Knight Ascending by B M Clemton

4 Stars

My name is Danica Knight and I have a secret… a life changing, whisper worthy secret that will more than likely get me killed.

Trust no one. Is the singular phrase my mother had whispered to me when she abandoned me in a small hospital at the young age of eight. It was the only memory I could remember before I came to live with my Aunt and Uncles here in the largest wolf pack in North America. After graduating High School and having been accepted into one of the most prestigious Paranormal Universities in North America. Black Veil University.

Everything is finally going as planned. Or so I thought before four insanely hot men crash their way into my life. Each with a unique connection to me, whether they want it or not. We are tied together. Lives are turned upside down, hearts are torn and shattered and those deep dark secrets that I have held hostage start to slip. But when the dark shadows of my past come knocking, I may need every little bit of help I can get.

This series has darker elements that readers should be aware of such as, strong language, PTSD from kidnapping, assault, and violence.

I enjoyed this one a lot. The description doesn't do it justice. Danica is a woman who doesn't remember where she came from. She struggles but is willing to keep pushing through. I loved the other characters. The guys she ends up with are fabulous. They want to protect her but also let her grow and change. It ends on a cliffhanger and that made me so mad but the rest of the books are out so I will be checking them out.

Book 1 Black Veil University

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Crazed Candy by Leigh Kelsey

4 Stars

Here’s a tip: don’t mess with the demon girl who kills people for a living.

The four self-proclaimed kings of Orchid Vale apparently never got that memo, and now my self care retreat is about to become a bloodbath.

This quaint village was supposed to be a break from my hectic life of death, gore, and high stakes ‘jobs’—that’s code for supernatural murder—but I don’t get a chance to enjoy even a fairground ride without the kings of Orchid Vale getting in my way.

Arkan, the ice cold wraith wants to break me. Joseph, the reaper gangster with a heart of gold wants to save me. X, the incubus maniac wants us to be a killer duo. But Taj, the prince of hell and the worst of them all, wants me dead. Apparently I killed his uncle. Oops.

The kings warn I’ll be lucky to leave Orchid Vale alive, even if their instincts say I’m their fated mate. But they’re the ones who need to watch out. One false move, and they'll find themselves choking to death.

They don’t call me the Candyfloss Killer for nothing.

Crazed Candy is a paranormal romance with psycho men, a badass FMC, twisted romance, and lots and lots of bloodlust. Demon criminals, a dark syndicate, a godlike hunter, and depraved, evil pasts fill these pages, but none of them are as deadly as Aveline Lachesi. This book is medium burn, with moderate heat, and multiple love interests.

This was a short and demented read. Demented in a good way. Aveline is crazy and willing to do anything to be happy. I love how she meets the guys. She gives them such chaos and I loved it. It ends on a cliff hanger and I'm curious to see how this all plays out.

Book 1 Killers and Kings

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If You Need Me by Helena Hunting

4 Stars

I should be the one taking her to our small-town high school reunion. The prom king finally gets his chance with the valedictorian.
Except she hates me.

To the world, I’m a pro hockey player with a million dollar smile.
To Hemi, I’m the menace who (accidentally) sank her bike to the bottom of the lake.

I never thought I’d be able to right my wrongs until she took the team’s PR job.
I’d hoped I was making progress, winning her over—one geriatric polka party at a time.

Until I got drunk one night and made a mistake. A very big mistake.
Now the world thinks we’re both very much in love—except Hemi is absolutely in loathe.

To save our jobs and reputations, we have to convince all our friends, family, and bosses that our fake relationship is the real deal.

I’ll do anything to protect her, especially if it means I get to be the best boyfriend Hemi never expected.

I loved this one so much. I loved the give and take between Hemi and Dallas. The lies that turned into reality. Dallas’ anxiety was written well and was a good addition to the story. The one part that did irritate me was the third act break up. It was just like really are we doing this now…fine. Definitely added to the series.

Book 3 The Toronto Terror

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Whatever it Takes by Jillian West

4 Stars

Briar needs help. She knows what it's like to walk out of a dangerous situation and straight into the unknown. That's what brings her to Shadow Security—only a case of mistaken identity leads her to accept a job that was never actually intended for her.

Things look up when she catches the eye of one of the guys at work, but they take a downturn fast when she realizes he has no intention of staying faithful. Luckily, her handsome coworkers are there to help pick up the pieces, but everything compounds as the past catches up at the worst possible time.

Briar doesn't want to run again, but she has big secrets that her overbearing boss and mercenary coworkers know nothing about.

Shadow Security didn't earn its reputation as one of the most ruthless private security companies in the country for nothing, but will that be enough? Will they even want to protect her when they realize how high the stakes are, and who they're truly up against?

This was an amusing read. Briar is on the run and ends up working for a security company. The bosses want her but shouldn’t so they try to stay away from her until they can’t stay away. It just worked for me when they finally get together. I would have liked more fleshed out with her ex but it was still a good read.

Book 1 Mercenaries for Hire

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Hero She Craves by Anna Hackett

4 Stars

The last thing he expects on his ship is the off-limits woman he can’t stop thinking about—his best friend’s daughter.

After a tough military career as a Navy SEAL, and a member of a covert Ghost Ops team, Lorenzo “Ren” Santoro now calls a research ship home. The ocean, very few people, and solitude…it’s all he needs.

Then as a favor to his best friend, he agrees to take a research team to sea to test a top-secret Navy project. He’s shocked to discover his best friend’s daughter is one of the scientists. The beautiful Halle Bradshaw who Ren once kissed, who ignites a powerful craving inside him. She’s too young, too innocent, and too off-limits.

When strange things start happening to Halle, Ren suspects she’s in danger…and he’ll do anything to keep her safe.

Marine biologist Halle loves the ocean, her work…and Ren Santoro. Being aboard his ship, she finally has the chance to show the stubborn man how good they could be together.

But someone is targeting the highly classified project she’s working on. One she can’t let fall into enemy hands.

The only person she can trust is Ren. Forced to abandon their ship, they will face the danger of the sea and the wilds of a jungle-covered island, all while being hunted by a relentless enemy.

Ren and Halle will no longer be able to hide from their white-hot desire or their demons. She’s determined to convince him to take a chance on love…but first, they have to survive.

I loved Ren and Halle. The push these two needed to get their HEA. I loved the adventure and the romance. I wanted more with Halle’s dad since he was BFF with Ren. Fit in nicely with the other books in the series.

Book 3 Unbroken Heroes

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All Super Heroes Need PR by Elizabeth Stephens

4 Stars

He’s a villain looking for a hero rebrand. She’s the marketing genius who can make it happen in this fantastical romantic comedy by the author of the Beasts of Gatamora series.

Over two decades ago, forty-eight young, gifted superheroes fell to Earth and were eventually marketed as opposing brands: heroes and villains. Now, one exceptionally gruff bad guy is looking to hop teams. Hello, PR director Vanessa Theriot.

His real name is Roland Casteel a.k.a. the Pyro. First, swap that with the less incinerating the Wyvern. Next, put him in spandex to highlight that near-godlike body. Finally, give that hero in training a heroine—if Vanessa will play the part in a pretend romance guaranteed to make the city swoon. She’s game. As shy as Vanessa is, it’s her job to be Roland’s very own Lois Lane. Who knew that fake dating would change their worlds?

But falling head over heels for real makes for a dangerous shift in the narrative. A monstrous supervillain is bringing out Roland’s bad side again. This time, it’s to save a woman who, against all the odds, is becoming the human love of his superhero life.

This book was so cute. I loved every minute of reading it. It did start slow but once it got going the pacing definitely picked up. I loved that Pyro was all she is my wife from the very beginning. She thought he was joking…he was not joking. There is some very series issues addressed in the book and everyone should read the warnings.

Book 1 Supers in the City

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Knotty Omega by Jessica Winters

4 Stars

Cady has her dream job. Her dedication to her career and omega designation makes her uniquely qualified to write the advice column that’s turned into a national sensation: The Knotty Omega.
The cute beta at work keeps flirting with her, and while she wishes things could be different, the beta has a bite mark- he’s already bonded to a pack.
And a pack is the last thing Cady wants.
When her experimental drug that makes her smell bonded is literally flushed down the toilet, her position as advice columnist is called into question.
How can she give advice on pack life if she doesn’t have one?
A deal with the Editor in Chief has her searching for the one thing she never wanted.
Will the cute beta from work and his pack finally tear down her walls? Or will she forever give up her position as:
The Knotty Omega

I loved this take on fated mates. I loved the pack and how FMC fit in with them. The bad guy was obvious. My biggest issue was her family was mentioned but never followed up with at all and it felt like it should have been. Overall, it was a good read.

Book 1 Starbrook City Omegaverse

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Hunger in His Blood by Zoey Draven

4 Stars

 I’ve loved Kaldur of House Kaalium since the first moment I laid eyes on him. He’s a sinfully charming, lore-smoking playboy with a smile that makes me see stars. As the High Lord of Vyaan, his vast power and wealth extends throughout the entirety of our nation—and he’s as untouchable as he is devastatingly handsome.

Me? I’m a lowly human keeper on his grand estate. An orphan with no family. A dreamer, who lives in the adventure of my own fictional stories. I couldn’t be more beneath his notice or unlike the plethora of pretty, clever socialites who warm his bed.

For two years, he has no idea I even exist…until one afternoon, a tiny cut on my palm changes everything. He discovers that I’m his kyrana, his blood mate. The one female that will sate his vampiric hunger and calm the berserker rages of his race. I thought every dream I’d had was finally coming true—my winged prince finally come.

Until Kaldur breaks my heart so callously, reinforcing every pain and insecurity I’d ever had.

And when he realizes his mistake and sets his mind to winning me back? He’ll have the fight of his life if he thinks I’ll ever give him my heart again.

Kaldur was an idiot throughout this book but does make up for it … eventually. I loved Erina’s sunshine personality and when it gets less so because of him made me so mad and sad. Overall, it was a good story and added to the original series.

Book 3 Brides of the Kylorr

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Bone King and Starling by Elizabeth Stephens

4 Stars

They call him the bone king.

A massive, beast of a male who worships the gods and is all too willing to provide them their sacrifices. Human sacrifices. He and his warriors have come to visit Winterbren, a poor little village on the outskirts of Wrath and my home.

I’ve never been more grateful to be a thrall, for my low status will ensure that I remain outside of his notice. But when he requests — nay, requires — a willing female to warm his furs for the duration of his stay, his selection falls to me. All I can do is pray to the gods that I survive the night…

And beg the bone king for mercy.

This book has some very dark elements but was such a good read. You do end up dropping into the story without much world building but you get the gist the more you read. I want more in this world and with these characters. I loved Calai and Starling particularly when she saves him. Again dark themes plus virgin and so much spice.

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Always a Fake Bridesmaid by Carrie Ann Ryan

4 Stars

The moment Ewan McBride entered my life, my world tilted on its axis.

When we part, I promise him I owe him anything for saving my daughter’s life.

What I didn’t expect?

Being his fake date to a wedding—in two days.

It was only supposed to be a favor, but we can’t deny the attraction.

Only he lives a state away and my life is in Colorado with my daughter and the Montgomery's.

This can only be one night that feels all too real.

Yet I know walking away will be the hardest thing I ever do.

This was a short and spicy read. I loved Ewan and Livy. It is an insta love but it works. I so want more details on the wedding drama but that wasn’t what the book was about so I get why it wasn’t included.

Book 1 Clover Lake

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Sing Sweet Nightingale by Rebecca Rennick

4 Stars

Lottie Pickle is known to the world as Alexandria, the famous glittering pop star. But the limelight is starting to burn and the things that once appealed to her as a young aspiring singer no longer shine with the brilliance of newly formed diamonds. Not to mention her overbearing momager who works her to the bone to make hit after hit. In the only way she knows how to escape life in her gilded prison she dawns a disguise and runs away. All the way to the small, quiet, unknown town of Snowberry, Montana. Here she hopes to blend in and enjoy her small piece of sanctuary in the woods. Sanctuary that's interrupted by the town's mayor and-unbeknownst to her-owner of the cabin she's renting. But there's more to the tall dark and handsome Hunter Evans than just being town mayor, he's also a wolf shifter. And that's not all, supposedly she's his mate. What more could a girl have to deal with while hiding from the paparazzi, a controlling mother, and millions of fans? Nothing much, just a blackmailing mob boss elf who wants the town of Snowberry for himself. Caught between the unspoken rules of the non-human world and his need to protect his newly found mate, Hunter must decide; break the rules and keep the girl, or follow the rules and possibly lose his mate and the well-hidden haven they've built for non-humans?

This was such a cute cozy para romantic comedy. I loved every minute of reading it. Has some very spicy parts as well. Hunter and Lottie and the side characters were well written and so loveable. I did want more with the mom getting her due. It ended up feeling like a foot note to the overall story but felt like it was more apart of the story. Will definitely be picking up the next book.

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If You Hate me by Helena Hunting

4 Stars

Hate is a gentle word. Eternal loathing is more accurate.
Pro hockey player with a filthy reputation and an even filthier mouth? That’s Tristan Stiles, also known as my brother’s best friend and my ungodly hot new roommate.

I thought it would be fine, just a quick stay after I rage quit my job while I look for a new place.
I was wrong.
It’s not fine.
We fight. We bicker. We taunt each other like it’s a brutal Olympic sport.
Tristan never wears a shirt and looks like my every sexy nightmare come to life, complete with perfect abs.

He was my secret crush growing up, but I’m not the little kid wishing for his attention anymore.
If we can’t keep our clothes on, we’ll both go down in flames. I’m addicted to how he makes my body feel. I can’t stop falling into his bed.

That line between hate and love? It’s looking pretty thin.
Now I’m wondering how either of us will walk away unscathed.

 

Who doesn’t love a good brother’s BFF plus a whole lot of hate sex. I loved all the humor and the hate between Tristan and Rix. The grovel was also so good. It just overall was a good read.

Book 1 The Toronto Terrors

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Set me on Fire by Sam Hall

4 Stars

What’s hotter than a handsome firefighter? Three of them.
When our passion ignites like wildfire, we decide to give in to our delicious urges and share one crazy, unforgettable night.
I even get a little souvenir to remember them by: a positive pregnancy test. Oops.
It’s time to mummy up, and that includes getting a steady job… at their fire station. But it’s fine; they don’t need to know my oven’s been stuffed with one of their buns.

So who’s the daddy? Could it be:
Knox—with grey eyes that stare right into your soul, he leads his team into danger with barely a backward look and he’s just as commanding off the job.
Charlie—the hyperactive guy with a heart of gold. The only thing he takes seriously is putting out fires and now, me.
Or Noah—my high school crush is all grown up, but now I’m back in his life, he’s not willing to let me go.

I don’t know, so I decide it’s best not to tell them.
But somehow they find out anyway, and they’re not upset—they’re ecstatic.
The guys are 100% in, caring for me, protecting me, making sure I have everything I need.

Hmmm. Maybe I don’t need a paternity test, after all. Maybe I just need them.

This why choose was well paced and a nice mix of character and plot. I loved the guys and Millie. The one who cause problems is obvious but was still a good read. I loved that each guy had their own personality and you could tell them apart. Sometimes in Why Choose books this isn’t done and it ends up being a bunch of people who are all the same or one note. One of the biggest issues I had with the book was the length of the book but I still loved it.

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Alpha’s Revival by Reece Barden

4 Stars

Rex is an Alpha without a pack. Rejected by his fated mate, he's not interested in second chances.
He just wants to be left in peace to lick his wounds and rebuild his life.
When he starts a new business, his sister-in-law comes to help, but Leah is exactly the kind of happy, bubbly woman he normally can't stand to be around. It doesn't matter how attractive she is.

And let's not forget she knows nothing about shifters.
Even if he wanted to keep her, he can't. Not without facing the one thing that has the power to strike fear in his heart and turn his world upside down all over again. His mate.

Leah knows what she wants and she won’t give up until she gets it.
The second she lays eyes on her handsome brother-in-law, she knows Rex is the one for her.
Even if he pretends to be irritated by her mere presence, she knows he feels it, too.
She's not sure what’s holding him back, but it won’t work, not with this stubborn human.
He can run, but he can’t hide.

When trouble comes to Grey Ridge, and Leah gets caught in the middle, will Rex be too stubborn to go after what he wants? Or will he be too late?

I loved this second chance at a fated mates. The ending makes me want to keep reading to find out more in this world. My biggest pet peeve with this book was trying to keep everything a secret as long as they did because she clearly saw something was going on. I know why it was a secret but Leah ended up being hurt by the lack of transparency. She had a vested interest in keeping it a secret as it would affect her sister so it just irritated me that it took so long to reveal to her. I loved the connection between Rex and Leah. The way they interacted showed the chemistry and made it such a good read.

Book 3 Shifter’s of Grey Ridge

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Better Than Friends by Jill Shalvis

4 Stars

When Olive Porter’s off-the-grid parents go missing, she reluctantly seeks out Noah Turner, her ex and the only person she both trusts implicitly and not at all.

As a special investigative agent for the National Park Service, Noah’s used to living under intense pressure. Or he was until he got injured on the job. Now unhappily recuperating at home while being smothered by his loving but nosy family, he’d love nothing more than a good distraction.

So when Olive shows up looking like a million bucks, he has to do a gut and heart check. Because nope, no matter what, he can’t fall for her again, the woman who once blew up his entire life and never looked back. How ironic then that his own personal hell (Olive) is also his ticket out of town. The question is, will the risk be worth the reward?

I really enjoyed listening to this book. Olive has had an interesting life. I liked Olive with Noah. Loved that the his sister and mom and her grandma were trying to push them together. They both fought the valiant fight to their HEA. When you find out why Olive left that was heartbreaking and I still don’t know exactly why Noah’s dad did what he did. Overall, good listen.

Book 7 Sunrise Cove

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Cooking Up a Demon by Sabrina Cross

4 Stars

Bea thought all she had to worry about when she moved to Ghostlight Falls was the cold, wet weather and getting her Nonna’s bookstore up and running.

Instead she finds herself accidentally summoning a demon at every turn. An annoyingly sexy demon who insists on helping her, despite her protests.

Now, more than just soup is cooking up between Bea and the Demon. But summoning him puts more than just Bea’s heart at risk.

I loved this book and the characters. There were some plot holes but overall, I enjoyed the read so I am ignoring the holes.

Book Part of Ghostlight Falls

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Good Spirit by BK Borison

4 Stars

He’s the Ghost of Christmas Past. She’s not exactly Scrooge.

Ghost of Christmas Past Nolan Callahan intends to spend this holiday haunting like every other—get in, get out, return to his otherwise aimless existence as a ghost awaiting the afterlife. But when he’s faced with Harriet York, the sweetest assignment he’s ever had, he suddenly finds himself wishing for a future.

Harriet York has no idea why she’s being haunted. She’s a good person—or, at least, she tries to be. A people pleaser to her core, she always does what’s expected of her. But as she and Nolan begin to examine her past, they discover there are threads that bind them together— and realize there might be more to moving on than expected.

With the deadline of Christmas Eve fast approaching, will they find the key to their futures in each other’s pasts? Or will they stay firmly in the present, indulging in their unexpected, spirited connection?

 

Super cute holiday romance. I loved the characters and the premise of the book. I actually had some of the twists and turns figured out before they happened, but it was still worth reading.

Book 1 Ghosted

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Druid Cursed by CJ Burright

4 Stars

One week of freedom. One cursed druid. One woman who could break the spell or doom them both.

Every fifty years, Kellen Ravenwood escapes his magical prison for seven days. This Samhain is his last chance to break the curse, or he’ll be bound forever. All he needs is a sacrifice: the blood of Maggie O’Malley, the last living descendant of the witch who cursed him.

Maggie, desperate for cash after a brutal divorce, jumps at the chance to win a $500,000 prize at a mysterious Irish estate. She never expected ancient rituals, strange magic, or Kellen, the dangerously charming man who claims she’s the key to his freedom.

But Maggie won’t be anyone’s sacrifice. And if there’s another way to break the curse, she’ll find it.

Because some destinies are meant to be rewritten.

And some love stories are worth defying fate for.

Pacing was good. I loved the switch between modern English and Old English. I loved the characters and felt they were developed well. Maggie is learning about her ancestors while trying to get enough money to save her family home. Kellen was given a rough life. There are reveals that are big. The biggest issue I had was the ending felt rushed.

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Death Rides the Desert by Sara Bourgeris

4 Stars

A haunted ranch. A clever fox. Ghosts who won't shut up.

Claire Caldwell came to Arizona to sell her great aunt’s ranch, lick her wounds, and escape back to Chicago.

Then the ranch decided it wanted a new owner.

A copper furred fox starts leaving gifts on her doorstep. Translucent cowboys appear in the barn. A woman who died in 1985 cooks tamales in Claire’s kitchen like she never left. And somehow, the dead all seem to know one thing Claire does not.

She can see them.

When the most hated man in Perdido Springs turns up dead on Claire’s property and the sheriff waves it off as an accident, the ghosts make it clear. Someone in town is lying. Someone is dangerous. And everyone had a reason to want the victim gone.

With a mystical fox at her side, a house full of chatty spirits, and a too handsome veterinarian who keeps showing up just when she needs him, Claire has to solve a murder nobody wants solved.

Before she becomes the next ghost haunting Whispering Saguaro Ranch.

Welcome to the desert, where the dead do not rest and the living keep secrets.

I loved this book. It was cute in so many ways. It was cozy paranormal romance. I figured out the killer from the beginning but getting all the information was interesting. If moved nicely but could have used some character development. I will be reading more in the series.

Book 1 The Haunted Ranch

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Bookish Girl’s Guide to Mating with a Werewolf by Lola Glass

4 Stars

I ran into a werewolf at a grocery store. The moment our eyes met, he decided I was his mate.

Now he's trapped in his furry form, threatening every other guy who so much as looks in my direction.

His friends try to convince me that I need to stay in his house until he goes human again, but I refuse.

So he shifts back.

And the giant of a man—er, wolfman—basically carries me away himself.

This werewolf is hunting me, and honestly?

I'm a very willing victim.

I laughed so hard at the beginning of the book. She’s looking for a shifter, finds one, and then is shocked…just shocked when he wanted her. It was a short and spicy story. Very easy to read and I will be continuing the rest of the series. It did take a while to realize that shifters aren’t out and so her looking was weird and more amusing to me.

Book 1 Mate Hunt

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