Two Together is the finale in the Naked Trilogy and I had such a blast with this one. I was really curious to see what would happen in this one and finally find out what happened to Jax's brother and to see what secrets Emma's brother is keeping and how he is involved in their father's secrets. I really enjoyed seeing all the final reveals that gets unveiled and the way that it has slowly been built into a crescendo that was so beautifully done. I was not expecting the villain to be the villain who behind it all. I also liked the way that our characters just are so "tight" in their relationship and never lose faith in each other. It was such a delight to get their story to be wrapped up in such a tiny little bow. I will say that they are one of my favorite couples of the year.

Inseverable was a book that I saw a fellow book blogger "Nadene" recommend and I instantly borrowed it from my local library. I have really fallen behind on reading this author's writing. I just loved this book, it was such a perfect summer type of read. I was so drawn into this audio and the I was impressed with how it was done. There was some special effects and ACTUAL singing being sung for song, it just added something more to it. I am so glad that I picked this up through audio. The romance was such a fun one. We have a grumpy sunshine type of dynamic. The hero is tortured, ex military, tortured hero type of man and likes to be left alone. Then we have our heroine who is bubbly and sweet and loves to chat a TON! So it brings together such a fun dynamic between these two. The only real issue that I had was the third act conflict, I felt like the heroine should have groveled more. I know this isn't the popular thing in romance, as most readers just want a big grovel from the hero. But it just felt so unsatisfying in how the heroine lied to the hero till the end and hurt him so deeply and he has to go and find her. I would have liked to see the heroine work for it a bit more if I am being honest. But it had a very sweet epilogue that most readers will find most satisfying and I am so intrigued by the group of friends that we see here. And I can't wait for the other books and already downloaded the second book.

posted on Addicted To Romance

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.


First Impressions
Dagger Star has been a book I have been meaning to get to for quite a while now. I was able to have the opportunity to actually buddy read this one last night with a fellow bookstammer that also loved her “Chronicles of the Warlands” series. I have to say that I was impressed with this one here. Now it wasn’t exactly a perfect read, but it was such a thrilling adventure and I love how easy and quick it was to read here. There is something so unique about the way that Elizabeth Vaughan writes her fantasy romance, and I was having a blast with this one because it had such a unique dynamic that I haven’t seen from this author before and not super common in epic or high fantasy romance, at least not in my experience anyway. So I was so intrigued to see where she would take this one. It was also interesting to see the set up of the series and how it related to the Chronicles of the Warlands (which is a more distant connection). Although we may see stronger connected in the next two books.

Summary
The story starts off with our heroine, Red Gloves, who is a traveling mercenary alongside with her friend, Bethral. They come across sanctuary as they and their horses are in need of rest. They receive sheltar from a man who has a wounded soul by the name of, Josiah. Red Gloves is instantly drawn to Josiah, who is much more than he seems and there is an instant attraction. When he notices a mark on her torso, that signifies that she could be the hope for restoring Palin to its greatness and free the people from abuse and slavery. Josiah, was once a powerful influencer within Palin, but then he was betrayed and his territory was decimated and his people either taken or slaughtered. He was the only survivor and has lived a life of seclusion ever since. But then comes along Red Gloves, who awakens his passions and also his fire to fight. But will their destiny’s clash or will they be able to find common ground to work their way towards their own HEA?

What I Loved
I absolutely adored this one, and it was such a fun adventure and it was so interesting to see Red Gloves and Josiah as a pair. Red Gloves is such a fiery spirit, she is strong willed, shameless, and goes after what she wants. She has no regrets and faces challenges head on and is a brilliant fighter. Then we have Josiah who is a tortured soul, still grieving for his people and failing them. I really found that Red Gloves and Josiah were just right for each other. They truly fit the “Yin Yang” and bring balance in just the right way. They each push each other in what they need. Red Gloves encourage Josiah to keep living and fighting and not let what happened in the past defeat him. Then Josiah teaches Red Gloves the power of embracing emotion and love. They each teach each other and encourage one another in different but profound ways. I found the journey that Red Gloves goes on to be so interesting. We are also interesting to most of the main characters in the other books and I am so intrigued by their stories and see where this author plans on taking the series. I found the ending sweet and endearing.

What I Struggled With
I won’t say that this book was absolutely perfect, but biggest issues was the romance connection. There is a ton of chemistry between Red Gloves and Josiah but my largest issue was not fully feeling the actual heart of their romance. I just wanted a bit more of the emotional intimacy and felt like it was all casual sex type of stuff and not enough emotion that I have come to expect from this author. I still enjoyed the story so much, but I just needed a bit more and it would have been a five star read.

Overall View
I found Dagger Star to be a brilliant beginning to what I imagine is a action packed series. I found this installment to be a powerhouse of a read, it sparkles in such unique ways, it delivered in a way that seemed to work so well for the story as a whole. Its a page turner of a fantasy read that will only leave you more intrigued in needing more!

This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

This review may contain spoilers, so fair warning, upon reading the review.
First Impressions
Twisted Games is the second book in the “Twisted” series and I am not sure why it took me so long to read this. I had a fun time with Twisted Games and was so curious to see where the author would take this story as their story was a bit teased there. But I have to say that Twisted Games was so much more than I ever expected. I actually ended up five starring this book, it was THAT good! I honestly know that my review will not be able to praise this book enough. There was so much in this one that just delivered in all the ways that I need in a solid romance. My heart was so quickly won over by Rhys and Bridget’s romance. It does have a sense of forbidden love and I really enjoyed how this author implemented this and the steam is HOT!! I really love how this author handles her sexual content, it just is so well balanced with the story without it feeling like its erotic romance, just well done bedroom scenes.

Summary
Our story starts outs with Bridget getting a new bodyguard, as her current one has other obligations. Instantly Rhys and Bridget do not get along, there is a strong attraction between them and Rhys is working at keeping it as professional as he can, but Bridget doesn’t make it easy for him. Bridget and Rhys in the beginning of their relationship, do not get along, as they are complete opposites and just don’t work so well together. But then slowly something more starts to build between them which turns into a strong friendship, and then it turns into something so much deeper than either of them expected. But when Bridget’s brother chooses to abdicate the throne, it comes to Bridget to be the heir to the throne. And the budding romance that has been building between Bridget and Rhys gets put to a hault as there is a marriage law that prevents Bridget from marrying anyone not a royal. But as Rhys and Bridget work through the issues that they face, they come to realize that their love is stronger than any law….

What I Loved
There were so many elements to this story that I fell so hard for. The characters were so delightful. The hero is a tortured and brooding male. He has gone through hell and back, and is overprotective but in a way that Bridget needs. He knows how to work a woman in the bedroom but is also fiercely loyal and driven. Then we have Bridget, who is kind and energetic and enjoyed life to its fullest. No two people could be more opposite from each other. Bridget values her freedom which is why we see her in the states at the beginning, people don’t treat her like she is to be judged under a microscope. But when it becomes apparent that she will need to step up, she does her duty to her family and country and steps up to the plate to get things done and prepare as best she can to be queen. I really enjoyed how the author implemented the forbidden tone of the romance and how the conflict was resolved. It was done SO well that really capitalized on the talents of both the hero and heroine. It was also fun to see all the secrets that were revealed and seeing Rhys make friends with the most unlikely characters that you just don’t see coming. As for the romance itself, it was true perfection. It worked so well and was built gradually in a way that will work for any romance reader whether you are a fan of slow burn or not. As there is a strong level of steam from the beginning of the story. I loved Rhys and Bridget together, they make such a beautiful pair in how well they balance each other out and find their way to their well deserve happy ever after!

What I Struggled With
Nothing…it was a perfect read for me!

The Narration
I really enjoyed the duo POV and it was done so beautifully. The narrators really reflected well on the personality of each character and I was so surprised at the inflections that were done just right for this book. I enjoyed both voices so well and I felt like they represented their characters in such a way that made them more relatable than if you had just been physically reading them.

Overall View
I found Twisted Games to be such a delightful mix of well-built chemistry, strong friendship ties, and a love worth fighting for. The story was captured in such a way that will endear its reader instantly and leave one with a smile on your face!

Love in the Wild was such a fantastic story and I honestly couldn't put this one down and just swept through this story so easily. I read this partly audiobook and partly ebook. Either way is a wonderful format in reading this book. I have had this book on my TBR for over a year and I am not sure what took me so long to read it, but I absolutely LOVED this book. I do something get nervous in reading new authors and as I had never read this author before I wasn't sure how I would take to her writing. But I have to say that I absolutely adored this book in every way. It turned out to be such a win for me in so many ways. I was so drawn into the retelling of Tarzan. The author puts her own twist on it, but she does follow the tale of Tarzan pretty closely. I love the connection between the two characters, and even though it had a more insta love feel to it, the author really made it work in this one. I was so fascinated to see where the author would take this story and how she would develop the romance. I will say that this author definitely knows how to work through my emotions in such a captivating way. I was so drawn into both of these characters and seeing them fall in love with each other, the family units of the gorilla's that raised Thorn was so endearing. There is such strong character growth that is implemented within this story and the way that our pair find their way to their HEA was so stunning and I was on board all the way through and couldn't put this treasure down.

Overall I found Love in the Wild to be a stunning gem of a read that focused so beautifully on real emotion and the true power of love!

Woodrose Mountain is a book that I have been meaning to read, I have only read a couple books from this series so far, but I was randomly browsing my libraries catalog and the cover just made such an impression. I was so intrigued to see what this book would have, but as always RaeAnne Thayne never disappoints and she definitely satisfied me with this piece of work. I will say that her books now are fade to black/closed door, so if you struggle with that or need more steam, I don't recommend them. She writes a little chemistry build up but there isn't much more than that, so fair warning.

The story starts off with our hero, whose daughter was in a accident and she suffered a brain injury and he wants to bring her home and so he goes to the one person that lives in the area that has returned to Hope's Crossing to get her help with the rehabilitation of his daughter and help her recover. At first, Evie refuses as she is still healing from a trauma of losing her daughter, but through a set of events, reluctantly agrees. She slowly works her way into the Thorne household and falling in love with both the daughter and father while also helping the town to heal. But the journey is an emotional one.

There was such a beautiful journey in seeing this family truly come together and man my heart when everything is revealed. I really felt for the daughter and what she went through but also her friend whom the town blames for everything when there is much more to the story that people know. I really loved seeing how everything gets resolved in the end. The romance is poignant and sweet but slow built. I really enjoyed the relationship that Evie builds with both the father and the daughter. The setting was so picturesque for Autumn and just seemed like the perfect book to kick off my Autumn reading with! The only issue I had is with the heroine. Even though in the beginning we don't know about her daughter, I struggled with her because of how cold and unfeeling she seemed to be toward the father and his daughter. Even if she was rejecting the offer, she could have been kinder about it.

Overall I found this story to be a solid delightful read that worked my emotions in all the ways that RaeAnne Thayne does best!

Lacybourne Manor is the second book in the Ghosts and Reincarnation series. I really had a fun time with the first book so I was highly intrigued by this one. I will say though that this may be one of my least favorite KA novels. I really love her writing style and we did get some of that in there. But it was also like KA was on a bender on hating against anyone that has money and works hard for that success. It just felt super preachy all the way through and became so distracting. Also the hero was an ass lol I have never struggled so hard with one of her heroes before, and I just felt like the way he treated the heroine was not my cup of tea. I am not sure if it was just the way that it was written, but it almost reminded me of old school romance style of a jerk hero to be honest. I really enjoyed most of the story and the whole reincarnation aspect was super neat, there were just other aspects to this book that ruined my overall enjoyment.

Shattered With You was such a great story and it install pulled me into the story. I was easily swept away into this romance. J.Kenner has such a great talent in writing stories and I love her writing style that is so engaging. I found this story to be unique in that we have such a level of intensity to this story. We do experience some flashbacks in this one and I was really fascinated in how this author implemented it. I was so endeared by both of the characters. They are so strong willed and SO stubborn so it made for some fireworks. But we also see their vulnerabilities especially in how much they care for each other. I just wanted them to find their way together and overcome the hurdles that have kept them from finding their HEA. I was intrigued to see where J. Kenner would deliver this story and it was done it such a solid way. And while it didn't quite make it to a five star read, it was such a solid win for me.

I will admit that I was excited for this one. This one came to me as a recommendation but I really wasn't prepared for the level of angst in this one. I wanted to really love it, but this style of angst just isn't for me to be honest. We also have a hero that cheats in this one and too much dramatics in the groveling that just didn't seem genuine and I just could finish it. So I decided to DNF this one as it just wasn't for me. This style of historical romance just doesn't quite work for me anymore.

After the Bite is the 35th installment in the Argeneau series by Lynsay Sands. I am always excited for when we get more of this world, and I adore long series like this and these books are so entertaining. I will say that this book was so impressive to me, It completely pulled me in more than this series has done lately. And also this one had such a fun setting with a golf course and I haven't ever read a golf themed romance before and I am realizing how much I loved it and I need more of this.

The set up of the story is that Valerian, who is a immortal enforcer, and has come to Canada to relax with this golf course. He has been coming to this course for months but when the owner's life is put at risk, and meets her for the first time, he realizes that she is his lifemate. Natalie, has had her heart burned by the father of her children. She lost her husband who ended up having another wife and child and not really her husband, but is killed in an accident with their son while she was pregnant. Now she has worked hard to built the golf course and give a good life for her daughter. But when her life is put in danger, Valerian ends up being her rock but also introduces her to a life she ever imagined...

I absolutely adored this story in so many ways. I adored both of the main characters. Valerian and Natalie are such a strong match. I really adored their chemistry from the very beginning. They click right away and neither of them fight their relationship for very long. I also had a blast with some old favorites and we get Lucien PLUS Leigh. (we don't always see his lady and it added something more to the story to see her play such a role here). But Natalie really sees Lucien for who he is and it was entertaining. I also enjoyed seeing the heroine being a single mother. We don't see kids or family centered themes in this series and when I see it happen, it just adds more depth to the story. I was endeared in seeing how the mystery was developed and the villain of the story was someone I LEAST expected so it made for such a surprising climax in the end. I will say that this story was such a blast of fun from the romance, to the setting, to the mystery and the delightful side cast of characters.

Overall I found After The Bite to be a snazzy, chillin' sexy romp of a romance that delivers in its spooky sensuality, characters to charm your heart and with just the right balance of emotion and intrigue.