved that about her. She had such resilience and courage that I connected with. Kevin is a hero that has had to turn his heart cold to survive being the type of warrior and knight that he needed to be. But seeing how he slowly softens and warms up to Annavieve was delightful. I also appreciated how the sex scenes were written. I love how they are written in a way that details what is happening but at the same time not overly explicit as sex scenes don't need to be in my opinion.

What I Struggled With
The conflict that arises involves some cheating aspects was something that did push me a bit, I am not a fan of cheating in any regard, so I definitely had to learn to be patient with this story here. I also think I wasn't quite in the right mood for such a forbidden romance so I do think if I had been in a better mindset and also my recent health issues most likely also contributed to not being able to enjoy it as much as I would have liked to.

Narration
Brad Wills did a brilliant job as he always tends to do with these books so all I can say is BRAVO!

Overall View
Scorpion is a story that packs quite an intense punch! Its exhilarating, vibrant and hits a different spot than I am used to with this author! You can't go wrong with a Le Veque if you love a solid medieval romance.

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Historical Romance
Time Era: Plantaganet Era, England
Character Types: Warrior, Knights and Ladies
Themes: Danger/Suspense, Heart/Emotional
Tropes: Mistaken Identity, Forbidden Love, Forced Proximity

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
Both

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Julie Garwood
Margaret Mallory
Johanna Lindsey

Recommendation For Reading Order
You can read as a standalone if needed, the author provides background information

Steam/Spice Explanations

Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments. -even though the author has a bit more detailed scenes, they aren't explicit much.

Narrators:
Brad Wills 

 

I would like to say that I loved this book and that I adored this story….but its sad to say that I will be marking this as a DNF. I actually haven’t done that in a long while actually so I always hate having to do it, but I have found that as a reader, blogger, book reviewer its a necessary evil and one that I don’t enjoy especially when I have so much admiration for the author. She has always worked for me in the past, which is why this DNF is so painful for me. Because I did give it till about 57% before I called it quits and normally I try to quite earlier if I am not into the story or the book just isn’t working for me. I don’t think that it was the writing at all, because at the beginning I was into it actually. I was very intrigued by the prologue. But the story actually was so CONFUSING. It had so many players, new ones coming in all the time and I was feeling dazed out of the confusion trying to work it all out and how on earth they had anything to do with this pair. Even after 50% of the story we didn’t really see them interact that much together and that can be frustrating to see.  I also didn’t feel like this book had much direction that much. It felt so NOT Katharine Ashe, the story just felt off for me, and after a whole week of trying to get through it I gave up on it.

 

 This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨


First Impressions
Miss Newbury's List is a standalone by Megan Walker. This book I first saw recommended by a good friend of mine but I also have seen this author around my local bookstores, and I found myself intrigued. I will be honest in that I haven't really read many proper romances, but after this one I am intrigued as it definitely felt more authentic so I definitely will be reading more of this historical but also of this author. I found this book sweet, closed door elements, and with an interesting conflict that was on the border of forbidden themes.

First Line
I leaned over the trunk at the foot of my bed in a desperate frantic search.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Charlie
The Heroine: Rosalind

Summary
Rosalind is destined to marry the Duke of Marlow and even though they barely know each other, she knows that it will be a respectable match and it will bring her family honor and prestige. But before she marries the Duke, she wants to make sure she has a chance to live her life before she becomes a Duchess. So she makes a list of adventures she wants to experience. She meets then Charlie, who is the cousin of her best friend, who is a retired pugilist and he slowly becomes her partner on this adventure that she is experiencing. But as they start crossing items off of her list, there is a growing attachment that is building between them. But she is betrothed to another man who won't let her go easily. And Rosalind will have to make a choice between love and duty to her family.

What I Loved
What a delightful story this turned out to be. It does start out a bit slow at first, but it quickly gains traction and I really become immediately immersed into the story. Even though I wasn't quite in the mood for a forbidden love tale, I was definitely easily drawn into this one here. I also was fascinated because its been years since I read a "proper" romance ---before they were popular and I was curious to see how they were different from other historical romances. Honestly the only real differences is that there is more authenticity and its closed door/fade to black so be prepared for that if you are looking for a story that has less steam than you expect. But I found that refreshing, I could just relax with this audiobook and not having to worry about skipping over certain aspects.

The romance that is developed between these two was slow and endearing. I really found it quite neat as it had a story that really drew me in. There is such fun soft banter, not too strong, but they build a great friendship and foundation for a relationship that slowly turns into more. We get some sweet scenes from them that are more intimate without being explicit. Which I found so refreshing and I need more of that. The conflict that arises between our pair is much more focused on outside of the relationship. But I was at the end of my seat with seeing how their situation would be resolved. And it was handled it a way I didn't see coming to be honest. So I was really happy with how Megan Walker developed her story here.

What I Struggled With
The pacing was a bit off at times, especially in the beginning. There could have been more hearts and feels in this story. This book didn't really make me feel as deeply as I would have liked.

Narration
I really enjoy this narrator for historical's. You do need to have it at a much slower pace to enjoy, but it was well done for the most part.

Overall View
Miss Newbury's List is a soft touching romance that delivers characters that come alive, with a gradually built friends to lovers romance to melt your heart.

Favorite Quote(s)
I don't think that is what you want. Perfection is unachievable, its the strokes we don't mean to make that leave us with an unexpected beauty

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Historical Romance
Time Era: Regency England-1820
Character Types: MMA Fighter, Aristrocracy
Themes: Proper Romance
Tropes: Friends to Lovers, Forbidden Love

Book Perspective
3rd POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A Blend

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Anita Stansfield
Josi Kilpack

Song This Book Inspires
Only Hope by Mandy Moore

Steam/Spice Explanations

Simmering cup of tea---soft warm touches and light intimacy

Narrators:
Justine Eyre 

 My Review:

Tiger Striped was such an interesting read and it was such fun to return back to Tiger and Carly and this whole world of Shiftertown. Tiger Striped is a blend of a extended epilogue type of novella but also a prequel for the book "Tiger's Daughter".

This is a story that had such great blends to it and I really enjoyed seeing what life for Tiger and Carly is like for them. But we also see something more happen for them and the potential of this experience. I really enjoyed how Tiger and Carly are on this adventure together. When Tiger senses someone in danger, he is determined to rescue them. What none of them expect is that this mysterious individual would actually have very close connections to Tiger and be his long lost daughter who has been tortured and treated like an animal all of her life.

There was so much heartfelt emotion that rivals throughout this story. I absolutely enjoyed how this was portrayed and Jennifer Ashley did a great job with this novella. It was a true win of a story and kept me captivated all the way through. You can count on this author to deliver a fun ride of a journey!
 

 Quickie Review:

I wanted to love this one, but as I struggled with the first book, I wasn't sure, but other reviewers had mentioned it was better than the first book. I only got through about halfway before I had to set this one aside. It had some promise, but this author doesn't write MC romance like how it should be written. Its basically an attempt to make MC romance milk toast and that is what this is. Its very tame and boring and just didn't resonate on any level. Not planning on reading any more of this author. 

 This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review. Also my tags may have spoilers in them so be forewarned before checking out full review.

Book Evaluation:
Plot: 🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️🎞️
World Building:🌎🌎🌎🌎🌎
Cover:📔📔📔📔📔
Hero: 🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻🦸🏻
Heroine:🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️🦸🏻‍♀️
Intimacy Level: 🔥🔥🔥
Relationship Building: 💒💒💒💒
Heart & Feels:💞💞💞💞
Witty/Banter/Reaction of Laughter: 😂😂😂
Page Turner Level:📖📖📖📖
Narration:🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Ending:🧧🧧🧧🧧🧧
Overall View: ✨✨✨✨.25


First Impressions
Fragile Sanctuary is the first book in Cowles newest series so I can't tell you how excited I was to finally be able to finally get to this one. It did take me a bit longer than I would have preferred to get this review out to you, so I do apologize for that. Fragile Sanctuary, was a book that was hinted at in the last book of her previous series, and I was really fascinated to see how she would develop this story here and she really knocked it out of the park, especially the suspense elements that are a part of the series. I do love that she is becoming a bit stronger with suspense with each series. She isn't quite "romantic suspense" yet, but she is definitely getting there.

First Line
"What was it like" Fallon whispered as the SUV bounced along the gravel road.

The Main Protagonists
The Hero: Anson
The Heroine: Rhodes

What I Loved
Fragile Sanctuary had such sweet overtones to it that just tugs you into the heart of the story so quickly. From the very beginning, I was so in tune with these characters. Both Rhodes and Anson have suffered their own types of pain and heartache and you see how their tortured halfs just connect so completely with each other. I was so drawn into these two and how much they need each other. And this story is a perfect example of how opposites truly find balance within each other. Anson is so grump and mean and he doesn't like people at all. Then we have Rhodes, who is sweet and kind and so loveable. She just wants to have love in her sphere of community. And even though these two couldn't be more different from each other, there is a type of emotional intimacy of understanding of pain that grows between them. I did appreciate how the suspense elements were handled in the story. It was one of my favorite aspects of "Fragile Sanctuary" I was so easily drawn into this book and what worked for them here for the danger elements. You could easily feel the tension from it being slowly built into the story and it was fascinating to see who was the true villain and boy did she shock me here.

What I Struggled With
Even though there were many aspects to this story I did love, I just wasn't a fan of the angst between the couple. It just felt off kilter for them and didn't quite jive with the rest of the story. There was no warning of this at all. So I just wasn't prepared for the level of angst that wa blended into the story. I know it will work for many readers, but I am very picky and selective in how angst is done, and it definitely could have been done better. Its definitely not Cowles greatest strength.

Narration
BRILLIANT!!! If you can do this author's books in audio, I beg of you, please do so, because she picks the best narrators to bring out only the best in her books!

Overall View
Fragile Sanctuary is a story that will tug you in moments that you least expect, take you on a adventure you won't see coming, pack in deep emotion to dig deep into your heart and leave you breathless but satisfied in the end!

Book Details (also in my shelves)
Sub Genre: Contemporary Romance
Character Types: Grumpy Hero, Jerk Hero, Ex Law Enforcement
Themes: Small Town, Tear Jerker, Danger/Suspense, Heart/Touching,

Book Perspective
Duo POV

Relationship Conflict vs Plot Conflict
A blend

If you like these authors, I recommend This Book
Kristen Proby
Elsie Silver
Jennifer Ryan

Song This Book Inspires
No Running From Me by Toulouse

Recommendation For Reading Order
Yes

Steam/Spice Explanations

Warmin' by the fire- a medium level of sexual tension, a balance of sexual and emotional intimacy, lighter on the details in the sexual moments.

Narrators:
Zachary Webber
Andi Arndt 

 

My Review (May contain spoilers, fair warning upon reading this review)

Beautiful Nightmare is the conclusion to the "Dark Dream Duet" and this is the continuation of our story that is complex dealing with our leading hero and heroine "Tiernan and Bianca" I was really curious to see where this one would deal with especially with some of the reveals that the first book "Dangerous Temptation" dealt with. I honestly still don't know how I fully feel about this duet lol I have SO many mixed feelings. While I was sucked completely into this duet and everything, and I loved the plot, the PLOT totally made this story work. However, the romance was lacking in this duet. Because I am sorry if the only time you are together, you are just having sex, the relationship is not going to quite sing to me. I need much more being portrayed and I understand the circumstances, I just was hoping we would see much more happening between them but sex just doesn't fix issues and that is kinda how this relationship felt to me. Now maybe I am blowing it out of proportion, but that is the impression I got from this story.

Now as for the plot, that was so intriguing. All the secrets left and right that are blended in here, and not knowing who is the true villain or hero was quite deep and really left me entrenched and hooked all the way through the story. And seeing our hero just fall for Bianca's little brother was so charming. I will say that overall I found this duet to be quite fun to read, despite the issues I had for it. And looking forward to explaining the other duet that this author has written.

 

 My Review: (May contain spoilers, fair warning upon reading this review)

Dangerous Temptation and Beautiful Nightmare is a duet that I have been wanting to come out since it first released. I had seen quite a few mixed reviews for it though, which is why it took so long in digging into this one here. I also was able to listen to this one here.

Dangerous Temptation is the first book and this is where we get the introduction into our couple and seeing the beginning of what draws them together. There is quite a bit of angst that delves into their relationship. They both hate each other lol At first its the hero that is being a jerk to the heroine, so that builds on the tension between them. The heroine is strong in her own way, but she responds to the tension that the hero displays.

I will be honest that there are issues with this book that might not work for everyone. The heroine is 17 (so a bit underage) but the hero is in his late twenties, so the age gap isn't too horrible as its within the ten years about. I did have issues with the tension that is between the hero and heroine. It really doesn't even get fun until the very end of the book with the cliffhanger haha And it also seemed to me it was all about sex, there didn't seem to be any evolvement in their relationship that wasn't about that. And I definitely need more from my books than that.

Overall while it had a great promising start in aspects of the reading and the narration really pulling me into the story, and the mystery between the rivaling families, the romance so far is a bit meh.