Scorpious Rising is the prequel novella to the "Scorpius Syndrome" series. And I am not sure how I missed out on this one but I am so happy I got to this one. I do wish that I had read this one first before starting the series and its a perfect lesson to READ THE NOVELLAS haha I am definitely going to make an effort to be better about this in the future .

I highly recommend reading this one first before starting the series. I really loved seeing the background information and how Lynne was infected with the "blue" and in this novella is where we see the beginnings of the Scorpius infection. This is also a second chance romance. Our couple in question, was once married, but had some issues and you definitely get the feeling from this that it just wasn't the best timing and they were too young to truly make it work. They both needed the years of maturity. But we see them years later, more mature in age and experience, both settled in their career and able to communicate more honestly. And now they are in a forced proximity situation and reconnect with each other. Absolutely loved seeing how we see the beginnings of the virus and also seeing their romance and the friendship that develops between Nora and Lynne. Reading this novella made me realize how much I love this series and to get back to it and SOON!!

Overall I had a blast with this novella and if you like dystopian romances, then I highly recommend this one! 

 

This was simply ADORBS!!! One of my favorites from the series. And I always liked seeing more background into the mysterious lady hacker who just has charmed my socks off throughout the series so far and loved that we get to see another side to her.

I am actually glad I took a week off from this series, because I feel like I enjoyed this book more because of it. Although I do think you could read this one or book 4 first and it wouldn't cause any upset on the timeline of the series as I think they happen around the same time, or that was the impression I received from this one here.

In this book, we have our two main characters: Dimitri and Arlo. They became fast childhood friends and protected each other. Specifically Arlo was being abused, and Dimitri showed his psychopathic tendancies to his mother when he set Arlo's parents bed on fire when he saw how he was being abused by them. His mother moved them away. But the moment he had a drivers license he went for Arlo and has been by his side as his best friend ever since. But when Arlo becomes single and is being abused, Dimitri has had enough waiting and is going to claim Arlo as his.

I have to say that this book was so precious. I was worried how the author would handle the novella length of the story, but it honestly felt as fleshed out as the full length books although I wouldn't have minded seeing more of this couple. I liked them as much as the first two pairings so I mean these two will have my heart. I really adored this one, because in some ways they are seperate from the Mulveneys and I really enjoyed seeing the focus just being on Dimitri being a psychopath and not an assassin, it was just a different take on it.

Overall I had a blast with this one and I can't wait to explore more books in the series!

 

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

Introduction
Dangerous is the first book in the "Outcasts" series and this is book that I have been wanting to read forever! I actually bought this in print a long time ago, when it first came out but never really read it. And when Jenn @ The Book Refuge, has raved about this author. I have seen quite a few mixed reviews though so I was pretty nervous to read this author. However, I have to say having read this one, it is as good as some people say and I was really hooked into this one. I do wish more newer historical's were written like this because then I would read more historical romance if they were written in the manner in which this one was written. So, if you love historical romance, and want to delve into it a bit more, than I actually recommend this one.

Summary
Euphemia was sold into a Harem when she was a teenager and now she has managed to escape but when she returns to England, her father is determined to just marry her off as he doesn't want her to "shame" the family with her wild blunt ways. But Mia is determined now that the Sultan is dead, to go back to her son but in order to do that, she will need to marry first. Adam de Courtney, has a scandal attached to his name and isn't accept in many of the Ton's circles. He is a single father with three daughters and no heir. So Mia and Adam come up with a pact for a marriage of convenience. At first while these two grow together, and Mia is having a harder time keeping the truth from Adam, but when it matters most will she be able to share everything about her past or keep that locked away...

My Outlook
I really enjoyed this book, now its not a perfect book, It didn't quite make it to the five star read as some of the pacing in the first half was a bit off for me. But the story itself and the characters were so wonderful and I was behind them all the way. I really enjoyed Mia, even knowing how she was going to deceive the hero, I understood where she was coming from. She is a mother protecting her son. I didn't really understand why she wanted to return to that life so much though, that was a bit odd. Because it was much more dangerous than England, England was just a different type of life that she wasn't used to. But hey if you want actual daggers in your back over verbal ones....whatever floats your boat haha But I did like that the author did do a take on the corsair slave trade (where thousands upon thousands were sold down the barbary coast and taken from western countries like the UK and Europe) and I felt like she handled it really well.

The second half of the story is where it really just kicked in gear though. Once I got to about 60% I couldn't put it down. First I loved the sensual bedtime with this couple, this author really knows how to write a sex scene that is sensual and in a way that I haven't seen in a historical in a long time. But also I really loved the way our couple interacts with each other. I do wish there had been a bit more focus on the kids and Mia's relationship with them, there was hardly any focus on that and I would have enjoyed seeing that aspect more fleshed out. They were just in the background and you knew that she was helping these girls, but never saw hardly anything on how she helped them haha The third act conflict was FANTASTIC! I actually loved it. It just got me so excited in seeing how it was developed and built in the last 1/3 of the story.

You can bet this won't be the last time I pick up this author and very excited to read this world that Minerva Spencer has created!!!!

Overall View
I found Dangerous to be a thrilling historical adventure, that was well built, intricately developed and with some powerful smexy times to appeal to any romance reader!

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 4
World Building: 4
Cover: 5
Hero: 4
Heroine: 3.5
Steam: 5
Heart & Feels: 4
Ending: 5
Overall View: 4.25
 

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

Introduction
This is the final in the "Hush Note" trilogy. I really had a blast with this one, not quite as much as book 2, but it still was pretty enjoyable. This is the finale in the trilogy and where we finally get Nix's story. Nix is the difficult one of the group, he is the one with many addiction issues and you just know from the previous two books that he has a tortured past that the author would have to work through. I found the set up of the actual romance itself to be unique and different, but not my favorite to be honest. It had all this unrequited angst between them which had been building for years. I did like it but how it all gets resolved? I would have liked to see more couple page time, they were apart in the second half too much in my opinion.

My Outlook
I will say that I found this one to be fascinating. Even though it didn't quite match up to book 2, for some reason, book 2 was everything. But this one was still a solid installment and I liked seeing what we got about the hero's past. I will be honest in that I wish that had been more fleshed out. It seemed to get resolved too quickly to be honest and I didn't like what the heroine does towards the end there. I wish she would have stood by him and not pushed it so much. But its what the author wrote so lol

I did like this book for the most part, but the conflict in the last third of the story turned me off so much I wanted to skim through it. I just didn't like the way that they seperated at all. But it was a solid read. I am not sure this author's writing style is for me though. And not sure I want to continue to read anything more from her. This is not a bad story at all, and the ending was great, I just felt like the conflict was unnecessary. But I do recommend this trilogy if you love rock star romance!

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 3
World Building: 3.5
Cover: 4
Hero: 4
Heroine: 3
Steam: 4
Heart & Feels: 4
Ending: 4
Overall View: 4

 

 

This was a darling novella in the FM Descendents series. It was shorter than the first book in the series though, but I really enjoyed it especially in the romance develops and I really loved the whole beginning with the family and the shock that gets delivered. Very impactful. Very curious to see what the author will deliver next!

 

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

Introduction
Ghostly Game is book 19 in the Ghostwalker series. And in this book we get taken back to the streets of San Francisco in California but we also get something a bit different than I was expected. This is more moderate paced in comparison to the other books in the series I feel like. It felt closer to solving a mystery than lots of action packed scenes that we are used to with this series. I found it to be a fascinating story, even if I had a few issues, but it was still a solid Christine Feehan book that delivered in aspects that we are used to from this author. I really loved the build up of the romance and character development was on point.

Summary
Gideon "Eagle" is slowly recovering from an injury protecting one of his closest friends. But he is drawn to a woman's laughter that intrigues him, a voice that speaks of song and passion. And he is determined to find her and why she intrigues him so much. Laurel "Rory" has always been a bit of a lone wolf, on the run, struggling with her Asthma, and having trust issues. But now she is settled in California, and has made some strong female friends. And when she meets Gideon, she knows that there is something that she can trust about him. But there are secrets in her past, and their instincts may cause some hurt in the relationship and their love will be tested in ways neither expect...

My Outlook
Ghostly Game is a solid installment of the series. I personally have really enjoyed the series but it can be a hit or miss sometimes. Don't get me wrong, Christine Feehan, is QUEEN!! But I ocassionally have a hard time connecting to the books in this series especially. But from the very beginning of this one I was completely fascinated by this one here. And I just loved the instant connection between Gideon and Rory. It was so on point. I also loved seeing them connect in such a trusting way. We also get to see the friendships on both sides. I loved returning to the Ghostwalkers in San Francisco, they are such a fun group to see together.

I really enjoyed the romance as a whole, the way in which Gideon and Rory connect was so charming and achingly sweet. Rarely are they this sweet in this series, but it was so beautifully captured in only the ways that Feehan can do it. But I think my issue was the conflict that rises in the relationship. I just didn't care for how long it was dragged out to be honest. I also felt like the heroine was making a mountain out of a molehill. I did enjoy seeing her background come to the light though and the realization of who she really is and how she connects to the original girls captured by Dr. Whitney so fascinating. The ending was satisfying though and left me content and happy. Definitely eager to see what she delivers for the next installment.

Overall View
I found Ghostly Game to be an poignant and full of charm romance that keeps you on the edge but also captures the sweetness of the heart!

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 4
World Building: 4
Cover: 5
Hero: 5
Heroine: 3.5
Steam: 3
Heart & Feels: 3.5
Ending: 4
Overall View: 4 

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

Introduction
Hard Evidence is the second book in the "I-Team" series. I actually was really excited to read this one and even though I didn't quite enjoy it quite as much as the first book, I still enjoyed it quite a bit. I am super picky about my journalist heroines. But I found the dynamic of the couple in question to be so unique and really enjoyed seeing these two get entangled together. This is a story that will easily keep you on the edge of your seat, and I enjoyed the way that the author built up the plot and it was so well done. The characters are so different, and they definitely clash at times but to be honest I enjoyed seeing them clashing at times. I also found the actual suspense plot to be fascinating and a unique twist to the story.

Summary
In Hard Evidence, we have our heroine, Tessa, who is a investigative reporter, witnesses a shooting of a young girl, and she is determined to find out who is responsible and bring them to justice which puts her in the cross airs of Julian, who is a undercover FBI agent and is working on a case that has taken a part of him. He is drawn to Tessa though, and even though he knows she could put his mission at risk, he can't resist her. But when she becomes targeted by the same man that he is after, they cross paths and he will do anything to protect her....but will it be enough?

My Outlook
Hard Evidence was such an intriguing story and I really had such a blast with this one. I actually ended listening to this one in audio and I was purely fascinated. I was so easily drawn into this one, and I found myself captivated by the romance actually. Because these two really clash especially in the beginning and boy is it entertaining. I mean the hero even arrests her at one point to get the point across to her how dangerous it is and its epic. And quite frankly, she deserves it haha Now I will say that I wasn't a fan of the heroine at times, she did tend to let her career get ahead of what was right and endangering other lives. She tended to be very one view minded and that did bother me a bit. Its why I struggle with journalist heroines, because they will do anything for a story. And while she isn't the worst that I have read, she also didn't seem to have the moral compass that the heroine in the first book did. But I did like how courageous she is at times and what she is willing to do for the hero at times. I just wish she was more empathetic to his sacrifices.

Overall View
I found Hard Evidence to be a sensual suspense of a read, Pamela Clare, really delivered in many elements that many romance readers will be drawn into!

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 5
World Building: 4
Cover: 4
Hero: 5
Heroine: 3
Steam: 4
Heart & Feels: 3.5
Ending:4
Overall View: 4
 

 This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

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

Introduction

For the Love of Whiskey is the second full installment in the Redemption Ranch series and this was such a long awaited read for me and was also such a anticipated release of the year for me. I have to say that this book was somehow better than the first book and I have no clue how Melissa foster does this for me, how she is able to craft such magnificence in a romance and just delivers on all counts for me! In this story though, we have Sully and Cowboy’s story and Foster really hit this one out of the park. Its been 24 hours and I am still feelings so much emotion from what was delivered in this one. There is something about this series so far that has just raised the bar for this author. This series is connected to her Peaceful Harbor Dark Knights series. So if you have read that series, you will definitely get a kick out of what you see in this series because we see some of our favorite characters. For the Love of Whiskey is a story of healing and finding love when you least expect it…

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Summary
Sullivan “Sully” Tate, was raised in a cult where she was abused by men but especially the cult leader and she found a way to escape and is now in hiding. And then she finds a home and safe harbor with the Whiskeys at the Redemption Ranch, where they rescue lost souls and animals and get them on the road to healing and recovery. And this is where Sully meets one of the sons of the Whiskeys who run the Redemption Ranch. And Cowboy is the broody serious son. He is the protector and helps the most with damaged and abused horses. But for Sully, he is her safe haven, she feels more safe in his arms than anywhere else. But as they develop a strong bond, Cowboy is hesitant to move faster than he should with Sully, he knows that she is recovering and he doesn’t want to push her too fast. But Sully knows that even though their relationship is new, and she is learning to heal, she also knows that you fight for who you love…

My Outlook
This book was simply everything! I adored every single aspect of this story. And what I loved the most was the focus on the healing and balancing it out with a romantic relationship. There is such a authentic feel to how Melissa Foster captures the essence of the heart between these two characters. And how good they are for each other. I was instantly drawn into their relationship, because you can sense their deep connection from the very beginning. I couldn’t seem to get enough between these two. And they were truly so delightful to see together and the in which they just lift each other up in the right ways. I have read plenty of healing romances but this is hands down the best one that I have ever had the pleasure to read. In this story we see such a strong delivery of balance of chemistry and deep connection. Cowboy is such a protector but isn’t overbearing or overstep at all, and when Sully stands her ground, he respects her even more. But he is his own man and he makes his own decisions and I love that he does what he believes is right even if his family disagrees. I loved seeing him come into his own and fight for his woman. Both Sully and Cowboy have to learn to fight for each other and it epic when they do it when it counts and do it TOGETHER!! And that ending, my heart just crashed. This author just tore me up with so much intense emotion and seeing what happens to bring them to their HEA was brilliant and so poignant, I guarantee it will be a moment that as a reader you can easily get so lost in.

Overall View
I found For The Love of Whiskey to be a powerhouse of a romance, delivering on depths of human emotion, atmospheric moments of the american west, bringing together the heart of family and crafting your own happiness when it matters the most!

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 5
World Building: 5
Cover: 4
Hero: 5
Heroine: 5
Steam: 5
Heart & Feels: 5
Ending: 5
Overall View: 5



 

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

Introduction
Moonstruck was a book that I just couldn't resist picking up. I am not sure why I immediately picked this up, I think because I had been reading reviews that this one was better than Psycho, but also I had just come from the high of reading Psycho and needed to read more. I will say that if you love the style of this author and this series, then this is definitely going to be a fun addition. But I will be honest in that this book didn't quite do it for me, at least not in the ways that the first two books did. I am not sure its because I jumped into it right after Psycho, maybe these books are best with some pacing between them? I am not sure, but I will waiting till next week before I pick up Asa's book, just in case that is the reason and I also don't want to risk a slump. I am on a great track record of a year without one. But I will say that this one was entertaining, and I enjoyed so many aspects of it.

Summary
In this set up we have our protagonists "Atticus and Jericho" Atticus is the oldest son of Thomas Mulveney but is also the son that is the least accepted by the family, or that is how it appears to him. But while he is out on a job, he runs into another man who is also seeking to kill the same man and Jericho comes onto him sexually and they share a passionate one night stand. But when Jericho seeks him out, Atticus doesn't know how to deal with it yet. But as Jericho and Atticus explore each other, they also work together with their families to find the person who murdered Jericho's sister who was missing for years.

My Outlook
I found Moonstruck to be such a interesting read if I am being honest. I wasn't sure exactly what I thought of this one, but I was fascinated by Atticus' book. He is a sibling that everyone teases the worst and seeing his point of view was kinda sad in some ways especially in regards to his father. Because Atticus isn't the same like his brothers are in how it pertains to being a psychopath and seeing this side of him being fleshed out was so well done by the author. I was intrigued by Jericho but I will be honest in that I just wasn't quite as invested in their romance as I expected to be. I am not sure if it was just the timing of picking this one up or having read it right after Psycho, but I definitely think I need to pace myself with these books. I will say that there is a lot of steam in this one, more than the previous two books I feel like. Not that its a bad thing, but just felt a bit more focused than what we saw in previous books.

Overall View
I found Moonstruck to be a tantalizing addition to such a sensual thrilling series that has held my heart and keeping captivating it!

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 4
World Building: 4
Cover: 5
Steam: 5
Heart & Feels: 4
Ending:4
Overall View: 4 

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

Introduction
Psycho is the second book in the Necessary Evils series. I absolutely couldn't put this one down at all!!! There is something about this author's writing that immediately pulls me into the story. These books are stalker romances, or at least that is the vibe that I am receiving so far. We shall see what the other books in the series are actually about. But so far it definitely has a strong stalker vibe. I would say that if you want to try out dark romance but one series that has plenty of humor, then these books are what you need to pick up and soon. I absolutely adored Psycho, maybe more than book one?? I am not sure which one so far I love more. But these two were so interesting and I really liked how the assassin was the sub in the bedroom, but not always so that was interesting. I also love that these are MM romances.

Summary
The story sets of with our brother "August" who is the genius of the brothers as he has the highest IQ but is also autistic. Then we have our other protoganist, who is a brilliant professor but also ex-FBI agent, Lucas who also happens to be on the run. August is determined to have Lucas and he knows that he is it for him. He doesn't understand what love is, but he understands he wants to keep Lucas for himself. At first its because Lucas is "Pretty" but August wants to get to the hidden layers. Lucas knows that he is in danger, and tries to put August off at first, because he knows he probably doesn't have long, but August will protect him no matter what...

My Outlook
This book was EVERYTHING! I absolutely adored it in so many ways. I think what I really enjoyed the most was seeing how this author implemented this here. I just loved this dynamic that we have in this one. And there is also some great BDSM being portrayed, August, I wouldn't say is a strict sub, probably closer to a switch when the situation calls for it. Its more to protect his partner than anything else but that scene when Lucas forces him to be his true self in the bedroom (SMOKIN and Brilliantly written) I think what draws me so easily into these books is the humor and charm with the mix of darker elements. Honestly normally Stalkers are fun to read but I can really see the appeal of these books and why so many readers have loved these so much!!! Because I am hooked on everything that combines these.

Now I do want to warn those that haven't read much dark romance or don't like torture scenes, skip these scenes if gore details bother you. I just skim over these because torture stuff isn't always my thing lol but Onley James writes it well and what I love the most is that the couple in the book does it together as a team and its not just the one that does it all the time.

My only complaint which didn't even affect my rating is the ending felt a bit rushed in comparison to the end of the first book.

Overall View
I found Psycho to be a brilliant story that captivated me from beginning to end and I am addicted to these and can't wait to delve deeper into the series!

Rating Evaluation:
Plot: 5
World Building: 5
Cover: 5
Hero: 5
Hero 2 : 5
Steam: 5
Heart & Feels: 5
Ending: 4
Overall View: