Lethal Redemption by April Hunt (Two full books for the price of one)

Lethal Redemption by April Hunt

(Two full books for the price of one)

Blurb:

Top FBI profiler Grace Steele was just a girl when she escaped the Order of the New Dawn, and she’s spent the last seventeen years trying to forget her time there. But when private security firm Steele Ops needs her help extracting a young woman from the secretive cult’s clutches, she’s all in. Even though the mission requires posing as the fiancée of the only man who’s ever broken her heart.

It’s been nine years since Cade Wright turned his back on his childhood sweetheart, and he’s never stopped regretting it. Now that they’re forced to work together, he knows this is his opportunity to show Grace how much he’s changed. But the deeper they get pulled into New Dawn, the clearer it becomes that the demons still haunting Grace are very real, and Cade will have to risk everything to keep her safe . . . including his own life.

Includes the bonus novel Extreme Honor by Piper J. Drake!

My review:

Lethal Redemption by April Hunt is a romantic suspense novel that will keep you on the edge of your seat. It also explores the nature of what makes a family. I really enjoyed this story it gave me a lot to think about. Hot guys, strong women and some thoroughly bad individuals give you a heart pounding escape.

Extreme Honor by Piper J. Drake features hunky men, dogs and a good mystery. This book rocked! Hope’s Crossing kennel provides a second chance for abused working dogs and the former military guys that run it. Atlas is a special case. He is a hero dog who is suffering because his handler was killed by “friendly fire” as requested Atlas is sent to Hope’s Crossing with secrets on his shoulder, David is determined to find out what happened to Atlas and his handler. The last thing he needs is a pretty subcontractor distracting him. But Atlas responds well to her and well so does David but the closer they get to the truth the more danger they are in. I really enjoyed this fast paced romantic suspense. The characters are multi-dimensional and hard not to like. The author makes you feel for them and for Atlas. The story is loaded with surprises and keeps you enthralled.

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The Ghost of Christmas Past (Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries #8.5) by Angie Fox

Blurb:

From NY Times Bestselling Author, Angie Fox, a hauntingly fun holiday addition to the USA TODAY bestselling Southern Ghost Hunter series

She needs a Christmas miracle...

Verity Long is ready to deck the halls, jingle some bells, and maybe, just maybe have a merry Christmas with her boyfriend’s stuffy family. Truly, if she doesn’t extend the proverbial olive branch to the overbearing Wydells, she’s afraid she’ll hit them over the head with it.

But when her boyfriend’s mother pulls a shocking stunt, Verity finds herself with a big decision to make. And if that’s not enough, there’s an unexpected guest at her door. It’s the ghost of the woman who helped rescue Verity’s pet skunk three years ago that very night. And now she’s there to change Verity’s life as well.

*A "between the books" holiday story you don't want to miss!

Rating: Clean and Wholesome

Paranormal Cozy Mystery Romance

My review:

You knew it had to happen…Verity gets her own Christmas Carol. Verity takes on three ghosts to heal her heart and start healing the rift between the Wydells. I absolutely loved this take on an old tale and am reminded that the greatest gift may be love but hope isn’t far behind. 

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Love and Linguistics (Movie Magic Romances #2) by Tara Lain

Blurb:

In his neighborhood, El Martin stands out, and that can be life threatening. Against the odds, he’s managed to graduate high school and then master IT. Now he’s desperate to get a good job to free his drunken dad and himself from the control of gang leader M2 and the drugs he sells. But with his piercings and his slang-ridden speech, El looks and sounds like a Bronx gangbanger, and potential employers won’t give him a second look. So when El hears about Henry Fairhaven, PhD, linguistics researcher and wealthy New York socialite, El takes his life in his hands to escape from M2 and ends up sleeping in the stairwell at Henry’s building, hoping to learn how to speak.

To Henry, who wants to prove himself as a scholar and not merely a rich dilettante, El isn’t only the most beautiful man he’s ever seen—he’s also the key to getting a paper published on Henry’s ground-breaking linguistics methods before a competitor beats him to the punch. But Henry doesn’t tell El the truth, and El thinks Henry’s helping him because he cares.

El’s dreams collide with Henry’s ambitions at the elegant Met Gala, where El captivates a prince of Silicon Valley. But the real collision comes when M2 tracks El down and Henry has to choose between the validation he craves and a future with the man he’s come to love.

My review:

Love and Linguistics is a modern m/m retelling of My Fair Lady. Our Eliza is El Martin a smart guy kept back by circumstance. Our Henry is Henry Fairhaven, PhD, linguistics researcher and wealthy New York socialite and needless to say impressed with our dear El. I laughed so hard at points in this book comparing it to the straight version. There were also times I wanted to throw my e-reader as I got frustrated with Henry. All in all I loved this story.

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Wolf Rebel (SWAT: Special Wolf Alpha Team #10) by Paige Tyler

Blurb:

She let him get away

SWAT werewolf Rachel Bennett is hounded by nightmares after a vicious attack left her with PTSD. Not knowing who or what she can trust anymore, she's relieved to be assigned to a high-profile protective detail. Diving into work might be the distraction she needs, until she notices the mysterious hunk who seems to follow her wherever she goes—and recognizes him.

Now he needs her help...

After he's badly injured, former Navy SEAL Knox Lawson seeks out Rachel when he realizes he's turning into a werewolf. He'd once been part of the group hunting her kind, but he knew he had to quit when he found Rachel in his crosshairs. Now he desperately needs her help.

Rachel isn't sure she trusts Knox, but having him around keeps the nightmares—and the monster creating them—away. Knox might not know much about being a werewolf, but there's no doubt he'll do everything in his power to win her trust and keep her safe.

My review:

OMG! This book has the creepiest bad guy I’ve read in a long time turning this romantic suspense into a psychological thriller. I truly adored Rachel. She takes a licking and keeps on ticking. Knox is perfect as the searcher finding home in her arms. Poor Diego I hope he finds his “One” soon. This book is a non-stop thrill ride from the first page to the last.

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Paw of the Jungle (Paw Enforcement #8) by Diane Kelly

Blurb:

Police officer Megan Luz and her K-9 partner in crime, Brigit, are on all fours as they try to solve their latest Lone Star mystery.

AT THE ZOO
The weather is beautiful, work is slow, and her canine colleague could use a walk. What better day for Megan to take Brigit to the Fort Worth Zoo, where they can let loose and witness the law and order of nature unfold? But what begins as a fun field trip turns serious when a pair of rare hyacinth macaws named Fabiana and Fernando goes missing. Is the new custodian, a gentle soul who happens to be an ex-convict, to blame? Or is something far more sinister afoot?

AND ON THE HUNT
The birds are worth thousands of dollars, and the list of people on the premises who might have stolen them is long. Soon other animals start disappearing. . .and Megan and Brigit have their hands and paws full of suspects. But when a rare black rhino is taken from the zoo, presumably for its black-market-friendly horn, time is of the essence. Can Megan and Brigit find out who’s behind the mystery—before they too become prey?

My review:

Police officer Megan Luz and her K-9 partner in crime, Brigit, are back and paws deep in not one but two mysteries. Rings of the well to do are going missing and animals are being stolen from the zoo. This one is going to keep our crime fighters busy through the holidays.

I love this series so much.  Megan is so serious and driven and Brigit is so competent and laid back. I love watching this crime fighting team take down the bad guys and keeping Ft. Worth safe.  This is a terrific addition to the series.

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Rules and Roses (Untouchable Book 1) by Heather Long

Blurb:

When it comes down to acclaim in the yearbook, my class rank would probably earn me my only entry, but very little else. I don’t wear cosmetics, do my hair or really give a damn about my appearance in general. I don’t need to be cool, and I’ve managed my high school career navigating all the different groups from the nerds to the jocks to the theatre kids and the band geeks.

Kicking off senior year, my only focus is to make every AP class count and keep my grades up. Shouldn’t be hard, particularly with my so-called untouchable status. Oh yeah, imagine that—I had a reputation. Hadn’t been a blip on my radar until the end of junior year when one of the girls’ dropped that little nugget on me. Apparently, the guys at school considered me the best girl to hang out with for fun or homework, but nothing else.

While I’m not looking for a date, it’s a little hard to swallow that I ranked as the best bud and tutor, but would definitely never fall into the Girl Most Likely To Get Asked Out.

Pfft. What did I care? One more year and I was off to college, so what if the numbers of female friends I used to have drifted off and I’d scored a permanent seat in the friend zone. I had subjects to study, grades to maintain, and colleges to get into. Fine, I didn’t care about the rules or status before, and I wouldn’t now.

181 class days to go, and I’ll graduate. No problem, right?

*Please note this is a reverse harem and the author suggests you always read the forward in her books. This is the first in a series and the story will continue through future books. 

My Review:

HOLY MOLY! When I picked up this book I knew it was going to be a reverse harem. What I didn’t understand was that this is unlike any other RH I’ve read. First all the main characters are seniors in high school. Second there are so many questions. Third this book blew my mind. I can’t stop thinking about what’s happened and what could happen. I am really looking forward to the next installment.

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Dreaming, Darkly: A Novel of the Lotus Court by Dagmar Avery, K. Margaret, Stella Price

Blurb:

When Genevieve leaves the inauguration of the new queen, thinking that it’s better for the love of her life to be with the queen, she doesn’t count on being fae-napped by some humans that know much more than they should about Faerie.

Getting out of a situation, one that affects more than just her personal predicament, is high on her list. Especially when those humans are selling nymphs off to the highest bidder, and she’s on the block next.

Aziz, who has been searching for his wayward captain for longer than he’d care to, gets a lucky break when he finds out about the nymph sale, but is too late to grab the woman he can’t live without.

But Fate has plans for these two, and Gen runs right back into the arms of the man she thought she had given up. Things need to be done about the humans, and she needs to let the man she loves know she can’t live without him.

And Aziz is getting a second chance with the love he needs more than he needs to breathe.

My review:

This is Aziz’s story. Aziz is an oddity in a matriarchal society. Due to a curse there are no princesses to be had in Lotus court so Aziz is Prince. His future bride has run off thinking he was obligated to go to the Queen and not sticking around long enough to find out that wasn’t the case. This story will take you on a roller-coaster ride of love and adventure. This is a sweet, sexy and sassy book that had me laughing one minute and sweating the next. A terrific addition to the series.

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Bear Necessities (The Bull Creek Chronicles Book 3) by Robbie Cox

Blurb:

An mission that haunts him, a little girl who needs him, and a stranger who won’t leave him alone.

Existing isn’t living, but for Ezra Havlin, existing is enough. Once a member of Para-Force, Ezra was in the midst of the action, adventure around every corner as the paranormal special ops team protected those unable to protect themselves. That is, until one mission went sideways, and a child in his custody was murdered.

On the outskirts of Bull Creek, Josh Rayburn discovers a hermit living off the bare necessities of life, if that could be called living. Now, Josh is determined to bring this sullen hermit into the Bull Creek family whether the man wants it or not.

However, for Ezra, the past returns with a gut punch when members of the Para-Force team arrives with another case and a another child. Can Josh convince Ezra that people are a vital part of the Bear Necessities of life in time to save the little girl’s life?

My review:

Bear shifter Ezra is doing his best to become a hermit but the good folks of Bull Creek aren’t having it. They keep coming by and messing with his peace and quiet and now his past has come to Bull Creek. I really felt for Ezra and felt his pain. This story will tear at your heartstrings and leave you feeling good.

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Ten Things My Cat Hates About You by Lottie Lucas

Blurb:

Not everyone gets nine lives…

So he better be the love of a lifetime!

When Clara’s ginger cat Casper chases yet another romantic prospect out the door she’s ready to give up on love altogether. But then the fussy feline causes two meet cutes in the space of a day and suddenly Clara has two gorgeous men driving her to distraction.

But who is in control of happy ever after? Clara, fate…or the cat who started it all?

My review:

The title grabbed me then this British rom-com stole my heart. This is a sweet and funny tale of opposites attracting. Clara is smart but a little flaky and has a few misses on her path to finding love. I really enjoyed this story.

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Scrumptious (Camos and Cupcakes #3) by Melissa Schroeder

Blurb:

Don’t miss out on the exciting conclusion to the Camos and Cupcakes series from USA Today bestselling author Melissa Schroeder.

Hey, there. Fritz O’Bryan at your service, the only remaining single guy in the Camos and Cupcakes shop. My friends call me a player, and I try to live up to their expectations. I mean, the women of San Antonio are relying on me to save them from boredom.

That is until I find myself practically homeless thanks to my jerk of a cat. The last person I expect to save me is world class chef Savannah Martinez. With the temperament of a Hell’s Kitchen reject, she’s the kind of woman I usually avoid. Still, beggars can’t be choosers, so I take her up on her offer.

The thing is it doesn't take long to discover that prickly woman is kind of sweet. She shows me time and again that she does have a softer side, one that I definitely want to get to know. And when her world implodes, I’m more than happy to be the soft place for her to fall.

Losing my heart to her was never in my plans. Now that it’s happened, I have to convince her that I not only know how to play the game, but I know how to win her heart.

Warning: This book includes more cupcakes (of course), a trip to the altar for Ginger Jesus and his Sunshine, more time with EJ’s Gran, a bachelorette party, drunken reveals, and a turn on the dance floor that leaves the hero…floored. This seduction is slow and easy and…well, let’s not get into that too much. This might be the last of the Camos and Cupcakes guys, but it isn’t the last trip into their world, so don’t cry, just be happy. Oh, did I mention...CUPCAKES?!

My review:

Scrumptious (Camos and Cupcakes #3) may very well be my favorite of the trilogy. Fitz is sweet and gorgeous but Savannah stole my heart. She is an incredibly strong woman whom life has handed a shovelful of horse crap.  When these two get together it is just adorable. This book left my heart smiling.

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Chosen Mate (Crescent Moon #9) by Katie Reus and Savannah Stuart

Blurb:

Her past has taught her to be wary…

With an abusive relationship behind her, wolf shifter Leslie is quietly raising her young son in the Kendrick pack. If she’s occasionally lonely, it’s a small price to pay for son’s safety. And if she’s secretly longing for pack alpha Malcolm Kendrick, well…she’s keeping that fantasy to herself. Experience has made her a realist, and they’re far too different to work.

This alpha is about to stake his claim…

She has no idea Malcolm wants her just as fiercely. That he’s been subtly courting her for a year. But subtlety has gotten him nowhere—even if he thought it was the best choice after what she’d been through. He wanted to make sure Leslie didn’t feel obligated to him, that she was truly ready to move on. Now that he knows she is, he’s determined to make sure it’s with him. And when a threat from her past surfaces, he’ll eliminate anyone who would dare to hurt his mate.

My review:

Just when she feels ready to live again Leslie’s past comes to haunt her. Her new alpha has been waiting for Leslie to come out of her shell so he can claim her. The whole pack knows he wants her but Leslie seems oblivious. When they finally get together it is worth all the waiting. But now Malcolm needs to keep Leslie alive and keep her cub safe. This is a fast paced adventure that will keep you happily flipping pages.

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From Flame and Ash (Elements of Five #2) by Carrie Ann Ryan

Blurb:

NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan continues Lyric’s epic journey in this spellbinding sequel to From Breath and Ruin.

Lyric lost her past, her friends, and even her connections to both worlds when she found out about the Maison realm and her calling. But now she must put that aside and travel back to the Maison realm to continue her training as the Spirit Priestess. Only her journey isn’t to Rhodes and those she fought alongside before. This time, Easton and the other Obscurité warriors will stand by her side as she tries to unlock her final three elements.

However, just as she starts to learn more about what she’s been prophesied to do, a Seer’s wish and the calling of the Lumière kingdom calls her forth, thrusting Lyric into another journey where she must trust those on both sides of the age-old war to survive…and keep those she loves safe.

My review:

From Flame and Ash is the second in a high powered epic fantasy from Carrie Ann Ryan. This story will beat you up emotionally and physically. I’m exhausted and anxiously awaiting the next installment.

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Snow Creek (Detective Megan Carpenter #1) by Gregg Olsen

Blurb:

From the Number One New York Times and Amazon Charts bestselling author, comes an absolutely heart-stopping and completely unputdownable crime series, introducing Detective Megan Carpenter.

Footprints were scattered about like fallen leaves. She looked down into the ravine, and once more her lungs filled with fear. A body, blackened and motionless lay splayed out in the bushes.

Detective Megan Carpenter is no stranger to evil. Escaping the horrors of her old life, she’s vowed never to let anyone hurt her or those she loves ever again. Joining the small police force in Jefferson County’s Port Townsend, Megan is determined to get every victim of a crime the justice they deserve.

So when Ruth Turner walks into the Sheriff’s office claiming her sister Ida Watson has been missing for over a month, Megan’s instincts tell her that she needs to do more than just file a report.

Arriving at a secluded farmhouse in the hills above Snow Creek, she finds Ida’s teenage children alone and frightened.

Then a few days later, close to the Watsons’ home, the blackened body of a woman is discovered in an abandoned pickup truck.

Megan must unravel the disturbing secrets of the isolated Snow Creek community if she is to catch the killer.

But Megan has dark secrets of her own too…

Hidden in the back of her closet is a box of tapes containing every single recording of her therapy sessions with Doctor Albright over thirteen years ago. As Megan begins to play the tapes, she’s taken straight back to her terrifying childhood, back to the time she was a kid called Rylee, fighting to survive.

Can Megan finally confront the past she’s spent years trying to block out and will listening to her own painful story help her solve the complex case she is now entangled in?

My review:

Snow Creek is a fast paced mystery with false leads and switchbacks and a terrific tale to tell. Our heroine Detective Megan Carpenter is a complicated woman battling the demons from her past which make her uniquely qualified to see through the lies and obfuscations. For a great puzzle read Snow Creek.

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Feel the Burn by Terri A. Wilson

Blurb:

An outlaw king. A reluctant queen. A hidden world exposed.
Remington Montgomery didn’t ask for Fate to screw with his life. But Fate is a fickle mistress. Now he’s on the run accused of a crime he didn’t commit. This wasn’t how his life was supposed to be. Who wants to follow a king that can’t even follow the law.
Dai Ito wants to believe her mate. In her heart, she knows he isn’t capable of doing what they said. But a thread of doubt weaves itself through her mind and she finds it hard to defend the man she thought she knew. It doesn’t help that her friends and family are hiding a secret.
Dai doesn’t want to serve alone. But would it be better to serve by herself than serve with a man she can’t trust? Does Remington have enough love for them both? Now, an old enemy threatens to destroy their traditions and will stretch Remi’s and Dai’s love to the point that it might break.

My review:

Feel the Burn is a twisted maze of love, heartbreak and manipulation. This book continues Remi and Dai’s story so if you haven’t read the other books you may feel a bit lost at first. But hang in there as the author takes you on a ride you won’t soon forget.

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Lipstick and Lies and Deadly Goodbyes (The Vampire Housewife #1) by Jodi Vaughn

Lipstick and Lies and Deadly Goodbyes (The Vampire Housewife #1) by Jodi Vaughn

Blurb:

Ever been almost-beheaded by a snow-plow? Turned into an undead by a homeless vampire? Cheated and betrayed by your lying sack of s**t husband? Welcome to my life… or, more correctly, my crazy after-life.

To everyone behind the gates of our wealthy community in Charming, Mississippi, my husband and I were the Joneses everyone tried to keep up with. A beautiful house, the perfect gated community, two gorgeous kids, and a supposedly flawless marriage.

Until I came home and caught him rolling around in our bed, hip-deep in my best friend.

Which led to the aforementioned snow plow incident. I woke up with a fear of the sun and a propensity for drinking blood. Or in laymen’s terms, a vampire.

I thought vampires were supposed to be hot and irresistible. But my Maker smells like he just stepped out of a sewer and he has the appeal of a turd in a punch bowl.

But you know how life is as one of the Joneses...gotta keep up. Keep up appearances, that is.

I’ve swapped my Triple, Venti, Sugar-Free, Non-Fat Caramel Macchiato for a stainless steel rambler that keeps my O-Negative at the perfect room temperature. I can still manage the carpool lane, with the right sunglasses to hide my crazy eyes. But between daytime soccer games, a missing college student who might have been a vampire kill, trying not to drain my soon-to-be-ex-husband, and keeping my neighbors in the dark, I’m shaking in my Jimmy Choos. I'm not sure I can do this.

My name is Rachel Jones, and I’m a vampire housewife

My review:

Lipstick and Lies and Deadly Goodbyes is a laugh out loud tale of the lies we tell ourselves to get through the day. This story had me giggle-snorting, empathizing and ready to throw my e-reader out the window.  I really enjoyed it and can’t wait to read the next installment.

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Never Have I Ever: A Dark Dreams / Apocalypse Rising Crossover by Dagmar Avery, K. Margaret, Stella Price

Blurb:

Empusa is on a mission to find out why a bunch of warriors thwarted the apocalypse, and when she finds them... they play a game.

This is a cross over short for both the Dark Dreams series (by K. Margaret) and Apocalypse Rising (K. Margaret and Dagmar Avery). This is NOT a standalone. If you haven’t read either this is not a book you wanna read till you do, or you won’t get the jokes or the characters.

My review:

This one is for the fans. Empusa is a bad a$$ and she is curious about the bunch of bad a$$ warriors that wrecked her fun and stopped the apocalypse. She finds they are a bit crazy (not unlike herself) and a whole lot of fun. When they get to drinking oh the stories they tell.

*This story was previously published as a special extra in Apocalypse Heart.

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Witch It Real Good (Witchless in Seattle #10) by Dakota Cassidy

Blurb:

Stevie here, and I’m happy to report we’ve settled into our new lives and found a modicum of peace since our last death-defying incident.

Mostly…

My International Man of Mystery continues to lay low here in Ebenezer Falls until we can sort out his earthbound credentials, but we have a routine and as the holiday season begins, we’re ready to do a little celebrating. In the midst of us adjusting to life together, a surprise visitor shows up, knocking us both for a loop, but for two entirely different reasons.

To make matters worse, my good buddy, Officer Rigid…er, Dana Nelson, has some questions and we’re positive they have to do with Win’s involvement in what’s turned out to be a high-profile case in Seattle. That means we need to get the heck out of Dodge and we need to do it fast to buy ourselves some time to figure out our next move.

While we wrap our heads around our newest predicament in Maine in a beautiful little town that celebrates Christmas three hundred and sixty five days a year called Marshmallow Hollow, we run into bigger trouble than we left when someone tries to kill Win not once, but twice.

And that’s when Win’s past comes back to haunt him, putting us all in danger.

Out of the frying pan and into the fire we go!

My review:

This book is oh so exciting! Stevie finds a new relative and so does Win. When Stevie’s buddy officer Dana saw Win dressed in Stevie’s ugly Christmas sweater Witches Get Stitches (Witchless in Seattle #9) it was almost a matter of time before he puts two and two together and Winterbottom is in trouble. To avoid that and to give them time to come up with a solution they travel to Maine unfortunately trouble (and hilarity) follows. Though this book can be read standalone you will get so much more out of it if you’ve read the earlier books.

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