The Bratva's Enforcer by L.K. Shaw & Rachel Everly

 

 

Blurb:

My loyalty is to the Bratva. I’ve killed more than one man for my boss, because that’s my job. Only this current assignment isn’t going as planne d. It should have been easy.

Until the soon-to-be-dead man’s daughter walks in and things get complicated.

Natalya has featured in every filthy dream I’ve had for the last five years. Only she’s far too innocent and virginal for a killer like me. Which means she’s off-limits. But when she offers me anything I want to spare her father, I accept before I can think of the consequences.

I plan on taking everything, because Natalya is mine.


Author’s note: this story was previously published in the Vows and Vendettas anthology. None of the contents have changed.

 

My review:

When her father is caught stealing from the Bratva Natalya trades her life for his. Sasha is the Enforcer for the Sokolov Bratva he is not a nice guy but when the opportunity to get the woman he has craved for years he is willing to cover the 3 million her father owes.

Watching these two find each other was sweet, sassy and smoking hot. I really enjoyed this story and look forward to the next installment.

 

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Vampires, Whiskey, and Southern Charm (Masie Kicklighter Book 1) by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

 

Vampires, Whiskey, and Southern Charm (Masie Kicklighter Book 1) by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

 

Blurb:

HE’S NEVER GIVING UP, AND SHE’S NEVER GIVING IN…

My name is Masie Kicklighter, and I work at my family’s local bar in the heart of Tennessee, slinging whiskey and living a quiet life.

I can’t say my life was perfect, but when a local vampire started stalking me and sayin’ all sorts of crazy things (I was not his. Nor would I ever be.), my first instinct was to run.
 

But Leiper’s Fork was my home. This was my town. And no one was gonna run me out. Even if he was hotter than a Sunday BBQ in July.

So I came up with a plan to run him off.

The only problem? 

He was one stubborn man. And crafty, too.

Then something terrible happened. A whole lot of terrible somethings. And they would change everything for us both.

 

My review:

Vampires, Whiskey, and Southern Charm is a fun paranormal romp that had me laughing and cheering along. Fantastic characters. I look forward to more in this series.

 

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Drake (Fated Dragon Daddies Book 1) by Pepper North

 

 

Blurb:

When a gold flash in deep blue eyes captures Aurora's attention, she can't deny the instantaneous bond connecting her to the man who can shift into a massive, ancient beast. Nor can she resist calling him Daddy when he fulfills her secret dreams.

Drake watched the mountains around Wyvern erupt from the ground. With his fellow dragons, he has guarded all who settled there from harm, waiting for the one who is meant to be his. The one only he can pleasure and protect. The woman they call Aurora.

Now change is coming to Wyvern. A centuries-old pact between the founders and their powerful allies could save the inhabitants of the city once again, but only a dragon Daddy can truly guard his mate from harm.

 

My review:

Drake is a fantastic first in a new series.  Dragon shifters finding their mates as the world is rapidly changing.  I loved watching Drake and Aurora come together. I can’t wait to see where the author takes us next.

 

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The Soul's Song: A Diesel War Novella by Mikea Howard

 

 

Blurb:

Dottie thought she had it all: a successful singing career, a handsome fiance, and a starlet’s wardrobe. Sudden betrayal brought it all crashing down around her. Those she trusted most played her as nothing more than a pawn. One misstep while fleeing the scene trapped her in another world alone, save a mysterious visitor.

Guatimozin, an eagle shifter, has spent ages assisting people through the realm between life and death, leading them to join loved ones on either side. No one had ever made him want anything for himself until he discovered this city girl.

Forces plot against them and time is short. Soon, the chance to build their connection will be too late.

Their existence thrust together by means out of their control.

 

My review:

First the gorgeous cover. This story flows like the finest blues song it will tear you up and rebuild your heart and leave you mellow. I enjoyed the characters and the terrific world building.

 

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On Her Watch (Bree Taggert #8) by Melinda Leigh

 

 

Blurb:

Sheriff Bree Taggert becomes a target when she follows the twisting trail of a serial killer in a bone-chilling novel of suspense by by #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melinda Leigh

A pair of hikers find a tarp-wrapped body in a clearing in the woods. When a search in the surrounding area yields two more, Sheriff Bree Taggert knows they’ve stumbled onto a serial killer’s dumping ground.

With the help of investigator Matt Flynn, Bree works the case. They go to interview Jana, the best friend of one of the victims. But when they arrive at her apartment, it’s been ransacked and set on fire. And Jana is missing.

It’s clear the killer is escalating. To make matters worse, he threatens Bree’s family and a young mother vanishes. Will Bree and Matt uncover the link between the victims before more women die?

My review:

I LOVE THIS SERIES! In this installment Bree is dealing with a serial killer, sick kids and cops with the flu. This case is filled with twists and turns and I will admit to being totally surprised at the killer and the motive. Another fantastic addition to the series.

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A Wilder Wedding (The Wilder Brothers #7.5) by Carrie Ann Ryan

  

 

Blurb:

The Wilders know their weddings and this time it’s for one of their own.

Naomi and Amos have been the secret backbone to the Wilder Brothers’ Retreat and Winery for years.

They’ve also loved and hated each other along the way.

Their on and off again relationship has always worked for them, but now it’s getting in the way of the next Wilder Wedding.

If they don’t figure out what they want, one of them will have to do what they feared: leave the Wilders.

But if they take that leap, they might just break.

Or finally have what they’ve always wanted.

Each other.

 

My review:

Naomi and Amos are side characters that have hinted at an on again off again relationship throughout the series.  This book tells their tale and gives them their happy but boy the author makes them work for it.

I love Naomi but have long been frustrated that she didn’t value herself enough to insist on what she wanted for fear of losing what she had. Amos needed to see just what he had to lose.

I really enjoyed watching her fight for her happiness.

 

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A Mythical Case of Arson (A Mythical Pet Sitting Mystery Book 1) by Melissa Erin Jackson

 

A Mythical Case of Arson (A Mythical Pet Sitting Mystery Book 1) by Melissa Erin Jackson

 

Blurb:

Just when she thinks her day can’t get any weirder, she finds a baby dragon …

Deandra Hendricks works her fingers to the bone at two jobs to keep her Los Angeles apartment. With a rapidly dwindling savings account, the prospects for her future are bleak. So when her cousin invites her to visit Axia—the hidden, magical hub their grandparents retired to—she agrees. Deandra doesn’t possess a stitch of magic herself, but a long weekend vacation in a strange new town might be just what she needs.

Her first day in Axia is so bizarre, though, she wonders if her bleak life in Los Angeles hasn’t been so bad after all. And, just when she thinks her day can’t get any stranger, she finds a baby dragon trapped in a dumpster. At a loss, she takes a trip to the vet, hoping they can help find the little guy’s owner.

The dragon, it turns out, only appears in its true form to her, while everyone else sees a dire wolf puppy. She and the vet discover that as long as the dragon wears his bespelled collar, his true identity is hidden. Someone went to great lengths to keep this supposed-to-be-extinct animal a secret.

Then the “dog” is accused of arson and is seized by authorities. Determined to help him, Deandra searches for the real arsonist. She catches wind of a thriving black market that’s populated by those who would stop at nothing to claim an animal this rare. She must work quickly to clear her dragon’s name, because if he falls into the wrong hands, she could lose him forever.

 

My review:

As a mundane daughter of a witch Dee has heard of the magical world but never visited till now. Her mind is blown from the very beginning in this adorable cozy mystery. The beings Dee meets along the way will make you believe. Along the way Dee is adopted by a baby dragon who is painfully cute. Dee has choices to make and a murder to solve. Enjoy the ride.

 

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The Keeper (Playing to Win #1) by Bella Matthews

 

 

Blurb:

Easton Hayes has been my knight in shining hockey skates since he saved my life.

This devastatingly handsome grump may be everyone's favorite goalie, but to me, he's my strength when demons haunt my dreams. And okay-so maybe he's also the only man I've ever loved. But he doesn't need to know that.

We're friends.

It works for us.

At least, it did. Until I wake up with his ring on my finger and the hangover from hell. But what happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas when he refuses to give me an annulment and follows me across the country instead.

Now our families are furious.

Our friends are playing matchmaker.

I'm getting goosebumps each time I hear the words "my wife."

And I think my husband might be in love with me.

The Keeper is a spicy sports romance, between a hot hockey player and an ice princess figure skater, with an angry teammate twist, plenty of banter and a happily ever after. This is the first book in the second generation of Kroydon Hills and can be enjoyed as a standalone.

 

My review:

The author took all the tropes threw them at the wall and they all stuck. Best friends brother, opposites attract, friends to lovers, grumpy/sunshine, sports romance and drunken Vegas wedding. There may be more. And damned if she didn’t make it work in this delightfully fun hockey/figure skater romance.

 

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Jaxon (Daddies of Pine Hollow #1) by Kate Oliver

 

 

Blurb:

Leah
Who knew buying a run-down house would be so much work? It was hers, though, and while it might not be much, to Leah Day, it was perfect because it meant she was free from her cheating ex-husband. What she wasn’t prepared for was the roof to leak into her bedroom… She also wasn’t expecting her hot neighbor to come marching over to scold her for climbing onto the roof.

Jaxon
In the small town of Pine Hollow, life was good for Jaxon Sawyer. He had his best friends of over twenty years, his home, a job that paid all his bills, and his family. The only thing missing was someone to come home to, and unless he moved away to a bigger city, he likely wouldn’t find that anytime soon. Until she moved in next door, causing his Daddy radar to go wild.

Can she learn to trust him enough to call him Daddy, or will her insecurities ruin it all?

 

My review:

I love Leah. She is starting over determined to be comfortable in her own skin. She loves regressing to her “little” side to escape the cares of the world.

Jaxon has been burned by love before and doesn’t do relationships anymore. But danged if the adorable lg next door doesn’t do it for him.

Watching these two learn to love again and be their authentic selves was heartwarming and smile inducing.

 

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Trial by Betrayal (YR4 - The Nightshade Guild: The Trials of the Guild Book 3) by Jennifer Wedmore

Trial by Betrayal (YR4 - The Nightshade Guild: The Trials of the Guild Book 3) by Jennifer Wedmore

 

Blurb:

Morwen and Fauxon made it home from 1968, but there's no time to relax! The Creator of Magic said they are abusing their powers and doing more harm than good.

Morwen has to prove she is worthy of magic, the Guild, and herself. She's facing seven trials with family and friends as her accusers. Can she survive the emotional toll of each person's accusations?

She has to convince the judges, and most importantly herself that her actions in the Guild were with the best of intentions, but can the words hurled at her shake her confidence or will she be found innocent and keep her place in the Guild?

Seven trials to determine her fate. Seven trials to determine if she keeps her life with Fauxon and her Magic.

 

My review:

This book was so hard on my heart. Morwen no sooner gets back from Losing Time back in 1968 then she is separated from Fauxon and put on trial to justify her actions. She has to defend her choices under stressful conditions. I kept wondering if I could be that gracious. I kept wanting to scream at the judges that she did her best and I dare you to have made better decisions under fire?

This is a solemn story that will make you think.

 

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Eye on the Ball: Tiger's Eye Mysteries by Alyssa Day

 

 

Blurb:

All Tess wanted to do was play softball. Why do dead bodies have to keep showing up?

And what's up with that vampire in the outfield?

When the annual Dead End, Florida, softball game ends up with three strikes, shapeshifting tiger Jack and not-quite-vanilla-human Tess, with the help of family and friends, have to be sure they're not the ones who are out.

And when a very pregnant witch comes to town ... the poisoned popcorn is the least of the town's problems!

But never fear -- Jack and Tess are on the case. Because sometimes it takes a tiger's eye to see the truth.

 

My review:

I giggle-snorted my way through the entire story. Tess has her hands full and boy is it hilarious.

 

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Cherished by the Dragon: Dahlstrom Brothers by K.R. Hall

 

 

Blurb:

Mustang shifter Jayden Garcia and dragon shifter Todd Dahlstrom were toddlers when they met in the same hospital room. Todd’s mother couldn’t soothe her frightened son and stop the boy’s uncontrollable crying. Jayden crawled into his bed and wrapped his arms around him. Todd quieted as he leaned into Jayden.

Too young to understand what was happening, their inner animals instinctively knew they were destined for each other, and their mothers vowed to keep them together.

When they reach puberty, they learn that Todd is unable to shift. His dragon soul has been stripped away, leaving him vulnerable to human diseases.

As adults, Jayden joins the Shifter Army while Todd takes his place in the family business. Todd turns to two surrogate mothers to help him and Jayden have the family they always dreamed of.

What will happen when Jayden and Todd are faced with the ultimate test of their bond? Todd needs a transplant, or he will die.

Recommended reading age is 18+ for sex scenes, mature themes, violence, and language. Expect spice, fated-mate bonds, and powerful dragon shifters. Cherished by the Dragon is a stand-alone novel, the first book of the Dahlstrom Brothers series. It includes intense sexual scenes. If such material offends you, please don’t buy this book.

 

My review:

This story is sweet and sassy. Sadly it is a bit herky jerky as well.  I was friends with Balgir Todd on Facebook which is where the author got the basis for this story (which the author freely admits) and so I knew parts of this story and I love how the author brought it all together.

 

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Hudson by Rebecca Barber

 

 

Blurb:

ELIZA
My divorce was final and my future was shining bright.
Leaving my ex-husband and his new girlfriend on the West Coast I moved away for a fresh start.
But he wouldn’t let me go.
He drove me into the arms of Hudson Hart. We joined forces with this goal to win, and at any cost.
Without warning, the lines blurred, I was in love with my boss.

HUDSON
I’d found the love of my life once, but cancer stole her from me.
I wasn’t looking for Mrs. Hart number two. I had everything I needed in my beautiful daughter Hallie and the company I’d spent years building.
Until her.
Eliza Bennett stumbled into my office with a business proposition. One I couldn’t turn down.
When her scumbag ex-husband came knocking, he wasn’t expecting a fight but Eliza had gotten under my skin and thawed my frozen heart.
Now I wasn’t just fighting for business but for the employee I couldn’t get out of my head.

 

My review:

Billionaire, single father and widower Hudson is convinced his one shot at love died and took his heart with her.

Divorced from the jerk she found banging his assistant Eliza has created a company with grit, sweat and a whole lot of talent. She is too busy for a man.

Eliza and Hudson team up to save her company from her sleazy ex but end up saving so much more.

This was a fun story. I loved Eliza and her GBF. Watching Eliza and Hudson learn to trust again was sigh-worthy.

 

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Stabby Chic (A Bewitching Midlife Crisis Mystery, #4) by Dakota Cassidy

 

 

Blurb:

Unalived recently? Lose your head? Need someone to help you get to the other side—with your head?

Then I’m your girl—Evanora Dark at your service!

During a design competition for charity Tambi Schubert, local Buttermilk Bay's star stager and designer has a little accident.

Okay, it’s a not so little (read big—my word, so big).

I find her, relieved of her head via a power tool, in the house I’m designing for the competition, bringing a screeching halt to the contest and an investigation that leaves me as a suspect.

Yet, as I take a deep dive into Tambi’s past, I find almost everyone’s a suspect. Her past doesn’t only reveal her dismissive treatment of others, and some dark secrets, but a lonely woman who’s afraid of what waits for her on the other side.

But the only way to find out, and to clear my name, is to find Tambi’s killer before I end up losing my head—no pun intended!

 

My review:

Who knew staging a house could be murder? Evanora finds a dead rival during a design competition. The contest was tough but nothing to lose your head over or was it? This story had me laughing my head off. Snarky dialog and fast paced drama had me loving this story.

 

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Hellos and Happily Ever Afters (Untouchable Book 13) by Heather Long

 

Blurb:

For my beautiful children, you love to hear the stories of how Mommy met your Daddy, Dad, Pop, and Papa. You love the funny stories about fighting that Daddy should never have told you or the stories about dancing that Papa teases me with or how Dad coaxed me into singing with him. Pop says your favorite stories are the ones that tell you we are human, that we love, and have loved, and will always love you.

I get that. Family means security and safety. It means having people in your corner always. It means companions on the journey to chase your dreams and helping them achieve theirs.

Hello seems like such a simple word, my darlings. But every hello that led me to your fathers is also the beginning of the happily ever after we’re building every day. You’re a part of it, Izzy, Josh, Charlie and our new arrival. You are the continuation of the story, our work in progress—our happily ever after.

Are you ready to hear what happens next?

*Please note this is a reverse harem and the author suggests you always read the foreword in her books. Contains some mature situations, violence, and is recommended for 18+. This is a brand-new bonus novella that takes place post-series. The book will also include multiple shorts and additional chapters in the form of bonus content for the rest of the series in addition to that novella. This is all new unpublished material.

 

My review:

This is book 13 if you haven’t read the first 12 you’re missing out but this is not the place to start.

That being said this book filled a space I didn’t know was empty. We meet up with Frankie and her guys 20 years or so from the first book. Their family and their love has continued to grow and morph into something truly heartwarming.

I loved the bonus stories as they brought me back to the events that inspired them.

 

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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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