#Book #Review ~ Blood Rite (Ivy Granger, Psychic Detective, Book #6) by E.J. Stevens ~ Urban Fantasy #UF @EJStevensAuthor

Book Details:

Print Length: 218 pages
Publisher: Sacred Oaks Press
Publication Date: September 3, 2019
ASIN: B07VFL3V89

Purchase Link: Amazon

About the Book:

Ivy Granger psychic detective takes on a simple grave robbing case, but in Harborsmouth nothing is ever simple when dealing with the dead.

Grave robbing is Harborsmouth’s second best-kept secret. The first is the existence of supernatural creatures that live alongside the city’s humans. In fact, the dirtiest little secret of all might be the truth behind most of those empty graves.

Most supernaturals eke out a pretty mundane existence. Nobody wants a return to the Burning Times. Well, nobody sane.

The creature that was stealing the more odoriferous of Harborsmouth’s citizens from their graves had to be crazy. Sir Gaius, ruler of the local vamps, owned the harvesting rights to every corpse buried within the city limits. No one touched the vampire master of the city’s property without permission and lived to scream about it—until now.

Warning: This book features necromancy, grave robbing, an abandoned amusement park, and zombie clowns.

My Review:

Blood Rite is another action-packed installment of the Ivy Granger series. Again, E.J. weaves her literary magic and creates an amazing addition to Ivy Granger's world. Each story in the series is well developed and pulls the reader in from the very beginning. Blood Rite is very suspenseful and rich in emotion and visual creativity. I truly feel the emotions that swirl within each character in the book.

The author continues to write Ivy in such a way that she is still brand new; never becoming stagnant, dull, or predictable. She continues to kick butt in the name of protecting her family, friends, and townsfolk. Ivy does all of this while maintaining safe distances since she has the ability of touching objects or people and being able to discern history of said objects/people. Her relationship with Ceff is very strong and continues to build.

I have enjoyed the world of Ivy Granger since Book 1. The series is easy to read, understand, and follow.  The good guys and gals are likable and you definitely find yourself rooting for them. The baddies are also well written and sometimes give the reader the shivers ~ which means the author did her job! :)

Please make sure to read the books in order since the world and character building, plotlines, subjects, and themes build off of the previous books.

I was given a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

#Book #Review ~ His to Defend (NOLA Knights, Book 1) by Rhenna Morgan ~ #RomanticSuspense #Mafia @RhennaMorgan

His to Defend

NOLA Knights, Book 1

Rhenna Morgan

Print Length: 384 pages

Publisher: Carina Press

Publication Date: October 14, 2019

ASIN: B07S6GGMRT

Amazon: https://amzn.to/37a5tMb

About the Book:

His world. His rules. Her love.

Though his methods may be rough, when it comes to protecting what’s his, Russian vor Sergei Petrovyh’s heart is always in the right place. That’s never been more true than when the gorgeous Evette Labadie asks him for a job. He knows enough to keep his hands off someone as beloved by the locals as Evie, but there’s something about her that calls to him—no matter how badly he burns to make her his.

Don’t think Evie hasn’t noticed the powerful Russian mafia boss who makes her favorite diner a regular stop. How can she not? He’s as hot as his reputation is dangerous. But everyone in her struggling New Orleans neighborhood knows he’s the man to turn to. And right now she needs money to get her son out of trouble.

Her other needs—needs she knows damn well Sergei can more than satisfy—will have to wait.

Evie soon finds herself playing Cinderella to a man who, despite what people believe, is definitely more prince than villain. She can’t help falling deeper in love with each passing day. But when a turf war between Sergei and a rival brings violence to her doorstep, Evie must come to grips with loving a man who will do anything to defend her…or walk away from her best chance at a happily-ever-after of her very own.

I absolutely loved Sergei’s book. His to Defend does not hide who Sergei is, what he does, or the life he leads. He’s a mafia boss, plain and simple. His methods and actions are not always legal and he’s known to be dangerous. Evette (Evie) is a wonderful character, a loving mother, and a local beloved resident. When she looks to him for a job, Evie doesn’t understand just how much her life is going to change. Evie enters a world she knows nothing about. Neither character expected the sparks to fly, but they do. When Sergei’s world collides with that of Evie and her son, Sergei will do anything and everything to keep them safe. Evie now must make the choice to let Sergei defend her or to walk away from the one and only man who cherishes and loves her.

The author constructed a very strong, sassy, and loving heroine in Evie. She has dealt with a lot over the years and is a single mother. The only family she has is a sleazy uncle she despises. She wants nothing more than to make sure Emerson is taken care of properly and desperate times call for desperate measures. She approaches Sergei Petrovyh for help and gets more than she bargained for, including uprooting her life and a wonderful romance – but also danger.

Things aren’t always easy with Sergei but he never once treats Evie or Emerson with anything less than respect and kindness. I enjoyed the chemistry between Sergei and Evie, the slow dance, the crescendo, the heat. The author writes incredible romantic suspense stories. The plot was smooth and the story was perfectly paced. I was never bored or overwhelmed with details. The dialogue between characters is realistic and conversational and I felt like I was there with them in the story. The events and storylines were well thought out and eventually they all came together in an explosive twist at the end. Be prepared to get lost in His to Defend.

I was provided a copy of this book to review.

My Rating:

#Book #Review ~ Escape You (Cole Brothers, #3) by Diana A. Hicks ~ Adult, Contemporary, Romance @diana_hicks @XpressoTours

Escape You
Cole Brothers, #3
Diana A. Hicks

Publication date: January 13th 2020

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Add to Goodreads

Purchase from Amazon

About the Book:

One night changes everything…

ATF agent Tyler Cole finally gets the break he’s been waiting for— a big NYC mob case. He just never expected for things to get this complicated.

Before he went undercover he spends an unforgettable night with a mysterious woman.

When they meet again, she’s his prime suspect, pregnant with his baby and about to be married.

Tyler should be trying to put Mia and her crew behind bars— but his desire is blurring the lines between right and wrong.

Mafia boss Mia Torelli learned the hard way that things aren’t always what they seem. She never planned on having a one night stand… with the enemy.

No names. No rules. No regrets.

Her passion filled night with a stranger raised the stakes in a very dangerous game.

Determined to make sure her Family survives the devastating loss of their boss, she must prove herself when she steps up as the new leader.

Mia must protect her secret at all costs, but an underground faction has other plans for her… and Tyler.

Note: This is a steamy romance with explicit sensual scenes, happily ever after, no cheating, and no cliffhanger. Can be read as a standalone.

Engage You is the third book in the Cole Brothers series by Diana A. Hicks. The Cole brother in this book is Tyler. He's ATF all the way and after a frustrating meeting with the FBI about what happened in Venezuela, he goes to a local bar to blow off some steam. He wasn't expecting to fall into the arms of a gorgeous mystery woman who does delicious things to and with his body. Promising never to contact one another again, Tyler's chance encounter finds her on the opposite of the law and carrying his baby.

Mia is ascending the throne of her mafia Family after the death of their leader. Some of her crew doubt her abilities and there may even be a snitch or two. When a known crime boss infiltrates her Family and forces her to marry his grandson, all bets are off. She needs to prevent the union and get rid of the rival. Life sure has a way of careening off-course and into uncharted territory.

Engage You is full of twists and turns, double-crosses, misunderstandings, and one steamy, forbidden romance between two enemies. I enjoyed the cat-and-mouse game the author threaded throughout the book. The characters are realistic and imperfect. They are strong, heroic, and noble. They make mistakes, bad judgement calls, and put themselves in danger. Best of all, though, they love hard and true. The chemistry between Mia and Tyler is unmistakable. The sparks sizzle off of their skin every time they are together, whether right next to each other or across the room.

I was engaged in the story long before I began reading chapter one, since the synopsis in the book intrigued me. The author's writing style and subject matter had me devouring each of her books in this series. The book flows along perfectly paced and had a wonderful plot, side stories, and secondary characters.

I was provided a copy of this book to review.

My Rating:

#Book #Review ~ Tandem Demise (The Cycle Path Mysteries, Book #3) by Duffy Brown @DuffyBrownCozy #CozyMystery

Book Details:

Print Length: 298 pages

Publication Date: October 27, 2018

ASIN: B07JRB373X

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/42513931-tandem-demise

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QJFBRl

About the Book:

Smugglers on the hunt, a police chief on the run, lost loot and a dead wedding planner have the Mackinac Island regulars riding in circles

After solving two murders, bike shop owner Evie Bloomfield thought life on Mackinac Island would settle into boredom until she finds out Nate Sutter, island police chief and once-upon-a-time under cover cop is on the run. Some badass guys from Nate’s Detroit days think he stole money from them in a champagne smuggling operation and now they’re headed to the island to get their loot. Evie is determined to help Nate because he’s a good cop, Nate is determined to keep interfering Evie and island locals out of harms way, and the crooks are determined to get their money.

To add to the island’s problems there’s a dead guy on the dock and the new wedding planner is more interested in playing bedroom bingo than ordering bridal bouquets.

With the help of Fiona, Evie’s BFF and local newspaper editor, Evie is determined to prove Nate innocent, figure out how champagne smuggling, bodies on the dock and a bad wedding planner are tied together and not wind up taking a long walk off a short pier herself.

Tandem Demise is book 3 in Duffy Brown's Cycle Path Mysteries. In this book, Nate Sutter's past come calling. Currently Mackinac Island's police chief, Nate was formerly an undercover cop in the Detroit area. It would appear that some thugs think Nate stole something from them and they are now on their way to the island to collect. Evie wants to help Nate, of course but he wants her out of harm's way. Adding to the discord, Evie finds a body by the dock and a wedding planner who's less than honorable. 

I love the characters in this series. Evie is a very likable character. Even though she comes from a stuffy family of lawyers, Evie is pretty down-to-earth. She's friendly, helpful, and you can tell that she truly loves the people around her and the crazy lifestyle on the island. I adore Evie and Nate and love their chemistry. Fiona is a great side kick to Evie during all of the escapes. She's funny and manages to sidestep the law while she and Evie try to figure out what's going on. 

From one of my favorite cozy mystery authors, Duffy Brown, comes another excellent cozy mystery set in my home state of Michigan. Geared for the Grave takes place on Mackinac Island. Make sure to Google Mackinac Island -you'll notice that many of the business names used in the book really do exist on the island.

I highly recommend this series.

My Rating:

#Book #Review ~ Glass Half Full (Barflies #2) by Katia Rose ~ #Contemporary #Romance @KatiaRoseAuthor

Book Details:

Print Length: 315 pages
Publication Date: January 8, 2020
ASIN: B082NY26DY

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3admUgK

About the Book:

You win some, you lose some.

Back at home with half a college degree after the fiasco of the century sent her packing, it’s safe to say that Renee Nyobé is losing some. She’s a hot mess, and not the cute kind. No, if hot messes had categories, hers would be ‘littering the stairs of the metro station with your sweaty underwear because you were too busy rushing to the job interview you’re already late for to zip up your yoga bag.’

A job—any job—is just what she needs to get her life back on track, and it might as well be at Montreal’s most famous dive bar, Taverne Toulouse.

Dylan Trottard is winning some. As Taverne Toulouse’s new manager, he’s got one rule for himself: don’t screw up. Following that rule gets a lot harder when the woman he’s spent the past three years trying to forget starts working behind the bar.

They were never supposed to want each other, and they sure as hell aren’t supposed to want each other now. She’s the girl that got away before he even had her, and he’s the guy she didn’t think would ever give her a second glance.

Now they can’t keep their eyes off one another, and the stakes are even higher than before. There’s a lot to lose, but as the pull between them gets harder and harder to ignore, Renee and Dylan start asking how much winning is worth.

Glass Half Full is the second book in Katia Rose's Barflies series. A standalone book, we still get glimpses of characters from book 1. Dylan is now manager of the newly remodeled Taverne Toulouse, a Montreal dive bar. He is doing the best he can but finds that his past is always interrupting his present. This is especially the case when Renee Nyobé comes looking for a job at the bar. 

Renee Nyobé is just starting to get her life back in order after a trip abroad to attend school ended badly. To assist in the process, Renee has finally reached a point where she feels obtaining employment will help. She walks into a dive bar in Montreal for an interview and comes face-to-face with the guy who stole her heart a few years ago. 

The don't want to want each other but as the days pass, both Renee and Dylan realize that the pull between them is so much more than superficial. They realize how important the other was before and increasingly more now. Starting a relationship is risky for many reasons and when the bad part of Dylan's past rears its ugly head, Dylan may just decide to end everything before it's even had a chance to begin.

This book is so emotional. I teared up in several places. As a person who suffers from anxiety (but not to the degree of Renee's character), I empathized and sympathized with the feelings, thoughts, and mannerisms that go along with anxiety. I also felt Dylan's pain as he tried to come to terms with his past and how he felt like he wasn't good enough for Renee. 

The author did such an excellent job with descriptions and emotions in this book. I enjoyed the smooth, descriptive narrative. Glass Half Full is written with true feelings and real emotion. I loved Dylan and Renee's story as much as Monroe and Julien's from book 1. There is a lot of very important self-discovery for both Renee and Dylan separately and together. Glass Half Full is a must read for lovers of contemporary romances.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

#Book #Review ~ The Bar Next Door (Barflies #1) by Katia Rose ~ #Contemporary #Romance @KatiaRoseAuthor

Book Details:

Print Length: 303 pages
Publication Date: August 22, 2019
ASIN: B07WL8B4VL

Amazon: https://amzn.to/387Oqu8

About the Book:

Sometimes you take the shot, and sometimes the shot takes you.

As the manager of Montreal’s most infamous dive bar, Monroe—and it’s just Monroe, thank you very much—is used to serving up her signature pearls of wisdom alongside an array of shots, pints, and pitchers. In fact, she thrives on it. Taverne Toulouse is a mighty ship, and she its fearless captain, trusted by patrons and bar staff alike to steer them through choppy waters.

If only she’d been given a little warning before a full-on tsunami swept in next door.

Julien Valois’ wining and dining empire is making waves. The next item on his agenda is opening a trendy lounge right next to Monroe’s beloved Taverne Toulouse—one that’s meant to run the dive bar out of business so he can buy up that property too.

His plans did not include falling for a five-foot-nothing brunette with an impressive vocabulary and an even more impressive ability to manhandle drunk frat boys twice her size.

They’re rivals in every sense of the word, but when Monroe and Julien are in a room together, the battle lines fade away. Their defenses lower, their hearts get louder than their heads, and the burn between them goes down like just the right shot—intense, intoxicating, and able to sweep their priorities away with a single taste.

Until reality decides to slap up a big ‘For Sale’ sign and force them remember those priorities all too clearly.

The Bar Next Door is a terrific first book in Katia Rose's Barflies series. Monroe is the manager of Taverne Toulouse, a dive bar in Montreal. Not in the greatest area, Taverne Toulouse has seen a descent in customers. Things go from bad to worse when Monroe discovers the space next door has been purchased and ultimately will be turned into a wine bar sure to bring customers but not to Taverne Toulouse. In fact, Monroe fears the customers she does have will choose the nice, new trendy bar over the dingy, dark dive bar. Things become more complicated when she meets new the proprietor.

Monroe is a strong female character who lives and breathes Taverne Toulouse and all the employees. She doesn't want to see the bar closed or sold, which would leave all of her employees jobless. As the time frame shortens between now and when the new bar will open, Monroe devises several plans to keep the bar open and out of the hands of the competition. Falling for the competition was never part of the plan.

Julien Valois is a successful young entrepreneur. He owns several restaurants and bars in the area and plans to add his trendy wine lounge to his list of successes. Julien's plan involves outright buying out the dive bar next door or biding his time and running the place out of business. Plans change when the manager of the dive bar wiggles her way into his heart. As he thinks over the importance of Taverne Toulouse to Monroe, an opportunity arises and his jumping for it may just change the courses of his and Monroe's lives forever.

The author did such an excellent job with descriptions and emotions in this book. I enjoyed the smooth, descriptive narrative. The Bar Next Door is written with feelings and real emotion. I loved Monroe and Julien's story. There is a lot of self-discovery for both Monroe and Julien separately and together. They may be competitors at first but they meld into each other as the book progresses. The Bar Next Door is a must read for lovers of contemporary romances.

This is the first book I've read by Katia Rose and it certainly will not be the last...Not by a long shot.

I was provided a copy of this book to review.

My Rating:

Happy Release Day Review ~ Wolf Gone Wild (Stay A Spell, Book #1) by Juliette Cross ~ #PNR #Shifter #Witch @Juliette__Cross

Book Information:

• 
  Print Length: 376 pages
  Publisher: Juliette Cross
  Publication Date: January 14, 2020
  ASIN: B083H41JPW
  
  Amazon: https://amzn.to/30hSLbl

*Also available for FREE on Kindle Unlimited

Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44167691-wolf-gone-wild

Read the First 3 Chapters Here: https://www.juliettecross.com/single-post/2020/01/04/Wolf-Gone-Wild-First-3-Chapters

About the Book:

What's the worst thing that can happen to a werewolf? Unable to shift for three months, Mateo Cruz knows all too well. His wolf has taken up residence in his head, taunting him night and day with vividly violent and carnal thoughts. Convinced he's cursed, he needs the help of a powerful witch before he literally goes insane.

​Evie Savoie has always obeyed the house rules of her coven--no werewolves. They're known for being moody and volatile. So, when a distempered, dangerous werewolf strolls into the bar and almost strangles one of her late-night customers, she's ready to bounce him through the door. But the desperation in his eyes when he begs her to help him softens her heart and convinces her to bend the rules.

​What Evie doesn't know is that Mateo's wolf has a mind of his own. And now that she's in his sights, he wants only one thing. Her.

Wolf Gone Wild is the first book in a brand new series by Juliette Cross. The book stars the Savoie sisters, witches in New Orleans. Of course, with Juliette being one of my favorite authors, there was no doubt that I would devour Wolf Gone Wild!

I absolutely loved Wolf Gone Wild! Mateo Cruz is a werewolf who's unable to shift and Evie Savoie is a witch who isn't supposed to help him. Yet, here they are, growing closer everyday as Evie and her sisters try and figure out exactly what happened to Mateo three months ago. The path to releasing Mateo's wolf is wrought with conundrums, impossibilities, twists and turns, and vexing revelations.

The budding romance is a slow-burn but not so slow you wonder if we'll ever get there. The author did a spectacular job with Evie and Mateo. His inner wolf was naughty but he knew he wanted Evie from the start; he just needed to convince Mateo. Evie was a bit harder to convince but only because she belonged to a coven that had strict rules against fraternizing with werewolves. Well, I'm a firm believer that you can't help who you love. Denying Evie a chance at love just because of what Mateo is would have done more harm than good. 

I love Juliette Cross’s writing style and the way she tells stories. Her ability to create paranormal stories with romance, action and a solid plot is what keeps me coming back. I can't wait for the next book in the series - or any book from Juliette Cross.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

Book Review ~ Night's Reckoning (Elemental Legacy Novels, Book 3) by Elizabeth Hunter ~ #Paranormal #Mystery @EHunterWrites

About the Book:

For over a thousand years, the legendary sword Laylat al Hisab—the Night’s Reckoning—has been lost in the waters of the East China Sea. Forged as a peace offering between two ancient vampires, the sword has eluded treasure hunters, human and immortal alike.

But in time, even the deep gives up its secrets.

When Tenzin’s sire hears about the ninth century shipwreck found off the coast of southern China, Zhang Guo realizes he’ll need the help of an upstart pirate from Shanghai to retrieve it. And since that pirate has no desire to be in the middle of an ancient war, Cheng calls the only allies who might be able to help him avoid it.

Unfortunately, Tenzin is on one side of the globe and Ben is on the other.

Tenzin knows she’ll need Ben’s keen mind and political skills to complete the job. She also knows gaining Ben’s cooperation won’t be an easy task. She’ll have to drag him back into the darkness he’s been avoiding.

Whether Ben knows it or not, his fate is balanced on the edge of a thousand-year-old blade, and one stumble could break everything Tenzin has worked toward.

Night’s Reckoning is the third novel in the Elemental Legacy series, a paranormal mystery by Elizabeth Hunter, USA Today bestselling author of the Elemental Mysteries.

My Review:

I am a huge fan of Elizabeth Hunter’s Elemental Mysteries and Elemental Legacy books. Ben and Tenzin have always had a solid spot at the top of my favorite characters from these series’ list (along with B and Gio and Carwyn). Each book provides an emotional journey and Night’s Reckoning takes the reader on an epic wave of feelings. I cried during a certain extremely stressful and emotional scene upon realization the path to this event was not paved the way I expected. 

Night's Reckoning is another fantastic book by Elizabeth Hunter. The book was exciting, frustrating, and awesome. I was engaged in the book from the very beginning. I have been excited to read the book for a few weeks when the cover and book teasers were revealed. 

This novel continues the world building, character introduction & development, and back story (as deemed necessary) for the Elemental Mysteries/Legacy novels. All of Elizabeth's novels reach deep within my emotional center and manage to trigger reactionary responses. These types of books are my favorite. The emotions don't have to always include tears; it is just the ability to invoke proper emotional responses to scenarios being played out.

Everything about Night's Reckoning is fantastic. The novel is interesting and draws the reader in from the start. The writing is fluid and cohesive, never becoming wordy or confusing. The pacing of the story is excellent and isn't too fast, slow, or boring. The main and supporting characters are well written, developed at the proper speeds, and likable.

I highly recommend anything and everything from Elizabeth Hunter.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

Book Details:

Print Length: 368 pages

Publisher: Recurve Press, LLC (November 26, 2019)

Publication Date: November 26, 2019

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2TfywtF

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2piTXwR