Book Review ~ Thrall (Supernaturals of Las Vegas, Book One) by Carrie Harris ~ @carrharr #PNR @RoxanneRhoads

Undeniable attraction. Blood magic. Vampire politics. Murder...Just another day in Las Vegas.

Thrall
Supernaturals of Las Vegas
Book One
Carrie Harris

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Inked Entertainment

Date of Publication: 3/7/2020

ASIN: B084RGTXNF

Number of pages: 234
Word Count: 52,000

Cover Artist: Inked Entertainment

Amazon

About the Book:

Liss Lorensson is a thrall–born to be a servant of the vampire crown prince.

Gregor Valdemar is a vampire prince who chafes under the strict rule of his sire and longs for a different life.

When the two finally meet on Liss’s 21st birthday, sparks fly. But blood magic, murder, and political intrigue stand in the way of their growing romance. Vampire seduction meets the power of the blood in this first volume of the Supernaturals of Las Vegas series.

My Review:

Thrall is a paranormal romance involving the crown prince vampire and his newest thrall. Liss is the 21-year-old daughter of Gregor's family of thralls. The book begins with her making her court debut. When Liss enters the room the air shifts between her and Gregor. Their chemistry is amazing and electric. I enjoyed their interactions. What follows is a chain of events that lead to changes in power, reveals in magical abilities, treachery, and just maybe, love. 

I enjoyed Thrall. The characters were interesting and written well. I enjoyed their development throughout the story. The world-building allowed me to imagine the scenery and feel the emotions of each character. The only issues I had were the abrupt changes in the scenes and the continued miscommunication between Liss and Gregor. I had to re-read several sections because the thoughts changed to abruptly that I thought I missed something. When addressing the nobles and the rest of the court, Gregor made some announcements that affected Liss but he didn't discuss them with her first. So, now we have a 21 year-old thrall trying to pick the announcements all apart and figure out what is real and what is fake. 

The story might be over 200 pages, however, the book reads quickly. I enjoyed the characters, story, scenes, and writing of the author. The book quickly fills with suspense, and I was on the edge of my seat during certain situations. If you're looking for a book filled with vampires, politics, suspense, and romance, grab your copy of Thrall.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating: 

Book Review ~ Unleash You (Cole Brothers #4) by Diana A. Hicks ~ @diana_hicks ~ Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Unleash You
Cole Brothers, Book #4
Diana A. Hicks

Publication date: March 11th 2020

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

About the Book:

Eight years is a long time gone…

After graduation, artist Anabelle Copenhaver returns home to find that the only family member she has left is missing in action.

With her brother gone, his infuriatingly handsome best friend, Wesley, is now responsible for her family’s estate. Anabelle doesn’t need a babysitter, especially not her childhood crush—the first guy she ever loved.

Former marine Wesley Cole lives by his word. He promised to protect Anabelle and that’s exactly what he intends to do. His biggest challenge will be to keep his hands off the blue-eyed beauty who has a way of setting his soul on fire.

Anabelle is resourceful and determined to bring her brother home, but how can she when Wesley blocks every turn, messing with her plans and her heart?

My Review:

Unleash You is another wonderful book in the Cole Brothers series by Diana A. Hicks. Years after leaving her home, Anabelle Copenhaver comes finally returns. The place has caused such heartache and just when she thought things couldn't get any worse, there isn't anyone to greet her because her only living relative is missing. The absence of Ana's brother, Charlie, is exacerbated by the fact that Wesley Cole, the son of her family home's neighbors, is now in full control of Ana's estate until she turns 25. She doesn't need a babysitter, especially not the Cole brother has has always held a soft spot in her heart.

Wesley Cole feels guilty for the men he had to leave behind in a failed mission in Venezuela. He's been searching for Charlie since that fateful day but Charlie manages to keep evading Wesley's attempts. When Anabelle returns to their family home to discover Charlie missing, Wesley will do anything and everything to keep her safe. Except, safe is not what Ana cares about right now. She wants to infiltrate the harsh jungle of Venezuela to bring her brother home.

Unleash You is full of twists and turns, double-crosses, heartaches, and danger. The relationship between Charlie and Ana crumbled back when Ana was barely a teenager and she's tried so hard to put her life back together. She knows her brother changed eight years ago and felt that if he could just see her and let her explain that they could rekindle to relationship they used to have. Only, Charlie isn't the brother she used to know and trying to rescue him may cost Ana her life.

The author injects so much emotion into her Cole Brothers stories. I felt Anabelle's frustrations and her sense of loss. I felt her lack of confidence yet powerful yearning in regards to Wesley. The magic is there between the Ana and Wesley and the author unraveled their issues layer-by-layer. I was engaged in the story and couldn't put it down. The book is full of heart-pounding danger, along with the realization that some people just aren't who you thought they were and others are better than you could ever imagine.

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 Ana and Wesley is unmistakable. The sparks sizzle off of their skin every time they are together, whether right next to each other, or across the room. The book flows along perfectly paced, had a wonderful plot, side stories, and secondary characters. I could not put Unleash You down.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:



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Book #Review ~ Devil In Disguise (The Lily Harper Series, Book 7) by H.P. Mallory ~ #Fantasy #Romance ~ @HPMallory

Book Details:

Print Length: 218 pages
Publication Date: February 23, 2020
ASIN: B0852YNL2M

Amazon

About the Book:

When Lily finds herself reunited with Tallis and Bill after her last harrowing escape from The Underground City, she'd like to think things are finally getting back to normal.

But, things are far from getting back to normal. And in this episode of the Lily Harper Series, Lily will find herself:

... in danger of being sent to Shade for one hundred years
... still the subject of Alaire's fascination and now he's more determined than ever before to make her yield to his entreaties
... returned to the Underground City, and more pointedly the seventh circle, where she'll have to survive amidst the battling Blood Plains
... and last, but not least, there's a new character in town--the Minotaur who just happens to spark something within Lily she doesn't understand.

My Review:

Lily has finally made it back from the Underground City and reunited with both Tallis and Bill. Just when they thought there was order in their world, the trio is thrust back into the Underground City. They are specifically sent to the seventh circle, finding themselves seeking out a Minotaur and attempting to cross the Blood Plains during a never-ending battle. Alistair is still up to his tricks and his obsession with Lily continues to increase.

Lily is a strong character, rolling with the hand she's been dealt. Her ability to stay level-headed while attempting to find her way through the seventh circle and during her not-so-pleasant reunion with Alaire, shows the excellence of her character. Tallis has a soothing effect on her, especially when her interactions with Alaire become quite personal. Tallis is a broody Scotsman but his feelings for Lily are quite evident. Bill, Lily’s foul-mouthed guardian angel, is a hoot. His mishmash of the English language had me laughing out loud and shaking my head.

While this is book 7 in the Lily Harper series, this is only the second book I've had a chance to read. I enjoyed the story very much and will eventually start reading the series from the beginning. Despite only reading one previous book, I was able to move through the pages and most of the book fell into place. The author does a wonderful job providing some details from previous events to aid in keeping the reader abreast with the story.

I was provided a copy of this book to review.

My Rating:

Book #Review ~ Hidden Truth (Stealth, Book #1) by Danica Winters ~ @DanicaWinters ~ #RomanticSuspense

Book Details:

Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue; Original edition

Publish Date: November 19, 2019
ISBN-10: 1335604804
ISBN-13: 978-1335604804

Amazon

About the Book:

Wary of each other’s secrets

Neither knows the other is undercover.

Rancher Trevor Martin has as many dangerous secrets as his housekeeper, Sabrina Parker. She’s undercover FBI, investigating whether Trevor is a gunrunning terrorist. She doesn’t know he’s CIA. But living under the same roof and in close proximity becomes a liability. Trust is uncertain, but attraction is undeniable. When they become embroiled in a series of grisly murders, will their secrets cost them their lives in the end?

My Review:

I love the premise of this book - both the hero and heroine are undercover for two different government agencies. Trevor Martin is CIA and Sabrina Parker is FBI. Sabrina is investigating the Martin family's involvement in illegal arms dealing. Trevor is laying low...for now. When Trevor and Sabrina meet and must live in the same house; Trevor as a rancher and Sabrina as their housekeeper, sparks fly. Early on, the duo become involved in a murder of some squatters, and as their investigation  continues, the danger for both of them escalates. 

The author has a masterpiece with Hidden Truth. I enjoyed the characters and how the author developed them. Trevor and Sabrina have secrets and a sheer mistrust of strangers, yet they managed to come together, professionally and romantically. The world building was impeccable and I was able to visualize the story in my mind and feel the emotions of the characters. I was completely engaged in Trevor and Sabrina's story.

The entire book was excellent but my favorite part of Hidden Truth involves the cat-and-mouse game. The author includes so many twists and turns involving Trevor, Sabrina, the squatters, and other factors in the story. The huge twist at the end was a complete shocker I did not see coming. Well done, Danica Winters, well done!!!

My Rating:

#Book Review ~ Never Date A Vampire (Beware of Vampires, Book One) by Marilyn Vix ~ #PNR ~ @MarilynVix

What happens in Vegas is supposed to stay there. But date a vampire, and you may never leave. Cass finds herself in a mess. Can a vampire save her?

Never Date A Vampire
Beware of Vampires
Book One
Marilyn Vix

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Shadowcat Publishing

Date of Publication: Oct. 22, 2019

ISBN: 9781393015406
ASIN: B07ZHQHLNP

Word Count: 20K

Cover Artist: Melody Simmons of eBookindiecovers

Watch the Book Trailer:

https://youtu.be/yhkIV_DEfV4

Purchase Links:

Amazon Kobo Apple

About the Book:

A trip to Las Vegas can be the most fun of your life.

But what if you know witches? Warlocks?

What other creatures could there be in the Las Vegas paranormal underground?

Cassandra Sanders has witnessed a messy witch divorce. Things have blown apart behind her as her friends fought with a warlock. She rides to the Stratosphere with her witch and warlock friends thinking that the worst is behind her. Throw in an Elvis impersonator, and you already have a good time ahead. But she wonders, what about her? She’s all-alone in Las Vegas. What could go wrong if she played some blackjack?

The meeting of a mysterious stranger doesn’t alarm Cass. After a casual drink, she seems to start to lose her will. Is she losing her mind? Drawn to him, she knows that maybe, this was too good to be true. He was too perfect. But in the world of the paranormal underground, where witches and warlocks played, what else should she be afraid of? Will she find out when she reaches his hotel room?

My Review:

Cassandra is in Vegas with freshly divorced and newly married friends who happen to be a witch and a warlock. Part of the trip involves a pretty irate warlock who is destroying everything in sight. To escape his wrath, they head to the Stratosphere. To relax and get past the previous goings-on the group heads to the casino for some drinking and gambling. Cass meets a strikingly handsome man and the next thing she knows she's moving under someone else's volition, because she's certainly not the one in control. As the night progresses, Cass's life will forever change and "what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas" will ring true.

Never Date a Vampire is a paranormal story about Las Vegas's night life and the creatures within. The story was written well with a succinct storyline. I would have liked a little more about the battle between the warlocks at the beginning of the book but otherwise the story was great. I enjoyed Cass's character and really felt her joy, unease, and awe. Her friends meant well but the lack of preparation and permission brought calamity to Cass's door which may mean the end of her life. 

I enjoyed the book, the characters and the timeline of Cass's life. It will be interesting to see how Cass develops and what happens in future books.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

#Book #Review ~ Paws For Murder (The Barking Mad Mysteries) by Scarlett English ~ #Cozy #Mystery

Paws For Murder (The Barking Mad Mysteries) by Scarlett English

Paws For Murder 

The Barking Mad Mysteries, Book 1

Cozy Mystery

Independently Published 

January 5, 2020

Print Length: 163 pages 

Digital ASIN: B083JKWXVZ
Amazon

About the Book:

Welcome to Adlebury where village life can be downright deadly.

Veterinarian Petronella Knight seems to have it all. A job she loves, good friends, and patients who adore her. But when she gets into an argument with dog breeder Gladys Harrington, and she finds the woman dead, she also finds herself accused of murder.

Ella will need all her friends, including the new and very handsome American policeman, and all her sharpest sleuthing skills to figure out who murdered the dog breeder before another dead body pops up.

Paws for Murder contains one enthusiastic amateur detective with a penchant for rescuing animals, a guard duck called George, a large amount of homemade gooseberry wine, and a very confused American who has never met an English village quite like this one.

You’d be Barking Mad to pass this one by.

My Review:

Paws for Murder is the first book in a new series by Scarlett English. A young, local veterinarian is having a difficult time with some of the other locals. She's a capable and competent vet but some villagers refuse to accept her. When one resident, a local Sheepdog breeder, comes to the clinic on a day she thought the original vet worked and discovers it "only" Petronella, she proceeds to verbally assault Ella. Later, when Ella goes to the woman's home to pay for a dog the breeder was going to have put down, Ella finds her dead. Ella then finds herself on the opposite side of the law when a constable accuses her of murder. It's a good thing for Ella that a new American police officer's first day on the job brings him to the scene of the grisly murder. Now, Ella, with help of her friends and the American cop, must try and figure out who would want the woman dead.

Paws for Murder is a wonderfully written cozy mystery. I enjoyed the characters, the character development, and the world building. I was able to connect to Ella, who is friendly, compassionate, and smart. The fact that some characters in this book find her sub-par boggles the mind. The book is fast-paced (but not too fast), never dull or slow. The points-of-view in the book alternate allowing the reader inside the minds or more than one character. Knowing Ella's thoughts and Garrett's thoughts gave the book a nice feel.

If you are looking for an amusing, cute, quick read with lovable characters, a terrific plot, and a story that doesn't give away the suspect, I highly recommend Paws for Murder.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

Death with a Dark Red Rose (A Writer's Apprentice Mystery #5) by Julia Buckley ~ #Book #Review ~ #Cozy #Mystery ~ @BerkleyMystery @juliabucks

Book Details:

Print Length: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: February 25, 2020
Sold by: Penguin Group (USA) LLC
ASIN: B07SSQ1M8N

Amazon

About the Book:

Writer's apprentice Lena London is enjoying life in Blue Lake and being newly engaged, but is soon drawn into the terrifying disappearance of one of her closest friends....

Lena is starting to feel like having it all may actually be possible! She and suspense novelist Camilla Graham are busily plotting their next novel and she's got a brand-new diamond ring on her finger thanks to her fiancé, Sam West. The only blot on her Blue Lake life is a strange new corporation that has come to town called Plastisource. They seem to be intent on gobbling up prime real estate and changing the landscape of Lena's lovely adopted home.

When she and Sam get a call from their good friend (and Blue Lake detective) Doug saying that his girlfriend--and Lena's pal Belinda--isn't answering her phone and missed a date with him, they all head out to her home. The trio is shocked to discover that Belinda's purse and phone are at her house, along with a single red rose on her countertop--but Belinda herself is missing. Has she been abucted? Could the strange new corporation play a role in her disappearance? Lena is determined to find out and rescue her friend because she knows that the truth can be stranger and much more deadly than fiction....

My Review:

The Writer's Apprentice Mystery series just keeps getting better and better with each book. I've read all 5 so far and they are truly amazing. I love Lena's character and her love and affection for everyone around her. Her relationship with Sam has been taken to the next level and they are so cute together. Lena's relationship with her mentor, Camilla, is one of mother/daughter (at least to me) and there is genuine affection between them - and with Camilla's guy, Adam. The introduction of Cliff in a previous book also brings a nice, loving component to Sam's life and, in turn, Lena's. 

The mystery in Death with a Dark Red Rose begins with the abduction of Belinda, a friend and the girlfriend of local detective, Doug. What starts out as a missing person snowballs into a mystery full of missing, and presumed dead, employees of a plastics manufacturer who unceremoniously decides to set up shop in Blue Lake, shady characters, peeping toms, and danger no one saw coming. I was wholly engaged in this book and did not put it down unless I absolutely had to (I'm looking at you, day job!).

The twists, turns, and red herrings kept my mind actively trying to put the pieces together of this mystery. I didn't feel like there were any dull or slow moments as we spent more time with Lena, Sam, Cliff, Belinda, Doug, Allison, John, and of course, Camilla and Adam. It wasn't until almost the very end that I was able to put the pieces together and have the "ah ha" moment right along with the characters.

One of my favorite cozy series', I was a glad to be back in Blue Lake and can't wait to visit again.

I was provided a copy of this book to review.

My Rating: