Caged Desire by K.R. Hall

 

 

Blurb:

Lacey Woodard came to New York to find fame and fortune, but instead found deceit and danger. Trapped in her polar bear form for the past six years in an illegal zoo, she finally escapes when authorities raid the place.

Living on the streets, Lacey has had to grow up fast. As winter approaches, she knows she needs to find shelter, but options are limited when you're homeless. Desperate, she attempts to pick a man's pocket as he enters The Borough's Lounge. But her plan is foiled when the man catches her in the act.

Xander Conti, manager of The Borough's Lounge, is taken aback when he feels someone trying to pick his pocket. Without hesitation, he is ready to defend himself. But when he sees a thin and dirty girl, his anger deflates. He grabs her arm, and an unexpected electric shock shoots through his body.

Feeling the shock as well, Lacey's inner polar bear says that Xander is their fated mate and he will protect them. But as their relationship grows, danger lurks in the shadows, threatening to tear them apart.

 

My review:

Caged Desire by K.R. Hall is a sweet and sassy tale of love and danger for a small town girl in the big city and a big city guy who loves polar bears.  This is a heartwarming tale that had me rooting for Lacey and Xander and flipping pages ever faster to get to their HEA.

 

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Mom Said "I Do," But I Didn't! by Misti Renna

 

Blurb:

MOM SAID. "I DO... BUT I DIDN'TI
New house. New dad. New baby. New problem.
Ave-year-old Madison is not amused.
Her mom is marrying James (ew), which means moving to
a new house (double eww), and worst of all, being left with
Aunt Mary during the honeymoon (maximum ewww).
Aunt Mary is the worst!
Her older brother Scott? Totally fine with it.
Traitor.
And now ... there's a baby on the way? Seriously?
Madison's trying to keep it together, but it's hard when
everyone else is acting like this whole "new life" thing is normal. (Spoiler: it's not.)
Full of sass, snacks, and sibling side-eyes, MOM SAID, "I DO," BUT I DIDN'T!, is a laugh-out-loud look at big changes through the eyes of a tiny drama queen just trying to survive her so-called new normal.
MOM SAID, "I DO," BUT I DIDN'T!
Is the first book in a series starring Madison-
the queen of meltdowns, mismatched socks, and making things way more complicated than they need to be.

 

My review:

I picked up this book because of the absolutely adorable cover. And though this book deals with a serious subject, especially to a precocious five year old, Madison will steal your heart. I heartily recommend.

 

Buy link:

Amazon

Grizzly's Grump by Delta James

 

 

Blurb:

I’ve spent years keeping to myself. Just me, the woods, and the quiet that helps me forget everything I’ve lost.

Then she showed up.

Cilla Morgan, sweet smile, sugar-scented skin, and a stubborn streak as wide as the forest. I didn’t want a mate. Didn’t deserve one. But the bear inside me roared the moment he saw her. Mine.

She doesn’t believe in magic. Doesn’t know what I am.
But that doesn’t matter.

Because I’ll protect her. I’ll claim her.
Even if she runs. Even if fate has other plans.

She’s mine. And I’m not letting her go.

Welcome to Redwood Rise, where the bears are grumpy, the mates are fated, and the only thing stronger than magic… is love.

 

My review:

Magic and love drive this grumpy/sunshine romance. Cilla is all sugar and sass and Calder is a total grumpy bear. Watching these two spar is a total hoot. You just know somethings gotta give. I totally enjoyed this story and look forward to the rest of the series.

 

Buy link:

Amazon

Running with the Werewolf by Laurie London

 

 

Blurb:

Welcome to Darkaway Island: A destination resort for supernaturals.
Where Monsters Come to Play!

Daphne Dupree needed to get out of town after things at work got a little…complicated. The last thing she expected when she filled out a silly online quiz was winning a singles trip to paradise. Too good to be true? Probably.

Turns out, Darkaway Island is more than a little strange. People in costumes. Large dogs running around unleashed. And there’s a lot of crazy talk about monsters.

But the weirdest of all is that she seems to be part of a…dating contest.

The prize: a smoking-hot cowboy with an unhealthy fixation on the moon.

Travis Monroe wasn’t planning to stay long on the island. As the grumpy werewolf star of a supernatural soap opera, all he wants is to give his newly-inherited ranch to his sister then fly back to the set on his private plane.

Trouble is, if he isn’t mated by the White Wolf Moon, the ranch reverts to a half-brother he just met, and his sister loses everything.

Solution: Find a mate, sign over the property, break up. Falling in love isn’t in the script.

As Travis and Daphne spend time together on group dates and one-on-ones, his feelings for her grow, extending far beyond duty to his family. And she learns he’s more—much more—than just fangs and fur.

But a rival pack is stirring up trouble, and Daphne is hiding a secret of her own.

Do Travis and Daphne find love in paradise only to lose it in the end?

Live your life like there’s no tomorrow because you’re Running with the Werewolf.

 

My review:

Running with the Werewolf by Laurie London is a fun human/werewolf romance.  Daphne is a human hiding out on paranormal getaway Darkaway Island. She thinks she’s won a vacation getaway but discovers a whole new reality. Travis is a werewolf superstar trying to save the family ranch and his role of Alpha which demands he be mated. A bachelor type dating show and a reluctant human contender leads to laughter and love. This was an enjoyable escape.

 

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An Alien Affair: Amaya's Legacy Book One by Fiona Forbes

 

Blurb:

FEAR FIGHTS FURY…
when anthropologist Lee Barry is “invited” to upgrade her lecturing skills at an alien facility. A few TV broadcasts by white-coated extraterrestrials, and humans had embraced the alien invasion of Earth with open arms. Lee wondered if she really was insane. The aliens couldn’t control the minds of everyone else on the planet, could they?

Zhan, alien Director of the Arizona Adult Education Centre, also had moments when he doubted his sanity. He’d taken this post because he knew his government was wrong. Humans were too independent to forgive mind control, despite all the wonders his people had bestowed upon them. But if they didn’t vote for his people in the Intergalactic Federation elections, war would soak the galaxies with innocent blood!

When Zhan and Lee meet, passion flames, legendary symbionts awaken, and the truth is stranger and far more dangerous than anyone expected. Hunted by resistance fighters, bloodthirsty priests, and rival empires, they must persist. But can love born of cosmic destiny survive political betrayal, primal instincts, and a war for the soul of humanity?

This isn’t just a love story. It’s a rebellion written in blood and memory – a sizzling, high-stakes sci-fi romance with teeth!

 

My review:

An Alien Affair is an intelligent sci-fi fantasy that engages mind and imagination. Part political thriller, part intellectual exercise and part love story this book thoroughly engages the reader. I enjoyed this but was occasionally thrown from the story by the authors continued use of an alien language that required me to leave the story to decipher it. One of the downsides of sci-fi I guess.

 

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Razor (Devil Daddies MC Book 3) by Pepper North

Blurb:

If you think you’re teetering on the edge, you haven’t met Razor.

Razor knows too much about everything. With all the information rattling around in his brain, it’s no wonder he’s the MCs doctor and shrink. When he suspects something is wrong with an Inferno regular, he has to intercede. Why is she risking so much by failing to act?

Honey Rhoades loves Inferno. It’s the one place she can go to get away from it all. Stress, a crappy car, and the worst job ever can make a woman stumble through life, right? At least here, she can sit pretty and flirt with hot bikers, even if she also gets bossed around by the one with Doctor Daddy vibes.
The members of the Devil Daddies MC will risk all to secure two things: special acquisitions and women with a Little side.

 

My review:

Razor is scary smart, an MD with a PHD. Not the type of guy you expect to find living and working for a morally grey MC. Honey is smart too, not in Razors class but she gets by. Honey is living with a chronic condition but refuses to let it slow her more than necessary, She meets Razer when she goes to Inferno to watch others dance. I loved the way Razor goes out of his way to make Honey feel included. He isn’t going to let Honey deny them the chance to be together because of her condition. This one made my heart happy.

 

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The King's Ransom (Gabriela Rose #2) by Janet Evanovich

 

 

Blurb:

Gabriela Rose, recovery agent extraordinaire, can find just about anything. Too bad she can’t seem to lose her gorgeous-but-infuriating ex-husband Rafer Jones. And now he needs her help. His cousin, Harley, is in trouble…big trouble.

As the president of a too-big-to-fail bank, he invested an astronomical amount of money in insuring some of the world’s most priceless artifacts at the urging of his board. It seemed like a low-risk, high-reward business move, so he jumped in with both feet. But recently, these insured pieces started going missing and worse, there’s no paper trail of Harley being directed to make these risky investments. Unless the artwork can be recovered soon, it looks like Harley is going to be heading to jail as the fall guy for an ingenious crime.

Gabriela knows what she must do: travel around the world with Rafer to find the missing works of art, keep Harley out of jail, and save both his skin and his bank. Along the way, she’ll encounter corruption, threats, murder, mysterious dark forces behind a global conspiracy to destroy the world’s wealth, and a nefarious villain who will stop at nothing to bring the world to the brink of ruin.

 

My review:

Non-stop action, witty banter and a great mystery The King’s Ransom has us traveling the world while ducking and weaving, avoiding the bad guys. This thrilling romp has me laughing and gasping at turns. Gabriela is my hero. Well worth the wait.

 

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Careless (Ashford Creek #.5) by Carrie Ann Ryan

 

Blurb:

On my 21st birthday, I know there's only one wish I'm making when I blow out my candles.
A chance with him.
Only I'm his best friend's little sister, so that means I'm beyond off limits.
And did I mention he's older?
I'm ready to be seen as my own person and to take the next step.
But I know it can't be with him.
Yet when I'm backed in a corner, there's only one person I can call for help.
Him.

Careless is the prequel to the Ashford Creek series. Learn how Callum Ashford and Felicity Carter fall into a careless mistake before their full story in Legacy.

 

My review:

Callum Ashford is Felicity Carter’s brothers best friend and younger than him. She’s just turned legal and he shouldn’t want her so, He’s not in a position to get involved with anyone let alone Felicity. The heart wants what it wants but can’t have.

Careless is the prequel to the Ashford Creek series focusing on the Ashford family. This was an exciting peek into Callum’s mind and heart. I look forward to their story.

 

Buy links:

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Bewitched by the Fruit Bat King: The Bewitching Hour by Jamie Dalton

 

 

Blurb:

Love at first bite? Not quite.

All Willow wanted was to find her true love. But when her "foolproof" matchmaking spell leads her straight to Kane Drake—the absurdly attractive CEO of Drake Produce and definitely a vampire—she does what any sensible witch would do: magically yeets him across town before he can even say hello. No way is she letting destiny saddle her with a vampire, thank you very much.

Too bad the universe (and Kane) didn't get the memo.

 

My review:

Bewitched by the Fruit Bat King is a delightful escape. A different take of the vampire myth and an enchanting mystery. Willow and her friends had me rolling and Kane had me swooning.

 

Buy links:

Amazon

The Case of the Talking Tabby by Donna Michaels and Jestina Michaels

 

The Case of the Talking Tabby by Donna Michaels and Jestina Michaels

 

Blurb:

The cat says he’s a detective. The case is twenty-seven years cold, and this mother-daughter duo is about to trade lattes for late-night stakeouts.

Former cop Delaney “Dee” Shaw and her daughter, former forensic scientist Emerson “Em” Shaw, just opened The Claw & Order Cat Café, next to the police station. They were expecting foam art and cat adoptions—until a grumpy red tabby walked in and started talking.

Marlowe insists he’s the reincarnation of a homicide detective who once partnered with Dee’s father—and he’s here to solve the case that got away: a young woman strangled in her own home, a husband with an alibi, and no justice served.

With Dee’s police instincts, Em’s forensic smarts, and Marlowe’s old-school grit, they’ll dig into a murder the town has nearly forgotten. But the past never stays buried…especially when a detective with nine lives is on the hunt.

 

My review:

The Case of the Talking Tabby by Donna Michaels and Jestina Michaels is an delightful cozy mystery. I love the mother/daughter interaction. You can feel the love and respect between them. I adored Marlow the talking cat with the brains of cop and the escape artist skills of a cat. I do hope they continue to tell more stories from The Claw & Order Cat Café,

 

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Contracts & Cats (Meow: Magical Emporium of Wares, Book 1) by Toni Binns

 

Contracts & Cats (Meow: Magical Emporium of Wares, Book 1) by Toni Binns

 

Blurb:

Welcome to the Magical Emporium of Wares, a bookshop that appears only to those who need to find it.

When Sable answers a too-good-to-be-true job posting—cozy bookshop, perfect espresso machine, adorable black cat, and an apartment upstairs—she thought she'd finally caught a break from her crushing student loans.

But the ink on the deal is barely dry when Sable realizes that the contract is very literal. She cannot leave. Also, her new feline companion talks, the bookstore itself is a sentient enigma with an excellent espresso machine, and magic isn’t just for storybooks–it’s woven into her new reality.

Bound to the shop as the mystical Cat's voice and hands in the human world, the bookstore's true purpose begins to unfold, and Sable must choose. Will she embrace the impossible magic blooming around her, or cling to the mundane life she thought she wanted, risking the fate of the shop and its curious inhabitants?

If you love the heartwarming charm of found family, the gentle unraveling of an enchanting mystery, and the quiet wonder of magic woven into everyday life, then this is your next favorite read.

 

My review:

Like Sable I fell into this world and did not want to leave. Wonderful characters whose quest takes them to alternate  worlds without ever leaving the shop. This truly wonderful tale kept me enthralled from page one and left me wanting more.

 

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Tilly's Tutus (Crafty Littles Book 2) by Cooper McKenzie

 

 

Blurb:

Sometimes a “little" bit of luck and a chance encounter can change everything.

Tilly Smith dreams of the day when making Little clothes and selling her designs can be her full-time focus. When an opportunity presents itself, Tilly jumps at the chance to set up at Littlepalooza selling her homemade fashions with her sisters, and deep down, she secretly hopes to meet a protective Daddy of her own there.

When Police Captain Carter McGee volunteers to work security at Littlepalooza, he does so with an ulterior motive-- secretly hoping to find a precious Little for his inner Daddy Dom to care for.

After Carter steps in to save Tilly from a parking lot attack, he is instantly smitten by her porcelain freckled skin and carrot-red hair.

Their attraction grows quickly, but after an intense weekend, Tilly's sisters intrude. They see Carter as a threat, feel the relationship is moving too fast, and push Tilly to insist that she and Carter need to take a break.

With happiness hanging by a thread, can Carter and Tilly find the dynamic they both desperately desire?

 

My review:

Tilly's Tutus is the second in an adorable trilogy that has the Smith triplets finding love at Littlepalooza a convention for littles and their Bigs. This is Tilly’s tale. Tilly is the middle sister. The peacemaker. But this time her sisters may have gone too far.

Police Captain Carter McGee and Tilly are just too sweet for words.

 

Buy link:

Amazon