Eye Spy (Valdemar: Family Spies #2) by Mercedes Lackey

Blurb:

In this second installment of the Family Spies series, set in the bestselling world of Valdemar, the children of Heralds Mags and Amily must follow in their parents' footsteps to protect the realm.

Mags, Herald Spy of Valdemar, and his wife, Amily, the King’s Own Herald, are happily married with three kids. Their daughter, Abidela, dreams of building upon her parents’ legacy by joining the Artificers, hoping to offset her seeming lack of a Gift.

But when Abi senses the imminent collapse of a bridge only moments before it happens, she saves countless lives, including that of her best friend, Princess Katiana. The experience, though harrowing, uncovers her unique Gift—an ability to sense the physical strains in objects.

Intrigued by the potential of her Gift, the Artificers seek to claim her as their own—but so do the Healers. Through training with both of them, Abi discovers unique facets of her Gift, including a synesthetic connection to objects that allows her to “see” as well as feel the strains.

Her Gift may also grant her a distinct advantage as a spy—there won’t be a building in the entire kingdom of Valdemar with a secret room that she doesn’t know about. With the help of her mentors, she must hone her gift to uncover the hidden secrets in the depths of Valdemar.

My review:

Eye Spy is Abi’s story. Her older brother has had an adventure and is working closely with Mags. Abi still doesn’t know what she wants to do with her life when she senses a bridge about to fail. Now she has to train her gift and figure out how to turn it into something useful.  I loved watching Abi grow into her own skin and realize that she is special just being herself. I really liked Abi and was rooting for her throughout the story.  Action and adventure aplenty this is a terrific addition to the series.

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Home Improvement by Tara Lain

Blurb:

Romance on Aisle Sixteen—opposites attract amid the hammers and screws of the home improvement store.

Gabe Mason became a father at seventeen, and his daughter, Ellie, is the most important thing in his life. But being the parent the courts demand means Gabe has given up most of his dreams—education, making furniture, a gay social life—to be a model dad with a steady, reliable job in a home improvement store. Life’s predictable until Jerry, a shy, eccentric guy in a hat and sunglasses, begs Gabe to oversee the renovation of his run-down mansion.

Gabe loves the house and the work, and Jerry's pretty lovable too, but when Gabe discovers Jerry’s secret identity, he fears their passion could overturn both their lives forever.

My review:

Home Improvement by Tara Lain is a sweet single dad romance that I just adored. Gabe Mason is a gifted carpenter but there isn’t a big market for custom furniture where he lives so he works in a home improvement store and makes do so his daughter can see her mother. I loved Ellie the daughter. She is smart, gifted and a terrific kid. It took me a bit to warm up to Jerry but by the end I loved him just as much as Gabe and Ellie. This story is guaranteed to warm the cockles of even the hardest heart.

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Black Hollow: Sacrificing Love by Cassidy K. O'Connor

Blurb:

Welcome to Black Hollow, the most paranormal town in America. When your mayor is a Griffin and the local diner is run by mermaid’s serving fish and chips, you know you’ll never have a mundane day.

Toussaint didn’t believe love was worth the risk of possible heartache. Lust and Danger roll in with a new visitor. Toussaint has to solve the mystery of who’s ransacking the town before it escalates to murder.

After watching his brother destroyed over the loss of his spouse, Toussaint swore he would avoid love and save himself the heartache. He wasn’t prepared for the day Ivy Grange rolls into town, car loaded with bridal shower decorations and a horribly ugly creature she swears is a dog.

As Toussaint starts to soften towards Ivy, strange events start happening around town. He starts missing time and showing up with bloody knuckles. It isn’t until Ivy finds out the truth about Black Hollow and what creature Toussaint really is that things get worse.

Faced with the choice of giving up his own life to save Ivy’s, he doesn’t hesitate to sacrifice everything for love. 

My review:

Everyone’s favorite monster is getting married. To a human no less. When her friend Ivy comes to Black Hollow with her little dog for the wedding Gargoyle Toussaint is gob smacked. He doesn’t want a mate. Love hurts. But fate will find a way.  This is fast paced with wedding infused madness and hot hunky carpenters. I really enjoyed.

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Amazon

Loki’s Match (Deity Dating Book 2) Sheri Lyn

Blurb:

Deity Dating Agency is high on the success of their first match and ready to find the next brother, Quenten his forever mate. The problem is Loki. Thor can’t find anyone that pleases Loki and it’s not even his date. What’s a god to do when the only match worthy is the one least likely to fit? Quenten watched the God’s attempt at matching his brother cause havoc everywhere they went. He wasn’t expecting anything better on his turn. Thankfully though each guy he met was nice, a few even friend material. None left him wanting as much as Loki did though. What’s a man to do when only a God will satisfy the craving inside? Trapped in a landslide, only Loki can help. There’s a fine line between love and hate. Which will win?

My review:

Thor and Loki are at it again. This time no match will meet with Loki’s standards for this client; mostly because he wants him for himself. This fun story is filled with twists, turns and sweet surprises.

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Amazon

Lala Thankyou: Talk Is Cheap by Erica Gerald Mason

Blurb:

WERK HONEY...Lazarus Mercy adjusts to his new life in as a consultant for the Indianapolis Police Department. His fans adore him, his boss respects him, and his anxiety is under control...that is until he's called in on a new case. NEW TO TOWN AND EVERYTHING TO PROVE...Unsure of his place in the police force, Lazarus makes new friends while facing an old enemy. ---can Lazarus work the case...while working through his problems?

My review:

Like Lazarus Mercy/Lala Thankyou this is two stories in one. Lazarus is finding his way in a new job and Lala is dealing with competition. In this story we see Lazarus struggling with his past and his future all while helping the police solve a kidnapping.  I enjoyed and want more.

Buy link:

Amazon

Fuel the Flame by Terri A. Wilson

Blurb:

This summer solstice will put the “Hot” in “Hotlanta”.
Remington Montgomery had no interest in settling down. But now he’s engaged to be married, in line for the throne, and trying to keep his bride to be from being killed.
Dai Ito understands her new role but isn’t ready to give up her old life. Her dreams don’t involve a crown, a husband, or being killed.
Fate had other plans for these two dragons, but before they exchange vows, they have to hunt down a deranged serial killer, find a secret tribe of female warriors thought to be eliminated, and plan the perfect wedding that will make both their mothers happy. To make life more complicated, a mystery man from Dai’s past comes back into her life, and he has more than a friendly reunion in mind.
Planning a wedding is never easy, but it’s twice as hard when these two shifters have to not only strengthen their relationship but race the clock before another dragon dies.

My review:

Have you read A Slow Burn? No? STOP! Go read that one first then come back and read this.

 In Fuel the Flame we see Reni and Dai struggling to find a happy medium to prepare for their future. Just because theirs is an arranged mating doesn’t mean it has to be horrible. Remi is still looking for his serial killer and Dai still hasn’t told her parents about her shift in majors. Dai’s mother has become a stereotypical mother of the bride making life her life even crazier. Fuel the Flame is an intense action packed thrill ride. This is a terrific second book and I look forward to seeing where the author takes us next.

Buy links

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My Mate's Wife (Destined Mates Book 5) by Robbie Cox

Blurb:

A mate denied, a man torn, and a wife caught in the middle. 

Fitzgerald Everest did what any loyal son would do; he married the woman his father told him to marry to protect the family's future. Yet, what does that mean for his Destined Mate? 

Kinsey Pickford needed to escape. Denied her mate, she knew it was only a matter of time before the pull of the mating call drove her crazy. Her only recourse was to escape to Bull Creek. 

Amanda Everest wasn't sure what it meant to marry into the Everest family or what a Destined Mate truly was until she noticed her husband's odd behavior. Now, she needed to make some hard choices to save the man she had grown to love. 

When the heart is pulled in two directions, who will keep it from being ripped apart?

Review:

My Mate's Wife is a terrific ménage with creative twists and turns that will keep you flipping pages. A terrific addition to the series but can be read stand-alone.

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