Ignition Sequence: A Nature of Desire series novel by Joey W. Hill

 

 

Blurb:

“I didn’t come here for you to be nice to me.”

Third year medical student Les Wilder has done the unforgivable. When she flees to the door of childhood crush and arson investigator Jefferson “Brick” McGuire, she doesn’t come for comfort. With what she’s done, she doesn’t deserve to let love save her.

Brick feels differently. He’s enough of a Master to know his shattered submissive needs more than pleasure or punishment. Though he will give her both, love is the only thing that will heal the wound that threatens her soul.

 

My review:

Joey W. Hill is an incredible artist. She allows me to experience new things through her characters and make it feel so real. I cried for Les as she struggles to deal with the reality of her chosen field. (I promise to be nicer to my doctors from here on out). Fire play is something I haven’t really paid much attention to. The author introduces Les (and me) to Bricks world of fire.   This book left me wanting more but loving where Les and Brick were at. An incredible journey.

 

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Fearing Love: A Black Hollow Story by Cassidy K. O'Connor

 

 

Blurb:

Grey Franklin, a reclusive mind-flayer, had resigned himself to a life of seclusion. Shunned by society due to his ability to devour memories, he found solace in his solitude. However, fate had other plans for him.

A call from the mysterious town of Black Hollow disrupted Grey's self-imposed exile, beckoning him to employ his unique gift to aid a troubled woman. Though hesitant, he begrudgingly agreed to the request. Yet, what kind of place would willingly invite a memory eater into their midst?

To Grey's surprise, the woman he was tasked to assist proved to be far more challenging than he had anticipated, straining his own well-being in the process. However, the enigmatic town matriarch, Seraphine, orchestrated a twist of destiny, guiding Grey toward his destined mate. Like him, she belonged to a despised species, a succubus bearing the weight of prejudice for her own abilities.

Little did Grey expect that she would hold the key to his survival on this perilous quest to save the troubled woman. But it didn't stop there. Unforeseen by Grey, the entire town rallied behind him, joining forces to support his cause. Together with Shayla, his mate, and the people of Black Hollow, he discovered the true meaning of acceptance, love, and the profound significance of finding one's place in a world teeming with prejudice and fear.                             

 

My review:

Grey Franklin is a mind-flayer a being who takes memories and experiences them as they were lived. Black Hollow town matriarch, Seraphine, asks Grey to help a young woman who has been through unim, ginable torture. Grey takes on the challenge and pain. But is assisted through the aftermath by his fated mate a succubus Shayla helps him cut through the trauma and bring light into his life.

Grey finds a path through his self-loathing and a way to use his powers for good. This is a sweet, slow burn story of love and redemption.

 

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Dragons Breath Tavern: Deity Dating by Sheri Lyn

 

 

Blurb:
Jared Maddox grapples with the burden of immortality, a gift from the meddling Norse Gods Loki and Thor. Their latest to help him find love. Trapped within the confines of his home, tormented by the passionate encounters of his brothers and their mates, Jared yearns for a respite from the maddening loneliness. Just when he believes his sanity hangs by a thread, a clandestine invitation arrives—a beckoning from the enigmatic Dragon's Breath Tavern and Inn. Riepal, a Dragon shifter and co-owner of the establishment, has long abandoned the notion of love. Preferring solitude over heartache, he guards his heart fiercely. But when fate intertwines Jared and Riepal's paths, an unexpected spark ignites, stirring the embers of hope within their weary souls. Amidst the mystical ambiance of the tavern, Jared and Riepal navigate a dance of desire and vulnerability, as the allure of an immortal love collides with the hesitations of a jaded dragon. Together, they must confront their deepest fears and embrace the possibility of a love that transcends time and nature itself.

 

My review:

A sweet addition to the Deity Dating series. Jared is a mountain goat shifter who has been gifted with immortality by the gods and is now the focus of Thor and Loki’s Deity Dating service (much to his chagrin).  Riepal is a Dragon shifter who is immortal and though he would love to claim a mate he doesn’t want a mortal who will die in 50 or 60 years. Watching Jared dodging gods and Riepal dodging Jared makes for a fun and romantic romp.

 

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Faking It With The Firefighter Wolf Daddy (Wolves of Evergreen Book 1) by Skye Wilson

 

Faking It With The Firefighter Wolf Daddy (Wolves of Evergreen Book 1) by Skye Wilson

 

Blurb:

Faking it with my best friend was supposed to put out a fire. Not start one…

The plan was simple. I pretend to be Xander’s girlfriend to stop his mother setting him up.

With his powerful firefighter’s physique, he always turns head every time he walks into a room—not that he ever notices. But now he’s become alpha, his mother can’t wait to secure the bloodline, and women are lining up.

I’m the perfect solution. We’ve been friends since forever, and to me, he’s just Xander. Only it turns out a human like me isn’t good enough, and his mother sets him up anyway.

That’s when all hell breaks loose.

When Xander rejects the female shifter who is the daughter of their ally pack’s alpha, wolf daddy’s fangs come out.

Not only have we turned Xander’s ally pack into an enemy, we’ve done something much, much worse.

 

My review:

An engrossing friends to lovers tale Faking It With The Firefighter Wolf Daddy tells the story of Xander an alpha wolf and his bff Felicity. They each have their own reasons for pretending to be dating each other but then they catch feelings for each other. I was totally invested and can’t wait for the second book.

 

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Lion's Little Scamp (Bratburg Daddies Book 4) by Cooper McKenzie

 

 

 

Blurb:

Her forever mate. Her forever home. Her forever Daddy...

The Bratburg Institute might finally give Irish McCullough the fresh start she's been needing.

It might also give her more than she ever dared to dream of.

Before she can even settle into her new temporary home, she's approached by the most intimidating, sexiest man she's ever laid eyes on. Not only does the gorgeous lion shifter claim to be her fated mate, he informs her he'll be taking on the role of her guardian.

Which, she soon realizes, means he has the right to redden her bare bottom whenever she breaks one of the Institute's many rules.

And when her Daidi is forced to hunt her down after she lets herself be talked into a dangerous trip into the woods, she learns that a lion's bite is much more painful than his roar...

 

My review:

Irish McCullough is the kind of female lead I like, Irish has been through hell and keeps on coming. She isn’t a total bad a$$ but she does have courage and fortitude. When she ends up on the wrong side of a police raid of a homeless camp she is determined to get through and survive that too. Finding a hunky shifter to love her is icing on the cake.
This is a sweet, fast paced, insta-love story between a lonely lion shifter and the little girl he wants for his own.

Though this is part of the Bratburg series it can be read standalone just fine.

 

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Magic Mishaps and Hidden Agendas (Howling Creek Paranormal Cozy Mysteries Book 2) by Lia Davis

 

Magic Mishaps and Hidden Agendas (Howling Creek Paranormal Cozy Mysteries Book 2) by Lia Davis

 

Blurb:

With her magic still on the fritz, Lexie’s magic training with Octavia is proving to be a slow and downright embarrassing process. One Lexie doesn’t have much time for, what with the brand-new investigation she’s been assigned.

Anyone want to help a fellow Ancients Agency detective figure out how to get rid of pink hair?

Uncovering a potential poaching ring is the last thing Lexie expected her boss to tasked her with, but she’s ready to get to the bottom of whatever is or isn’t going on with the shifters.

After all, this investigation means she gets to work directly with Kellen Rich. And even if the gorgeous wolf Alpha refuses to take a new mate, Lexie isn’t afraid to admit that he’s nice to look at and strangely comforting to be around.

And for whatever reason, her misbehaving magic seems to agree.

 

My review:

Lexie is back with a new and bigger mystery to solve. I love that Lexie doesn’t depend on her magic to get the job done. Magic is great and all but brains are better. I love the slow burn between Lexie and Kellen. An enjoyable fast paced puzzle.

 

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Steele (Shadowridge Guardians MC #1) by Pepper North

 

 

Blurb:

“Little girl, I’m only going to ask one more time…”

Things have not been going Ivy Jenkins’ way recently–well, until Steele Mattson rescues her. Being thrown away like garbage does a job on a woman’s self-confidence and bravery. Add in scrambled memories from a head injury and Ivy knows she qualifies as a hot mess, even if she is the assistant bank manager.

Steele’s father established the Shadowridge Guardians MC. He’s as dedicated to protecting the good citizens of his city as he is to creating the perfect weld on an old-school chopper, and he doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty to take care of problems. When he finds the petite woman in a very bad situation, he dives in to help. What he doesn’t expect is to discover the rescued treasure is his.

He’ll stop at nothing to hunt down those who endangered her and make them pay.

 

My review:

The first in what looks to be a fantastic new series by several of my favorite authors features Steele the president of the Shadowridge Guardians MC. These guys may be big, burly and tattooed but they aren’t one percenters or the like. They are Guardians in the truest form of the word.

Ivy is a smart young woman who has a gift for numbers. When she is attacked and thrown into a dumpster my heart felt for her. She was so brave struggling to stay alive when she was rescued by Steele I was as relieved as she. Watching them grow together was sweet and heartwarming.

I really can’t wait to see the other guys get their happiness.

 

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Safeword: Mayday ( A contemporary BDSM ménage romance) by Candace Blevins

 

 

Blurb:

Heather’s soul soars when she’s hang-gliding, skydiving, kayaking, or piloting a helicopter during search and rescue missions. She’s taken the term adrenaline junkie to a whole new level. However, she’s never enjoyed sex and never had an orgasm.

Instead of giving up on her, Kyle, a long-time friend who convinces her to be more, brings an experienced Dom in to help. Marcus explains she only enjoys extreme sports, so she needs to try extreme sex since the normal kind hasn’t worked. Marcus is all Dom, and helps Kyle bring Heather alive sexually.

Just when Heather thinks she has everything figured out, she learns the details of how it worked when the two men shared a girlfriend for years while they were in college.

Safeword: Mayday can be read as a stand-alone.

My review:

This author is my go to when exploring the world of sadomasochism. I love that she can explain and show me how it might enhance her characters lives. In Heather’s case it gives her a way to feel like a “normal” woman. Sensory issues keep her from feeling pain or pleasure. With help from Kyle and Marcus she explores new ways to feel. I adored Heather she is smart, tough and unafraid.

 

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Magic Claims (Kate Daniels: Wilmington Years #2) by Ilona Andrews

 

 

Blurb:

A new town, new friends, new challenges.... And a new heart-stopping adventure from #1 New York Times bestselling author, Ilona Andrews. Kate, Curran, and Conlan may have left Atlanta for Wilmington, but the usual magic mayhem has also hitched a ride!

Kate and Curran have just settled into their new home and their 'low profile, ' when a local businessman approaches them with an offer they can't refuse. A mysterious evil has spawned in the nearby forest and is holding a defenseless town hostage. The 'due date' is rapidly approaching.

It's exactly the kind of fight the Lennarts can't resist, not for the prize the town offers, but for the people who will surely die if they ignore it. If they succeed, they'll be rescuing an entire community and can build a strong new base for their family and the Wilmington Pack. If they fail...well, fail is a four-letter word.

Nothing comes without a price. Now Kate must decide if she has what it takes to pay it.

 

My review:

Kate and Curran have been trying to be “normal” for seven years now. Raising their son Conlan to be as normal as you can be when you are as gifted as he. But with great powers comes great responsibility. Kate and Curran must use their skills to save a town against an evil unlike any they’ve ever seen.

Kick butt adventure with some laugh out loud moments thrown in.

 

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Gifted by the Gods (The Accidental Zodiacs) by Jennifer Wedmore

 

Blurb:

Breya Westfall was firmly in the Wanderers category until one day when everything changed. She’s had a hard life, tossed from home to home with no real family. Always fighting for every meal, every scrap of decency she could find in life. Now, she targets the wealthy men around her and takes what she needs. Until her latest conquest knows what she is….A Zodiac with powers, ones he wants to take for himself. In their fight, she kills him and becomes a Fallen. She fears the Zodiac Enforcement Agency will be after her, she goes on the run, and there's only one place she knows of that she can find the help she needs.
Dawson Drake runs the biggest Underground black market. Anything you need he can get, but for a price. Sometimes it's a fight in his gladiator ring, sometimes it's a payment. It's all up to his whim, after all, he's favored by the Gods. They gave him his powers and he lords it over the humans who happen to get in his way. Nothing pleases him more than watching humans battle to the death. When Breya is brought to him, he is intrigued by her. He offers her the chance to escape to another planet, but she has to fight in his gladiator ring.
When word gets to Dawson that the Zodiac Enforcement Agency is about to raid his arena. Breya has a choice to make. Dawson offers Breya the chance to run with him or go to prison and never see each other again. She has to decide if he's worth taking a chance on with her heart and her safety.

 

My review:

First I LOVE THIS COVER!

A girls gotta do what a girls gotta do to get by. Breya is not your loveable down on her luck kind of girl. When a con goes wrong Breya ends up killing her mark in self defense. That puts her squarely in the sights of Dawson Drake head of the black market and nefarious doings in town. Watching Dawson and Breya grow in different ways was intriguing.

This is a fast paced story that will keep you engaged and trying to out think the characters. I look forward to seeing where these characters go from here.

 

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Imperfect Love (Juniper Springs Book 4) by Melissa Schroeder

 

Blurb:

Join the residents of Juniper Springs as the creator of the Juniper Springs Express goes up against everyone's favorite O'Bryan sister, Avery!

When I came to Juniper Springs, I didn't think I would stay, but the town's insanity got it's hooks in me. I mean, they have GAY DUCKS. And of course, I love the LOLs (Little Old Ladies). I fell in love with the residents.

So when Jon Howard shows up accusing me of stealing his house, I declare war.

It's easy at first. He likes spreadsheets and schedules. Order is the name of the game for my nemesis. I like to go with the flow and prefer sugary cereal for breakfast over egg whites.

Sure, it's hard to ignore those blue eyes and his amazing body, not to mention that fact that he smells like hot guy heaven. Also, he sees beneath the funny facade I show everyone. And the kiss he gives me? Brain scrambled. When he can quote Taylor Swift lyrics to me...I start falling hard.

But I know that I'm not built for a long relationship, especially with a man who likes to keep everyone on schedule. I'm always too loud, too unorganized, too...everything. So while I know I might be falling for him, I know this has one outcome: disaster. Only, this time, I'm not sure my heart will survive the implosion.

Author Note: Hey, readers! It's time to grab your white wine, complete with ice cubes, and snuggle in for another Juniper Springs romance. There's visits from old friends, references that Swifties will completely understand, and two amazing cats to fall for. Avery O'Bryan is about to teach Jon Howard that love doesn't have to be perfect to last a lifetime.

 

My review:

Imperfect Love is a delightfully sweet and funny small town, forced proximity enemies read that had to lovers romantic comedy. This was a fun feel good escape with loveable characters and friends from the previous books. Highly recommend.

 

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Hunting a Tyrant (The Accidental Zodiacs) by Cassidy K. O'Connor

 

 

Blurb:

Brielle Masters is a top agent of the Zodiac Enforcement Agency, dedicated to imprisoning the Fallen - those Zodiacs who use their power for evil. When she's sent to another realm to bring back a rogue Fallen who's been killing locals, Brielle expects it to be a routine mission. What she doesn't expect is to find the former love of her life, Grant Shipley, hiding on this same world.

Grant, a former Sinless who turned Fallen to save his mother's life, has been in hiding for almost a decade. As Brielle and Grant work together to take down an evil tyrant and save the realm, they must confront their past hurts and put their differences aside. But once the mission is over, will they be able to rekindle their love, or will they be forced to walk away from each other once again?

With danger lurking at every turn and their hearts on the line, Brielle and Grant must decide whether their love is worth fighting for. An Accidental Zodiacs Novel

About the Accidental Zodiac shared world: There are three types of Zodiacs: The Sinless who live life in goodness and light, their blue auras shining like beacons of hope. The Wanderers, their purple essence telling others they walk a fine line between good and evil. Then there’s The Fallen, the evil. The ones who use their powers to enhance their lives at any cost.

 

My review:

Bri lives for her work. She has no personal life to speak of. When she is sent to another realm on assignment she finds not only the criminal she is sent to retrieve she finds the one who got away. This was an emotional rollercoaster that left me loving Bri and hurting with her. I really enjoyed this story and was thrilled to know we will see Bri again.

 

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Blood Omen (An Accidental Zodiac Story) by Lia Davis

  

Blurb:

Returning home and reclaiming my life sounded like a great idea while I was going through my brother’s version of vampire rehab. But thirty minutes after returning to Earth, it’s clear that my zodiac-vampire hybrid senses aren’t prepared to handle the life I used to live.
 

After five years away I’m overwhelmed, but there’s no chance I’m letting my baby sister chase bad guys without me.
 

I’ve worked too hard to quit now.
 

Then Grace is kidnapped, and all I have to track her down are the primal instincts I keep locked away. I build a team and insert myself into the investigation, because I don’t trust the ZEA not to turn their backs on Grace. Like they did me five years ago.
 

However, my sister isn’t the only Zodiac to go missing.
 

ZEA was counting on my pushy, Alpha personality to ensure I got involved. Why else would they have assigned me to the one Enforcer I’d be happy to never see again?
 

Maverick Burgess is grumpy, stubborn, and gorgeous. His blood tempts me like nothing I’ve ever experienced. But Rick is off limits, for his own good, and for mine. My vampire sire would kill anyone who tried to claim my heart.
 

I can keep Rick at arm’s length while my team and I search for my sister, but I can’t resist the lure of a mystery. With the help of some unlikely allies, it’s beginning to look like we’ve uncovered something more dangerous than a serial kidnapper, and we’re in too deep to stop now

 

My review:

I fell into this story and was immediately engaged by these characters. I WANT MORE! Savannah has been through hell and come out the other side only to find her baby sister has been kidnapped. She will do whatever it takes to get her back even work with her ex. Fast paced fun.

 

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The First Death (Columbia River Book 4) by Kendra Elliot

 

 

Blurb:

For a search and rescue expert, the buried remains of her past are a dangerous obsession in a twisting novel of suspense by a Wall Street Journal and Amazon Charts bestselling author.

Rowan Wolff was five years old when she, her brother, and their babysitter were kidnapped by a serial killer in the Pacific Northwest. The babysitter was murdered. Rowan was saved. Her brother was killed and buried in the forest, his remains never found. The convicted killer refuses to say where he buried the boy. Twenty-five years later, Rowan is committed to search and rescue with her faithful canine and is obsessed with finding her brother’s grave—and closure.

Detective Evan Bolton thrives on unraveling tough cases, but his latest is disturbing. There’s another serial killer hunting in Deschutes County, Oregon, and the crimes are identical to those committed by the sociopath languishing in prison. Each victim is linked to Rowan. When skeletal remains of several bodies are exhumed in the forest, Rowan’s connection becomes more entwined and impossible to ignore.

Rowan and Evan are determined to solve the case before someone else dies. And someone else will, as the truth about the past is unearthed.

 

My review:

The First Death is several mysteries rolled into an intense tale of kidnapping, torture and murder. Add in a slow burn romantic interest and you have another fantastic adventure. I was sucked into this story and couldn’t put it down.

Though this is part of a series it can be read standalone.

 

Buy links:

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Just Witched (Witchless In Seattle Mysteries Book 15) by Dakota Cassidy

 

 

Blurb:

It’s a nice day for a white wedding…if I can make it down the aisle unscathed and still breathing, that is!

’Tis I, newly restored witch and armchair sleuth Stevie Cartwright, and I’m finally about to marry Win, my soul mate/ex-spy turned groom-zilla. We’ve gone to hell and back (and a few planes of existence) for our happily ever after, and nothing’s going to get in the way of our union…except possibly a murder while auditioning musical options for the reception.

The blessed event is just days away, but Win and I can’t resist a good mystery, so in between last-minute wedding decisions, the early arrival of my high-maintenance parents, my klutzy mishaps, and an ill-timed visit from the ghost of my long-forgotten ex-fiancé, we’re tracking a killer in Ebenezer Falls’ latest whodunit.

Time to multitask like a champ and get me to the church…er, backyard…on time.

Piece of cake, right?

 

My review:

The Witchless In Seattle book we’ve waited for. Win and Stevie are getting hitched. Win is doing his best to make it perfect for them. Just about everything that can go wrong does. But as with all the books in this series to date this story is filled with murder, mystery, laughs and love. A fabulous addition to the series.

 

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Cross (Courting Chaos #1) by Heather Young-Nichols

 

Blurb:

A sexy drummer and a rock god’s daughter…what could possibly go wrong?

Indie Cinderstone

All I want is to spend a nice summer with my rock star father.
But then some random guy assumes I’m a groupie and tries to kick me out of the venue.
That’s never happened before. Imagine my surprise when I find out that the random guy is actually Cross Rhodes, the smoking hot drummer for Courting Chaos, Dad’s opener.
I don’t fall for rock stars—ever. Yet Cross quickly has me wanting to break all the rules.

Cross Rhodes

What bigger mistake could I make than to call the sexy, sassy daughter of the man could make or break us a groupie?
Oh. I could also try to kick her out of the arena.
Better yet, I could not be able to get her out of my mind. Indie is off limits.
I don’t seem to care.
Hooking up with her could definitely ruin our big break and we already have our bassist determined to do that.
Still I can’t stay away.

 

My review:

A fun rock and roll romance Cross features some sweet and funny moments that had me laughing out loud. The bad guy is so horrible that I cheered when he got his comeuppance. I really enjoyed this story and am looking forward to the next installment.

 

Buy links:

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