Apex (Faster #3) by Victoria Denault

 

 

Blurb:

Red flags only count on the track. In real life, I ignore them.

My name is Gabriel Allard, and I'm the only heir to a billion-dollar fashion empire and a rookie with Mayflower Racing. I know what everyone thinks - that I don't deserve to be in the driver's seat. And worse, that I mistreat people because my father will bail me out and fix things. None of that is true, but I've never been able to sway public opinion, so I've stopped trying.

Dad hasn't though. In an attempt to save my image and my seat on the race team, he hires me a boyfriend. Because the universe loves a good joke at my expense, he accidentally hires a guy I shared a scorching kiss with years ago. A guy who, instead of trying to use me like everyone else, ghosted me.

Axel Walsh is nothing like me. He's levelheaded. Shy. Disinterested in motorsports. He wants to keep this professional. Since I love a challenge, I try to change his mind. The next thing I know we're fake married, and Axel is in my bed. But is he really mine? It's getting hard to tell the truth from the lies.

The public starts to buy my cleaned-up image, and I'm getting better results on the track, but privately I feel out of control. My life is on the line every time I strap into my race car, but I've never put my heart on the line, until him. I hope Axel and I can survive this publicity stunt and make it to the finish line without breaking each other's hearts. Just like everything else in my life, the odds are against it.

Apex is a contemporary mm sports romance about open-wheel race car drivers. It's a fake dating, fake marriage, slightly second-chance love story set against the glitzy backdrops of Monaco, Vegas, Paris, Greece and more. Apex is a stand-alone book in the Faster series, which also includes books by Leslie McAdam and Regina Kyle.

 

My review:

Gabriel and Axel are adorable together in this opposites attract, fake marriage romp. I was rooting for them throughout. A fun escape.

 

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Talon (Shadowridge Guardians MC #6) by Pepper North

 

 

Blurb:

“Buttercup, try that one more time and see what happens…”

Elizabeth Sinclair has just escaped from a lackluster marriage and isn’t about to try that again. She’s ready to spread her wings and find the one she really needs in her life–a Daddy with all the moves to make her heart skip beats. She’s sure she must be dying when her heart rate skyrockets upon meeting a tattooed, young motorcycle club troublemaker.

Talon Deveraux enjoys flirting with pretty women. When a petite blonde makes him take a second and third look, he pays attention. He has no doubt she’s his when Elizabeth puts him firmly in his place.

Changing her mind and spicing up her life to make sure she’ll never get bored becomes his goal.

 

 

My review:

Elizabeth has lived her life going along to get along. She is now divorced and living life on her terms. She did not count on a hot young biker sweeping her off her feet and making her feel alive. Talon has played the field and knows what he wants and he finds it in Elizabeth. Age is just a number and he is going to help her live her best life.

Talon will make your heart dance.

 

 

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Elemental Fire (The Hidden Realms #1) by E.G. Manetti

 

 

Blurb:

Sin Marston is a rare human who can see through glamor. With the veil with the treaty of 2010, the magical visitors flowed into the Terran realm. With her unique talent, Sin's services are in demand from businesses and law enforcement with hidden problems. She also has a growing clientele of hidden visitors wishing to avoid confrontation with the Human Protection Society and other anti-hidden Terrans.

After thwarting a daring art heist, Sin encounters a stunning fire elemental who reveals the heist was something very different. Everything she thought she knew changes.

Radzik Cray has lived for centuries, building his magical and political power base. The appointment as the Elders’ Council warden for the Eastern United States comes with untold wealth and power, as well as untold danger. When he meets Sin Marston, he is interested in a pleasant distraction. Instead, he discovers that Sin is not all she appears and his control over his territory is not as absolute as he thought.

 

My review:

This book is fantastic! I was sucked in from the first page and didn’t come up for air until the very end. This is a tale of magic, love, hate and betrayal. The female main character is incredible. She takes hit after hit physically and emotionally and just picks herself up, dusts herself off and keeps on going.

I do hope the author continues this world.

 

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Four-Alarm Homicide (House-Flipper Mystery #6) by Diane Kelly

 

 

Blurb:

The sixth in the delightful cozy mystery series from Diane Kelly set in Nashville, TN—where the real estate market is to die for.

Some properties are too hot to handle...

Carpenter Whitney Whitaker and her cousin Buck are hot for a historical property that has just come on the market—a fire station in Nashville’s Germantown neighborhood that was built nearly a century ago.

The cousins have just begun the interior demolition work at the fire station when Joanna Hartzell, who lives in a townhouse around the corner, comes by with a plea for help. Joanna owns the right half of her building, which she proudly maintains in perfect condition, while the left side falls into disrepair: the seven adult children who inherited it years ago refuse to lift a finger on repairs. Never one to turn down a challenge, Whitney and Buck manage to acquire the rundown townhouse—though it turns out Joanna is only one of the many neighbors interested in buying the property once they’ve worked their magic.

Then Joanna shows up at the fire station confused and rambling, then collapses, never to recover. Alarm bells go off for Whitney: she suspects something—and someone—evil could be the real cause. Can she and Collin put the clues together and smoke out a killer?

 

My review:

I loved this delightful cozy from the adorable cover to the very last page.  This episode has Whitney, Sawdust and the gang of usual cohorts taking on not one but two rehabs and a bunch of family drama most of it not her own.  The mystery had me guessing and re-guessing and I still didn’t peg the killer. An entertaining addition to the series.

 

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Moments for You (The Wilder Brothers #7) by Carrie Ann Ryan

 

Blurb:

Two widows. One wedding dress. And a promise of forever in the next installment of the Wilder Brothers from NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan.
A wedding dress is meant to be worn only once.
When a stranger finds herself in need of a miracle at the last minute, I do the unthinkable: I offer mine to her.
The same one I wore down the aisle for my late husband.
Now I’m invited to the wedding and finding myself wondering why I shut myself away from the world for so long.
I’m only meant to be at the Wilder Retreat for a single day except I go home with not only a job offer, but the promise of something more.
Ridge Wilder is hiding secrets of his own. And the undeniable chemistry between us burns before we even contemplate taking that first step.
Only I’ve already had my happy ever after. I never planned on finding another.
And Ridge is even far more broken than I am—with a past that might come back to haunt us both.

 

My review:

Carrie Ann Ryan does it again! Moments for You is a heart-warming tale with gut-wrenching moments of heartbreaking sorrow all leading up to happily ever after.  Join Aurora and Ridge as they find a second chance at love and happiness. 

 

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Controlling Chloe (Syndicate Kings #3) by Kate Oliver

 

 

Blurb:

Chloe
He’s my brother’s best friend and he saved me.
Now he says I’m his and he takes care of me in a way you wouldn’t expect from a ruthless mafia boss.
He also disciplines me when I’m naughty and makes me call him Daddy.
Do I want another man controlling my entire life?
I’m just not so sure he’ll let me go even if I wanted to.

Bash
I’ve had feelings for her for years, but I kept my distance because of who she is.
When I finally get the blessing I never expected, my feelings for her become an overpowering obsession.
I live and breathe to keep her happy and safe.
There are no boundaries when it comes to her.
And I’ll do anything to make her mine forever.

 

My review:

Brothers best friend, mafia romance. Bash is controlling, domineering and exactly what Chloe wants and needs. This book is a fast-paced riot of emotions that will leave you happy and exhausted.

 

Buy link:

Amazon

Syd King: Werewolf Attorney by Cleo Mercer

 

 

Blurb:

Syd King always wanted a pet, she just didn’t expect him to be a werewolf. Being legal counsel to the most powerful werewolf family in the city comes with its own perks. When she’s given an injured werewolf to look after, she knows better than to question their thinking. It helps that he’s a handsome, young alpha.

Joss Gotti is in big trouble. He’s killed a very important man and now he has a giant target on his back. He has no choice but to hide out until it all blows over. Luckily for him, the pack has placed him with a very beautiful, very sexy hostess.

A turf war is escalating in the city—werewolf pitted against werewolf. It’s a game of chess and Joss and his new mistress are little more than pawns.

SYD KING: WEREWOLF ATTORNEY is a short and steamy urban shifter romance about a human attorney and the werewolf she’s sworn to protect.

 

My review:

I bought it for the title. Interesting concept but it just didn’t hit for me. I haven’t read any of the others in the series so it may just be lack of context but there you have it.

 

Buy links:

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Magical Mayhem: A Prequel (The Record) by by Winnie Winkle

 

 

Blurb:

Humans never knew how magic folks party. Until now.

Halloween is Christmas on steroids if you’re of a magical persuasion, which isn’t my claim to fame. I’m more of an apprentice of sorts. Oh, not to be magical, that’s a born-with-it talent, but when I started waiting tables at a local pier bar, at sixteen, guess who discovered she won the world’s weirdest and most exclusive lottery? I, Cleopatra O’Keefe, am a Keeper.

Which will probably kill me sooner rather than later.

Now I’m fixin’ to debut as a bartender on my twenty-first birthday—which falls on Halloween—in the magical’s hidden bar, serving drinks that could kill me if they explode. Yikes. Lined up for the party are Greek gods, big scary shifters, and witches with crap attitudes. Add in a bunch of huge blue mer people with long, lethal knives and a herd of tiny fairies with murderous skills. Easy peasy, right?

Magicals barely tolerate humans, except for one speedo-clad god who has the serious hots for me. I swear, if I survive the night, it’ll be a miracle with a side of mayhem.

Good thing I’ve got a magic book and an attitude. I’ll need both.

 

My review:

How Patra becomes a Keeper. I giggle snorted my way through the madness that Patra’s life has become. Magic, trials and over-sized er personalities and she embraces it all.

 

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Giving the Dragon Fire by Victoria Jayne

 

 

Blurb:

She captured his dragon’s attention and stole his fire.

With her final exams behind her, Ella Kincaid has one weekend to live carefree before entering the grueling world of corporate America to start her dream job. She never expected her one-night stand with Gideon to put her in an ethical dilemma on day one.

As a dragon shifter, all Gideon Hayes wants is his fire and to make jewelry. One incredibly stupid mistake cost him his flame. What’s he supposed to do with a human mate, anyway?

They’re mates who shouldn’t be. If Ella can’t get Gideon out of her head, she’ll lose her career. He’ll be damned if a human negates his fire.

Can they deny what destiny has in store for them? 

Challenging fate may have worse consequences than they ever imagined.

 

My review:

I enjoyed this book. I will admit it took me a bit to warm up to the speciest dragon shifter Gideon. I loved Ella. Through it all love wins.

 

Buy link:

Amazon

Lucky In Love (The Accidental Zodiacs) by Jennifer Laslie & Cora Ward

 

 

Blurb:

Sometimes luck has nothing to do with it, but sometimes it's everything.

Karma Quinn's luck with men didn't always run on the good side, and her last blind date was no exception. Forced to turn to a black-market artifact at the Celestial Shadow Market, she can only hope it'll help protect her.

Luciano Rossi didn't believe in luck, even with a hated nickname like Lucky. When he winds up on a case with a beautiful woman to tail, the idea of luck doesn't seem so far-fetched. Even if his unbearable partner was determined to get him kicked off the case at every turn.

But when Karma realizes that blind date was more dangerous than expected, can she trust Luciano to keep her safe, or will the lies he's told to keep her close be his undoing?

Dive in today to uncover what kind of luck it takes to survive life as a Zodiac.

 

My review:

Luck is a double edged sword for Karma Quinn. When she gets creeped out by a stalkerish blind date she turns to the magic black market for a charm to hide from him. And thus our story begins.

This story is filled with a rollercoaster full of twists and turns. I loved Karma and Luciano (his partner not so much).

 

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Shifter Crimes (Revenge of the Blood Pack #1) by Lacey Carter Andersen

 

 

Blurb:

Someone killed everyone I ever loved, and now they’re going to pay…

Half-breeds are seen as dangerous freaks, rejects, misfits who are useful for absolutely nothing. But my parents made a place for people like us to be free, to live together in peace. It was a sanctuary for half-breeds, and the place all my happiest memories took place.

But I should have known it wouldn’t last forever.

That peaceful place was destroyed, everyone I loved was killed, and I was taken—and tortured. I don’t know how long I was in that dark place before I was freed, but now I’m a different kind of prisoner. The Enforcers found me, and rather than kill the dangerous reject, they’ve added me to their team.

Each of us has a skill, but the group of big men, of powerful shifters, think I’m just working to rid the world of evil, like them. There’s no way I’m going to tell them I have my own agenda… to get revenge for my pack. Because as close as I’m growing to these sexy men, I know for a fact they’d never forgive me if they knew the truth.

The thing is, when bodies start appearing, it might get a little harder to hide my true goal.

 

My review:

Ahhhh! I hate cliff hangers! Fortunately this trilogy is complete and I was able to download the next two books quickly. That being said I was sucked in and had to find out what happens next.

Asha is just living life when her world is shattered. She watches her mother, sister and neighbors slaughtered. She is taken prisoner, tortured and experimented upon but still fights against the dark. I was really taken by her battle and will read the next book asap.

 

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A Friendly Wager (High Stakes #2) by Ajme Williams

 

 

Blurb:

My next-door neighbor is wifey material.

Calm down... I’m not proposing to her.

 

A fake engagement will do for now.

My mother won’t get off my back.

As a star hockey player love isn’t on the cards for me.

Not now, not ever.

 

I had a one-night stand with Ruby a decade ago.

But that shouldn’t come in the way of our ruse.

 

I doubt she misses the way I made her shake when I took her v-card.

 

A friendly wager has put her in my debt.

She owes me this favor, and I owe her the truth:

I will never fall for her.

 

I have it all planned out perfectly until I discover a 10-year-old secret that has never been in my plans...

 

A Friendly Wager is a VERY steamy, bad boy, billionaire, fake engagement romance. This novel is a complete standalone with no cheating or cliffhangers and lots of tasty spice.

 

Blurb:

A Friendly Wager is a fun, sexy tale of second chances, secret baby and fake engagements but very real feelings. I really liked this story. Bo and Ruby were totally believable.  

 

Buy link:

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The Art of Avoiding Your Soulmate (Wildwood #3) by Lola Glass

 

Blurb:

I accidentally slept with my fated mate… and now, he wants to make it permanent.

It doesn't help that I may or may not be growing his baby as we speak.

Avoiding him seems like a waste of effort, considering he won't take no for an answer.

So I've settled for trying my best not to let him know about the possibility of a pregnancy.

If I can't avoid telling him, he's going to hold on to me even tighter, and let's be honest…

I'm probably going to fall in love with him.

My review:

This is a sweet surprising addition to the series. Sienna is the last of the blood wolves to have been liberated and suffered serious emotional damage. Being in Wildwood has helped her heal but she has avoided finding her mate so far and she isn’t unhappy about that. I loved watching her grow and find her happy.

 

Buy links:

Amazon

 

 

Crimson Moon Hideaway: Krakken Me Up by Jennifer Wedmore

 

 

Blurb:

In the vibrant depths of the Deep Blue Sea Expo, where mermaids sway and seagulls soar, author Thatcher Rone dazzles the crowd with his flamboyant persona, a stark contrast to his quiet, introspective nature. Known for his bestselling novel "Get Krakken," Thatcher's story dives into the depths of a Kraken's fear of the ocean, a creature who has never dared to shift into its true form.

Amidst the sea of attendees, Rosaline Greene, a freelance writer and seagull shifter, finds herself drawn to Thatcher's intriguing blend of confidence and vulnerability. As they navigate the wonders of Crimson Moon Hideaway together, their shared adventures spark an unexpected connection.

But their burgeoning relationship takes a perilous turn when Thatcher mysteriously disappears, abducted from the heart of CMH. With Krakken's feared and hunted by some who wish for their extinction, Rosaline realizes that time is of the essence.

Can she find her mate and will he overcome his fear of the water and shift into the Krakken he should be?

 

My review:

 

This book was delightful! First off you have two unique shifter types a seagull shifter and a kraken shifter who is afraid of the ocean. Then there is the love story set amidst the hate and prejudice of strangers. And lastly the merfolk who think they are all that and a bag of chips. I fell into this story and didn’t want to leave.

 

Buy links:

Amazon

 

The Devil in Blue Jeans (Naked Moose #1) by Stacey Kennedy

 

 

 

Blurb:

A sharp, emotional novel about a tough-minded bar owner who makes a deal with a devil of a cowboy—and might just get burned…

Moving to Montana to buy a dive bar with her two best friends sounds like a can’t-miss idea to Charly Henwood. The scenery is breathtaking, and the cowboys aren’t bad-looking either. Not that Charly’s interested. Her heart is as unmovable as the surrounding mountains. After her cheating ex-boyfriend destroyed their relationship and their nightclub, she’s determined to take care of herself, her friends and their bar.

But it turns out the regulars resent newcomers swapping their craft beer for an extensive cocktail menu. One is particularly not happy—The Naked Moose’s previous owner, Jaxon Reed. The last thing Charly needs is a cocky cowboy telling her how to run her bar, or her life. But maybe she can use Jaxon to her advantage. If he’ll agree to be the prize in a charity auction, Charly will make the bar a little more cowboy-friendly.

When that plan backfires, Charly finds herself doing battle with the biggest temptation in Timber Falls. A man who has made it his mission to win her over, using every infernal means at his disposal. And if her resolve goes up in flames, her heart is sure to follow…

From showing up to glowing up, these characters are on the path to leading their best lives and finding sizzling romance along the way.

 

My review:

The Devil in Blue Jeans is a multi-layered tale of new beginnings, learning to forgive and change.  Both Charly and Jaxon come into this with preconceived notions and a ton of baggage. But country mouse Jaxon isn’t going to let city mouse Charly push him away. I absolutely adored this smart tale. Looking forward to Willow and Eli’s story.

 

Buy links:

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Blueberry Bliss (Little Cakes Book 18) by Pepper North and Paige Michaels

 

 

Blurb:

No one has ever looked at her the way he does. And that smile…
Altitudinally gifted, Nora Bancroft has no trouble stocking the top shelves in her craft store. There is one thing she struggles with though–finding a man who knows there are more important things than whether or not she can see his bald spot. Burying herself in ribbons, paint, and beads, she has given up on ever finding her Daddy.

When he runs out of candles for his Cuban restaurant, Mateo Rodriguez makes an emergency trip to Craftastic. It’s a tall order, but to his delight, the delectable store owner helps him replenish his supply with a surprise flair that calls to him. Could she be the Little he’s been searching for?

 

My review:

Blueberry Bliss is an enjoyable insta-love DD/lg romance that had me from page one. This one hit close to home. Although I’m not quite as tall as Nora I too suffered from tall girl syndrome. I loved Nora’s willingness to try new things and go for the brass ring. An adorable addition to the series.

 

Buy link:

Amazon

The Art of Avoiding Your Alpha (Wildwood Book 2) Lola Glass

 

 

Blurb:

My soulmate bought me a sugar cookie… and now, he's not going to let me go.

He wants a mate bond.

I don't.

He's even more stubborn than I am, though. So, I agree to move in with him, for the sake of putting more emotional distance between us.

But the plan backfires.

And it makes me like him more.

If I can't convince him to walk away, I'm eventually going to have to accept a difficult truth:

I've never met anyone I want to avoid less than him.

 

My review:

Tori was raised in captivity and forcibly turned into a blood wolf (half vampire half wolf shifter) and used as a blood bank for the vampires who made her. All she wants is her freedom. She ran from the vampires but is limited to the town of wolf shifters for her own protection. Modified freedom is better than none. She sure as heck doesn’t want some alpha wolf to claim her as his fated mate and force her into a new type of prison. Vex is about to show her that love is its own kind of freedom. That is if he can ever get close enough.

I loved the give and take and hilarious moments of snark. Can’t wait for Sienna’s story.

 

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