Penthouse Prince by Virginia Nelson

Blurb:

Single mom Jeanie Long was trying to save her butt at work by reporting her manager to the company owner. Instead, she finds herself greeted warmly by gorgeous company CEO Camden James...and introduced to his father as his fiancée. Now she's been hired—complete with a hefty pay raise—to be the fake fiancée of the infamous “Penthouse Prince.”

Camden doesn't believe in love. He believes in mutually beneficial business arrangements. With his real fiancée off cheating on him, Camden needs someone to help him prove to his father that he's definitely ready to marry. Yet Jeanie's combination of beauty and bluntness act like an aphrodisiac, and their “for the press” kisses look incredibly real. So real that Jeanie and Camden are either really convincing actors...or they've fallen for their own charade.

My review:

Just when you think the trope has been done to death Virginia Nelson gives it her own special touch.  Camden James is a high powered businessman who needs a fiancé quick.  Jeanie Long was in the right place at the wrong time and got sucked into Camden’s charade.   They didn’t expect to fall in love.  Yes, you’ve read it before but not like this.  I truly got a kick out of this book.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Wolf's Capture (Kodiak Point #4) by Eve Langlais

Blurb:

She might think she’s captured the wolf, but in the end, he’ll take her heart.

Brody is a soldier who misses the excitement of the military and its missions. He retired to work as clan beta in Kodiak Point. Talk about boring, until he’s captured by a foreign enemy.

Him, a prisoner?

Not for long. This wolf will do anything in order to get away–even if it involves seduction.

First step in plotting his escape: pretend interest in a woman. But Layla isn’t just any woman. She’s special.

Not human. Not shifter. He doesn’t know what this exotic lady is other than his.

A prisoner for years, Layla isn’t sure what to make of the enemy who shares a cell with her. He promises her hope, but that would involve trust. Despite her doubts, she can’t help but be drawn to him. Unacceptable which means she does her best to drive him nuts.

Working together, can they escape the clutches of the enemy?

And do they dare fall in love?

Welcome to Kodiak Point, where the wildlife might wear clothes, but animal instinct rules the heart.

My review:

Another really fun entry in the Kodiak Point series by Eve Langlais.  Brody gets his book!  Brody is a timber wolf shifter who was a soldier.  Now he is the clan beta in Kodiak Point.  He is bored and looking for a little action, not that he wants to put Kodiak Point at risk he just wants some action.  Ooops.  Be careful what you wish for.  He is captured and thrown in a cell with a beautiful woman.  They will have to work together to get free but can they trust each other and in trusting each other can love be far behind?  Eve Langlais looks at life from a different angle.  Her books are snarky, sexy fun and this one is no different.  This book can be read standalone but I think you will enjoy it more if you’ve already been introduced to the characters.

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Bound by Flames (Night Prince #3) by Jeaniene Frost

Blurb:

Play with fire, pay the price.

Leila’s years on the carnie circuit were certainly an education. What she didn’t learn: how to be a vampire, or how to be married to the most famous vampire of them all. Adjusting to both has Leila teetering on a knife edge between passion and peril, and now the real danger is about to begin…

Vlad must battle with a centuries-old enemy whose reach stretches across continents and whose strength equals his own. It isn’t like Vlad to feel fear, but he does…for Leila, because his enemy knows she is Vlad’s greatest weakness. As friend and foe alike align against him—and his overprotectiveness drives Leila away—Vlad’s love for his new bride could be the very thing that dooms them both… 

My review:

I read this book in one sitting.  I could not put it down.  Though this is the 3^rd in the series you can read it standalone although I recommend reading the others for background if nothing else. 

Vlad goes all out alpha on Leila after she is turned Vampire. He is terrified of losing her to his enemies and Szilagyi is back and making trouble. Leila is a modern woman and not used to taking a back seat but if it means Vlad keeps his sanity she will do it. It doesn’t stop her from being captured and used as a pawn but that’s on Szilagyi.  I love the relationship between Vlad & Leila.  She is coming into her own and lets face it he has a several centuries on her.  This book is a fast moving roller coaster ride of action, adventure love and betrayal. 

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The Dragon Conspiracy (SPI Files #2) by Lisa Shearin

Blurb:

After solving The Grendel Affair, the agents have another SPI File to investigate...

We’re Supernatural Protection & Investigations, known as SPI. We battle the real monsters of myth and legend, but this Halloween, we’re searching for diamonds…

A gala opening at the Metropolitan Museum of Art has attracted the upper crust of Manhattan—and thieves. A trio of vile harpies attacks the crowd and steals the stars of the exhibition: a colorful cluster of seven cursed diamonds known as the Dragon Eggs.
In the right mage’s hands, each stone can pack a magical wallop. Together they have the power to “cure” the supernaturals of the tristate area—but for many of those vampires and werewolves, that means turning into dust.

I’m Makenna Fraser, a seer for SPI. With the help of my partner, Ian, and the other agents, I have twenty-four hours to prevent total global panic, find the diamonds, and save the supernatural community. No biggie...

My review:

Non-stop action!  This book takes place over a small amount of time.  When an audacious theft occurs it is up to Mac and her fellows at the SPI to find them and the perp and to stay alive while doing it.  In a world where supernaturals are real and just as dangerous as described that is easier than it sounds.  In this book we get better acquainted with Mac and her co-workers and are taken on a race around Manhattan with more twists and turns than a Rubik’s cube.

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A Major Connection (Good to Go #4) by Marie Harte

Blurb:

Major April Soames is spending her last days as a Marine soaking up the sun and dog sitting for her sister. Unfortunately, the troublesome canine has dug up the garden of the last person in the world April expects to see—sexy Gunnery Sgt. Robert Thorn. The man is a hundred percent male with a body that won’t quit and a hard-ass attitude to match. He’s unforgiving, and now the darn dog has made a mess of his tomatoes. 

Gunny Bobby Thorn has seen the major hottie on base, but officers and enlisted don’t mix. Then he learns she’s on terminal leave, only a few more weeks until she’s officially a civilian. That makes her fair game, and she’s just what he needs to add a little pleasure to his life. Thorn finds himself falling for her. Hard. Between her sharp wit, snarky attitude, and gorgeous looks, he’s addicted and needing more. 

But April has plans to move on with her life, and Bobby’s not all that great when it comes to maintaining relationships. But with a little mastery in the bedroom and some tactical planning, he’s going to find a way to storm her defenses. When it comes to the heart, this is one Marine playing for keeps.

My review:

A Major Connection is the fourth in a loosely connected series. Each is a full story and can be read standalone.  In this story we have a tough as nails female Marine Major and an even tougher Gunnery Sargent.  Officers and enlisted don’t mix.  Good thing April is on terminal leave.  She has resigned her commission and is dog sitting for her sister which leads to a confrontation with the oh so sexy Gunnery Sgt. Robert Thorn.  I really liked April.  She is smart and honest with herself.  Bobby Thorn has a bit to go but eventually gets there.  This is a fun romp in the land of smoking hot Marines.

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Parvati: February (Mystic Zodiac #2) by Brandy R. Walker

Blurb:

Parvati Shiva, a true descendent of the Goddess of love and devotion, is fed up. She runs a successful dating site, connecting people all over the world with their one true love. The only one she hasn’t been able to find love for is…her.

When a hacker get into her network and website, shutting down her site in the height of the busy season, she calls on her cousin Jag for help.

Colin Patterson, IT guru and confirmed bachelor, quickly agrees to help his friend’s sister out with her computer problem. He’s eager to escape his mother’s matchmaking Valentine’s Day party. She’s invited all the single women, and a few select men, she can think of to start his dating life.

One mistaken identity later, Colin has already put his foot in his mouth. Will these two would-be lovers figure it out before the company is back up and running and Colin doesn’t have a reason to stick around? Only the Fates know. 

My review:

Eros & Chloe’s bet 2^nd challenge.  Find a guy for a descendent of the Goddess of love and devotion.  Parvati runs a matchmaking service and manages to help Eros out fairly regularly but hasn’t found the love of her own life yet.  Eros thinks Parvati deserves to find her “one” and leaves it to Chloe to hook them up. 

The romance between Parvati and Colin is fun and takes off quickly.  I can’t see Chloe breaking a sweat over this one. 

Warning there is some m/m in this story between Parvati’s cousin and his guy and things get pretty steamy with Parvati and Colin so break out the ice and the fan. 

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His Guarded Heart by Lia Davis

Blurb:

Senator Beau Beckett refuses to lay low because of a few death threats on postcards. His new bodyguard isn’t going to convince him otherwise. At least not until the threat becomes real and his four year old daughter’s safety is jeopardized. He has no choice but to work with his cocky and sexy Agent Wolfe to stay alive.

Federal Security Protection agent, Judd Wolfe doesn’t play by the rules. His out-of-the-box way of getting things done lands him a babysitting job. But being Senator Beckett’s bodyguard while staying out of his bed becomes his biggest challenge as passion ignites between the men.

My review:

m/m

This is a short sexy tale by the incredible Lia Davis and I so wanted to like it more than I did.  The romance part is fantastic. Beau & Judd are great together.  It is the reality part that let me down.  We are supposed to believe that a Senator who is a widower and father isn’t going to have problems with public displays of affection from a man? I’m not saying he should I am saying that in today’s political climate he should at least make a decision about it.  It was little things like that, that lessened the experience for me.

Complimentary copy provided by author/publisher for an honest review.

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