Branded As Trouble

Author: Delores Fossen

Publisher: HQN Books

Publication Date: June 27, 2017

Page Count: 384 pages

But it at:  Amazon & Harlequin

Source: eBook kindly provided by TLC Book Tours

Audience: Adult

Genre: Western Romance

My thoughts:

I received this book for an honest review. It's been awhile since I have read a Western romance, yet despite that I liked this book. 

Roman Granger returns home when he feels that his teenage son is following in his bad boys ways.  Roman is also hoping that he can reconnect with his son as he has been gone more often than not because of his business. Add to his problems, Mila Banchini. There's always been an attraction there, but he's refused to act on it because she's his sister's best friend and a virgin. Too sweet for someone like him.

What follows is funny (the hospital scene with Roman and his mother coming up with code words for time to change the subject), romance, heartbreak, redemption, and forgiveness. Note that there is a suicide attempt, but the author handles it, along with the healing, with grace and intelligence. 

I highly recommend this book and give it 4 1/2 little birdies for an awesome read.

Blurb:

Every town needs a bad boy, and Wrangler's Creek's has been gone far too long… 

Getting his high school girlfriend pregnant was just one square in Roman Granger's checkered past, but it changed him forever. When his son's mother skipped town after the birth, Roman decided to do the same, baby Tate in tow, hoping for a fresh start. 

Now Roman fears his teenage son is following in his wayward footsteps, so he returns home to Wrangler's Creek, aiming to set him straight. It's there he encounters Tate's cousin Mila Banchini, the good-girl opposite of Roman who's had a crush on him since childhood. The old spark between them undeniably never died, though Roman worries it'll only lead to heartache. But if falling for Mila is such a bad idea, why does everything about holding her feel so right?

The Playboy's Secret Virgin

Author: MS Parker & Tasha Fawkes

Published by: Safira Press LLC

Publications Date: June 5, 2017

Page Count: 240 pages (paperback)

Buy it at:   Amazon 

Source: eBook Kindly Provided by Authors ARC team

Audience: Adult

Genre: Contemporary

My Thoughts:

I received this book for an honest review. By the title alone, I figured that this book was going to be full of one hot, steamy sex scene after another once the heroine lost her virginity. While it does have some sex scenes, there was nothing too graphic if that bothers you.

What I liked​ about this book was the story. The authors tell it from both sides. Jane is a small town girl who goes to New York hoping to put her college education to use in the advertising field. She grew up in foster care and while she might be innocent, she's not naive to the ways of the world.

Anthony is a rich playboy who barely goes through the motions at Daddy's ad agency. His constant partying and having everything splashed across the tabloids has made dear old dad give him an ultimatum. What transpires is two people coming together with their baggage, working through it and coming out on the other side all the better for their problems.

This book has a HEA, but not so sickening sweet you're gagging.  I will definitely look for future books from these two.

I would have liked to seen a couple of characters fleshed out more, but maybe they are saving that for another book. For that alone, I give this book 4 1/2 little larks.

Blurb:

A hot shot billionaire playboy can be quite intimidating, especially for a plain Jane virgin like me. When the elevator doors open to my new boss glaring down at my disastrous coffee mishap on my first day at James Enterprises, the look of disgust on his handsomely chiseled face is menacing, knocking any hope for leaving him impressed right out the window. Or so I thought… Later that night when I’m coerced by my newfound office friend to have a few drinks at the local jazz club, I catch Anthony James’ attention from across the room and sparks fly. I try to resist the temptation—why would he possibly be attracted to a simple girl like me—but Anthony James always gets what he wants… is he deserving enough of my virginity?

Book Review: Hour of the Lion

Hour of the Lion (Wild Hunt Legacy #1)

Author: Cherise Sinclair

Published By: VanScoy Publishing Group

Publication Date: October 16, 2012

Page Count: 426 pages (paperback)

Buy it at Barnes & Noble or Amazon

Source: Purchased by Reviewer

Audience: Adult (18+)

Genre: Paranormal Erotica (ménage)

I have been a big fan of Cherise Sinclair’s "Masters of the Shadowlands" series, so when I saw a new series by her that I hadn’t ready yet, I scooped it up immediately, purchasing all 3 available books at once. This new series is far different from what I am use to reading of hers; instead of Masters and Sirs in a world of BDSM, "The Wild Hunt Legacy" books are a whole new world of shifters. I love paranormal books, and shifters are some of my favorites. So the thought of Cherise Sinclair’s dominant, alpha males in a shifter role truly intrigued me. As I began reading, I quickly learned that this was a whole new take on the shifter theory, from how they are born/created to their language, and even their culture. 

There are two main changes from the traditional shifter world to this new shifter experience that I absolutely loved. First of all, in the world of "The Wild Hunt Legacy", there are more male shifters born than female shifters. So it is not uncommon for male littermates to share their female love interest. You can imagine how I pitied those poor females, having to suffer the affection of not one, but two strong, dominant males. (Is the sarcasm dripping from my chin?) I’m a self-proclaimed kinkster and unashamed of it, so I willingly admit that I very much enjoyed the ménage theme throughout the book(s) in this series. Secondly, in this non-traditional shifter culture, littermates can be different species. Because of the mating practices in effect due to the shortage of females, all single males are obligated to mate with all single females during the full moon in an effort to keep the shifters from dying-out. This once a month event is known as "the gathering". Species are not only able, but even expected, to inter-mate with each other, so a female bear could very well give birth to a litter containing both bears and the species of the sire, should he not be a bear. Because of this, the shifter culture is one big family in itself, and that was interesting and fun to experience… not to mention sexy as hell during the gathering.

Book Review: My Demon Determined

Book Review: My Demon Determined
                                               

My Demon Determined (My Demon #2)

By Nikita Jakz and Alicia Dawn

Published By: Self

Page Count: 137 pages

Release Date: October 2013

Buy it at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords

Source: Purchased by Reviewer

Audience: Adult (not recommended for readers under 17)

 

My Review:

The second installment in the My Demon trilogy is out, and what a fun ride! Cole and Seraphina are now on the run from the angels  and are forced to take refuge in hell. Hiding from her family is one thing, having Sera exposed to evil on a consistent basis is another. She is strong, but is she strong enough to resist the pull of evil she will now be surrounded by on a daily basis. Besides that, Cole’s demon is stronger there. He tends to come out at inopportune times and Sera learns much about him, but is it more than she bargained for?

I love Sera’s innocence and her wonder in all things. I also enjoyed her learning to come into her own. Sera discovers a wealth of strength when she needs it the most in dealing with Cole’s demon and his demon finds her intriguing. In fact, he sees her as a challenge, but one he wants to possess. Sera had me laughing and grinning when she challenged Cole in his demon form and brought him to his knees. The sex between the two is hot. I had to fan myself several times when they have a meeting of the minds and bodies.

Book Review My Decadent Demon

My Decadent Demon

By Nikita Jakz and Alicia Dawn

Published By: Nikita Jakz and Alicia Dawn

Publication Date: 6/4/2013

Page Count: 131

Buy It At: Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Smashwords, Kobo

Source: Purchased by Reviewer

Audience: Adult- Paranormal-Romance

My Decadent Demon is a supernatural roller coaster. Cole, a bullheaded, stubborn male demon is not necessarily likeable in the beginning. He has his life to lead and his job to do, but beyond that, something is missing. Seraphina, a naïve, curious angel is quirky and interesting when we first meet her. She wants to follow her heart and dreams, but is an oracle in training and has certain responsibilities she must attend to before she worries about herself. And Sera’s own needs are deeper than even she realizes.

Book Review: Twice Tempted

Twice Tempted (Night Prince Series #2)

Author: Jeaniene Frost

Published by: HarperCollins

Release date: March 26th,  2013

Source: E-book owned by reviewer

Buy it at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Google

Genre: Paranormal Fiction

Audience: Ages 18+

THE RUNDOWN:

Dating the Prince of Darkness has its challenges...

Leila's psychic abilities have been failing her, and now she isn't sure what the future holds. If that weren't enough, her lover, Vlad, has been acting distant. Though Leila is a mere mortal, she's also a modern woman who refuses to accept the cold shoulder treatment forever–especially from the darkly handsome vampire who still won't admit that he loves her.

Book Review: Rogue Rider

Rogue Rider (Lords of Deliverance #4)

Author: Larissa Ione

Publication:  Kindle Edition

Publication Date: 11/20/2012

Source: E-book owned by reviewer

Buy it at Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Audience: Paranormal romance, adult

Synopsis (Goodreads.com)

The prophecies were there but no one listened. Until now. They are the Lords of Deliverance and they have the power to ward off Doomsday . . . or let it ride. 

Jillian Cardiff came to this remote mountain town to forget the demon attack that almost killed her. Instead, she rescues - and falls for - a gorgeous stranger who has no memory of anything other than his name. Handsome, charming and protective, Reseph seems like the kind of man that Jillian can trust. But with hints of a troubling history of his own, he's also the kind of man that can be very dangerous . . . 

Book Review: Becoming Red

Becoming Red  (The Becoming #1)

Author: Paula Black and Jess Raven
Publication:  Kindle Edition

Publication Date: 11/30/2012

Source: E-book owned by reviewer

Buy it at Amazon

Audience: Paranormal romance, adult

Synopsis

From Goodreads.com:

‘You got me back. You always said you would.’

Ash DeMorgan, graduate, orphan, ice maiden, has long since consigned the fairytale nightmares of a troubled childhood to the realm of fantastical childish imagination. 

Now, lured back to Dublin, the scene of her tragic past, Ash encounters a city pulsing under the dangerous sexual influence of a new street drug the locals call Rave. Nothing is as it seems. Ash is about to discover that her nightmares are real, ancient Irish myths are larger than life and roaming the streets of the medieval city, and she has become the prey in their erotic hunt. A step back into her past is about to become a high adrenaline race for survival.

Connal Savage, outcast, assassin, and living, breathing hunk of ancient mythology, has lived a thousand years servicing a debt of revenge. Dead inside. Until he encounters his boss’s granddaughter, an infuriating woman who threatens to lead him to hell with all his good intentions, who manages to chip away at the hard encrusted defences of a lifetime spent at war and burrow herself deep into a part of him that hasn’t breathed for centuries. He is about to discover that when it comes down to the wire, when you’re bargaining with the Grim Reaper for the life of the one you love, you will do anything...

Book Review: Shadow’s Claim

Shadow’s Claim (The Dacians : Realm of Blood and Mist #1)

Author: Kresley Cole

Publication:  Kindle Edition

Publication Date: 11/27/2012

Source: E-book owned by reviewer

Buy it at Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Audience: Paranormal romance, adult

Synopsis

From Goodreads.com:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole introduces The Dacians: Realm of Blood and Mist, a new paranormal series following the royal bloodline of Dacia, a vampire kingdom hidden within the Lore of the Immortals After Dark.

Shadow's Claim features Prince Trehan, a ruthless master assassin who will do anything to possess Bettina, his beautiful sorceress mate, even compete for her hand in a blood-sport tournament—to the death.

Book Review: Power of the Moon

Power of the Moon: Power of the Moon, Book 1

Author: Tina Carreiro

Published by: Time and Tide Publishing, 2nd Edition

Release Date: October 14th, 2012

Source: ARC from author

Where to buy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble

Audience: Ages 18+

THE RUNDOWN:

Haunted by visions of death, and a past that holds her prisoner, Mia Starr never imagined her life could become even more complex. Untapped psychic powers spark to life, and her chosen solitary existence fills with creatures that shatter her safe reality. Now the very thing she fears the most is the one thing that will complete her in every way possible.

Detective Cole Barnett has mastered the vampire within. It has earned him respect and a position with Sector 13, the hardest job a vampire can hold. When a beautiful mortal is thrown into his investigation, with powers able to subjugate vampires, she tests his restraint.

Cole and Mia's passion ignites, but Mia's fear holds her back and she struggles to forget his touch and possessive kiss. What she doesn't realize is the more she runs from him, the more excited he becomes, and the hunt is something he cannot resist.

Book Review: Blood and Whiskey

Blood and Whiskey: A Cowboy and Vampire Thriller

Authors: Clark Hays and Kathleen McFall

Published by: Pumpjack Press

Release Date: March 24^th, 2012

Source: Kindle E-book gifted by authors

Where to buy: Amazon, Barnes and Noble 

Audience: 18 and over

THE RUNDOWN:  

Wanted: Lizzie Vaughan, Dead or Alive. Relationships are always hard, but for a broke cowboy and a newly turned Vampire, true love may be lethal. After barely surviving an undead apocalypse in The Cowboy and the Vampire, Tucker and Lizzie hightail it back to quirky LonePine, Wyoming (population 438), to start a family. But she's got a growing thirst for blood and he's realizing that mortality ain't all it's cracked up to be when your girlfriend may live forever. With a scheming Vampire nation hot on their boot heels and a price on her head, how far will Lizzie and Tucker go to protect their unlikely love? Blending evolution, religion and an overly sensitive cow dog named Rex, Blood and Whiskey drags the Vampire myth into the modern west, delivering double-barreled action, heart-pounding passion and wicked humor.

Book Review: The Smoke Thief

The Smoke Thief (Drakon #1)

By:  Shana Abe

Published By: Bantam Books

Publication Date: September 2006

Page Count: 324

Buy it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or IndieBound

Source: Purchased by Reviewer

Audience: Adult - Historical Fantasy Romance

The Smoke Thief was a truly magical and wonderful read! Even though this is considered an historical romance novel (and man... is there romance...), I think the argument could be made that it could also be labelled more of a FANTASY romance (did I mention there is romance?...oh yes, I did... silly me.)

You see, even though the story is set in the 1700's, the fantastical element is very central to the plot as it is about a mythical race of creatures known as the Drakon who live high up in the misty hills of Northern England; creatures who can shapeshift between human form, smoke and that of a dragon. The Drakon lead a secretive and somewhat isolated life from the outside world. They have all semblances of melting into the human world, but within their own Drakon community, they are similar to a wolf-pack with an alpha male who ensures the strength and survival of their "tribe" through unchallenged leadership.