Safe At Last is the third installment in the "Slow Burn" series. I will be honest, after loving the second book in the series, I had high expectations of this one and I have to say this book was so ANNOYING! I struggled so much with this book. Especially the first half. Once we get into about 60% of the book, then it does get quite better. I am shocked that I stuck with this one, but to be honest I wanted to find out what happened with this romance, because there was this magnetic pulling into the story where even though there was so elements that were driving me bonkers. I will say that you just have to struggle through it, and if you need to skim over the first half especially over the issues with all the inner dialogue and the heroine's panicked character. Now normally I would have been drawn to the heroine in this scenario, but to be honest she was driving me nuts. Now once the truth all comes out, it makes some sense, but I still feel like she was written in the overly extreme to be honest despite what happened to her. I felt so hard for the hero, and what he has to do to get him and his girl back together. Your heart just breaks for him and how confusing especially it is for him trying to get to the truth. But I ended up really liking the ending and how the story gets resolved.

Overall I found Safe At Last to be an interesting read, that while it had a rough start, ended up being a satisfying read and curious to see what the next book will deliver! 

 Blackmailing Mr. Bossman is the second book in the Billionaire Heists series. This is a story that brings so much fun and thrills to the table. I absolutely adored the way that this author delivered with this one here. I really had such a fun time, and it was so fun getting back to these characters and most especially the trio of male friends. I just love how they back each other up and have such a strong bond to each other.

Blackmailing Mr. Bossman, introduces our heroine, who is a private investigator. Her friends comes to her for help when her husband is kidnapped and in return their job is to blackmail, CEO Liam. Liam is a powerful CEO, but came into his own so he could independent from his controlling father. He has yet to find a woman that sees him more than a checkbook. But then he meets Aspen, where an instant connection forms between them. But when the truths comes out on Aspen's true motives, they have to work on rebuilding trust, but as the danger increases, so does the intimacy of their relationship.

Blackmailing Mr. Bossman was such a delightful read, and I had such a blast with this installment. It did start out a bit slower, in comparison to how quickly the first book engaged me, however, once I was into it I had a hard time putting this one down. I became so endeared by both characters here, I just adored every element of this story and everything that comes together in this one. I really enjoyed the way that the author wrote this one and the mysterious plot was so fascinating. I am definitely eager to get to the third book and the grumpy billionaire who avoids relationships. 

 Hidden Waters is the third installment in the "Tattered & Torn" series. This is the one installment that I was the most excited for except for the finale book in the series, as it's one of the most well-loved installments in the series. And it's definitely worthy of the love, in fact, all of the books in the series have been so wonderful. I just adored Hidden Waters so much and all the emotion that gets built. I really enjoyed seeing the way that the author developed this story. There was so much attention to detail and the emotion that is displayed on healing and recovery and a young woman learning to stand on her own and choose her own life and have such a fierce determination to fight her battles. I was instantly captivated by both characters and the bond that they instantly connect with and how they each just seem to fit just right for each other. I was curious to see how the author would handle the suspense aspects of the story, and they were just right. In many romantic suspense, the suspense plot elements can overtake the story, however, the way that Catherine Cowles balances out the story so well, is so flawlessly blended into the romance.

I found it so wonderful to see how these all came together and the manner in which the author combined the factors for the family connection, healing from abuse from her family, and the romance that just built up so perfectly. 

 Falling Embers is the second book in the "Tattered & Torn" series and in this installment we have, Calder and Hadley's story. Their relationship was teased slightly in the previous book, so I knew it would be featuring them and that they had HISTORY and boy was I right. I absolutely adored this book, and in fact, it was a close 5-star! I have rated this one at 4.5 because it was just about perfect of a romance for me. I just resonated so much with this story and it was so reflected of deep emotion that just vibrated off of the page and I am definitely seeing why this author is captivating so many hearts and its WELL DESERVED!

Falling Embers is a story that delivers on the romance and character growth so well. There isn't too much focus on the past, but you definitely know that these two have a history and mostly due to just not being ready for each other when they needed to be, and just wasn't the right time for them. I absolutely adored seeing these two together though once they get together, and it happens early on, and they begin to work the kinks in the relationship. I really loved the way that they balance out their fears for each other. They both have dangerous paths in life, so there is a big level of trust that they need to develop with each other. But the way that they are willing to face their fears and embrace their relationship and uplift each other was so captivating. I loved every chapter that build upon layer and layer of their connection was so stunning.

There are many elements to this story that really bring it together for me. This author combines all the elements so well into such a captivating story that just instantly kidnaps your heart and attention and you never want to let this couple down. There is an element of suspense, but it's not big, it felt really well-balanced with the rest of the story. So if you like suspense that doesn't overtake the romance, then this is definitely a story for you. The family aspects were just so riveting and I especially enjoyed seeing the mother being put in her place haha the way she treats some of her kids, yeah she definitely deserved what happens in this story and being forced to face up to what she is doing to them.

Overall I found Falling Embers to be so emotionally real on each page, it instantly captures the attention of the reader and escalates it into an epic small-town romance that will steal its way into your heart and soul in such a way it will stun you with its intensity and poignant moments. 

 So this is a book I won't plan on reading until 2023 when more honest reviews come in. Currently the reviews are from reviewers that 5 star this author all the time and think she walks on water. A little rant in how they sugarcoat her stories especially from readers that if they picked up ANY other book that had so little sex and romance, they would 1 star it. lol

This book from what I can tell, has a low romantic storyline and very low steam. Not sure if I will pick this one up or not. Hopefully some more objective honest reviews will come in.

Update: I attempted to read this and to be honest I don’t understand all the reviews that are five stars for this book. From my understanding they are all coming from fans of Sophie Lark who will high rate all of her books and have zero objectivity about them and not be honest about this book. Because if it was any other other they would have DNF this one because of the low steam and lack of romance. This is not a romance or what it was portrayed to be in any way! I was highly disappointed but only gave this about 40% before I decided to let go of it. It’s not worth investing in your time on. 

This was such a darling Audiobook. It was short and sweet and just a nice enjoyable listen. I will be honest in that I normally don't pick up illustrated books, but I really chose this because of the authors that narrators that do this book and its part of the plus audible membership and I really have been wanting to take advantage of this a bit more. 

I found The Christmas Pact to be an adorable enemies to lovers/office type of romance. It also has elements of letters involved in the story. I really adored the chemistry between the characters, their bantering was adorable and loved seeing how they build their relationship and the brief level of strong emotion that is so vividly portrayed. It was such a satisfying read and if you are looking for a fun Christmas novella, you definitely need to try this one out!

 Black Crimson is the fourth and final book in the Fairy Tale Quartet series, and I can say that I absolutely adored this story. I was nervous, as I can't remember the last time that I read this type of retelling, and I was so curious to see how the author would handle this one. I definitely think the less common retellings, should be done right, and I definitely should have had more faith in this author because this book was EPIC! There was so much that I loved about this one and I didn't want to let go of this one. There was so much lively bantering, and depths of emotion that delivered in every way. And the conflict was done just right! I kinda predicted it, or at least partly, but the fun was seeing the other aspects to seeing it being resolved.

Our story begins with our heroine, going out to rescue her grandmother on a rainy night when she needs some help with technology, but on her walk to grandma's, she bumps into a stranger who has paint on his hands and face, has a sexy playful personality and is hooded. Even though he should come off as a creep, there is something that draws Camille to Brick despite how different they are. But she least expects to bump into him at a wedding reception, and he has been warned off of her. Camille likes her books and romantic tellings and dreams of a HEA, and our hero is more than content going from one woman after another, as he feels matrimony would be dull and boring and doesn't get the appeal....until Camille who intrigues him and he doesn't understand it. As they go through this standoff of bantering and playing with each other, they discover a hidden passion and a relationship worth fighting for, but there are secrets that could destroy them both.....

Black Crimson was such a delightful story and I absolutely had such fun with this one. I just didn't want to let this one go. In fact, I read this one a bit slower just because I was enjoying the moment so much. I couldn't seem to get enough of these two. They had such a fun relationship and the way that they banter with each other was so entertaining. I mean I have seen Brick in previous books and yeah he is a playboy for sure. The way that he falls for Camille was just perfect. Linda Kage really captured his downfall to monogomy just right! And the whole secret of him being a mural artist and on the run from the cops haha was super FUN! The connections that the author related this one to the retelling of "Little Red Riding Hood" was brilliant and just balanced the story so well.

Overall I had a blast with Black Crimson, and is one of my favorite books this author has delivered! If you love sexy retellings, playful bantering, and intricate layering in the relationship being built, then you definitely need to grab this one up and NOW! 

 Raven Unveiled is the third installment in the "Fallen Empire" series and it's been SO long since we got an installment into this series, and I can't tell you the excitement that I had that the author was returning to the series. The second book just ended in such a way that you just knew that there was so much more to be had within the story and she definitely delivered on much of that. I will say that I decided to pick this one up in audiobook, as the series has been hard for me to get into pacing-wise. I did enjoy this one, it wasn't a perfect read, but it was quite entertaining in every way.

Raven Unveiled is a story of betrayal, a blend of enemies to lovers, and a fatherly love. It's a story that is packed with adventure, forced proximity, and learning to forgive. Both the hero and heroine are at odds with each other and have betrayed each other in different ways. But when they are captured and forced to work together in order to save the life of a little girl, they join forces. But what they discover is a threat so evil it threatens the souls of the dead.

Raven Unveiled definitely entertains from beginning to end. The only aspect of the story was the audiobook, I didn't understand why the narrator was chosen to use an accent. It did throw me off a bit as I didn't expect it, but eventually, I grew to admire it and it did pull me in. I will say with the narrator chosen, it will be hard to listen to this any more than 1.75, just due to her thicker accent. I did prefer to listen to this at 1.5x though. I was really entertained by the enemies-to-lovers aspect of the story, and I felt like there was something more that we were missing in the relationship. I will be honest while I adored the plot and world-building, and individual growth of the characters, I didn't quite feel the romance or the relationship between our protagonists. So I definitely wish that there was more focus on that.

Overall I found Raven Unveiled to be a spectacular win of a story and definitely kept me on the edge of my seat and eager to see if we get more to the series. 

 Be With Me is the fourth installment in the "Adair Family" series and it is utterly delightful. I have no clue why these books are more well known if I am being honest. They are so wonderful, and Samantha Young especially is in her element with her indie books and these covers are so gorgeous. I just have had the best time reading these books this year and I guarantee that you will fall in love with these. I will say that even if this one isn't my favorite installment, it was utterly delightful and I quickly breezed through this one.

The gist of the story is that our heroine, Eredine, was rescued by the oldest brother Lachlan and when her life was in danger, helping her start a new life in Scotland including a fresh identity. She has spent eight years in Scotland with the Adair family and has cultivated relationships with all of the siblings, but the strongest is the one with the playboy of the brothers, Arran. They are the best of friends, but with Arran back home fully, a sexual chemistry has been slowly building between Arran and Eredine, one that neither of them wants to ignore. But Eredine hasn't had anything sexual for eight years, but knows that she could trust Arran. So what begins as a playful casual arrangement turns into something more very quickly. But what Eredine doesn't expect, is wanting to take a risk with Arran and finding something more permanent despite the cloud of her past threatening everyone she loves...

Be With Me was such a powerful friends to lovers and I absolutely adored it in every way. You definitely won't be able to get enough of this one here and I so enjoyed everything that we see here that gets built between these two. The one aspect of the story that I ended up struggling with is how the heroine treats the hero. He is all in for her, and she pushes him away, and its kinda brutal in the manner in which she pushes him away. I mean they are best friends, and she initiated the casual sex portion of their relationship and then is so emotionally cruel to him. Arran is such a solid character and I adored his character so much. I loved how he is "all in " for the heroine. Both characters have such painful pasts though and really enjoyed how the author focused on the emotional torments that they have both had to face. Seeing the way that they come together and really unite in their relationship over their past struggles was so heart felt.

Overall I found Be With Me to be a super installment that was so intensely felt deeply, its emotional journey is so thought-provoking, the sensuality really steams up the experience and the sense of humor and family bonds only compacts a powerful story...STUNNING! 

 Shadow Lands is the last book in the Savage Lands series and I have to say that the finale was everything that I could have hoped for and more. I really enjoyed seeing how the plot was built up and so MUCH happens in the storyline. I was worried about who she would kill off and while I was sad about who we lost, at the same time I was still okay as most of my favorites survived. I really enjoyed the manner in which this author developed this story and seeing how we get a somewhat HEA here. We see a culmination that is built into conclusion and seeing how the group is able to overcome the evil humans. If you are a fan of this author or working through this series, you will feel such satisfaction into the finale that we have here. If you are fans of dark urban fantasy with a strong focus on the romance, then you definitely need to pick up these books, they are so intense and gravitating.

I found this installment to be so fascinating and am eager to explore more from this author and excited for what she has planned ahead for us!