Heart of Obsidian (Psy-Changeling #12) by Nalini Singh

Kaleb Krychek, throughout this series has been an enigma wrapped in mystery shrouded by obfuscation.  In Heart of Obsidian we get to peel back some of the layers of this powerful double cardinal.  We have seen him ruthless, focused, and on occasion kind.  Now we get to see where he came from and how he got to be the youngest ever member of the now defunct Psy council.  Kaleb has secrets on top of secrets and we get to learn some of them including the biggest of them all.

This is an incredible addition to the Psy-Changeling series.  A series I must admit that I love and re-read regularly.  I look forward to future visits to the fascinating world of Ms. Singh’s Psy-Changelings.

A Marine Affair (Always a Marine #13) by Heather Long

Incredibly sweet m/m romance.

Heather Long doesn't write m/m romance as a rule.  She writes about love and respect, challenges and obstacles and overcoming them.  There has been no bigger obstacle in the military until recently than being gay and in love.  A Marine Affair deals with two men who have been in a secret relationship for the past 10 years under the military’s Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy.  Now that DADT has been repealed Navy doctor Rick wants to go public.  Marine Eli says he doesn't and takes off for a year long assignment in Africa.  Now he is back and Rick wants to finish their discussion and find out why Eli feels he still has to hide their relationship. Love has many forms and Ms. Long has a gift for sharing and caring about the love her characters have for each other.  This is a m/m romance and thus has some very steamy m/m sexual situations but ultimately it is about trust and love.  

All I Ever Wanted by Kristan Higgins

I became aware of Kristan Higgins through Jill Shalvis and their “Man Wars” on Facebook.  I found her comments funny and picked up Just One of the Guys.  I've been hooked ever since and am slowly working my way through her backlist.

All I Ever Wanted tells the story of a Callie. She is smart, funny, kind, giving, sweet and not a troll.  She is loved by everyone but Mark, the man she has wanted since he was her first kiss at 14. Now on her 30th birthday she finds out that though the timing for their 5 week affair was wrong for him he has now not only found someone else to marry she will be coming to work with them.  Enter the new vet in town.  Ian McFarland is the Anti-Mark.  Where Mark is smooth and charming Ian is much better with animals than people.  Callie needs a distraction and decides that Ian needs a personality makeover. Meeting Ian and learning about him may teach Callie a few things about herself.

Funny, sad, sweet, silly, all the things I've come to love and expect in a  Kristan Higgins novel.

Animal Attraction by Lori Foster, Maisey Yates, Heidi Betts, and Jules Bennett

Four short tales of attraction aided and abetted by animals to help raise money for a no-kill animal shelter.

Buckhorn Ever After by Lori Foster  - Shohn Hudson is one of the next gen of Buckhorn bachelors.  He has a legacy from his brother Casey, his dad and uncles that he has managed to live up to so far.  He is 25 hot, heroic (a park ranger), and has no plans to settle down anytime soon.  When his cousin Amber (Morgan & Misty’s kid) asks him to pick up her dog from doggie daycare he runs into the owner Nadine Moest a blast from his past and a woman way down on his list of I’d do her.  That is all about to change.
Imagine Me and You by Maisey Yates – Jace Colter has issues.  He is a compulsive neat freak.  When his best friend of 14 years Samantha shows up on his doorstep with her large drooling Newfie asking for a place to stay he can hardly say no but how does he deal with the slobbering shedding dog and even more how will he deal with his ever growing attraction to Sam.
Gimme Shelter by Heidi Betts – When Erica’s hot neighbor shows up in the middle of the night with 3 wet bedraggled kittens he has rescued asking for help she has no choice but to let him in.  Can she let him into her heart as well?
Partner In Crime by Jules Bennett – Vet tech Saige has a secret.  She is an unrepentant thief.  That doesn’t stop her from thinking her next door neighbors brother the cop is sizzling.
 
Anthologies can be hit and miss.  This one is mostly a hit.  I love the Buckhorn brothers and it was great to see the guys again.  I don’t recall reading anything by Maisey Yates before but enjoyed Jace and Samantha’s story.  I am a fan of Heidi Betts and the 3 stooges stole my heart.  I've read and enjoyed Jules Bennetts work before.  I was a little conflicted about this story though.  All in all though this is a wonderful anthology for a great cause.

It Had to Be You (Lucky Harbor #7) by Jill Shalvis

Ali is having a bad day.  Her boyfriend dumps her and then tells her the lease is up on the cottage where they have been staying (like today!) and her boss is thinking of closing shop and leaving her unemployed.  But “things will be okay”.  San Francisco cop Luke Hanover is having more than just a bad day.  A case he was working on went south and cost a young woman her life.  Luke heads to Lucky Harbor to lick his wounds and try to get away from the press surrounding the case.  He doesn't expect to find Ali in the cottage.  Ali and Luke have totally opposite outlooks on life.  She is determined to be happy he has resigned himself to never being happy.  When these two meet it is a clash of philosophies that will have you laughing, crying and sighing.

Another sweet, funny, sexy addition to the folks in Lucky Harbor.  Each book can be read stand-alone but they are all so great you will gobble them up like m&m’s.  The Lucky Harbor books are sweet and funny but not saccharine. 

Craving More (Tiger Nip, #1) by Brandy Walker

First book in a new series by Brandy Walker.  What do you do when you fall for your best friends sister?  It’s totally against the “Bro code” but tiger shifter Jett has been falling for Corrine it seems like since he roomed with her brother Sam in college. He hadn't actually met her but pictures and stories kept him looking for more.  When he finally meets her for the first time his tiger roars “MINE”.  Now all he has to do is convince Corrine and hope Sam doesn't kill him.

I love shifter stories.  Tigers are a particular favorite of mine so I was prepared to enjoy this story.  I wasn't disappointed.  Ms. Walker has created a world where shifters are “out” and part of society with their own sub-culture and hierarchy.  This is a sexy, sweet romance with a smoking hot tiger who falls head over tail for the short zoftig tigress.  The secondary characters are great and I can’t wait for Sam to get his comeuppance. 

Don't Bite the Bridesmaid (Sons of Kane #1) by Tiffany Allee

Fun, contemporary PNR.  Alice needs a date to take to her sisters wedding as her ex is the best man.  Her next door neighbor is single and a hunk and more importantly he needs to get out of town for a couple of days so it’s a win win for both.  What they didn’t expect was exactly how much of a win it could be for them both.

This is a fun don’t take yourself so serious romp.  Fans of Candace Havens Take It Like A Vamp will enjoy Don't Bite the Bridesmaid .  Can’t wait for Charles and Alex to find their sunshine.

Received an ecopy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review