Review: Alpha Instinct by Katie Reus

Author: Katei Reus
Publisher: KR Press, LLC
Publication Date: February 2012, updated 2023

 Ana Cordona has been a strong leader for the lupine shifters who survived after all the males and most of the females in her pack were mysteriously poisoned. As tough as she is, with no Alpha male, the pack is vulnerable to the devious shifter Sean Taggart, who wants to claim both their ranch and Ana as his own. When Connor Armstrong comes back into her life, promising protection, it's almost enough to make Ana forget how he walked out on her before--and reluctantly accept his offer to mate. The minute Connor sees Ana again, it reawakens a raw hunger. He must have her for his bondmate--his wolf cries out for it. But his human side knows he must proceed with caution because of their complicated past. If he is to truly have her body and soul, he must go beyond his burning desire and win back her heart. Whatever it takes, he is determined not to leave her side again. But Taggart and his rival pack are not their only enemies. A human element in town is targeting shifters. Their plan not only threatens Ana and Connor's future, but the lives of the entire pack...

It's been a long time since I have read a shifter romance.  Alpha Instinct is an older one that came up on my Hoopla suggested reads recently,  It was lightly edited and update last year.  Ana and her pack have been surviving without an alpha but since her pack was devastated due to a mass poisoning, she knows she needs one to survive.  Connor has made a strong pack and comes back to help Ana and offer her pack protection.

For the most part, I enjoyed this one.  It is a bit darker than I was expecting. The romance was enjoyable. Although, I think that some of the conflict between Ana and Connor could have been cleared up very early on with just a conversation.  There is a lot going on here with many side stories and I kind of felt like I was missing some back story. I do have to say thought, for a pack that knows it is in danger, they do not do a great job with security.  One of the threats was eliminated very quickly and the other one was extremely obvious.  I wish there was a little bit more mystery there.  It's worth a read so give it a shot.

2 in 1: Reviews of The Art Collector & The Siren's Song by Katelyn Brehm

Madelyn Frye enjoys her simple, drama-free life, even if it means there's an empty seat next to her on the couch at night. But when her firm lands a lucrative contract to appraise the paintings of an infamous mansion with a storied past, her comfortable routine is upended by the handsome and mysterious millionaire who owns it.

For over a century, Thomas von Dreiss has resigned himself to a solitary fate, refusing to let his hunger transform him into a monster. But he never expected the art appraiser who shows up at his door to test his unshakable restraint. Her brilliant mind and kind heart rekindle long forgotten hopes and set his carnal needs aflame.

Will Madelyn risk shattering her safe and predictable world to be with Thomas? And if she does, will Thomas's dark secret destroy their chance at a happily ever after?

The Art Collector is the first in the Demons Among Us series.    It's a quick paranormal romance.  Madelyn is an art historian hired by Thomas to catalog his father's estate.  There is an immediate draw between the two.  Little does she know, he is an incubus who is over a century old.  This was actually a sweet romance.  I know that is weird to say about a demon romance but it was really sweet.  I enjoyed spending time watching as Thomas and Madelyn feel for each other.  I just wish it was a bot longer.  I also wish there was more lore about his kind.  I do recommend this one.

Lena Sommer can’t win. Her marriage is a failure. The yoga studio she founded no longer needs her. And she just lost her grandma, the only family she’s ever known. Alone, grieving, and determined not to repeat the mistakes of her past, she tries to ignore the advances of a rakish singer she meets on the beach. But his carefree nature is infectious, and his mesmerizing voice proves too seductive to resist.

Elias Georgiou has it all—a loving family, the endless ocean, and, most importantly, his independence. Constrained by nothing but the pursuit of pleasure, the last thing he’s interested in is a relationship with any of the countless admirers he charms with his song. Until he meets Lena, and a future with the resilient and courageous woman becomes more tempting than freedom.

Can Lena learn to trust herself and Elias in the face of past betrayal? Or will the enchanted song of a consummate bachelor ruin all hope for a future filled with love?

The Siren's Song is the second book in the series.  In this one, Lena is as a crossroads in her life.  She just lost the only family that she has ever had.  While her yoga studio is successful, it can really run without her.  After meeting Elias, she begins to see a clearer path for her life.  Elias has lived his life as a siren thinking he would never need to settle down.  Until he meets Lena.   This one is a bit longer than the first book.  I did feel like there was more time spent with Lena and Elias getting to know each other.  I really liked that aspect and ended up loving their HEA at the end because of it.  I also felt like there was more about the lore behind the siren.  My only complaint about the book was Elias and the way he spoke.  He is supposed to be in his 40's but he speaks like an 18YO surfer dude.  It kind of took  me out of the story at times.  I definitely recommend this  one as well.

Review: The Night Island by Jayne Ann Krentz

Author: Jayne Ann Krentz
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: January 2024

Talia March, Pallas Llewellyn, and Amelia Rivers, bonded by a night they all have no memory of, are dedicated to uncovering the mystery of what really happened to them months ago—an experience that brought out innate psychic abilities in each of them. The women suspect they were test subjects years earlier, and that there are more people like them—all they have to do is find the list. When Talia follows up on a lead from Phoebe, a fan of the trio’s podcast, she discovers that the informant has vanished.
 
Talia isn’t the only one looking for Phoebe, however. Luke Rand, a hunted and haunted man who is chasing the same list that Talia is after, also shows up at the meeting place. It’s clear he has his own agenda, and they are instantly suspicious of each other. But when a killer begins to stalk them, they realize they have to join forces to find Phoebe and the list.
 
The rocky investigation leads Talia and Luke to a rustic, remote retreat on Night Island in the Pacific Northwest. The retreat promises to rejuvenate guests with the Unplugged Experience. Upon their arrival, Talia and Luke discover guests are quite literally cut off from the outside world because none of their high-tech devices work on the island. It soon becomes clear that Phoebe is not the first person to disappear into the strange gardens that surround the Unplugged Experience retreat. And then the first mysterious death occurs…

The Night Island is the second book in The Lost Night Files series.  This one is Talia's story.  She is one of the podcasters who who had their lives altered one night and now have enhanced psychic powers.  Talia can find lost things and people.  Luke is a professor who also has had enhanced powers from his own lost night.  

Like the first book, this one was just OK for me.  I really feel  like this book was phoned in and there was not a lot new here.  I will admit the night garden was kind of cool.  However, the romance was kind of meh and again I didn't really feel it.  We also aren't really any closer to getting answers as to what happened to the women on their lost night.  Luke gets his answers in a way.  Overall, I'm just not very excited about this series. 

Blog Tour: Review of Nobody's Darling by Sarah Blue

 
Sarah Blue is so excited to announce the release of her new reverse harem omegaverse, Nobody’s Darlin’! Check it out and be sure to grab your copy today!
 

Title: Nobody’s Darlin’
Author: Sarah Blue
Genre: Reverse Harem Omegaverse

 Get Your Copy!

 Time is running out.
Lily’s heat is nearing fast, and she’s forbidden from pursuing the pack she truly wants.
Life on the compound isn’t good enough for an Omega like Lily. At least that’s what she’s consistently told by the Prez of the Dead Palms MC, who just so happens to be her stepfather. But Lily never was one to follow the rules.
With new members patching into Dead Palms, it seems like Lily’s luck might turn with club members willing to break the rules with her and form a pack. But when one of them is your estranged stepbrother, a nomad no one trusts, and a Beta who needs to reign in his temper, all hell might just break loose.
Lies, club rifts, and pure mayhem stand between Lily and the men she knows she should be with. Only time will tell if the club will survive the betrayal and if they’re strong enough to form the bonds they all desperately want.
 
 Nobody's Darling is a reverse harem biker club romance.  It's set in something that author calls the Omegaverse.  I haven't read anything else by this author, so I am not too familiar with this "world".  There is a section in the beginning of the book that gives a partial explanation of terms and how it all works. I highly recommend reading it to orient yourself.

That being said, I did for the most part enjoy this one.  I haven't read any reverse harems stories before. It is an interesting concept. I'm not sure it's completely for me, but I did enjoy the ride.  I liked all of the guys who end up in Lilly's pack.    It's definitely a rough road to get there, but the pay-off is worth it in the end.  I didn't call the twist regarding the club in the end.   I would recommend this book to anyone who likes reverse harem stories.

 
About the Author:

Sarah Blue writes contemporary sweet omegaverse, erotic, paranormal, why choose romances. She loves romance in nearly any genre. When she isn’t writing you can find her nose buried in a book or lit up from her kindle. She loves the sweeter side of romance and creating interesting characters while adding adventure and spice. Writing strong female characters and male characters willing to show weakness is something that makes her gooey on the inside.
Sarah lives in Maryland with her husband, two sons, and two annoying cats. If she isn’t reading or writing she is probably working on a craft project or scrolling on tik tok.
 
Connect with the Author:
 Facebook | Instagram | Tiktok
 
 

 

Review: Sleep No More by Jayne Ann Krentz

Author: Jayne Anne Krentz
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: January 2023

Seven months ago, Pallas Llewellyn, Talia March, and Amelia Rivers were strangers, until their fateful stay at the Lucent Springs Hotel. An earthquake and a fire partially destroyed the hotel, but the women have no memory of their time there. Now close friends, the three women co-host a podcast called the Lost Night Files, where they investigate cold cases and hope to connect with others who may have had a similar experience to theirs—an experience that has somehow enhanced the psychic abilities already present in each woman.

After receiving a tip for their podcast, Pallas travels to the small college town of Carnelian, California, to explore an abandoned asylum. Shaken by the dark energy she feels in the building, she is rushing out when she’s stopped by a dark figure—who turns out to be the women's mysterious tipster.

Ambrose Drake is certain he’s a witness to a murder, but without a body, everyone thinks he’s having delusions caused by extreme sleep deprivation. But Ambrose is positive something terrible happened at the Carnelian Sleep Institute the night he was there. Unable to find proof on his own, he approaches Pallas for help, only for her to realize that Ambrose, too, has a lost night that he can’t remember—one that may be connected to Pallas. Pallas and Ambrose conduct their investigation using the podcast as a cover, and while the townsfolk are eager to share what they know, it turns out there are others who are not so happy about their questions—and someone is willing to kill to keep the truth from coming out.

Sleep No More is the first book in the Lost Night Files series.  It's a new series involving three women who had something mysterious happen to them one night in a hotel.  They have no memory the events.  They only know that they woke up with enhanced psychic powers. This first one focusses on Pallas and Ambrose.

While I thought the story was entertaining overall, I have to admit to being a bit underwhelmed.  Honestly, having read a lot of this author's books, I felt like there wasn't anything new here.  Some of the story felt like it was recycled from past books.  For instance, Ambrose's powers run so high that he can't sleep and he faces potential psychic burnout.  Pallas is his "cure" and can realign his energy to help him sleep well.  I feel like she has used that storyline before.  The romance was fine but also felt a little forced at the same time. It overall felt a little formulaic.  I'll probably keep reading the series because I want to know what happened in the hotel.  So I liked it enough for that.  It just didn't live up to my expectations.

Blog Tour: Review & Excerpt of The Rake is Taken by Tracy Sumner

Author: Tracy Sumner
Narrator: Kimberly M. Wetherell
Length: 8 hours 51 minutes
Publisher: Tracy Sumner⎮2020
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: League of Lords, Book 2
Release date: Aug. 15, 2020

Synopsis: A gorgeous psychic. An unwanted betrothal. A tantalizing compromise.
An independent hellion, a stealer of time, and the only woman who can capture his heart…
Lady Victoria Hamilton has a supernatural gift, a fiancé, and a guardian angel. She just never expected her protector to be the most dazzling man in England, a devilish scoundrel they call the Blue Bastard. Victoria has agreed to marry for duty, not love, but her unforeseen desire for her mystical angel threatens to destroy not only her plans for the future but the armor surrounding her susceptible heart.
A confirmed scoundrel, a mind reader, and the only man she desires…

Illegitimate son of a viscount and reigning king of London’s gossip sheets, Finn Alexander has spent a lifetime hiding his ability to read minds behind charming smiles and wicked behavior. No one knows the real man, and he likes it that way. Until he meets the lone woman who sees the man beneath the disguise—a blue-blooded temptress with the power to bring him to his knees.

As they embark on a journey of passion and friendship, Victoria and Finn must decide if they’re willing to risk everything for the promise of true, magical love.

Buy Links 

Buy on Amazon⎮Audible⎮iTunes

My thoughts:

The Rake is Taken is the second book in League of Lords series.  This one is Victoria and Finn's story. Tori is betrothed to a man she doesn't lvoe all in an attempt to save her family.  Finn realizes Tori has a gift and wants to give her a safe haven to explore her gift.  I did enjoy this one.  I felt like I got to know and understand the League of Lords a bit more. 

The chemistry between the couple was really strong. I was rooting for them to give into their feelings and admit they belonged together.  I liked how Tori's ability worked.  I would have liked to see it explored a bit more than it was.  I also enjoyed checking in with the characters from the first book.  There is a huge reveal for Finn and I loved it.  It fit right in with the theme of family that runs throughout the book.  I do recommend this one.  

About the Author: Tracy Sumner

Award-winning author Tracy Sumner’s storytelling career began when she picked up a historical romance on a college beach trip, and she fondly blames LaVyrle Spencer for her obsession with the genre. She’s a recipient of the National Reader’s Choice, and her novels have been translated into Dutch, German, Portuguese and Spanish. She lived in New York, Paris and Taipei before finding her way back to the Lowcountry of South Carolina.

When not writing sizzling love stories about feisty heroines and their temperamental-but-entirely-lovable heroes, Tracy enjoys reading, snowboarding, college football (Go Tigers!), yoga, and travel. She loves to hear from romance readers!

Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Instagram

About the Narrator: Kimberly M. Wetherell

I’m Kimberly, an award-nominated SAG-AFTRA voiceover artist and director in Brooklyn, NY, specializing in audiobooks. When they let me, I do a little commercial VO and animation on the side.
My voice is best described as a bright, warm mezzo, and my range effortlessly spans from plucky tween to snarky Millennial to my own belovedly blasé GenX.
I’ve narrated for “Big Five” publishers Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster, and I also direct audiobook productions for Macmillan and Penguin Random House. Additionally, I’ve narrated for Dreamscape Media, Tantor Audio, Deyan Audio, and OrangeSky Audio (among others), along with several independent authors through ACX and Findaway Voices.
My 30-year career in the Arts has made me a certifiable polymath. I’m a classically-trained actor, an award-winning filmmaker, an accomplished international opera director and producer, a professional pastry chef, an NYC reading series host, and not for nothin’, I’m a pretty decent shuffleboard player. Above all, however, I’m a life-long book nerd and I can’t believe I’ve finally figured out how to read books for a living!
Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Instagram

Blog Tour: Review & Excerpt of The Lady is Trouble by Tracy Sumner

 

Author: Tracy Sumner
Narrator: Kimberly M. Wetherell
Length: 11 hours 5 minutes
Publisher: Tracy Sumner⎮2020
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: League of Lords, Book 1
Release date: May 6, 2020 

In the first in Tracy Sumner’s sizzling League of Lords historical series, mysticism and paranormal abilities in Victorian England set the stage for a captivating love affair...
He’s a viscount with a dark past who yearns for the one woman he can’t have. She’s a psychic firebrand. Rebellious, spurned by society and determined to change his mind.
What’s a defiant woman to do when the man she’s meant for doesn’t believe in love?
After three years of waiting for Julian Alexander to realize they are destined to be together, Lady Piper Scott takes matters into her own hands. Because her gift as a healer has never done anything but distance her from the most principled man in England. A meaningless diversion as a medium, all done to gain a certain wandering viscount’s attention, backfires. As most endeavors have for a woman known in the ton as Scandalous Scott.
What’s a reluctant viscount to do when the woman he can’t have becomes the woman he can’t live without?
Julian Alexander, Lord Beauchamp, battled his way from the lowliest slum to assume his title. He carries not only a turbulent past, but a mystical psychic gift that separates him from society. Honorable to his core, he is committed to protecting a community of outcasts with abilities like his own. He has no time, no place, for love. Or repeatedly rescuing the most outrageous, beguiling woman he’s ever known. Even if she needs his protection most—and he desires her above all others.
Seduction, intrigue and desire lead to an explosive passion…
Julian vowed to shield Piper from the deadly foes seeking to possess her powerful gift. Although he needs her help in controlling his own, the mix could be deadly. Soon what was once a simple agreement to work together becomes enchantingly complex as they surrender to a timeless love…

Buy Links 

Buy on Amazon⎮Audible⎮iTunes

My thoughts:

The Lady  is Trouble is the first book in the League of Lords series.   It's a a historical romance with a paranormal twist.  This one is Julian and Piper's story.   Julian is working to provide a sanctuary for people like him and Piper.  People with paranormal abilities.  There is a dark force that is hunting Piper and Julian will do everything he can to protect her.   I liked Julian and Piper together.  Julian does spend most of the book trying to deny that Piper is his perfect match and that she actually helps him and his ability.  He could be a bit frustrating at times.

I did end up enjoying the book in the end.  However, it did take me a while to get into the book.  I felt like I was dropped into the middle of a TV series and had to catch up with no background.  References were made to things that happened pre-book, but they were not very fleshed out.  I will admit to being confused at times.  By mid-book, I pretty much had things figured out and just went with it.   I did like the narrator.  I am looking forward to listening to the next book. It's Finn's story, I believe.

About the Author: Tracy Sumner

Award-winning author Tracy Sumner’s storytelling career began when she picked up a historical romance on a college beach trip, and she fondly blames LaVyrle Spencer for her obsession with the genre. She’s a recipient of the National Reader’s Choice, and her novels have been translated into Dutch, German, Portuguese and Spanish. She lived in New York, Paris and Taipei before finding her way back to the Lowcountry of South Carolina.

When not writing sizzling love stories about feisty heroines and their temperamental-but-entirely-lovable heroes, Tracy enjoys reading, snowboarding, college football (Go Tigers!), yoga, and travel. She loves to hear from romance readers!

Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Instagram

About the Narrator: Kimberly M. Wetherell

I’m Kimberly, an award-nominated SAG-AFTRA voiceover artist and director in Brooklyn, NY, specializing in audiobooks. When they let me, I do a little commercial VO and animation on the side.
My voice is best described as a bright, warm mezzo, and my range effortlessly spans from plucky tween to snarky Millennial to my own belovedly blasé GenX.
I’ve narrated for “Big Five” publishers Penguin Random House and Simon & Schuster, and I also direct audiobook productions for Macmillan and Penguin Random House. Additionally, I’ve narrated for Dreamscape Media, Tantor Audio, Deyan Audio, and OrangeSky Audio (among others), along with several independent authors through ACX and Findaway Voices.
My 30-year career in the Arts has made me a certifiable polymath. I’m a classically-trained actor, an award-winning filmmaker, an accomplished international opera director and producer, a professional pastry chef, an NYC reading series host, and not for nothin’, I’m a pretty decent shuffleboard player. Above all, however, I’m a life-long book nerd and I can’t believe I’ve finally figured out how to read books for a living!
Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Instagram

Review: All the Colors of Night by Jayne Ann Krentz

Author: Jayne Ann Krentz
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: January 2021

North Chastain possesses a paranormal talent that gives him the ability to track down the most dangerous psychic criminals. When his father suddenly falls into a coma, North is convinced it was caused by a deadly artifact traced back to the days of a secret government laboratory known only as the Bluestone Project. North knows his only hope of saving his father is to find the artifact. He is good when it comes to tracking down killers but to locate the relic, he's going to need help from a psychic who knows the shadowy world of obsessive collectors, deceptive dealers, and ruthless raiders…

With her reputation in ruins after a false accusation, antique expert Sierra Raines is looking for a fresh start. She turns to the murky backwaters of the paranormal artifacts trade, finding and transporting valuable objects with a psychic provenance. When North Chastain approaches her for help, Sierra takes him on as a client, though not without reservations. North represents the mysterious Foundation, the secretive organization established to police the underworld populated by psychic criminals and those, like Sierra, who make a living in the shadows of that world.

All the Colors of  Night is the second book in the Fogg Lake series.  This one is North and Sierra's story.  While it works well as a stand alone, I do think you will get more context if you read The Vanishing first.  I really enjoyed this one.  I thought North and Sierra were great together.  Their chemistry was more of a slow burn and it was really cute.  What I loved most about both characters was their indecision about what their life path should be.  They both have strong powers, but do not really have an idea as to their life purpose.  I loved what they both figured out in the end, especially Sierra's idea.  It was perfect.

The mystery was really good.  It kept me guessing.  There  is a story arc that seems to be spanning multiple books that ties back to the secret labs in Fogg Lake.  That cliffhanger at the end is making me wish I had the next book right now. My one wish was that The Abyss was explored more.  That house sounds fascinating. It looks like it is going to be Olivia's story next and I can't wait!

Review: The Vanishing by Jayne Ann Krentz

Author: Jayne Ann Krentz
Publisher: Berkeley
Publication Date: January 2020

Forty years ago in the small town of Fogg Lake, "The Incident" occurred: an explosion in the cave system that released unknown gases, causing peculiar effects on its residents, such as strange visions and ominous voices. Not wanting the government to get involved, they chalked it up to the hallucinogenic effects of mushrooms. Little did they know these effects would linger through the generations....

Residents Catalina Lark and Olivia Dayton have been best friends for years and own an investigation firm together, using what they call the "other sight" to help with their business. When Olivia goes missing, Cat frantically begins the search for her alone when the town does nothing about it. When scientist Slate Trevelyan shows up, she has no choice but to accept his help even though there's something about him she just can't trust. The duo discovers someone is hunting the two witnesses of a murder in Fogg Lake fourteen years ago—the very one Cat and Olivia witnessed as teens, one that they couldn't prove happened. Cat and Slate's search for Olivia takes them down a rabbit hole that is far more dangerous and mysterious than they ever expected, and with a killer in their midst, neither of them can foresee who will come out alive. 

The Vanishing is the first book in a new paranormal series that involves people from Fogg Lake.  Years ago, there was an incident that created a fog that caused residents to gain paranormal abilities.  10 years ago, Catalina and Olivia witnessed a murder in the caves.  Now they own an investigation business and the death they witnessed may have come back to haunt them.

This book reminded me a lot of the Arcane Society series that this author has written.  I really enjoyed all of those books.  The Vanishing was equally as enjoyable.  I really like the way this author writes paranormal stories.   The characters are always interesting and there is always fun action.  I liked the way Catalina and Slate worked together.  They had some great banter.  There was some insta-love here, but it didn't bother me because the way their powers worked made their instant attraction make sense.  The mystery was compelling and had me intrigued.  I wish there was more Olivia in the book, but hopefully she will have a book focused on her in the future.  I would definitely recommend this one.  It was a lot of fun.

BLog Tour: Review & Excerpt of Alexandra's Riddle by Elisa Keyston

Author: Elisa Keyston

Narrator: Blair Seibert

Length: 5 hours 52 minutes

Publisher: Crimson Fox Publishing⎮2020

Genre: Romantic Fantasy

Series: Northwest Magic, Book 1

Release date: Jul. 22, 2020

Lose yourself in the magical forests and charming towns of the Pacific Northwest, where picturesque Victorian homes hide mysteries spanning decades, faeries watch from the trees, and romance awaits...for those bold enough to seek it.

Cass is a drifter. When she inherits an old Queen Anne Victorian in rural Oregon from her great-aunt Alexandra, all she wants is to quickly offload the house and move on to bigger and better things. But the residents of the small town have other plans in mind. Her neighbors are anxious for her to help them thwart the plans of a land developer eager to raze Alexandra’s property, while a mysterious girl in the woods needs Cass’s help understanding her own confusing, possibly supernatural abilities.

And though little surprises Cass (thanks to her own magical powers of prediction), she never could have anticipated her newfound feelings for the handsome fourth-grade teacher at the local elementary school — feelings that she thought she’d buried long ago. Cass has sworn off love, but Matthew McCarthy is unlike anyone Cass has ever met. If she isn’t careful, he could learn her secret. Or worse — he just might thaw her frozen heart.

But falling in love could spell danger for both of them. Because it’s not just the human residents of Riddle that have snared Cass in their web. Cass’s presence has caught the attention of the fae that dwell in the woods. They know she has the Sight, and they don’t want to let her go....

Buy Links

Buy on Amazon⎮Audible⎮iTunes

My thoughts:

Alexandra's Riddle was a pleasant surprise.  It is the first book in the Northwest magic series. the story involves Cass who inherits a large house.  Cass doesn't want the house and intends to sell it as soon as possible.  However, someone or something else may have other ideas.  As I said, this one was a pleasant surprise. 

I thought it was a really cute paranormal romance.  I enjoyed the setting of the town as well as the surrounding woods.  Cass can see fairies, brownies, and other creatures. Mr. Green was my favorite.  She meets a little girl from the town who has the sight as well.  Matthew won my heart over from the beginning.  His and Cass's romance was really sweet.  I loved his philosophy of blessings.  There is a little magical mystery that Cass has to solve because only she has the key.  She just needs to remember.  I listened to the audio-book and enjoyed the experience.  I definitely recommend this one.

About the Author: Elisa Keyston

Elisa Keyston is an author of sweet romance with hints of magic, intrigue, and suspense. She was the series lead for the first season of The Pioneer Brides of Rattlesnake Ridge, a shared-world historical romance series from Sweet Promise Press, and she’s also the author of the Northwest Magic series from Crimson Fox Publishing, a sweet contemporary romance series with a touch of magic and mystery set in her home state of Oregon. She’s a graduate of Sonoma State University with a degree in history, which inspired her love of historical fiction and modern stories set in historic places. When she’s not writing, Elisa spends most of her time gardening, collecting gnomes and fairies for her backyard, and fawning over her furbabies.

Website⎮Twitter⎮Facebook⎮Instagram

About the Narrator: Blair Seibert

Blair Seibert is a voice actor in Los Angeles. She provides voiceovers for non-fiction and fiction audio books, TV and radio commercials, online marketing videos, corporate training videos, phone messaging systems and more! Her voice has been called “magical,” soothing and reassuring at the same time. Her voice is warm, emotive, friendly and engaging and portrays a diverse range of characteristics, from corporate to “motherly” to sultry. She is enthusiastic, professional, and easy to work with, and strives to deliver services that exceed her clients' expectations.

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Review: Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews

Author: Ilona Andrews
Publisher: Avon
Publication Date: August 2020

As Prime magic users, Catalina Baylor and her sisters have extraordinary powers—powers their ruthless grandmother would love to control. Catalina can earn her family some protection working as deputy to the Warden of Texas, overseeing breaches of magic law in the state, but that has risks as well. When House Baylor is under attack and monsters haunt her every step, Catalina is forced to rely on handsome, dangerous Alessandro Sagredo, the Prime who crushed her heart. 

The nightmare that Alessandro has fought since childhood has come roaring back to life, but now Catalina is under threat. Not even his lifelong quest for revenge will stop him from keeping her safe, even if every battle could be his last. Because Catalina won't rest until she stops the use of the illicit, power-granting serum that's tearing their world apart. 

Emerald Blaze is the 5th book in the Hidden Legacy series and the second to feature Catalina and Alesandro.  I absolutely loved this series.  It has great characters, lots of great humor, magic and  romance.    This time around, Alesandro is back and is tasked with keeping Catalina safe from an assassin as well as helping her figure out what is going on in "The Pit".  The Pit is a place where magical remnants have been discarded and something inside is killing people.  

I definitely enjoyed this one more than Sapphire Flames.  I felt like Catalina and Alesandro had a LOT more chemistry this time around. I ended up loving their banter and that ending was so sweet.  Alesandro definitely grew up.   Catalina has also matured a lot. I was also happy that the angst didn't last too long.  I enjoyed the mystery.  The monsters were pretty cool as well as what the creature was in the pit.  The last battle scene was really fun. 

 Of course, we get to see the other members of House Baylor.  They just add so much to the series. Grandma Frida is my favorite. As in the last one, the epilogue was kind of a cliffhanger.  I am so sad that I have to wait until next year to read the conclusion to Catalina's trilogy.  I highly recommend this one as well as the series.

Blog Tour: Review & Excerpt of Broken Dawn by Dianne Duvall

Book #10 Immortal Guardians

By Dianne Duvall

June 16, 2020

GOODREADS

Nick Belanger can't stop thinking about the single mother who lives next door. She's smart. She's funny. She's so beautiful he can't stare at her too long for fear his eyes will start to glow. But Kayla thinks he's just an ordinary guy who works in security. Finding out he instead is a powerful immortal warrior who hunts and slays psychotic vampires for a living may not go over well, particularly since she has a daughter she doesn't want to endanger.

Kayla Dorman can keep neither her gaze nor her thoughts from straying to the man next door. Who can blame her really? He is the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome with smart, charming, and honorable thrown in. He's also a few years younger than her and surely would not be interested in a single mom who hasn't dated since her divorce. At least that's what she thinks until an accident nearly takes her life and Nick risks all to save her.

The dynamics of their relationship swiftly change. The friendship they've developed over the years deepens into love as the two spend every minute they can together, laughing and teasing, never suspecting a threat may lurk in the shadows. But that threat soon strikes, making it clear that Nick is the target and his enemy doesn't care if Kayla gets caught in the cross fire. Though Kayla bravely rises to the occasion and is determined to do whatever it takes to help Nick defeat his enemy, Nick is terrified of losing her. Can he identify and eliminate his new nemesis before the man takes everything from him?

My thoughts:

Broken Dawn is the 10th book in the Immortal Guardians series. This time around, we get a glimpse into a different part of the country and different Immortal Guardians, Nick and Eliana.  Never fear, other beloved characters make several appearances.  This one had less of an intrigue, battle feel to it.  It's more about two people finding the loves of their lives.  There is a little danger that adds to the story, but I didn't feel that was the main focus.  I loved Nick and Kayla.  They were just too cute together.  We also get to know Eliana a little more.  She is the focus of the second Aldebarian Alliance book, The Segonian.  I can't wait to read that one!!

Usually by now I start to get bored with a series and I want to walk away for a while. I can honestly say that I have never felt that way with this series.   I eagerly look forward to every book and devour new ones as soon as they come out.  I highly recommend starting at the beginning if you haven't read any of them.  What are you waiting for?

Enjoy this excerpt:

Nick climbed the stairs and silently entered Kayla’s bedroom.

She lay curled up on her side, so small she didn’t even take up half the full-sized bed.

He stared down at her, fighting the desire to stroke her hair or kneel beside her and wake her with a kiss. He had never expected to fall in love. Had never thought he would experience the euphoria manifested by finding that one person who completed him. Had never believed he needed completing. He had existed for hundreds of years, after all.

But he knew now that something had always been missing. Not simple companionship. Something more. Something intrinsic that felt like the mortar that held a brick wall together.

Kayla did that for him. She filled the empty spaces. She made him stronger. She made everything better. Bigger. He wasn’t content. He was truly happy for the first time since his transformation. He didn’t worry for her safety. He was terrified for her. He didn’t want to make her smile. He wanted to see her throw her head back and laugh uproariously. Sex wasn’t good. It was fucking fantastic. It didn’t simply sate a hunger. It touched him deeply and brought him an ecstasy he had never before experienced.

He couldn’t lose her. He didn’t want his life to go back to what it had been before he met her. He didn’t want to face an endless stretch of days in which he had nothing to look forward to.

He wanted forever with her.

As if she sensed him standing beside the bed, watching her sleep like a damn stalker, Kayla opened her eyes. She blinked once, then looked up at him.

Heart pounding in his ears, Nick stared down at her.

A long moment passed that stretched his nerves taut. Then she reached out and snagged his hand. He curled his fingers around hers, grateful for the simple touch.

Closing her eyes, she pulled his hand around behind her back.

Nick didn’t have to be asked twice. Unwilling to relinquish her hand, he knelt on the mattress, straddled her legs, then rolled onto the empty side of the bed. As he slipped beneath the covers and curled his body around hers, that feeling of completeness returned.

Without saying a word, Kayla drew his arm around her and pressed his hand to her chest.

Snuggling closer, he exhaled a long sigh.

THIS was what he needed.

This.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dianne Duvall is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Immortal Guardians series and The Gifted Ones series. Reviewers have called Dianne's books "fast-paced and humorous" (Publishers Weekly), "utterly addictive" (RT Book Reviews), "extraordinary" (Long and Short Reviews), and "wonderfully imaginative" (The Romance Reviews). Her books have twice been nominated for RT Reviewers' Choice Awards and are routinely deemed Top Picks by RT Book Reviews, The Romance Reviews, and/or Night Owl Reviews. 

Dianne loves all things creative. When she isn't writing, Dianne is active in the independent film industry and has even appeared on-screen, crawling out of a moonlit grave and wielding a machete like some of the vampires she creates in her books.

For the latest news on upcoming releases, contests, and more, please visit DianneDuvall.com. You can also find Dianne online . . .

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