Guest Reviewer Emily reviews My Commander by Alanea Alder

my commanderTITLE: My Commander
SERIES #: Bewitched and Bewildered #8
CHARACTERS: Eleanor Kimball, Grant Douglas
AUTHOR: Alanea Alder
PUBLICATION DATE: 4/25/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In book one you meet our delicious Alpha Unit leader Aiden McKenzie. When the topic of grandchildren comes up during a weekly sewing circle the matriarchs of the founding families seek out the witch Elder to scry to see if their sons have mates. They are shocked to discover that many of their sons’ mates are out in the world and are human!

Fearing that their future human daughters-in-law will end up dead before being claimed and providing them with grandchildren to spoil, they convince their own mates that something must be done. After gathering all of the warriors together in a fake award ceremony the witch Elder casts a spell to pull the men’s mates to them, whether they want it or not.

Aiden is adamant that he doesn’t need a mate and that they would only get in the way, little does he realize Fate is sending him his mate first! He meets his destined mate Meryn Evans and things go downhill from there. In the first twenty four hours she kicks, screams and knocks her bear shifting mate unconscious. They eventually discover that life before finding each other may have been good, but life afterwards is perfect, even if it involves super soaker battles and accidentally discharging hand grenades.

REVIEW:
Elephant shifter Eleanor Kimball has had enough of her job, she is completely disrespected even when she is on the cutting edge of science. As if a much needed miracle happens, Ellie is asked to go to Noctem Falls where children are falling ill all of the sudden. Ellie had given up finding her mate but it is on first day there that she meets Grant Douglas.

Grant has a past that he keeps closely guarded, he is a quiet man and when he finds out Ellie is his mate he is not sure what to do. Grant wants Ellie but he is used to being alone, can Ellie accept him for who he is?

Another great read in the Bewitched and Bewildered series. Ellie is sweet and so protective of Grant from the beginning. I liked Grant’s back story it was a bit of a surprise. Had all the favorites and one great part of the book about childbirth that had me laughing out loud. Can’t wait for the next book.

Disclaimer:
The following review is my opinion and not a paid review. I received this book free as part of the blog tour.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kimberly reviews New York, Actually by Sarah Morgan

new york actuallyTITLE: New York, Actually
SERIES #: From Manhattan With Love #4
CHARACTERS: Molly & Daniel
AUTHOR: Sarah Morgan
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/30/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Meet Molly
New York’s most famous agony aunt, she considers herself an expert at relationships…as long as they’re other people’s. The only love of her life is her Dalmatian, Valentine.
Meet Daniel
A cynical divorce lawyer, he’s hardwired to think relationships are a bad idea. If you don’t get involved, no-one can get hurt. But then he finds himself borrowing a dog to meet the gorgeous woman he sees running in Central Park every morning…
Molly and Daniel think they know everything there is to know about relationships…until they meet each other that is…

REVIEW:
3.75 Hearts This book is adorable. I loved the dogs in this story and the “owners” that went with them. The story is simple and yet fun. Girl has been hurt and not looking for romance. Boy sees girl and wants to get to meet her and uses his sisters dog to meet her… ok maybe that isn’t one you read every day but it is really cute.

I could actually see this story being made into a made for tv movie. Great beach read as the summer approaches and you need a bit of lighthearted fun romance while on vacation.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kimberly reviews Dying Breath by Heather Graham

dying breathTITLE: Dying Breath
SERIES #: Krewe Of Hunters #21
CHARACTERS: Vickie & Griffin
AUTHOR: Heather Graham
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/30/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Buried alive…

As a teenager, Vickie Preston survived an attack by a serial killer. That was the first time she saw a ghost. Now the city of Boston is being terrorized—someone is kidnapping women and burying them alive, but cruelly leaving a glimmer of hope for the authorities by sending a clue about their location. Vickie is pulled into the investigation when her name is mentioned in one of the notes. And as a historian, she has the knowledge to help uncover the graves the killer known as the Undertaker is choosing. But she also has another, unique lead: the spirit of one of the victims is appearing to her in dreams.

Special Agent Griffin Price is on the case for the Krewe of Hunters, the FBI’s special unit for paranormal investigators. He feels particularly protective of Vickie, since their shared past is connected to the threat that currently surrounds them. With the killer accelerating his plans, time is running out for more victims hidden around the city. Vickie is becoming closer with Griffin, but she’s getting too close to the danger, and every breath could be her last.

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts Another wonderful adventure with the Krewe of Hunters. What I enjoy most about this series is the history that Graham puts into each book. This one is set in Boston. One of my favorite cities that I haven’t been to since I was a kid. And now I just want to jump on a plane and head back for a visit.

The second biggest enjoyment for me is the ghost interaction. Some of the books have more than others and this was one of them. Dylan does quite a bit of visiting and is adorable when he does. Noah (not a ghost) is written so grown up that it is interesting to see the differences in the “brothers”. You will understand that more after reading the story.

And then there is the suspense part of the story. This is #21 in the series and I swear I have read at least 90% of them and have figured out the “who-dun-it” less than a handful of times. Graham has a way of throwing the reader (as least this reader) off the scent of the real person. I can usually tell who it is *not* but not who it is.

The thing about this series if each book can be a stand alone romantic paranormal suspense but I have no idea why someone who is a fan of the genre isn’t already a connoisseur of this series.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kelly reviews The Came Wanda & A Baby Carriage by Dakota Cassidy

TITLE: Then Came Wanda With A Baby Carriage
SERIES #: Accidental #15
CHARACTERS: Sal, Grey and the whole OOPS crew
AUTHOR: Dakota Cassidy
PUBLICATION DATE: May 15, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
There’s almost nothing Wanda Jefferson wants more than a family to call her own, and she’s almost got it all with her husband Heath, a beautiful home in the suburbs, and her soul-satisfying work with her best friends as part of OOPS—a paranormal crisis hotline.

Yet still, there’s a tiny hole in Wanda’s heart she longs to fill with a baby. As she and Heath explore adoption, and finally bring home a beautiful baby boy with the support of their friends and family, everything that can go wrong, does.

First, no one, not even Nina the baby-loving vampire, can soothe the cranky infant. He’s cries constantly, bringing Wanda’s insecurities as a new mother out in full force. Then banshee, Sal Brice and sexy skinwalker, Grey Hamlin show up, and yikes, do they have a tale to tell—one that involves a diabolical plan that threatens Wanda’s newly formed family!

You know what that means, right? Hell hath no fury like the OOPS women on a case!

REVIEW:
Then Came Wanda is a bit shorter than our normal Accidental story but that didn’t stop this story from being another great OOPS adventure. I enjoyed meeting Sal & Grey. Sal being a Banshee and Grey being a skinwalker. I have so many questions! I want to learn more about them both. I hope that we get to see more of them in the future.
It was also great to see the Men of OOPS. We don’t get to see enough of them! It is always fun to see Nina, Marty and Wanda in action!
I am already looking forward to the next Accidental story!!! Mermaids! That is going to be fun!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Ms. Cassidy in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

Kelly reviews Alien Education by Gini Koch

alien edTITLE: Alien Education
SERIES #: Katherine Kitty Kat #14
CHARACTERS: Kitty, Jeff, Christopher, Chuckie, the kids, the animals and the whole A-C/human gang
AUTHOR: Gini Koch
PUBLICATION DATE: May 2, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
As if learning as much as possible about every alien race in the galaxy, fending off the advances both business and personal from a variety of Hollywood types, dealing with the assimilation of various alien races, and navigating the Embassy Daycare kids’ first day of “real” school wasn’t bad enough, President and First Lady Jeff and Kitty Katt-Martini must now deal with new robotic attacks that endanger every alien child on Earth, the resurgence of a bigger, nastier Club 51, and a variety of murders, all while facing the most truly terrifying organization they’ve ever encountered — the school’s Parent-Teacher Association.

REVIEW:
Another wonderful adventure with Kitty and crew! I think my favorite part of this story is Christopher on the ice! Speedy and ice don’t always mix! Awe, but I still love my Christopher. It is always fun to see Kitty in action. She has a way of thinking that at times has me scratching my head. Along with her ability to decipher musically clues makes her pretty much unstoppable.
In Alien Education Kitty has to deal with the PTA!! Yes, she is thrown into battle with the president of the PTA. There is a bake sale involved, a food fight and one very well aimed roll. We have an enemy that tries to bury the hatch and a new enemy show it’s hands. We also get to see how Jamie and baby Charlie are developing. These kids are going to run the universe very very soon!! And we get some Jeff & Kitty time!! Only thing better would be more Christopher!
I can’t wait to see what comes next for Kitty and crew!!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Berkley Publishing Group in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kimberly reviews Natchez Burning by Greg Iles

natchez burningTITLE: Natchez Burning
SERIES #: Penn Cage #4
CHARACTERS: Penn & Cailtlin
AUTHOR: Greg Iles
PUBLICATION DATE: 03/13/14
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Greg Iles comes the first novel in his Natchez Burning trilogy—which also includes The Bone Tree and the upcoming Mississippi Blood—an epic trilogy that interweaves crimes, lies, and secrets past and present in a mesmerizing thriller featuring Southern lawyer and former prosecutor Penn Cage.
Raised in the southern splendor of Natchez, Mississippi, Penn Cage learned all he knows of duty from his father, Dr. Tom Cage. But now the beloved family doctor has been accused of murdering the African American nurse with whom he worked in the dark days of the 1960s. Once a crusading prosecutor, Penn is determined to save his father, but Tom, stubbornly invoking doctor-patient privilege, refuses even to speak in his own defense.
Penn’s quest for the truth sends him deep into his father’s past, where a sexually charged secret lies. More chilling, this long-buried sin is only one thread in a conspiracy of greed and murder involving the vicious Double Eagles, an offshoot of the KKK controlled by some of the most powerful men in the state. Aided by a dedicated reporter privy to Natchez’s oldest secrets and by his fiancée, Caitlin Masters, Penn uncovers a trail of corruption and brutality that places his family squarely in the Double Eagles’ crosshairs.
With every step costing blood and faith, Penn is forced to confront the most wrenching dilemma of his life: Does a man of honor choose his father or the truth?

REVIEW:
I requested this book seeing only the name of the author, who is a author I really enjoy, but after reading the description I realized I had already read this book when it came out. This is the fourth in the series of Penn Cage but a trilogy inside the series.

Penn is an interesting character. But since this is a trilogy inside the series you can pick this up and not be confused about the characters. What I enjoyed was how much Penn wants to protect his father but also he needs to prove the truth to everyone.

If you are a fan of suspense Greg Iles is a great author to turn to. Don’t miss this book.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Kelly reviews Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman

norse mythologyTITLE: Norse Mythology
CHARACTERS: Thor, Odin, Loki and more
AUTHOR: Neil Gaiman
NARRATOR: Neil Gaiman
RUN TIME: Hours & Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: February 7, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Introducing an instant classic—master storyteller Neil Gaiman presents a dazzling version of the great Norse myths.
Neil Gaiman has long been inspired by ancient mythology in creating the fantastical realms of his fiction. Now he turns his attention back to the source, presenting a bravura rendition of the great northern tales. In Norse Mythology, Gaiman fashions primeval stories into a novelistic arc that begins with the genesis of the legendary nine worlds; delves into the exploits of the deities, dwarves, and giants; and culminates in Ragnarok, the twilight of the gods and the rebirth of a new time and people. Gaiman stays true to the myths while vividly reincarnating Odin, the highest of the high, wise, daring, and cunning; Thor, Odin’s son, incredibly strong yet not the wisest of gods; and Loki, the son of giants, a trickster and unsurpassable manipulator. From Gaiman’s deft and witty prose emerges the gods with their fiercely competitive natures, their susceptibility to being duped and to dupe others, and their tendency to let passion ignite their actions, making these long-ago myths breathe pungent life again.

REVIEW:
This was a wonderful read (or listen in my case). Mr. Gaiman’s take on the Norse Mythology was great! His narrating was wonderful too! I enjoyed learning more about Thor, Loki and Odin.
I would love to see him write us more stories from the Norse in this format. It was great to get a few of the untold stories. I would love love love to see him write something with the Morrigan (I just love her!!).

Disclaimer:
I purchased this book from audible.com and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kelly reviews Say You’re Sorry by Melinda Leigh

say youre sorryTITLE: Say You’re Sorry
SERIES #: Morgan Dane #1
CHARACTERS: Morgan Dane & Lance Kruger
AUTHOR: Melinda Leigh
PUBLICATION DATE: May 16, 2017
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
In a new series from Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melinda Leigh, former prosecutor Morgan Dane faces the most personal—and deadly—case of her lifetime.

After the devastating loss of her husband in Iraq, Morgan Dane returns to Scarlet Falls, seeking the comfort of her hometown. Now, surrounded by family, she’s finally found peace and a promising career opportunity—until her babysitter is killed and her neighbor asks her to defend his son, Nick, who stands accused of the murder.

Tessa was the ultimate girl next door, and the community is outraged by her death. But Morgan has known Nick for years and can’t believe he’s guilty, despite the damning evidence stacked against him. She asks her friend Lance Kruger, an ex-cop turned private eye, for help. Taking on the town, the police, and a zealous DA, Morgan and Lance plunge into the investigation, determined to find the real killer. But as they uncover secrets that rock the community, they become targets for the madman hiding in plain sight.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts I really enjoyed the twists and turns that this story took. From page one I know this story was going to be a twisted one. Ms. Leigh did a wonderful job of keeping us on our toes with who our killer could possibly be.
I loved the Morgan is flawed. She is a young widow and mother of three young girls. I enjoyed watching her find her footing and learn to live again. Lance is great!! I love the scene of Lance and Ava it is so sweet and I can’t wait for little Sophie to realize that Lance is the bomb!
Wonderful story!! I am so glad that Ms. Leigh is writing a new series that is in Scarlet Falls. I love seeing some of the old characters along with all the new ones. I have very high hopes for Morgan’s series!! I can’t wait for the next installment in this series!!

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Montlake Romance in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kimberly reviews Lethal Lies by Rebecca Zanetti

lethal liesTITLE: Lethal Lies
SERIES #: Blood Brothers #2
CHARACTERS: Anya & Heath
AUTHOR: Rebecca Zanetti
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/16/17
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A deadly secret can’t stay buried forever . . .

Revenge. It’s the only thing that will help Anya Best sleep at night. The serial killer who murdered her sister is on the loose, and Anya will stop at nothing to put him behind bars-even use herself as bait to lure him out of hiding. But she can’t do this alone.

Private investigator Heath Jones’s job is to bring bastards to justice. This time it’s personal. He knew the Copper Killer’s latest victim so when her sister asks for his help, he’s all in. But when Anya uses the media to taunt the killer, she exposes Heath’s identity, putting them both in jeopardy. Now, secrets buried long ago are coming to light and the forces determined to destroy him are watching Heath’s every move, waiting to exact their own revenge. And they’ll use anything and anyone to get to Heath.

With twists and turns that will take your breath away, LETHAL LIES is sexy, action-packed suspense at its very best from New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti.

REVIEW:
4.25 Hearts Can I say enough good things about Rebecca Zanetti and her books? Probably not. But I will try. Lethal Lies is another wonderful novel by Zanetti. This is Heath’s story. We met Heath in the first book as one of the Blood Brothers/Lost Boys. Heath is smart and handsome but more so he is all about his brothers and finding the Copper Killer (also from book 1). That is until he meets Anya.

Anya is the main focus of the Copper Killer but we do not know what why. But when the sister of Anya is caught by the Cooper Killer the two begin to work together and Heath is going to protector no matter what. But Anya has other plans. Like using herself as bait.

I enjoyed Anya very much. She is strong and even though she gets scared she pushes forward. She is going to find this serial killer no matter what. Heath is, well, like all of Zanetti’s men. HOT but also sweet and loving.

I really enjoy the bro-mance these blood brothers have. I really can’t wait for Denver’s story!!! And hope the series continues (or branches off) to include the Grey Brothers.

No book by Zanetti should be missed but this series (as well as many others) is one that you do not want to miss. It is worth every page. However, I will say you do need to read book 1 before reading this story.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kelly reviews Lethal Lies by Rebecca Zanetti

lethal liesTITLE: Lethal Lies
SERIES #: Blood Brothers
CHARACTERS: Heath Jones & Anya
AUTHOR: Rebecca Zanetti
PUBLICATION DATE: May 16, 2016
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A deadly secret can’t stay buried forever . . .

Revenge. It’s the only thing that will help Anya Best sleep at night. The serial killer who murdered her sister is on the loose, and Anya will stop at nothing to put him behind bars-even use herself as bait to lure him out of hiding. But she can’t do this alone.

Private investigator Heath Jones’s job is to bring bastards to justice. This time it’s personal. He knew the Copper Killer’s latest victim so when her sister asks for his help, he’s all in. But when Anya uses the media to taunt the killer, she exposes Heath’s identity, putting them both in jeopardy. Now, secrets buried long ago are coming to light and the forces determined to destroy him are watching Heath’s every move, waiting to exact their own revenge. And they’ll use anything and anyone to get to Heath.

With twists and turns that will take your breath away, LETHAL LIES is sexy, action-packed suspense at its very best from New York Times bestselling author Rebecca Zanetti.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts As we learned from Deadly Silence (book 1) that Heath, Ryker and Denver are on the run from their past. A past that is slowly but surely catching up with them. In Lethal Lies (book 2) that past comes a knocking on their door.
We learn a lot more about the Blood Brother’s past life and the people after them. We also get a few glimpses of the Sin Brothers, which I hope means we will see them again really soon. I enjoyed Heath’s story. While his past is heartbreaking he is the sweetest of all three of the guys. What tough guy saves a little bird :). I enjoyed Anya also. She is tough and smart.
I am looking forward to Denver’s book. I do believe that his book is going to be a doozy. I hope that we will get the big show down between the Blood Brothers, the Sheriff and the Doc. Because the Sheriff and the Doc really need to go!!!
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley & Forever (Grand Central Publishing) in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kelly reviews Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs

bone crossedTITLE: Bone Crossed
SERIES #: Mercy Thompson #4
CHARACTERS: Mercy Thompson, Adam Hauptman, Samuel Cornick, Zee, Stefan and many more
AUTHOR: Patricia Briggs
NARRATOR: Lorelei King
RUN TIME: 9 Hours & 4 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: February 9, 2019
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Welcome to Patricia Briggs’s world, a place where “witches, vampires, werewolves, and shapeshifters live beside ordinary people” (Booklist). It takes a very unusual woman to call it home – and there’s no one quite like Mercy Thompson.
By day, Mercy is a car mechanic in the sprawling Tri-Cities of Eastern Washington. By night, she explores her preternatural side. As a shapeshifter with some unique talents, Mercy has often found herself having to maintain a tenuous harmony between the human and the not so human. This time she may get more than she bargained for.
Marsilia, the local Vampire Queen, has learned that Mercy crossed her by slaying a member of her clan – and she’s out for blood. But since Mercy is protected from direct reprisal by the werewolf pack (and her close relationship with its sexy Alpha), it won’t be Mercy’s blood Marsilia is after.
It’ll be her friends’

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Bone Crossed finds us back in Mercy’s world after the events of Iron Kissed with Mercy not herself anymore. She has forever changed and it is making the people around her change too. But the one thing that hasn’t changed is the wolf’s need to protect her. Mercy will need all the help from her friends in this book. Because this time the Vampire Queen has Mercy in her crosshairs.
I enjoyed this book. I liked the way that Ms. Briggs tackled the events from book 3 and how Mercy is learning to cope. How Adam and the other are learning to help her too. Adam is so sweet and understanding. I love that Mercy and Ben are becoming better friends (because I am really liking Ben). We get to see a lot more of Stefan in Bone Crossed. He is not at his best and the Wolf’s have to save him a time or two. But we learn just how much he cares about Mercy. Well care might not be the right word for a vampires obsession. But I believe deep down Stefan might really be a good guy. And honestly if Marsilia wasn’t so evil and trying to always kill Mercy I think she would be pretty awesome.

If you have never tried an audio book you really should think about picking up this series. Ms. King is so amazing. The level of skill that this woman has is unreal. There are times with Adam, Stefan, Samuel or really any of them are talking that I totally forget that it is Lorelie narrating!! That right there my friends is the sign of a great narrator!!!

Disclaimer:
I purchased this book from audible.com and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts
4 Hearts

Kelly reviews Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs

TITLE: Iron Kissed
SERIES #: Mercy Thompson #3
CHARACTERS: Mercy Thompson, Adam Hauptman, Samuel Cornick, Zee, Stefan and many more
AUTHOR: Patricia Briggs
NARRATOR: Lorelei King
PUBLICATION DATE: January 2, 2008
RUN TIME: 9 Hours & 11 Minutes
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
I could smell her fear, and it satisfied something deep inside me that had been writhing under her cool, superior gaze. I curled my upper lip so she could get a good look at my sharp teeth. I might only weigh thirty or so pounds in my coyote shape, but I was a predator…

Mechanic Mercy Thompson can shift her shape – but not her loyalty. When her former boss and mentor is arrested for murder and left to rot behind bars by his own kind, it’s up to Mercy to clear his name, whether he wants her to or not.

Mercy’s loyalty is under pressure from other directions, too. Werewolves are not known for their patience, and if Mercy can’t decide between the two she cares for, Sam and Adam may make the choice for her

REVIEW:
This story broke me. I had to power through the ending of this book. It hurt so much to listen to what Mercy went through. But if anyone can come out the other side stronger it will be Mercy. I don’t like it when authors make their character suffer like this and I just hope that it doesn’t affect Mercy’s future.
Even with all that happened Iron Kissed was a good book. It was a turning point for many storylines for Mercy. We finally resolve the love triangle. We learn more about the Fae and the powers they hold. We get to see Adam in full Alpha mode. We learn a lot more about Ben, which makes me love this British pain in the backside wolf. There is so much more I could tell you but I won’t.
If you are a Mercy Thompson fan please be warned that Iron Kissed is heartbreaking. If you are new to this series do not start with this book. Start with book one, learn who Mercy is and fall in love with her and her wolfs.

Ms. King does an amazing job yet again. I am completely blown away by her talents as a storyteller. Her ability to make it through a tough book like Iron Kissed just makes me love her that much more.

Disclaimer:
I purchased this book from audible.com and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.