Love Laugh Lich by Kate Prior

3 Star

Some people have monsters for a boss, but not everyone has an undead Necromancer Lord at the office.

Lily has been the Lich's secretary ever since his evilness took over the company. She loves her job, but she's got some questions about her boss. Like what's under that cloak of ever-billowing.

Her wondering intensifies when one day the Lich needs something from her that isn't just scheduling appointments-- but a shiver. He needs it for a spell, but it feels like it crosses a line from their usual workplace banter.

After her contributions to his dark rituals become more than OSHA compliant, she starts to contemplate whether the Lich Lord returns her feelings, or still only sees her as his secretary. Lily may have given him her body, but he never asked for her heart.

Another quick and easy read. It is a story that makes me want more information. I needed more world and character building because I have questions about how the world is run. It is a very well written monster love story that has some very interesting smexy scenes. I enjoyed the writing enough to not care about any of the issues and will be checking out other books.

Book 1 Claws and Cubicles

Amazon 

Sweet Violence by Leigh Kelsey

3 Stars

Here’s a tip: when you fall into Hell, seduce the devil.

Not that the devil needs much seducing. He’s seen all the twisted, blood-soaked things I’ve done on Earth, and he’s already obsessed with me. A little too obsessed, if you ask me. I already have four mates, and they’re more than enough trouble.

But when the devil—I’m calling him Dev—gives me a chance to hit my psychopath father where it hurts, and take out some of his minions, I jump at the chance. I’m not an assassin-for-hire, but if Eidolon keeps amassing power, he’ll be even more dangerous. And there’s no doubt he’ll come back for me.

But with cuddly Joseph, obsessive X, dominant Arkan, and ruthless Taj by my side, what can go wrong?

Everything, apparently. But at least I’m not dead…?

The Candyfloss Killer is back, b*tches!

Sweet Violence 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 one wasn't as good as the first one. The plot wandered which made for a long book. The book is best when all the mages are together, and it isn't a lot in this one. There were also issues with continuity. Aveline was walking with a demon. Her mates showed up and that demon was forgotten. I literally reread to see what I missed. Overall, it was still enjoyable but less so than book one.

Book 2 Killers and Kings

Amazon 

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

Amazon 

Tempting the Orc by LV Lane

3 Stars

He’s my brother’s best friend.

He’s also an orc.

I’m a shifter and should be with one of my kind.

What I want is green, fierce, and savage with everyone but me.

He’s determined to resist.

I’m determined that he won’t.

This was a short and spicy romance. No world building or character development. It was a fine read but don’t go in expecting much.

Book 1 Coveted by the Orc

Amazon 

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

Amazon 

A Partridge and a Pregnancy by Devney Perry

3 Stars

There are a lot of places I’d rather spend Christmas Eve morning than on a cold, snowy sidewalk outside someone else’s home. I’d kill to be sitting beside a fireplace, drinking cocoa, wearing flannel pajamas, and reading a book.

Instead, I’m here, standing in front of my one-night stand’s house, working up the courage to ring the doorbell and tell him I’m pregnant.

I hate that term—one-night stand. It sounds so cheap and sleazy. Tobias Holiday is neither of those things. He’s handsome and caring. Witty and charismatic. And once, a long time ago, he was mine.

Our one-night reunion was only supposed to be a hookup. A fling with an old lover. A parting farewell before I moved to London and put my feelings for him an ocean away. How exactly am I supposed to explain that to Tobias that I’m having a baby? His baby? Maybe I could sing it. He always loved the silly songs I made up in the shower.

Three French hens, two turtle doves.

And a partridge and a pregnancy.

I wanted to love this like I did the first two but I hated Eva so much. She never gets better even when they finally got together. She was selfish throughout the book. She didn’t want to be stuck in one location. Ok no problem. Instead of having that talk with Tobias she decided they wouldn’t work and broke up with him. Then when they come together is mad that he dated others after they broke up. The fight over custody was another issue for me. Ma’am you have no support in London. Who do you think is watching the kid while you work. Tobias has his entire family but yeah you are the better choice. I wanted more for Tobias.

Book 3 Holiday Brothers

Amazon 

Three Bells, Two Bows, One Brother’s BFF by Devney Perry

4 Stars

I pride myself in being grounded. Sure, I’ve had my share of childhood fantasies. Winning an Oscar. Winning the lottery. Winning an Olympic medal for an athletic talent I have yet to discover. But the only fantasy I ever thought might actually happen was winning my brother’s best friend.

Heath Holiday.

My crush on him has ebbed and flowed over the years, but the day I started working for his construction company was the day I smothered it for good. Sort of. Mostly. It was on my to-do list. Making it a priority would have been easier had he not arrived at his family’s annual Christmas party looking ridiculously handsome in a suit.

Then he kissed me. We stepped into an alternate universe and he kissed me. I assumed the next day I’d just be Guy’s little sister again. The office newbie. Our kiss forgotten. Except he keeps showing up at my house. With gifts.

A gold bracelet carrying three jingling bells. Two dainty jeweled earrings, each shaped as a bow. And finally, he brought himself.

One brother’s best friend, asking if I can keep a secret.

Heath was such an idiot but I enjoyed his idiocy. Stella deserved to not be his dirty little secret for most of the book and when she has enough and he gets smacked down I laughed so hard. He deserved it but Heath does make up for it later, it just took a while.

Book 2 Holiday Brothers

Amazon 

The Naughty, The Nice, The Nanny by Devney Perry

4 Stars

One week with one little girl—an angel, according to my staffing agency. Acting as the short-term nanny for a single dad should have been an easy way to make some extra cash. Until I show up for my first day and face off with a demon disguised as a seven-year-old girl wearing a red tutu and matching glitter slippers.

Oh, and her father? My temporary boss? Maddox Holiday. The same Maddox Holiday I crushed on in high school. The same Maddox Holiday who didn’t even know I existed. And the same Maddox Holiday who hasn’t set foot in Montana for years because he’s been too busy running his billionaire empire.

Enduring seven days is going to feel like scaling the Himalayas in six-inch heels. Toss in the Holiday family’s annual soiree, and Christmas Eve nightmares really do come true. But I can do anything for a week, especially for this paycheck, even if it means wrangling the naughty, impressing the nice, and playing the nanny.

I loved this audiobook so much. I enjoyed the characters. One big complaint was there needed to be more world building and character development. I get that it was a short story but it still needed more. I liked the relationship between Maddox and his family and daughter. Natalie was a bit wishy washy which is understandable since she didn’t want to start something with Maddox while he was her boss.

Book 1 Holiday Brothers

Amazon 

  

Fall Risk by Abby Jimenez

4 Stars

It’s Valentine’s Day weekend, and Charlotte and Seth are not looking for romance. Armed with emotional-support bear spray, Charlotte is in self-imposed isolation and on guard from men. Having a stalker can do that to a person’s nerves. Just across the hall and giving off woodsy vibes is Seth, a recently divorced arborist. As in today recently. Heights, he’s fine with. Trust? Not so much. But when disaster traps them one flight up and no way down, an outrageously precarious predicament forces a tree-loving guy and a rattled girl next door to embrace their captivity. Soon their defenses are breaking away. Considering how close they both are to the edge, Charlotte and Seth could be in danger of falling—in love.

Charlotte and Seth meet cute was fun. They get to know each other when trapped in their apartments. I loved how protective Seth was of her and also how much she didn’t need the protection.

Amazon 

Happily Ever Never by Carrie Ann Ryan

4 Stars

I love falling in love.

Only I’m the worst at it.

My friends call me a serial first dater and I can’t blame them.

All I want is a happy ever after, yet all I find are happy ever nevers.

This is my last chance. After this set up with my friend’s tattoo artist, I’m done.

No more dating. No more chances.

If I don’t fall in love with Leo Johnson, I’ll give up on dating.

Even if it shatters my dreams in the process.

I loved this book. May was excellent on first dates but nothing every went past that first date. I loved her with Leo. They just worked and May got to get past the first date curse.

Book 2.5 Montgomery Ink Legacy

Amazon

Ink by Numbers by Carrie Ann Ryan

3 Stars

Kaylee knows art, friendship, and love. And because she’s known love, she wants nothing to do with it ever again. She likes her life just the way it is. Her art and her Brushes with Lushes classes keep her sane and happy.

Landon spends his days with numbers and financial spreadsheets. At night, he just wants to relax, but the only way he can do that is with a woman. But these days, not just any woman will do.

Kaylee and Landon do an excellent job of dancing around each other, but no matter how much desire burns between them or their own personal hang-ups, they’ll need to make a choice: life as they know it, or a life that could be so much more.

Kaylee and Landon get their HEA in this book. It flows nicely and adds to the rest of the series. Even though neither is a Montgomery this book was good short story.

Book 4.5 Montgomery Ink: Colorado Springs

Amazon 

Taken with You by Carrie Ann Ryan

3 Stars

It all started at a wedding. Beckham didn’t mean to dance with Meadow. And he really didn’t mean to kiss her. But now, she’s the only thing on his mind. And when it all comes down to it, she’s the only person he can't have.

He'll just have to stay away from her, no matter how hard they’re pulled together.

Running away from her friend's wedding isn't the best way to keep the gossip at bay. But falling for the mysterious and gorgeous bartender at her friends’ bar will only make it worse. Beckham has his secrets, and she refuses to pry.

Once burned, twice kicked down, and never allowed to get up again. Yet taking a chance with him might be the only choice she has. And the only one she wants.

I liked the story but felt like it needed slightly more for a fully fleshed out book. I felt it was missing some things to be a completed story.

Book 3.5 Fractured Connections

Amazon 

Wilder Wedding by Carrie Ann Ryan

3 Stars

The Wilders know their weddings and this time it’s for one of their own.

Naomi and Amos have been the secret backbone to the Wilder Brothers’ Retreat and Winery for years.

They’ve also loved and hated each other along the way.

Their on and off again relationship has always worked for them, but now it’s getting in the way of the next Wilder Wedding.

If they don’t figure out what they want, one of them will have to do what they feared: leave the Wilders.

But if they take that leap, they might just break.

Or finally have what they’ve always wanted.

Each other.

This was a short and sweet story. Just a little glimpse of a secondary character from the winery. it was nice seeing the couple get their HEA. Narrators were OK.

Book 7.5 The Wilder Brothers

Amazon 

Loaded Laces by Elise Faber

4 Stars

A decade ago she broke me.

Now she’s back…with a kid in tow.

Belle Harrison dumped me right before I got my first big contract, breaking my heart and sending me straight into a life of singlehood.

Once bitten and twice shy, and all that.

Of course that was before she showed up after a decade, asking questions in the locker room after a game.

Questions that make me rethink everything I thought I knew.

And remind me why I never wanted to let her go in the first place.

And why I won’t ever let her go ever again.

I loved seeing this second chance romance between Belle and West. Seeing them come together was so sweet and amazing. They both needed time to grow and change before coming back together.

Book 3 Eagles Hockey

Amazon 

Chase Lovett Wants Me by Helena Hunting

4 Stars

A fluffy, insta-love, laugh out loud, college hockey romance. Chase Lovett. Star of my (unrequited) fantasies. Hottest guy on campus. Hockey god.

Too bad he has no idea who I am. Literally, I’m so invisible to him that he once sat on me in class.

No thanks to a fire in the dorms, he just became my accidental roommate.

Did I mention the hotel room our university moved us to has only one bed?

Not ideal.

Worse, I accidentally left “My Precious” fantasy fandom underwear hanging to dry in our shower.

My actual nightmare.

My name is Cammie Lovelock and this might just be the worst, best thing that’s ever happened to me.

This was a solid book that fits with the authors other books. I loved the fanfic aspect of Cammie's life. Cammie and Chase are the most adorable of couples. It was a quick and easy read.

Amazon 

Monster’s Find by Leann Ryans

2 Stars

I found her in the dark, and that was where I’d claim her, so she couldn’t run.

My heat was coming, and nothing would stop it. They killed my father, leaving me without protection, so I had no choice but to run. I wouldn't let them have me.

A cave in the mountains was the safest place I could find, but it turned out, I wasn’t alone.

All I knew was an alpha had found me. I didn't know he was a monster until it was too late, but what I feel when we bond assures me my own kind were more monstrous than him.

The idea behind this book was good but needs to be fleshed out. Yes, it’s a short story but it needed more because there is 0 plot and all smexy time. If you want that go for it as the writing is fine.

Book 1 Monsters in the Mountains

Amazon 

Stone by Anna Hackett

4 Stars

He’s the new silver fox recruit at Sentinel Security.

The hot, tough former Marine Raider.

And he won’t touch her because he works with her brother.

Real estate agent Magnolia “Nola” Newhouse has it all. Okay, not quite all. She loves her work, has a growing collection of designer heels, and is about to become an aunt…she’s just missing the love of her life. She’s watched her brother and her best friend fall in love, and Nola wants that too.

When she first sees the big, rugged silver fox across the bar, she feels an instant connection, and knows he does too. They share a passionate kiss, then he discovers who her brother is…

A short and sweet short story. I loved seeing Nola and Stone get their HEA. Plus seeing all the original characters was amazing to read up on what they are up to. The only downside was it was too short. I wanted more of the story and the characters.

Book 6.5     Sentinel Security

Amazon 

Sanctuary by Ilona Andrews

3 Stars

It’s not easy serving Chernobog, the God of Destruction, Darkness and Death…especially during the holidays; and especially when you’re out of eggnog and one of your pesky, freeloading mythic creatures has eaten your last cookie.

Roman would like nothing more than to be left alone, but when a wounded boy stumbles into his yard and begs for sanctuary, Roman takes him in. Now elite mercenaries are camped out on his property, combat mages are dousing the house with fire, and strange priests are unleashing arcane magic. They thought Roman was easy pickings, just a hermit in the woods, but they chose the wrong dark priest to annoy. For while Roman might be patient, he is the Black Volhv, filled with the love of his terrible god. For his adversaries, it's a fight to the death, but for him, it's just another day in the neighborhood.

I enjoyed the different mythos this book brought, and I love MMC. No world building since it’s apart of the Kate Daniel’s series. You don’t need to have read all of the other books in the series but it does add to the overall series. Definitely worth a read if you are a fan.

Book 1 Roman Chronicles

Amazon 

Puck and Make Up by Elise Faber

3.5 Stars

My life is full of secrets.

She's the woman who's discovered them all...

Dessie and I have a love-hate relationship.

But it’s mostly that I love and she hates.

As a member of the Rush hockey team, I don’t have a problem finding women who are willing to date me, but Dessie isn’t just anyone.

She’s a mystery, an obsession, a woman I need to claim as my own.

Only, she’s not going without a fight.

Good thing I’m a hockey player…

And fighting is what I do best.

I loved seeing Dessie and Fox get their HEA. At the end of the last book I had so many questions and several of them were answered in this book but I still have so many more. This one was a quick read and it was nice to revisit the characters.

Book 7 Rush Hockey

Amazon 

Santa Tried by Indie Sparks

3 Stars

Nick lived a very fun life until his dad retired and he had to take over as Santa. He takes this job very seriously and even with his past Daddy Dom days things are running smoothly at the north pole. The one person he can’t get on the straight and narrow is Calista. She is an elf that needs a firm hand to keep her in line.

Short and spicy holiday read. No plot or world building but for 27 pages it was a good read.

Amazon