Dusk Bitten (City Wolves Book 2) by Milly Taiden

 

 

Blurb:

Wolf shifter and loner Navy Amana doesn’t want much out of life. A few good books and a quiet place to read to his heart’s content. When his family sends him on business to San Diego, Navy isn’t pleased. But a chance meeting with his dream woman changes everything…

Karina Sai is furious that her father is selling their family business. She seeks solace in her beloved bookstore only to meet the most intriguing man. Ever. After an incredible day – and night – with Navy, her luck seems to change for the better. But, of course, things aren’t that simple.

Navy and Karina might be fated mates, but their connection is severed by misunderstandings and family jealousy. Someone is out to stop their happily-ever-after before it can even begin.

 

 

My review:

These may be my two favorite Milly Taiden characters ever! And that’s from a whole lot of stories. Two book nerds falling for each other if they can just stay alive long enough. I LOVE Navy and Karina. They made me laugh, cry and sigh. Though this is part of a series it can be read standalone.

 

Buy link:

Amazon

A Killer Welcome (Haunting Avery Winters Paranormal Cosy Mystery Series Book 1) by Dionne Lister

 

 

Blurb:

A new cozy mystery series from the USA Today bestselling author of the Paranormal Investigation Bureau series.

Avery Winters was overjoyed to be brought back to life... unfortunately, the dead were waiting for her.

Aussie journalist Avery Winters was content—she had a caring boyfriend, great job, and supportive… okay, so her parents weren’t actually supportive, but she’d accepted she could never be the son they’d wanted seeing as how she was born a girl. Avoiding them seemed to work well, and, she reasoned, no one’s life was perfect.

And that was fine, except whilst covering a news story in a storm, Avery’s cosy life disappeared in a flash. Lightning struck, stopping her heart and blowing her favourite black boots to smithereens. It was pure luck that an off-duty nurse was walking nearby.

When Avery came to in the ambulance en route to hospital, she’d thought the worst was over. She was wrong.

Her lightning-induced hallucinations—there was no way they were ghosts—were impossible to hide. Her boyfriend soon left, and her boss suggested she take extended leave. Unable to cover her rent, she moved back in with her parents. And that’s when the fun really began. Unable to cope with their insistence she was crazy, and desperate for an escape, she responded to a journalist-wanted ad… in the UK, because getting mega far away from her parents could only be a good thing.

Armed with a new fear of storms, companions others couldn’t see, and the hope that leaving the stress behind would improve her mental state, she boarded a plane for London. What she didn’t count on was not being able to leave her ghosts behind… literally. Oh, and that the quaint English village she’d be living in had more skeletons in its closet than the Natural History Museum.

When she stumbles upon a dead body in her rented apartment on her first day, she’s tempted to get back on the plane. But whilst it’s not a good omen, returning to her parents would be worse, so she decides to stay. Only, she’s not sure if it’s the best decision she’s ever made, or the worst.

She’s about to find out.

 

My review:

An exciting first in a new series. New beginnings, that’s what this move is for journalist Avery Winters. She leaves behind her home an emotionally abusive ex and a toxic relationship with her parents so she left Australia for a small town in England. There she hopes to deal with the apparitions and reclaim her self confidence. She makes new friends and starts a new job. Oh, she finds a dead body and thus starts an adventure and a mystery or three. This was really enjoyable. The author introduces us to a wonderful cast of supporting characters that I hope to learn more about in future installments.

 

Buy links:

Amazon

B&N

SEAL Next Door (SEALs of Coronado #9) by Paige Tyler

 

 

Blurb:

One little white lie…
Poppy McCoy wasn’t looking for a boyfriend. In fact, she gave up dating altogether. She’d found out the hard way men don’t like smart women—and she wasn’t playing the dumb blond role just to have a social life. Been there, done that, epic fail. But when her new neighbor turns out to be the hottest thing since habanero sauce, the attraction is instantaneous, and it seems he feels the same. He’s even impressed by her genius-level intelligence. She’s never met someone so perfect for her. Good thing he isn’t a Navy SEAL or Poppy wouldn’t even consider going out with him.

Turns into two.
Navy SEAL Sam Travers is on the lucky streak of a lifetime. First, he gets a great rent-controlled apartment. Then his new neighbor turns out to be the most beautiful woman he’s ever seen. She’s funny and smart and, well, perfect—except, she doesn’t date SEALs. Sam didn’t exactly lie-lie…he told her he was in the Navy. And he fully intended to tell her…at some point. But coming clean two minutes before she meets his family and Teammates isn’t the best plan. Finding out Poppy has a few secrets of her own, makes Sam doubt the lucky streak he thought he was on, and throws their relationship into a tailspin.

Things can’t get much worse—but they do. When Sam’s Team is sent to intercept the sale of a nuclear warhead to terrorists, the CIA sends a physicist with the SEALs. Poppy McCoy, Ph.D.

To repair broken hearts and a leaking nuke, Sam and Poppy will have to learn to trust each other again. Is it too late to save the world and their relationship?

 

My review:

Action, adventure and love this book has it all. Our hero is a young Navy SEAL team operator with a heart of gold. Our heroine is scary smart, gorgeous and not used to guys liking her for more than her body. The attraction is there from the start but if this thing between them is going to go anywhere they are going to have to come clean about the secrets they’ve been keeping and their feelings. This fast-paced thrill ride will leave you with a big ol goofy grin. 

 

Buy links:

Amazon

B&N

Her Alien Forgemasters (The Drift: Haven Colony #3) by Susan Hayes

 

 

Blurb:

She doesn’t do mornings, cardio, or long-term relationships. Then her mates walked into her bar…

Anya couldn’t be happier. Her tavern is packed every night, her staff is amazing, and her nosy mother is busy hauling cargo on the far side of the galaxy. It’s taken her years of work to reach this moment, and she’s ready to relax and enjoy the ride.

The last thing she needs is a romance to mess up her plans. She’s managed quite well without a man in her life, so why did the universe send her two?

He’d always known they’d find their destined mate. He just never imagined she’d be human.

Tra’var loves his new life. Haven colony isn’t perfect, but it’s far better than the unchanging, inflexible society they left behind. Here everyone is free to be themselves.

All that’s missing is the female who will complete their triad and forge them into the family he’s always dreamed of… but he wasn’t prepared for Anya. She wasn’t anything like he’d expected, even if she might be everything they need.

He’s been an outcast his whole life… what female would ever want him?

Damos can transform ordinary steel into anything from weapons to ornaments, but he’ll never be able to change the one thing he truly wishes he could… himself.

Born flawed in a society where genetic perfection is the standard, he’s only been tolerated but never accepted. Haven might be different. But when Anya learns the truth, will she see past his flaws and embrace him as her mate? 

 

My review:

Forty something Anya has it good turf side in the new Haven colony. She has her bar and her health she’s been making friends. She is happy in her new life.. What she didn’t expect was not one but two hunky metal working aliens to walk in and claim she is their fated mate. Anya’s track record with men hasn’t been to great but the attraction is there and it is combustible.

I liked that the character with the most self esteem issues was in this case male; the enemy is microscopic, and the sex is off the charts smoking hot. A wonderful addition to the series but can be read stand alone.

 

Buy links:

Amazon

B&N

 

The Nightshade Guild: Half-Blood Mage by Landra Graf

 

 

Blurb:

When the hunter becomes the hunted…

For the past five years Demi Mephisto has hunted the demons who injured her mother and forced her to take her mother’s place in the Nightshade Guild. A position of honor she expected to require minimal involvement, until now.

As one of the mages sworn to protect the Elven Princess Ameria, Demi bonds immediately with the youngster over a shared loss of parents. The only problem is the demons she tracked are now after her and her charge. To keep the princess safe, she may have to turn to the last person she should even ask, her ex.

An unwelcome surprise on her doorstep…

Adrian Thorn isn’t the most traditional vampire, but when the vampiric queen tasks him with an assignment he’s blood bound to do as she commands. Leading him straight to the one woman he swore he’d never get involved with again. Demi needs his help to protect a little girl from the very demons she’s hunted for years.

To save the world…

With enemies on all sides, Demi’s not sure she should trust Adrian completely, but the princess does. When forced proximity brings back old feelings, battling dark enemies won’t be the only things Demi and Adrian have to fight against. Especially when Adrian’s true mission endangers the princess she’s swore to protect.

 

My review:

The baby Elven Princess Ameria has a new caretaker this month. Half demon half mage Demi Mephisto was raised to be a demon hunter and though she’s taken her mother’s slot as a member of The Nightshade Guild she spends most of her time hunting demons. Babysitting Ameria is going to put a serious cramp in that pastime. Demi may be the mage least qualified to take care of Ameria. Thankfully the princess seems to understand and gives her some slack and some help in the form of Demis ex. This is a sweet and scary addition to the series. I was flipping pages to see how they would get through the obstacles thrown in their way. I enjoyed every page.

 

Buy link:

Amazon

Crazed Reckoning, a Nick Spinelli Mystery (Nick Spinelli #3) by Valerie J. Clarizio

 

 

Blurb:

After experiencing a murderous Christmas and Valentine's Day with love interest Shannon O'Hara, Detective Nick Spinelli assumed Saint Patrick's Day couldn't be any worse.

He was wrong.

While out on a geocaching adventure in Door County, Shannon and her friend Anna find more than a clue in the cache box. When Shannon disappears, Spinelli is sent racing to find her. Amidst the chaos of an unruly Irish celebration, and a decades-old Irish family feud, he must rescue her from the hands of a madman.

 

My review:

You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone. Nick Spinelli finds that out the hard way when Shannon O'Hara and her gal pal Anna go missing from their geocaching vacation. You’d think that after two close shaves he woulda put a ring on it but not our Nick. Now he may never get the chance. 

This is a rocking mystery with more twists and turns than a Rube Goldberg contraption. This will have you flipping pages faster than an indy racecar and will put a smile on your face.

 

Buy links:

Amazon

B&N

 

Chosen by the Devil (Unruly Gods #2) by Milly Taiden and Kala Aster

 

 

Blurb:

When three gods escaped Olympus, they had no idea how much trouble would come from it.

Daphne is more comfortable with research than magic. The youngest Fate guarding the Gates of Crossing came into her powers late and the only way she can compete with the others is through knowledge. Is it any wonder why she’d fall for the thoughtful and intellectual Hades? Too bad that retreating into her scrolls isn’t helping to snuff out the desires raging inside her for the god.

Hades is desperate to resist his new and unsettling feelings toward the quietest Fate, especially when they’re thrown together on a journey to uncover new information. The bookish Fate is a glowing light in his otherwise dark existence, and he sees that there is more to the raven-haired beauty than she knows. He’s determined to help her harness the full potential of her powers… though he’s losing his heart to her in the process.

When they learn that Zeus has declared the unruly gods and their accomplice Fates as enemies—with their punishment being death—the gods and Fates must band together to come up with a plan. Can Daphne and Hades survive the wrath of the most powerful god? Or will their love be extinguished before it even begins?

 

My review:

This book is part of a trilogy that will work better if you’ve read Marked by War (Unruly Gods #1). This book features Hades and Daphne. I really loved watching book smart; shy, virginal Daphne come into her own. She absolutely takes names and kicks tail. Hades may be the god of the underworld buy he is bowled over by this bright Fate. I think that Daphne may be my favorite Fate.

 

Buy link:

Amazon