Hard Target (Cobra Elite #1) by Pamela Clare

Blurb:

Derek Tower has spent his life at war, first as a Green Beret and then as the owner of a private black-ops company, Cobra International Security. When a high-ranking US senator asks Cobra to protect his daughter, a midwife volunteering in Afghanistan, Derek’s gut tells him to turn the senator down. The last thing he wants to do is babysit an aid worker. But Jenna isn’t just another assignment. She’s also the younger sister of his best friend, the man who died taking bullets meant for him. There’s no way Derek can refuse.

Jenna Hamilton doesn’t need a bodyguard, especially not one hired by her intrusive and controlling father. She knew the risks when she signed on to work in rural Afghanistan, and the hospital already has armed security. She also doesn’t need the distraction of a big, brooding operative skulking about, even if he is her late brother’s best friend—and sexy as hell. As far as she’s concerned, he can pack up his Humvee and drive into the sunset. And, no, nothing her hormones have to say about him will change her mind.

From the moment his boots hit the ground in Afghanistan, Derek does his best to win Jenna over, posing as her brother so the two of them can spend time alone. Except that what he feels for her is anything but brotherly. Stolen moments lead to secret kisses—and an undeniable sexual attraction that shakes them both to the core. But events have been set into motion that they cannot escape. When a ruthless warlord sets his sights on Jenna, Derek will do whatever it takes to keep her safe, even if it costs him his heart—or his life. 

My review:

Hard Target is the first in a gritty new series by Pamela Clare. This story takes us to Afghanistan and a young midwife who is trying to help the (very) young mothers in the new reality of the women in Afghanistan. Sent to try and convince her to leave Derek Tower CEO of Cobra Elite is prepared for every contingency but her. His best friends little sister is all grown up and stubborn as the day is long. But when danger comes she knows she can count on him to keep her safe. This is romantic suspense at its finest. I really look forward to future installments of this series.

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Should've Been A Cowboy (Lone Lee Hart Ranch Book 1) by Cara North

Blurb:

Dakota Hart was resigned to the fact that she was going to be married to the ranch and not a cowboy for the rest of her life. 
Jace Driscol was a reporter in need of hands on experience to write his next book about the American Cowboy. 

Sometimes the road of life takes us places we need to go and shows us who we should have been all along. 

My review:

I listened to this sweet story in audiobook form. Dakota is smart and kind but has serious body and self-esteem issues. Jace is hot but doesn’’t dwell on it. He is smart and kind and has issues of his own. Watching these two find each other and bring out the best in each other was enough to bring a tear to my eyes. A sweet escape.

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Amazon

Audible

The Smoking Nun (Nun of Your Business Mysteries Book 4) by Dakota Cassidy

Blurb:

Sister Trixie Lavender, reporting for Miss Marple duty! It’s been months since the evil residing inside me has reared his violently helpful head, and things are pretty peachy. My demon sidekick Coop continues to assimilate with the unsuspecting humans, our tattoo shop is busier than ever, we’re more and more involved in our little community of Cobbler Cove…heck, I’d even begun to attend the occasional Sunday sermon (after safely confirming my body wouldn’t burst into flames upon entering Our Lady of Perpetual Grace, of course). Yep, life is pretty good for me and mine. 

Until the shocking murder of our new friend, Sister Ophelia, during a church-sponsored speed-dating event. Talk about flirting with death—literally. I can’t fathom who’d want to kill a sweet little ol’ nun, but as I’ve learned by now, life in small-town Oregon isn’t always what it seems. When a second corpse is found, the stakes are even higher as Coop and I, along with our good friend Higgs, race to unmask a killer.

But when my demon breaks free yet again, the killer’s not the only one in danger of being exposed… 

My review:

Sister Trixie Lavender, Coop, Higgs and the gang are back and there is another murder to solve. There is laughter, love, mystery and murder. Secrets abound and some are revealed. The Smoking Nun is another fantastic addition to the series.

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A Slow Burn (Dragon Royalty #1) by Terri A. Wilson

Blurb:

Remington Montgomery is a modern dragon straddling the worlds of tradition and the past. His drive for advancement made him one of Atlanta’s finest detectives and one the most sought-after bachelors. But none of the women he’s met move him the way his first love, Dai Ito, once did.

Dai Ito’s family pushes her to win in every area of life. They raised her to sit on the throne as the reigning Dragon Queen but never bothered to ask what she wanted. Only one person has ever challenged her, Remington Montgomery.

During a Beltane proclamation, Fate intervenes, and these two are chosen to reign as king and queen, a sacred duty chosen from every third generation. Only one problem- they have a serious love-hate relationship.

Then Dai’s sister goes missing and they must work together to find her. Can this king and queen set aside their hatred, and learn to work together as only a royal couple can? 

My review:

A Slow Burn is the first in a fantastic new series by Terri A. Wilson. This is a paranormal romantic suspense that had me flipping pages so fast I confused my kindle. Dai and Remi are childhood rivals thrown together as adults and neither is thrilled with the idea. Time has changed them both and childhood grievances can be put aside. Dai needs to finish her studies and Remi has a murderer to catch. Can they do their duties to family, dragonkind, society and themselves?

I really got into this story so when it ended I was bereft. I can’t wait for the next in the series cause I have questions. 

Buy link:

Amazon

Conquer (The Blood Court Book 4) by K. Margaret, Dagmar Avery, Stella Price

Blurb:

The final installment of The Blood Court series, has both redemption and heartache. 

With Nymea kidnapped, Ryker and the guard have to enlist help from the other courts, making finding her a full on operation. And when she is found, the process of healing must begin. 

Because Mea has lost her fire, and she needs to bond once more to the men that would give their lives for her. 

In order to save her company, and herself, she needs to take down those that would harm her guard, and her court. 

Because the Princess of Blood is not someone with whom to mess with. 

My review:

Sit down, strap in because this is one heck of a ride. The things that happen to Mea and her guards in this epic conclusion to the Blood Court quartet will spin your head. They will be tested. They will find strengths they didn’t know they had or needed and they will be stronger for it. They are tempered in the fire and forged in bonds no one can break. Well done.

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A Pack of Blood and Lies (The Boulder Wolves #1) by Olivia Wildenstein

Blurb:

The primal rule of winning: don’t fall in love with the contender. 

Three months shy of her eighteenth birthday, Ness is forced to return to Colorado. Even though it’s been six years, and the wolves of her all-male pack don’t recognize her, she recognizes them. People who shun others because of their gender are hard to forget.

Especially Liam Kolane—son of Heath, the crudest and cruelest Alpha to have ruled the Boulder Pack. Liam is as handsome as he is infuriating, as kind as he is punishing, and he makes Ness’s traitorous heart race, which isn’t good. After all, he’s a Kolane. Like father like son, right?

When Heath dies, Liam vies to become the new Alpha and no one dares challenge him. 

Except Ness. 

Thus begins a treacherous game. 

The rules: winner takes all…including loser’s life.

My review:

A Pack of Blood and Lies is an exciting tale of a young woman coming to terms with her past and a pack of mostly misogynistic males. Ness has questions and it seems like nobody wants to give her answers. But she is strong, tenacious and will not be denied. I loved this story and look forward to the next installment.

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Black Hollow: It's the Little Things by Robbie Cox

Blurb:

A sister lost and a paranormal bank threatened with collapse. 

Kerry Underwood begged her sister not to take the job in Black Hollow. Now, her sister's missing, and Kerry must go to the community she can't even find on a map in search of her. However, Black Hollow is nothing like she expected, and she fears the truth of a real paranormal town put her sister in danger. To make matters worse, the rugged bank manager who lured her sister to Black Hollow keeps stonewalling Kerry, keeping the answers she desperately needs close to his powerful chest. 

Arden McCarthy, leprechaun and bank manager at The End of the Rainbow Savings & Trust, is in a desperate hunt to uncover the threat to his bank's funding. However, the private investigator he hired to ferret out the culprit has vanished along with any leads she uncovered. To complicate matters, the investigator's sister arrived in Black Hollow and keeps sticking her nose in his business. 

Frustrated with the mysterious leprechaun, Kerry resists her desire for Arden, while fearing he's weaving his way into her heart. 

My review:

It's the Little Things takes us to Black Hollow home of all things paranormal. This magically delicious tale has us chasing pots of gold and a missing sister. We deal with prejudice, angst and love. I really enjoyed this addition to the tales of Black Hollow.

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