The Lion's Claim by Candace Ayers

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐
One thing stood out here, Candace Ayers did her research on Lion prides. Unfortunately, I liked the book and the story. I however did not love it.  Jacob is a stalker. Yes, I know lions are stalkers and it makes sense that he would stalk his mate. Still, it's creepy. I fully understand Bree's misgivings, and the stalking probably didn't help. Candace did a great job of portraying a lion's pride even the disenchanted males in the pride, and a creepy romance to boot.

The Major's Faux Fiancée (The Dukes of War #4) by Erica Ridley

I love Erica Ridley and her crew of characters in the Dukes of War. Daphne is a crusader, but for all the wrong reasons. Bartholomew is a guilt ridden feeling sorry for himself ex-soldier. They are both childhood friends, and Daphne's new predicament gives Bart a reason to leave his London townhouse.  There's a morale in this story whether Erica Ridley meant it or not and I for one embraced it. I understand the loss that Bartholomew felt and Daphne overlooked for the sake of his confidence. Sometimes a loss will not make us less, but it can make us stronger and more.

Grime and Punishment (Dirty Secrets #1) by Sylvia Selfman

This book is funny, and I feel Detective Cooper's frustration. A woman who can't stay out of everyone's problems is a nightmare for a police detective. The worst part is I want to read what comes next, because I know she can't stay out of her clients business. This book will lift you out of your blues and bring a smile to your face.

Tanak (Star Fall #1) by E.A. James

Although the plot and premise is good for this book, it somehow falls short of expectations. I enjoyed the interaction between Marigila and Tanak, the way she came around was a little too weird. Personnally, I don't know why he had to hide his people from her. She either accepted them or she didn't. She was dead to her people anyway. She could have gone straight to the city and learned about the city, made her decision and lived as Tanak's wife or servant.  Tanak waiting for her to make a decision put all of the Ravenis at risk. They were tracking him and he shouldn't have returned to the city, but then there wouldn't have been that battle scene. You would think that with starship power, the Ravenis would have had some type of communications system, considering how the people on the planet lived. Don't get me wrong, I liked the story. I just found a lot of flaws. But then when it comes to science fiction, I can even find something wrong with George Lucas!

Ineq (Dragons Of Kelon #6) by Maia Starr

I read this book as an Advanced Reader Copy from the Author and this is my honest opinion. I won't be posting to Amazon or Goodreads because I do not want to hurt this author and I understand how damaging a bad review can be. This book should be listed strictly erotica. As it is not, I can only review it as a book over 18. This is a book with a storyline to highlight bad behavior and acceptability of having sex with anybody and then justifying that behavior, and then going on as nothing happened. I have been in situations where the temptation is great, but I would have broken off the relationship first, before moving on or just giving into sex. Sex is a choice. Just because your body feels all those things does not mean you have to give into them. Relationships are important, and betrayal of those relationships are not acceptable. Although I might forgive a person, I would never have the same level of trust with that person. This author presented Alexandra's personality as one thing, and it evolved into another to suit the author's storyline. This is unacceptable. Camilla's forgiveness I understand because she has been represented as what I call a blonde. (Not much up in the brain). The only thing I'm surprised about this book is that they all didn't break into an orgy afterwards. P.S. Also the first sex scene between Alexandra and Ineq is no less a case of rape. A male pressing an unwilling female til she gives in and uses her body against her to gain his advantage. It's garbage like this that makes females not press charges against men for this kind of rape.

Zaine (Verian Mates) (A Sci Fi Alien Abduction Romance) by Stella Sky

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It wasn't a story to prop up the sex in the book, but it took time to look at the differences between the two races and also their similarities. Their is no right and wrong in this war. Two races trying to survive, but going about it the wrong way. Rachael and Zaine are no different. They are trying to live through war, but how can love happen in such stressful conditions? Truthfully, love makes us see both sides and draws light on the situation.

I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy and this is my honest opinion.

Mr. Swirlee (Devlin Haskell Mysteries #2) by Mike Faricy

What can I say? Dev Haskell is basically a good guy. His friends are the dregs of society, and he really needs to change his profession, because on the luck scale Dev is a two. And he is never going to keep a girlfriend with his lifestyle. This book is hilarious, even up to the end. This is the first book I read in this series and if the others are anything like this, I'm going to save them for my blue days. Thanks Mike for brightening my day!

The Viscount's Runaway Bride (Marriage by Bargain Book 1) by Ruth Ann Nordin

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This story is absolutely hysterical. Each character in this story is outrageous. The bride is running away from the man her parents sold her to. The man she stops on the highway and proposes to is so desperate to get out of his betrothal, he marries her the same day. His sister is a snob and her friend and ex-fiancé of the Viscount is mealy-mouth, whiny a follower of the sister. This cast on its own is enough, but after introducing the heroine's ex-fiancé and her parents, I knew the craziness was never going to end. Yes, I love it, and it kept me interested all the way through.

Time of Valor (Love for All Times, #2) by Audrey Adair

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Emilia is a historian from the 2017 and Dougal is a newly appointed laird from the 16th century around the time of Queen Mary. I liked Emilia, she kept a cool head and thought things out logically. Dougal was a hard man, but easy to understand. I love the relationship between the two and the story flowed easily between times. I recommend this book for those who love time travel and a whole lot of Scot.

May I say, the cover could have found a hotter Dougal, It kind of didn't match his description.  I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy and this is my honest opinion.

Angels in Our Lives (The Pearl Makers 0.5) by Melissa Storm

The Bible says that angels come to us unaware. Do we have guardian angels? Do they come in the form of pets? This is the story of Emily and her golden retriever, Lulu. This story is heartwarming and gives us hope that our own guardian angels are with us.

I received this book free from the author and this is my honest opinion.

I'll Never Stop Loving You (Cupid's Bow - First Generation #3) by Melissa Storm

This book is set during the Korea war. It's about a girl who's brother died in Korea. It about a soldier captured by the enemy and found salvation and strength in a picture he found under his bunk. James searches for the girl in the picture. This book is inspirational and lets us know that love will find us no matter where we are. I loved this story, even though it was a novella. It made cry, then laugh, then cry with tears of joy. A great story to pick up your day.

I received this book free from the author. This is my honest opinion.

A Wedding Miracle (Four Weddings and a Fiasco Universe by Melissa Storm

This a story about interfaith relationships. Pastor Sam and Rabbi Heidi meet a wedding of interfaith marriage of Heidi's best friend. Pastor Sam see saws between wanting to court Heidi and wondering if her being Jewish is a test of Pastor Sam's faith. Poor Heidi likes Sam, but doesn't understand him asking her out, then backing out in the same breath. As they keep crossing each other paths, around the fourth time Sam gets that this relationship is meant to be. Sam has one major obstacle, Heidi's very over Jewish mother. I like the way two strong characters know who they are and try hard to live their faith. Do I agree? It's not for me to judge, I only know what the Bible says. I've seen interfaith marriage fail and I've seen them succeed. It depends on the couple. The story is heavy on hope and love, and mentions the downfalls, but really doesn't take them into account. You'll see what I mean when Sam meets Heidi's mother. Otherwise, the story was written well.

I received this from the author as a free book and this is my honest opinion.

Feral (Many Lives #1) by Laxmi Hariharan

This is not my usual type of shifter story. This shifter story takes place in the future. Weather and tsunami's ravage the earth in 2014 and everyone is moving to cities like Bombay where cities prospered after the tsunami's. The Russian shifters move to Bombay and make a life for themselves outside the city of Bombay. The feral are humans that became shifters as a result of disease and genetic anomalies. The Russian shifters took over their area and now the feral bow to the Alpha. This story is about the daughter of the Alpha, Maya and Luke, her childhood friend. As a first book, this book does well in describing the world they live in and the society of humans and shifters. I feel the story is stiff at times, but that maybe hard because we are looking through the eyes of an eighteen year old. Eighteen year old emotions can be rampant at times and Laxmi Hariharan lets her heroine emotions run loose. The responsibility the author throws at this girl is unbelievable and for her to emotionally hold up seems impossible. Fortunately the author writes in her mate and the core pack support of her, otherwise this book would be unbelievable. The plot is self supporting and can be carried into the next books of this series. This book can standalone, and for the moment it is an HEA.

Accounting for Love (Long Valley #1) by Erin Wright

This is a quaint love story with a lot going on. It seems that Stetson is just getting over the loss of his father, and after paying his medical bills, he hasn't been able to make the balloon payment on the farm/ranch. So the bank sends an accountant to do his books. Stetson is not happy about the bank sending someone in because he is afraid he is going to lose his home. Jennifer is the accountant that the bank sends. Her boss is a total jerk and over the line, I thought HR should have been put on to him. He violated the banks privacy laws. Her ex-boyfriend should have gotten that pounding he deserved. The relationship between the brothers holds too many hurts and I don't know how the author will resolve that later on. Jennifer's job is to keep the loan going, so the bank doesn't lose money or possibly the principal by foreclosing. I don't know when they found time to fall in love? But they do. Also, why did the author name the hero after a hat? Although it is my favorite kind of hat. Actually look forward to the next one in the series. I hope I can keep up!

The Baron in Bath - Miss Julia Bellevue: A Regency Romance Novel (Heart of a Gentleman Book 4) by Isabella Thorne

I waited on this book because it came out in parts and I hate part reading. I am one of those that hate serials that try to make you come back because the story is not complete. I like serials that are complete stories in themselves and if you want to come back it is because the characters and the setting want you to. So I waited and my author granted me an Advance Reader Copy. This is my honest review.

Julia is a large woman, not pudgy or fat, but Amazonian. She has self doubts and her father arranged a betrothal to the Baron of Fawkland. The gossip surrounding this man is atrocious and Julia does not want to be married to a faithless man. Julia remembers the Baron as a child and remembers that he was arrogant. His brother, Cedric was her own age and they had fun playing together, although Cedric used to get in a lot of trouble. Cedric makes his moves on Julia, although she is betrothed to his brother. The Baron is trying to properly court Julia and wishes for her to be his wife.

The truth is this book is about how malicious gossip can be circulated and ruin and hurt people, especially when the lies are perpetuated by a malinger. I loved how the Baron and Julia overcame the gossip, and you will have to read the book to find out what happens to Cedric!😃

The Fall of Lord Drayson (Tanglewood #1) by Rachael Anderson

Lucy is delightful. Like everyone of us, Lucy tries to be truthful. But like all of us, Lucy has a temper. Lord Drayson comes off as uncaring and overbearing. After giving notice, that Lucy & her mother will be removed from the dowager house at Tanglewood, Lord Drayson is angry about the way the girl provoked him at the door, and takes a spill from his horse in the rain. Lucy and her servant find him and take him home. When he wakes up and starts demanding things, but can't remember who he is. Lucy tells him that he is her servant, Collins. The dialogue between these two is really funny and delightful. The book continues after Lord Drayson's memory returns and more shenanigans ensue. It almost felt a little Jane Austen. This is a delightful story and one you won't want to miss.

Silence: Little Mermaid Retold (Romance a Medieval Fairytale #5) by Demelza Carlton

This book felt a little stiff at times, like the story didn't know where to go. Prince Erik was a little too good to be true, but in the end he did have some dark motives. Margareta did not understand her siren nature, and kept herself away from the prince. She was way into self sacrifice, a little overboard from my point of view. The Silence was to save her unworthy brothers. If a witch tells you to go and find a woman who can love you, don't go terrorizing the village girls, you may just end up off worst than Margareta's brothers did. Then you shouldn't make bird-brain judgements about the person trying to save you. O wait, they were birds! 😃

This book was fun and in the tradition of a good fairy tale. I really liked it.

I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy and this is my honest review.

Winter's Secret: Clean Wholesome Mystery and Romance (Northern Intrigue Book 1) by Lyn Cote

This is a suspense romance. Someone is burglarizing senior citizens when the are omitted into the clinic overnight. The new Sheriff, Rodd Durand. No clues or evidence to find, except that Wendy Reiker is the nurse that drives the patients to their clinic. Rodd Durand is inexplicitly drawn to Wendy. This is the first man that Wendy can actually relate to. The relationship between Rodd and Wendy is intense, even though this a clean romance. Neither one wants to admit their attraction, until love actually takes a hold of them. Wendy is fighting her mother relatives reputation, and Rodd is fighting his failure to do the right thing in his rookie year. I love the small town atmosphere in this book, along with a really repugnant old lady and a newspaperman that make the paparazzi look good. While the burglar starts to twist the crimes when he realizes the sheriff has figured out the MO, Rodd takes a downward turn. Somehow, Wendy lifts him up to continue his investigation and to ask God to actually help him. This story held me riveted to the very end.
I received this book for free and this is my honest review.

Ada’s Secret: A Tale of The Big Beautiful Bride (A Frontier Pioneer Romance: Brides of Salt Lake City #1) by Faye Sonja

Anna was big and beautiful inside and out. Bobby saw what others didn't because Bobby was a small man in stature, but saw to Ada's heart. Love doesn't box us into what a person looks like but what is in the heart. This book emphasizes this, but it fell a little short of this aspect of the story. The storyline and plot were well written and a slightly twisted climax.

Awakening The Dragon (Exiled Dragons Book 9) by Sarah J. Stone

This is one of Sarah Stones better books. I enjoyed the relationship between Kergot and Penelope. Some of the story got off track, but eventually brought itself back around. The climax of how Penelope got her flight back was a little disappointing. As dragon shifter seem to live several lifetimes. This book was long on their life together. Every now and then it would get back to the curse, but nothing was really resolved. I'll let you read the miracle that brought back Penelope's flight. I think as it was the climax of the book, it could have been done in a grander manner. After all, that was what we were waiting for since the beginning of the book.

I received an Advanced Reader Copy and this is my honest review.

The Lift by Vivi Holt

This is an exclusive newsletter book which I received for free. This is my honest review of this book.

The Lift is a short, sweet romance novella. Although stuck in elevator with a famous actor and late for her appointment, Billie makes the best of the situation and decides to be herself and help ease the man's claustrophobia. Brendan spent 5 years married to a woman named Evie and after their son is stillborn. Evie divorces Brendan and hooks up with his agent. Because of his stardom, women don't act themselves around him and he has been buried in his grief and anger for 2 years. Billie brings out something in him. Can you fall in love stuck in elevator for 3 to 4 hours? Or this just the start to a new and wonderful relationship?  I loved this little story. I felt the heroine was whimsy and the hero was charming, after he settled down. This is great for a quick afternoon read.

Tempting A Marquess (A Steamy Regency Romance Book 4) by Georgette Brown

This book is a little bit dicier than I like, but I was asked to review it, so here it is. The Marquess is providing his cousin Mildred's dowry. Mildred asks him to take the dowry back, because her parents forced her to accept George Haversham. Mildred is no innocent and George's attentions to her are fumbling and wet and she dreads what married life in the bedroom will be like with him. Her Aunt Katherine gives her one last hurrah at the Challet Follet known more as the Challet Debauchery. Marquess was also visiting the Challet that weekend and tries to get Mildred to leave. What happens is what is expected, but I thought it was a little on the tame side considering where they were and the Marquess's dark passions. This book is not a HEA, but it leaves you wondering what could happen next or where is this going? The plot and story are simple, but leaves you hanging in the air. This story is basically quick erotic read with no ending.

I received this book as an Advance Reader Copy and this is my honest review.

A Wolf's Embrace (Wolf Mountain Peak #4) by Sarah J. Stone

This is number four in The Wolf Mountain Peak series. This one is about the Donovan sister Melissa. The first three are about the brothers. Melissa is looking for a kind and a man in touch with his emotions and she sees a human whom she may be interested in. Joe Stanton lost his wife a year ago and in his grief sold his soul to a demon. He only has seven more years to live, but he'll be rich and famous and he will forget all about his wife, only he doesn't. Melissa tries to help Joe break his contract, but what is the price? Joe seems willing to pay it, but can they send the demon back to the fiery pit? The characters in this series fall in love way to fast especially since heartbreak for these wolves means death. If I was one of these wolf shifters, I would never fall in love only to die of heartbreak. I would have been dead four times over if that was the case and never met my husband of 35 years. The plot and the storyline are good, but the story falls short with Joe falling in love with Melissa in only 24 hours.

I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy and this is my honest review.

Savage Souls (The Runes Universe)

This story introduces us to the characters Candence and Drew. Candence is a witch and Drew is a hitman. Basically Drew gets hired to kill Candence, but falls in love with her instead. This book describes the relationship between Drew and Candence. It tries to describe some of paranormal properties of this world, but what Candence becomes is not really clear. All I know is that she gains a rune that heals her. I think more time should have been given to more of the paranormal world that directly involved the story, instead of trying to halfway explain all of its intricacies. This somewhat took away for the storyline and the plot for this series is good, but the storyline could have been better.

I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy and this is my honest review.

Unmasking a Duke by Ellie St. Clair

This is a short story that plays on the deception of two people. One is afraid she will run if she knows who he is. The other is being pushed to steal back her fathers jewels. The plot is rather good, unfortunately the climax fell just a little short.

I received this book for free and this is my honest opinion

The Leftover by Brooke Williams

This book is charming. Megan has been bullied all her life. She is shy and socially awkward. She has found a way to make a living doing voice-overs from her home. Her sister Molly has entered this TV Reality game "The Leftover", but finds out that she is pregnant. She talks Megan into going on the show in her place. On the show, Megan finds she is able to make friends, but she also faces a bully named Andrew. Megan finds every time she looks at the medic Cane, she seems to find her center. His smile, a wink just seems to give her the confidence she needs. With her newfound friend Grace and Cane, she might be able to make it through this TV reality game. Will these relationships last or disappear after the game is over? Will she let Andrew continue to bully her? You'll have to read the book to find out. No spoiler here. All I can say is I identify with the girl Molly was growing up, and Brooke Williams did an excellent job on how Molly handles everything. This book is well written and touched my heart.