Only the Good Mages Die Young: Casino Witch Mysteries 7 by Nikki Haverstock

 

 

Blurb:

Three assumptions Ella has:
She can never fall in love
She can always save her friends
__She’ll never find out why she can have a dragon familiar
But you know what they say about assumptions.
When Ella and Vanessa investigate the murder of a prominent businessman they assume it will be like every other case. But an explosion at his funeral nearly kills several people in her circle and she has to question everything. Does she really knows those around her? She must solve the biggest case of her career while adsorbing some truths about her life. Nothing will ever be the same… if she can survive that long.

 

My review:

Ella is back and better than ever. I love that we are learning more about the insane world that Ella now finds herself a part of. Ella is getting stronger and finding that her friends are the family of her heart. The mystery in this installment is tough and if you haven’t read the earlier books you may not understand all the clues. This is a terrific addition to the series.

 

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Var (The Omega Collective #1) by Mina Carter & Susan Hayes

Blurb:

She’d do anything to find her daughter - even make a bargain with a beast.

Leia wants nothing to do with the aliens who invaded Earth. They’re powerful, dangerous creatures who are a threat to every surviving human, especially women like her.

When alien raiders take her daughter, she’s left with only one chance to see her again. Find one of the aliens and offer him a deal.

She never expected the beast she found would be the new Overseer’s personal bodyguard. And she never imagined what would happen when she agreed to be claimed by an alien warrior named Var...

He came to this planet as a conqueror - only to find a female who brought him to his knees.

Var’s orders were simple. Deal with a rogue warrior and protect the inhabitants of a human village. Then she ran into view...

Leia isn’t like any female he’s ever seen. She defies and confounds him, but there’s no mistaking what she is… his.

This series contains hot, growly aliens on a mission to find their mates - and a group of women determined to free their planet... and themselves.

 

My review:

Hot! Hot! Hot! Earth girls aren’t easy. Earth has been conquered by aliens and its people genetically changed. Leia is now an omega but that doesn’t mean she’s lost her brains or her spunk.  She trades her freedom for an assist in finding her grown daughter who is also an omega. Var is used to omega’s being submissive. Boy has he got a lot to learn.  I sweated and laughed my way through this story and look forward to the next installment.

 

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Falcon’s Heart: Paranormal Dating Agency: Tower Hearts Tales 1 by C.D. Gorri

 

Blurb:

Hank Garret doesn’t need any help finding a mate. But tell that to his Aunt Gerri!

Gerri Wilder, prolific matchmaker extraordinaire in the Shifter world, has had it up to here with her honorary nephew’s refusals to use her services. She knows the
Falcon Shifter will never find true happiness unless he learns to embrace one truth.

He needs his mate, and luckily, Gerri knows exactly who the lucky female is!

Annabeth Golden of the Blue Valley Pride is one frustrated Lioness. So, what if her sister almost castrated her high school boyfriend for being unfaithful? Was that really cause to make her persona non grata with the entire Pride?

When she runs into Gerri Wilder, the famous owner of the Paranormal Dating Agency, Annabeth has hit the jackpot. Or so she thinks.

But what happens when the cranky Falcon claims he doesn’t want a mate? Can this cat bag her bird?

My review:

Whew! This story will suck you in and make you want to Gibbs slap a certain birdbrain more than once. Big, beautiful lioness shifter Annabeth is my kind of gal; smart, comfortable in her skin and take no crap. When she finds out her fated mate doesn’t want her it throws her for a loop but she isn’t going to let it destroy her. When she goes into heat she is more than willing to use and then lose the stubborn Falcon fate has determined for her. But Gerri is never wrong and Hank is about to be reminded of that.

I really enjoyed watching a bullheaded bird get schooled.

 

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Meant to Be Immortal (Argeneau #32) by Lynsay Sands

 

Blurb:

In the newest Argeneau novel from author Lynsay Sands, an immortal barely escapes a raging fire only to kindle a sizzling passion with his potential life mate.

Mac Argeneau knows all too well: immortals can be killed. Not with holy water or silver crosses, but by decapitation or being set on fire. So when Mac’s house bursts into flames—with him inside—he’s sure it was no accident. But who would want to kill a scientist specializing in hematology? There is a silver lining: a blonde investigator appears on the scene and sparks feelings in him that have been dormant for centuries.

CJ Cummings is in town on a special investigation, but she’s been waylaid by the local police to deal with this arson case. The biggest mystery is how this sexy scientist with silvery blue eyes has emerged from a blazing inferno without a burn mark on him. He’s clearly hiding something. Sure, she’d love to see him without his lab coat, but she’s got a job to do—despite his insistence that he needs a bodyguard and...he wants her.

But when a second attempt on their lives puts CJ in harm’s way, it’s Mac who will do anything to safeguard the woman who’s destined to be his life mate. 

 

My review:

I LOVE THIS SERIES!!! This series is always such a delight. In this installment CJ gets her immortal. We met CJ earlier in the series and I thought she’d been forgotten about but Ms. Sands never disappoints. This story is a little heavier than some from the past but is offset with humor and steamy sex. We catch up with several characters from the past but this can be read standalone.

 

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Snowkiss (Royal Claws Book 1) by Milly Taiden

 

Blurb:

Royal Claws Book 1
 - Standalone

Natalie Barsotti is on a mission. She wants to prove the existence of shifters in a small community. Getting a job as a nurse in Winterland, Alaska, is only the first part of her plan. If only a certain mayor wasn’t so irresistible and so damn grumpy, it would make her operation so much easier.

Tucker Kearney is a simple wolf shifter. All he wants is to watch over his community of Winterland and stop the disappearances happening all around Alaska. The last thing he wants is a mate. He has reasons for keeping Natalie at arm’s length. Even if she is his mate. Even if he desperately wants her.

No matter how hard they try, Natalie and Tucker can’t seem to stay away from each other. But there are more dangerous things than the past lurking in the wildlands. It might destroy them before they even begin…

Reader’s Note: This is an ice-melting new series that is sure to heat up your nights. Enjoy!

 

My review:

California girl in the wilds of Alaska. Secrets. An unwilling mate. The forces of fate. This sweet and sexy tale will warm you up and leave you smiling.

 

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Bodyguard SEAL (SEALs of Coronado #8) by Paige Tyler

 

Blurb:

Romance can be dangerous business…
Author Peyton Matthews never expected the price of fame would come to this. But someone has broken into her house in an attempt to steal the highly anticipated book in her YA romance series. A crazed super-fan? Or something more sinister? Either way, she’s on deadline and her publisher is taking no chances. Now she’s got a bodyguard, a hotter-than-hell Navy SEAL who’ll stay with her 24/7. Where she goes, he goes. All day, all night. And suddenly Peyton finds herself living out a romance plot.

But more than your heart can be broken.
Noah Bradley is on medical leave from active duty. With orders to do nothing, he’s about to lose his mind. A man can only play video games for so long. So, when his sister asks if he’d watch over a writer friend for a couple of weeks, Noah jumps at the chance to have something to do. No way did he expect the ‘writer’ to be a famous, walking-talking goddess who makes him more nervous than a room full of terrorists. But he soon realizes the quiet, sweet Peyton is everything he didn’t know he wanted. And for once he wants to have a real relationship. If he can keep Peyton alive.

 

My review:

Bodyguard SEAL is an exciting mashup of bodyguard/military romance that works. Noah is on medical leave as his last mission messed up his knee but he doesn’t like sitting around. When his sister sets him up as a bodyguard for her friend romance author Peyton Matthews he jumps at the chance. The sparks are there from the very start. I really liked these characters and as a romance super fan I really enjoyed reading how Peyton felt about her fans. This is an enjoyable escape.

 

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A Girlfriend for Mr. Snoozerton

 

A Girlfriend for Mr. Snoozerton: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novella (Witching After Forty) by Lia Davis & L.A. Boruff

 

Blurb:

Ava doesn't mind raising the dead. It's all a part of being a necromancer. And people keep telling he she's one of the strongest ones to ever live, but she doesn't believe it.

Except she can also heal people, living or dead, which is unheard of.

And now, her cat, Mr. Snoozerton, has brought home a girlfriend. A dead girlfriend. Snoozer wants Ava to animate the pretty feline, but is that really the right thing to do?

Ava doesn't have much of a choice. Snoozer isn't taking no for an answer. And he's pretty much the boss of the house.

How can Ava say no?

 

My review:

This is a short in between story that takes place in the Witching After Forty world. Mr. Snoozerton is Ava’s grumpy manx cat who is also a zombie or a ghoul, its up for debate.  In this story we along with Ava discover her growing skills and powers. Her household is growing as well. This is a sassy and silly tale and I can’t wait for more.

 

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Sultry Shifter Nights Anthology

 

Sultry Shifter Nights by Gina Kincade , C.D. Gorri , Erzabet Bishop , Julie Morgan , Kiki Howell , Shifters Unleashed , Julia Mills , Kate Nova , Margo Bond Collins , T.M. Payne , N. Gray , S. Cinders , Jules Crisare , Dena Garson , Crystal Dawn , Zoey Indiana , Roxy Matthews , Terri A. Wilson , Roxanne Witherell

 

Blurb:

A Shapeshifter Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy Anthology

Did someone say shifters?

Stuffed with hot alpha males, kickass heroines, and dark-eyed, brooding shifters of all kinds, this collection will deliver hours of decadent, pleasure-filled reading from bestselling and award-winning urban fantasy and paranormal romance authors.

If you can't get enough of those dreamy shifters and other supernatural creatures like vampires, ghosts, witches, demons, and more, this limited edition anthology will feed your cravings. Come now, and follow us into these fantasy worlds where sultry shifters meet their fated mates and always get their happily-ever-after ending.

 

My review:

Eighteen tales of sexy shifters. I read and loved them all. I’d like to mention a couple of special stories in this fabulous collection.

Rearranging Fate by Roxanne Witherell – This may be the best thing this author has written to date. This story takes some terrific twists.

Breaking Into Hell – by Terri A. Wilson – This was a fun story with very different characters working together and discovering love might be worth breaking the rules for.

Shark Bait by T.M. Payne – This story had great possibilities but left me a little flat.

Marked by Her Dragon by Julia Mills – The magnificent Julia Mills does it again. This second chance romance had me laughing out loud.

Alpha Rising by Julie Morgan – Oh my goodness, this story features daddy issues galore. I felt so bad for Killian and Cordelia and enjoyed watching them overcome. Sweet and sexy.

Craving Her Mates by Erzabet Bishop – Break out the ice water this one is smoking hot. It will also tear at your heart.

Doubly Claimed by C.D. Gorri – Sexy MFM. Finding love on vacation. Sweet, sassy and sexy.

 

You won’t find this many great stories in one collection for this price anywhere. Go get it.

 

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Saving Sienna (MacArthur Family #3) by Katie Reus

 

 

Blurb:

He likes law and order…

Detective Carson Irish follows the rules. But somehow he’s fallen for a sexy PI who likes to break all of them. When she gets in over her head, he’ll do anything and everything to keep her safe. But she refuses to stay on the sidelines, safe and protected. And when her life is threatened, he won’t hesitate to stand between her and the man who wants her dead.

She’s never met a rule she didn’t want to break…

Private Investigator Sienna MacArthur may have questionable methods in her work, but she gets the job done. While working a case, she unwittingly finds herself the target of an unknown threat. So she reaches out to the sexy man she’s been keeping her distance from—Carson Irish. They might be polar opposites, but she trusts him to keep her safe, and when people around her start dying, she has no choice but to put her life in his hands.

 

My review:

This book takes by the book Detective Carson Irish and pairs him with PI Sienna MacArthur who does what she needs to get the job done and puts them in a place where they need to rely on each other. These two have been secondary characters but the chemistry has always been there. Their chemistry has never been in question now they get the chance to prove or disprove compatibility outside of the bedroom. I loved Carson. He may be alpha but he knows how to bend.

 

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My One Night (On My Own #1) by Carrie Ann Ryan

 

 

Blurb:

A one-night stand is supposed to end once the sun rises. Only it doesn’t always work out that way in this opposites attract and tortured hero romance.

Elise Hoover never expected this.
She didn’t want to go to another party, but when her friend pulls her in, she somehow finds herself hiding in a corner with…him.
Dillon Connolly.
The smirking, so-called good guy with the shadows in his eyes.
A single glance, a sweet smile, and she lets herself have one night of giving in.
Only she has to promise herself not to fall in love.
No matter the cost.

Dillon never expected her.
Elise haunts his dreams more than he cares to admit. He never thought he stood a chance—until she said yes.
When a single night turns to two, he know he's in over his head, but somehow, she makes him believe he can have anything.
Until the sun rises, and his past along with it.
He thought he'd run from the problems that could hurt them both, but now he's falling for her and he can’t stop.
He knows he doesn't deserve her, but now he has to fight to keep her…or save her from himself.

 

My review:

This story features a grown up Dillon Connolly. We met him in the Fractured Connections Series but you can read this just fine without having read the earlier books. Dillon makes my heart go pitter pat. He is sweet, thoughtful, caring and smoking hot. He is breaking away from his brothers and trying to stand on his own. He meets Elise Hoover at a house party and his world gets turned upside down.

This book had me crying ugly so break out the tissues and the wine (and cheese) and fall in love with Dillon and Elise.

 

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Lauren (The Drummonds Book 7) by September North

 

Blurb:

Book 7 in the Drummond Series

I'm Lauren and I've been in love with Cillian forever. My twin sister and I had a pact that we could not date McMurphy's because they were also twins. Only, my sister didn't honor that pact and now I don't have a reason to run from him...this romance stuff is exciting but also...scary. It means being vulnerable. It means trusting Cillian with my heart. I'm just not sure I can be...soft like that.

I'm Cillian. I've been obsessed with Lauren since the first time I saw her play the drums. She's amazing. She's tough, fierce, and...when I find out that she has been avoiding me because of her sister, well...by then I was already in a musical bromance with her dad and uncle. Marley may in theory be okay with his daughter having a life, but in reality...with me...I wanted her, but I also didn't want him to murder me.

Challenges await this couple that has waited many years to finally get together.

 

My review:

Lauren is redeemed in this book. Where she thought she was tough I thought she was bitchy.  It all gets explained in this book. This one is a rollercoaster of emotions but ends with a smile. Bring on Jojo.

 

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Hunting Ember (Pride of Alphas #1) by Milly Taiden

 

Blurb:

Ember Brady would never describe herself as stubborn. She’s a pastry chef. Doesn’t that make her patient by definition? Who cares if she’s set in her ways? So what if she doesn’t relent? It’s called passion and determination. She wants to open her own bakery, and the baking competition is her ticket to her dream job. She would die to win. That’s just a figure of speech, though.
Lion shifter Kai Mason is proud of his family’s security business. They’re in charge of all things security at F&D Network, from actors to infuriating reality TV competitors. The studio is his domain and his to protect. If only the stubborn baker with a death wish would just let him save her. Doesn’t she understand that she’s his mate?
When the baking competition comes under attack, the intense lion and his stubborn mate will have to find a compromise. Too bad both of them are out of practice. Crashing equipment, death threats, and vicious attacks can’t stop the course of true love — or can they?

 

My review:

Alpha male with a softer side. Stubborn female with a gift for baking. These two together are as sweet as Ember’s triple chocolate cupcakes. This is an adorable and steamy tale of love and danger.  I love that Kai isn’t perfect just perfect for Ember. 

 

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Her Cyborg Champion (The Drift: Haven Colony #2) by Susan Hayes

 

Blurb:

She risked everything to escape from Earth - but her new life came with a cost.

Haven colony is Maggie’s new home and her one chance at freedom. Clean water, free air... As far as she’s concerned, it’s paradise. But getting here meant leaving her best friend behind.

It doesn’t take long for her to learn Haven is surrounded by hidden dangers—and the most dangerous of all is a sexy, scarred cyborg named Striker.

Humans took everything from him. His family, his friends, even his voice. Why would he trust one of them with anything?

Striker just wants to live quietly. The wild places beyond the colony are his sanctuary, a place he can go to forget about his past and the ones he failed to protect.

He intended to stay clear of the human colonists. Then, one of them started entering his woods. Maggie isn’t like the others. She’s determined, beautiful, and unaware of the dangers prowling the forest.

He never wanted to be responsible for anyone again, but the flame-haired beauty needs him more than she knows… and he might need her more than he thinks.

 

My review:

Freedom isn’t free. Nothing in life really is. That’s a lesson Maggie learned early in life. Striker is a cyborg who is still suffering from memories before Haven. His first glimpse of Maggie is a blast of fresh air. I love these two. Maggie is fearless and Striker is fierce. Them together unbeatable.

Escape with these two and enjoy.

 

Buy links:
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Ride the Tide (Deep Six #3) by Julie Ann Walker

 

 

Blurb:

Once a fighter, always a fighter...

Former Navy SEAL Mason McCarthy is done being a fighting man. Now he and the Deep Six Salvage crew are working feverishly to find the wreck of the Santa Cristina and its legendary sunken treasure. Unfortunately for Mason's peace of mind, chatty, brilliant historian Alexandra Merriweather has joined the hunt and there's no avoiding her. Alex is exactly the kind of distraction Mason can't afford right now...or maybe ever.

When a murderous enemy from Mason's past threatens the Deep Six, he must rely on old instincts and the skills he honed from years of running black ops to make sure nothing touches Alexandra. But with their lives on the line and the adrenaline running high, it's inevitable that sparks will fly.

 

My review:

Thrilling action on the sea. This story features former Navy SEAL Mason McCarthy and brilliant historian and virgin Alexandra Merriweather. Alex in her quest for academics hasn’t lost her virginity at the ripe old age of 27. She wants to give it to rough gruff Mason but his ex has done a number on his head and heart and he is being a butthole about it. When danger strikes they’re all going to have to rethink their priorities. This is a fast paced thrill ride from the first page to the last and I loved every moment.

 

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The Hanged Man (Her Majesty's Psychic Service #1) by P.N. Elrod

 

 

Blurb:

The Hanged Man is the first book all-new Gaslamp Fantasy series by P. N. Elrod.

On a freezing Christmas Eve in 1879, a forensic psychic reader is summoned from her Baker Street lodgings to the scene of a questionable death. Alexandrina Victoria Pendlebury (named after her godmother, the current Queen of England) is adamant that the death in question is a magically compromised murder and not a suicide, as the police had assumed, after the shocking revelation contained by the body in question, Alex must put her personal loss aside to uncover the deeper issues at stake, before more bodies turn up.

Turning to some choice allies—the handsome, prescient Lieutenant Brooks, the brilliant, enigmatic Lord Desmond, and her rapscallion cousin James—Alex will have to marshal all of her magical and mental acumen to save Queen and Country from a shadowy threat. Our singular heroine is caught up in this rousing gaslamp adventure of cloaked assassins, meddlesome family, and dark magic.

 

My review:

Alexandrina Victoria Pendlebury is a talented member of Her Majesty's Psychic Service, a travelled and independent young woman. Her relatives sneer at her because she’s “in trade” yet she is useful and very good at what she does. Even the mundane cops like her because she uses her brains and eyes as well as her gift.

Not knowing what a gaslamp adventure was I was thrilled to enjoy this thrilling tale of murder, mystery and magic. I plan to play in this playground for a while. For those like me who don’t know what a gaslamp adventure is this book is steampunk light, an alternative history and psychic sleuthing with a tiny bit of romance thrown in for flavor. I thoroughly enjoyed this tale of mystery and intrigue. Though this book was almost 12 hours long I was unable to stop listening.

 

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Audible

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Unintended Target (MacArthur Family #2) by Katie Reus

 

 

Blurb:

If you’re in the mood for a quick, light romantic suspense read, check out the MacArthur Family Series!

He’s not her type.

Elementary school teacher Patience had her whole summer planned out, and it included margaritas and a lot of time at the beach. But when she agrees to a temporary nanny position as a favor to a friend, the last thing she expected was to butt heads with—or be attracted to—Brodie MacArthur, her employer’s sexy head of security.

But that doesn’t stop her from wanting him.

Brodie made a mistake with Patience and forever ruined her first impression of him. Just as their heated clashes reach a peak, Patience falls ill…and it’s something far more sinister than a simple summer bug. He screwed up once. He won’t do it again. And when he learns that the danger is closer than they imagined, he’ll have to fight to protect her—and win her heart.

 

My review:

This is an adorable romantic romp. Brodie and Patience are sweet together. Mistakes are made and there is a bit of mystery and danger. But their tale is a delight.

 

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Shadow Dreams (Crimson Moon Hideaway) by C.D. Gorri

 

 

Blurb:

Sometimes dreams lead to more than we could ever imagine…

Descended from a forgotten line of Donas de Fuera, Shadow Capelli’s dreams are about to go up in flames. With bills to pay, no money coming in, and a clinic full of injured and unwanted animals, Fang & Claw Rescue Center is doomed.

The non-profit animal rehab and reserve is in danger of imminent foreclosure, but Shadow can’t use her powers to save it without upsetting the balance of magic. When the bank manager suggests she pay off her debt with him, she balks.

Shadow is out of time. She needs money. Fast. With the Crimson Moon Hideaway just a short drive down the road, she decides to try her luck in the infamous casino. What has she got to lose?

Diego Manuel’s inner Otter is gnawing at him to find a mate. Territorial and often ornery, his Boar tends to get in trouble whenever he runs into another Otter raft. But where else can he find an eligible female?

With his beast more anxious than ever, Diego decides what he needs is some relaxation. And what better place to get it than the Crimson Moon Hideaway?

 

My review:

Shadow Capelli’s life is heading down the toilet. Her beloved grandfather has died, she still doesn’t have a handle on her supernatural gifts and the perve down at the bank is threatening to foreclose if she doesn’t sleep with him.  A last gasp try to get the funds brings her to the Crimson Moon Hideaway casino to try and raise the needed funds.  What she finds instead is a super-hot giant otter shifter claiming to be her mate. Fun, sexy and sweet.

 

Buy link:

Amazon