Category: Kelly’s Review

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Winter Romance Wednesday! Kelly reviews Jingle All The Slay by Dakota Cassidy

TITLE: Jingle All the Slay
SERIES: Marshmallow Hollow Mystery #1
CHARACTERS: Halliday Valentine
AUTHORS: Dakota Cassidy
PUBLICATION DATE: October 12, 2020
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Welcome to Marshmallow Hollow, Maine, a holiday mystery, where it’s all Christmas all the time and murder is hung by the chimney with care…
I’m Halliday Valentine (yep; funny name is funny), a psychic witch who’s recently moved from New York City back to my very human hometown of Marshmallow Hollow, where I run the family factory that caters to all things Christmas. I inherited the factory from Mom, who inherited from Nana Karen, but now it’s just me (kinda…long story), my curmudgeonly British familiar hummingbird, Atticus; one ungrateful rescue cat; my talking reindeer, Karen; and my BFF Stiles (the only human aware of my witchy side).
Oh, and Digby Dainty (known as Hobbs), the tall drink of water who rents my guest cottage. And who I wouldn’t mind getting to know better. We have a lot in common, including a love of true crime. So as macabre as it sounds, when a shady real estate tycoon shows up dead in the middle of the annual ice festival, I’m thrilled to spend time with Hobbs, flexing our amateur sleuthing skills.
Well…not thrilled. I mean, a guy’s dead after all. But he did try to con some businesses right out from under the hard-working locals. In fact, the only thing more surprising than a murder in our charming Christmas town is how many of my friendly, beloved neighbors seemed to want the man dead…

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Welcome to Marshmallow Hollow where everything’s coming up tinsel! Where the hot chocolate is the best, the candy canes are sweet and the murders are….. Who murders someone in Christmas town? But never fear Halliday ‘Hal’ Valentine, her familiar Atticus, her feisty Reindeer Karen and her hunky cottage guest (*dreamy eyes*) are on the case!
This was a great start of a new series for Dakota Cassidy. If you are a fan of her Witchless in Seattle series then you might remember meeting Halliday Valentine. Hal is Stevie’s long lost sister. Jingle All the Slay is a great quick read filled with lots of humor, suspense, and of course Christmas. I loved every minute of this book and am already looking forward to what is next for Hal, Hobbs and the rest of the crew.
If you are a fan of Dakota Cassidy you will love this new gem. If you are new to Dakota this is a great place to start, then you can go back and meet Stevie and her gang.

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

4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews Harrow The Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

TITLE: Harrow the Ninth
SERIES #: The Locked Tomb #2
CHARACTERS: Harrowhawk Nonagesimus
AUTHOR: Tamsyn Muir
NARRATOR: Moira Quirk
RUN TIME: 19 Hours & 51 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: August 4, 2020
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Harrow the Ninth, the sequel to the sensational, USA Today best-selling novel Gideon the Ninth, turns a galaxy inside out as one necromancer struggles to survive the wreckage of herself aboard the Emperor’s haunted space station.
She answered the Emperor’s call.
She arrived with her arts, her wits, and her only friend.
In victory, her world has turned to ash.
After rocking the cosmos with her deathly debut, Tamsyn Muir continues the story of the penumbral Ninth House in Harrow the Ninth, a mind-twisting puzzle box of mystery, murder, magic, and mayhem. Nothing is as it seems in the halls of the Emperor, and the fate of the galaxy rests on one woman’s shoulders.
Harrowhark Nonagesimus, last necromancer of the Ninth House, has been drafted by her Emperor to fight an unwinnable war. Side-by-side with a detested rival, Harrow must perfect her skills and become an angel of undeath — but her health is failing, her sword makes her nauseous, and even her mind is threatening to betray her.
Sealed in the gothic gloom of the Emperor’s Mithraeum with three unfriendly teachers, hunted by the mad ghost of a murdered planet, Harrow must confront two unwelcome questions: is somebody trying to kill her? And if they succeeded, would the universe be better off?

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts
#1 These book covers are EPIC!! I need to find a good way to display them on my bookshelves!!!!!
#2 This book is all over the place! You need to make sure that you are paying attention to what is happening or you may find yourself lost.
#3 OMG!! Did…. Is that…… WOW!!! Okay this is good.
#4 What the heck?
So those were my thoughts as I read/listened to Harrow the Ninth! Tamsyn Muir is an excellent storyteller even when I am super confused and have no clue what is happening. There is always a method behind her madness and chaos.
I thoroughly enjoyed Harrow the Ninth. But I must tell you that you do need to read Gideon the Ninth first.
Moira Quirk does another amazing job bringing all these crazy complexed characters to life! I really enjoyed having her read this story to me.
I am super excited for the final installment in this trilogy. I have a feeling the Alecto the Ninth is going to be beyond epic!!!

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

4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews The Haunting Of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

TITLE: The Haunting of Hill House
AUTHORS: Shirley Jackson
NARRATOR: Laura Miller
RUN TIME: 7 Hours & 27 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: Originally Published in 1959
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
First published in 1959, Shirley Jackson’s The Haunting of Hill House has been hailed as a perfect work of unnerving terror. It is the story of four seekers who arrive at a notoriously unfriendly pile called Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of a “haunting”; Theodora, his lighthearted assistant; Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke, the future heir of Hill House. At first, their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena. But Hill House is gathering its powers—and soon it will choose one of them to make its own.
For more than seventy years, Penguin has been the leading publisher of classic literature in the English-speaking world. With more than 1,700 titles, Penguin Classics represents a global bookshelf of the best works throughout history and across genres and disciplines. Readers trust the series to provide authoritative texts enhanced by introductions and notes by distinguished scholars and contemporary authors, as well as up-to-date translations by award-winning translators.

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Hill House has sat empty for many years and many have said that it should be burned to the ground.
Let me start by saying the book is WAY different then the tv series. Some of the characters are the same and a few events are the same but other than that way, way different. So if you are planning to read this based on the TV series you have been warned.
The book dives into the past more and some events that lead to Hill House being haunted. But even with that the story is a little slow to start. It takes a bit for the story to really pick up steam and get to the good parts. But I can see why this has been a fan favorite for so many years. I am glad that I picked up the original version to see what inspired the TV series (which I loved).
Disclaimer:
I purchased this audiobook from Audible.com and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.


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Kelly reviews The Bright And Breaking Sea by Chloe Neill

TITLE: The Bright and Breaking Sea
SERIES: Captain Kit Brightling #1
CHARACTERS: Kit Brightling & Rian Grant
AUTHORS: Chloe Neill
NARRATOR: Danielle Cohen
RUN TIME: 10 Hours & 55 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: November 17, 2020
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Chloe Neill brings her trademark wit and wild sense of adventure to a stunning seafaring fantasy starring a dauntless heroine in a world of magic and treachery.
Kit Brightling, rescued as a foundling and raised in a home for talented girls, has worked hard to rise through the ranks of the Isles’ Crown Command and become one of the few female captains in Queen Charlotte’s fleet. Her ship is small, but she’s fast–in part because of Kit’s magical affinity to the sea. But the waters become perilous when the queen sends Kit on a special mission with a partner she never asked for.
Rian Grant, Viscount Queenscliffe, may be a veteran of the Continental war, but Kit doesn’t know him or his motives–and she’s dealt with one too many members of the Beau Monde. But Kit has her orders, and the queen has commanded they journey to a dangerous pirate quay and rescue a spy who’s been gathering intelligence on the exiled emperor of Gallia.
Kit can lead her ship and clever crew on her own, but with the fate of queen and country at stake, Kit and Rian must learn to trust each other, or else the Isles will fall.

REVIEW:
Pirates, magic and mayhem..
Such a wonderful start to a new series for Chloe Neill. The Bright and Breaking Sea follow Captain Kit Brightling and her crew. Captain Brightling is tasked with saving a member of the Crown. The task includes sharing the leader role with Viscount Rian Grant. The success of the mission will depend on how well these two can and will work together.
I listened to The Bright and Breaking Sea on Audio. Danielle Cohen is a new narrator to me. I thought she did a wonderful job narrating this book. I will say that there was a time or two when she said a word that caught me off guard. But only because that is not how I pronounce them. But I had to remind myself that this story takes place in New London.
I am very much looking forward to the next adventure in the Kit Brightling series! If you are looking for an adventure romance who’s main character is awesome I would suggest picking up this book.

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

4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews I Loved You First: Anthology by Suzanne Enoch, Molly Harper & Karen Hawkins

TITLE: I Loved You First: Anthology
AUTHORS: Suzanne Enoch, Molly Harper & Karen Hawkins
NARRATOR: Amanda Ronconi
RUN TIME: 8 Hours & 19 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: August 25, 2020
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | Audible

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Escape with three warm-hearted romantic comedy novellas about women’s second chance at first love from beloved romance authors, Suzanne Enoch, Molly Harper, and Karen Hawkins.
Take Two by Suzanne Enoch
Eleanor Ross has it all: fame, fortune—and Brian MacCafferty, the perfect combo of bodyguard and assistant who makes every day a breeze. MacCafferty anticipates her needs, puts out her fires, and—once upon a time—nearly put a ring on her finger.
And when a scandal erupts that could ruin El, it’s Brian who rushes to the rescue and joins her in hiding. Will El discover there’s no hiding from true love? And is she finally ready to take a second chance for her own, real life Happily Ever After?
Pasties and Poor Decisions by Molly Harper
Anastasia Villiers has hit rock bottom. And that rock is named Espoir Island.
Abandoned by her disgraced investment banker husband who liquidated all of their assets and fled the country, Anastasia is left with nothing—except for Fishscale House, a broken-down Queen Anne in the Michigan hometown she swore she’d left for good.
If Ana quickly renovates and flips the dilapidated building, she can get back to Manhattan and salvage her life. The problem? The only person on the island with historical renovation cred is Ned Fitzroy—Ana’s first love—who insists she help him with the labor herself. As Ana gets reacquainted with Ned, and her hometown, she realizes home may be just what she’s always wanted.
The Last Chance Motel by Karen Hawkins
Every big romance deserves a second chance. But Evan and Jessica Cho Graham are looking at the last chance: more specifically, The Last Chance Motel in Dove Pond, NC where Jessica has escaped to start a happily independent life, separate from her smart, sexy, but driven husband.
Evan has been wildly successful in every endeavor, except keeping the heart of the one woman he loves more than anything. If he’s going to repair this mess, he’s going to need all the help he can get—even if it’s from the crankiest handyman in B&B history—to turn his second chance with Jess into a perfect storybook happy ending.

REVIEW:
All three of these stories were great! Each was a second chance/redemption romance. So if you like those kinds of stories then you need to pick up a copy of I Loved You First!!

Take Two by Suzanne Enoch: This was a super sweet story. Eleanor Ross and Brian MacCafferty are both fun characters that you can’t help but fall in love with. I do truly enjoy the lengths that Brian has to go through to get what he ultimately wants 🙂
Pasties and Poor Decisions by Molly Harper: Once again Molly writes a story that makes me want more. I loved Ana & Neds story. I do truly hope that we will get a future peek at these two.
The Last Chance Motel by Karen Hawkins: Awe Jessica and Evan. It was fun to see how much Evan was willing to do to get back the love of his life. I really liked the twist in this story.
As always Amanda Ronconi does a phenomenal job narrating these stories!!

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

4 Hearts

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Kelly reviews Nice Werewolves Don’t Bite Vampires by Molly Harper

TITLE: Nice Werewolves Don’t Bite Vampires
SERIES: Half-Moon Hollow #8
CHARACTERS: Tylene McClaine & Alex Bonfils
AUTHORS: Molly Harper
NARRATOR: Amanda Ronconi
RUN TIME: Hours & Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: September 28, 2020
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The “enchanting” (Publishers Weekly) Jane Jameson series is back with a new paranormal romantic comedy about werewolf yearning to find her own place world, and the group of admittedly unique vampires who help her find love.
Tylene McClaine, black sheep of the McClaine Half-Moon Hollow werewolf pack, has spent a lifetime blocking out the criticisms of her boisterous pack. They say she’s too bookish, too sarcastic, and worst of all, too picky when it comes to finding a nice werewolf boy and settling down.
But when she meets vampire and Half-Moon Hollow music teacher, Alex Bonfils, Tylene starts to wonder if she could create the life she’s always wanted. She takes every precaution to meet her sexy vamp in secret, but when a vandal around town starts targeting vampire businesses, she fears her family might have found her out. When the damage in town escalates, Tylene and Alex join forces with Jane Jameson, Dick Cheney, and the whole vampire gang to find the culprit and save Half-Moon Hollow before it’s too late!

REVIEW:
Tylene McClaine has always known she isn’t your typical wolf, but she didn’t know just how unusually she really was until she started hanging out with vampires.
Alex Bonfils has lived a very long life and never has found a place to call home. That is until now, but he has to convenience a certain werewolf to take a chance on him.

You know what I love the most about long series? That every time there is a new book in that series it feels like coming home. That is exactly how I feel about Molly Harper’s Half-Moon Hollow series. I just love to see what shenanigans the gang is up to, to catch up with them and of course meet the news members of the family. Nice Werewolves Don’t Bite Vampires is all that and more. I loved Tylene & Alex together! The make a wonderful couple and bring some spice and calm to the Half-Moon Hollow family
Amanda Ronconi again lends her talents to the Half-Moon Hollow series. It is so great to have a narrator that is able to do so many voices. I also love the fact that I never feel like Amanda is just reading words off a screen. She is so good at telling these stories and bringing the characters to life.
I am already looking forward to the next adventure in this series.

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

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Kelly reviews The Accidental Unicorn by Dakota Cassidy

TITLE: The Accidental Unicorn
SERIES #: Accidental #18
CHARACTERS: Oliver Baldwin & Vinnie
AUTHOR: Dakota Cassidy
PUBLICATION DATE: September 20, 2019
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Oliver Baldwin has a problem.
And it’s a big one.
He has a unicorn horn. A unicorn horn that’s pink and purple and shoots glitter everywhere.
Everywhere…
But that’s not all it does.
So what’s a guy who, out of nowhere, has a swirly horn sprout from his head to do?
He calls the ladies of OOPS and in the process gets a bird’s eye view of a world he never knew existed.
The good news?
Oliver meets a woman named Vinnie who just might change his mind about never falling in love again.
The bad news?
It’s really hard to find the time to get to know someone you think might be the woman of your dreams when you have crazy unicorn hunters hot on your tail, a handful of gods and goddesses who’d like nothing more than to hack your horn off for its special power…
Oh, and the threat of imminent death…

REVIEW:
You are in for a treat in this latest installment in the Accidental Series!!! The ladies of OOPS take on one of their more complicated cases ever.
Who’d have thunk that unicorns really existed. I mean Vampires sure. Werewolves of course. Zombies, duh!!! But Unicorns? Well buckle up because you are about to be taking on a grand adventure of a major “Oops did I do that?” with a large splash of glitter.
This was a great story! As with all of Dakota Cassidy’s Accidental stories we get to see how the OOPS family has grown. How they work together to solve and protect those they believe are their own. This is just a super fun series!! If you are looking for a good make you smile and laugh series you need to pick up one of these books (I would start at the beginning so you know all the history, but I guess you could pick up any book in the series and start there. That is if you don’t mind spoilers.)
Looking forward to what is next in this series. I think I saw something about Trolls.

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

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Kelly reviews See Her Die by Melinda Leigh

TITLE: See Her Die
SERIES #: Bree Taggert #2
CHARACTERS: Bree Taggert & Matt Flynn
AUTHOR: Melinda Leigh
PUBLICATION DATE: September 15, 2020
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Sheriff Bree Taggert is both hunter and hunted in #1 Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Melinda Leigh’s blood-freezing thriller of murder, rage, and revenge.
New sheriff Bree Taggert is called to a shooting in a campground shuttered for the winter. But she arrives to find a perplexing crime. There is no shooter, no victim, and no blood. No one but Bree believes the sole witness, Alyssa, a homeless teenager who insists she saw her friend shot.
Bree calls in former deputy Matt Flynn and his K-9 to track the killer and search for Alyssa’s friend. They discover the battered corpse of a missing university student under the ice in Grey Lake—but it’s not the victim they were looking for.
When two more students go missing and additional bodies turn up, Bree must find the link between the victims. She knows only one thing for certain: the murders are fueled by rage. When Alyssa disappears, Bree must race against time to find her before her witness becomes another victim.

REVIEW:
4.75 Hearts Bree Taggert is having to deal with her first major case since taking over as sheriff. This case will test Bree both professionally and personally. She has to learn how to balance the job and her new family. But can she rely on the people under her command? She calls in the one person that she knows she can trust 100%, Matt Flynn.
Together they will race against the clock to find a killer.

See Her Die is the second book in Melinda Leigh’s Bree Taggert series (bk 1 Cross Her Heart). I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I love Bree’s character. She has been through a lot that makes her an excellent sheriff and even better Aunt. I am very much looking forward to the next installment in this series and can’t wait to see Bree and Matt’s relationship grow.

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.

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Kelly reviews The Silence by Kendra Elliot

TITLE: The Silence
SERIES #: Columbia River #2
CHARACTERS: Mason Callahan & Ave McLane
AUTHOR: Kendra Elliot
PUBLICATION DATE: August 25, 2020
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
A dead conspiracy theorist. A mass murderer. Two cases collide for Callahan and McLane in a pulse-pounding thriller by Wall Street Journal and Amazon Charts bestselling author Kendra Elliot.
A man is savagely murdered outside Portland, and Detective Mason Callahan finds blood-spatter evidence that tells a troubling story. Files reveal the murder victim, Reuben Braswell, was a radical conspiracist. In his home, investigators find pages of diatribes against law enforcement as well as ties to Mason’s fiancée, FBI special agent Ava McLane. The victim was her informant—and had strong reasons to be paranoid.
To Ava, Braswell’s rants were those of a wearying and harmless man…until they collide with her investigation into the murders of police officers and finding the connection becomes urgent. Meanwhile, Braswell’s brother and Ava’s twin sister both disappear, and disturbing acts of sabotage target Ava’s personal life.
For Mason and Ava, the brutal crimes and escalating mysteries create a perfect storm for a terrorist conspiracy that becomes dangerously personal—one that has yet to claim its last victim.

REVIEW:
4.5 Hearts Like all good suspense stories starts with a murder and a who done it.
But The Silence adds in so many twists, turns and surprises that I was on the edge of my seat wondering if I was on the right path and like always Ms. Elliot surprises me!!! I love when a suspense book keeps me guessing!!
Another excellent book from Ms. Elliot. It was great to see how Mason and Ava were doing. I am very much looking forward to the next book in this series.
If you are looking for a great suspense series I would highly suggest picking up one of Kendra’s books!!

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

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Kelly reviews Alpha Night by Nalini Singh

TITLE: Alpha Night
SERIES #: Psy-Changeling Trinity #4
CHARACTERS: Ethan Night & Selenka Durev’
AUTHOR: Nalini Singh
NARRATOR: Angela Dawe
RUN TIME: Hours & Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: June 9, 2020
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh returns to her breathtaking Psy-Changeling Trinity series with a mating that shouldn’t exist…
Alpha wolf Selenka Durev’s devotion to her pack is equaled only by her anger at anyone who would harm those under her care. That currently includes the empaths who’ve flowed into her city for a symposium that is a security nightmare, a powder keg just waiting for a match.
Ethan Night is an Arrow who isn’t an Arrow. Numb and disengaged from the world, he’s loyal only to himself. Assigned as part of the security force at a world-first symposium, he carries a dark agenda tied to the power-hungry and murderous Consortium. Then violence erupts and Ethan finds himself crashing into the heart and soul of an alpha wolf.
Mating at first sight is a myth, a fairytale. Yet Selenka’s wolf is resolute: Ethan Night, broken Arrow and a man capable of obsessive devotion, is the mate it has chosen. Even if the mating bond is full of static and not quite as it should be. Because Selenka’s new mate has a terrible secret, his mind surging with a power that is a creature of madness and death…

REVIEW:
Oh man, Ethan Night tried hard to knock Judd Lauren (Caressed by Ice) out of my #1 place for favorite character. But never fear Judd you are still my favorite, but it was so close.
Alpha Night tells us the story of Russian Wolf Alpha Selenka Durev and Arrow Ethan Night. I loved Selenka and Ethan together (and for those who complain about instant love….. TOUGH!!!). Both Selenka and Ethan could have never imagined what the future would hold for them from just one meeting. From that one meeting they both learn to trust and rely on each other.
We also get a more insight to the ongoing threats that have been plaguing the world since the end of Silence.
This was a great story and I loved listening to this audiobook. Angela Dawe is amazing!! I am in total awe of her talent for being a narrator. Her ability for so many voices is just WOW!! If you are looking to try an audiobook this series is a perfect one to start on. Nalini writes epic stories and Angela brings those characters to life!! I am excited about the next installment in this series.

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.

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Kelly reviews Broken Dawn by Dianne Duvall

TITLE: Broken Dawn
SERIES #: Immortal Guardians #10
CHARACTERS: Nick Belanger & Kayla Dorman
AUTHOR: Dianne Duvall
NARRATOR: Kirsten Potter
PUBLICATION DATE:
RUN TIME: 8 Hours & 52 Minutes
ORDER LINKS: Audible | Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Delve into an exciting new stand-alone novel in New York Times bestselling author Dianne Duvall’s “fast-paced and humorous” (Publishers Weekly), “utterly addictive” (RT Book Reviews) Immortal Guardians series.
Nick Belanger can’t stop thinking about the single mother who lives next door. She’s smart. She’s funny. She’s so beautiful he can’t stare at her too long for fear his eyes will start to glow. But Kayla thinks he’s just an ordinary guy who works in security. Finding out he instead is a powerful immortal warrior who hunts and slays psychotic vampires for a living may not go over well, particularly since she has a daughter she doesn’t want to endanger.
Kayla Dorman can keep neither her gaze nor her thoughts from straying to the man next door. Who can blame her really? He is the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome with smart, charming, and honorable thrown in. He’s also a few years younger than her and surely would not be interested in a single mom who hasn’t dated since her divorce. At least that’s what she thinks until an accident nearly takes her life and Nick risks all to save her.
The dynamics of their relationship swiftly change. The friendship they’ve developed over the years deepens into love as the two spend every minute they can together, laughing and teasing, never suspecting a threat may lurk in the shadows. But that threat soon strikes, making it clear that Nick is the target and his enemy doesn’t care if Kayla gets caught in the crossfire. Though Kayla bravely rises to the occasion and is determined to do whatever it takes to help Nick defeat his enemy, Nick is terrified of losing her. Can he identify and eliminate his new nemesis before the man takes everything from him?

REVIEW:
3.5 Hearts Broken Dawn wasn’t my favorite story in this series but I still enjoyed this book. I found the story a little slow and left me with a few unanswered questions about Nick and Kayla. But I still enjoyed this story and hope that we will see them in the future. I am looking forward to the next installment in this series.
Kirsten Potter does an amazing job as always of bringing Dianne’s characters to life! I am always in awe of the talent that these two ladies have.

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

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Kelly reviews The Lasaran by Dianna Duvall

TITLE: The Lasaran
SERIES #: Aldebarian Alliance #1
CHARACTERS: Taelon & Lisa
AUTHOR: Dianna Duvall
NARRATOR: Kirsten Potter
RUN TIME: 11 Hours & 23 Minutes
PUBLICATION DATE: April 24, 2020
ORDER LINKS: Audible |Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New York Times bestselling author Dianne Duvall brings readers the first novel in a thrilling new sci-fi series full of action, intrigue, humor, and romance.
Taelon searches the galaxy for his younger sister, who mysteriously disappeared while on a diplomatic mission. When an ally reveals that she was seized and is being held prisoner on Earth, Taelon descends upon the blue planet, intent on freeing her and exacting vengeance. However, all does not go as planned. Before he can find her, Taelon is captured and becomes the subject of torturous experiments. For what feels like an eternity, all he knows is pain and fury… until a mind tentatively touches his own and a woman’s voice forever changes his world.
After suffering tragic losses, Lisa is finally beginning to carve out a future for herself when chance sends her to the Anomalous Cognition Research Institute. What at first appears to be a benign organization seeking participants for a psychic study instead turns out to be a government facility harboring a much darker intent. Lisa discovers this too late and soon becomes the unwilling subject of a terrifying experiment. Just as fear and desperation threaten to consume her, a deep, compelling voice penetrates the looming insanity and lends her hope.
Having seen only the worst of humanity, Taelon is shocked when Lisa risks everything to free him. Together the two make their escape, and Taelon finds himself fascinated by the small human woman who—despite all she’s suffered—can still laugh and tease and lure smiles from him. Friendship swiftly grows between them as they work together to evade soldiers intent on capturing them and find themselves hunted by mystifying preternatural beings. Through it all, Lisa steadfastly remains by his side, stealing more of his heart each day while she helps him unravel the mystery of his sister’s fate. Can they find his sister before the hunters find them? If they survive their quest, will Taelon have to bid Lisa farewell… or can he coax her into leaving her planet and joining him for the adventure of a lifetime?

REVIEW:
When I heard that Dianna Duvall was starting a new series I was excited. When I heard that the new series would start with Ami’s (from the Immortal Guardian series) brother I did a happy dance. I would suggest reading the Immortal Guardian series first, but I think you could pick up The Lasaran and be okay. But you will miss a lot of the back story of the whys and whose.
That being said I truly enjoyed listening to this story! Kirsten Potter did an amazing job as always. Kirsten’s ability to bring the characters to live is phenomenal. Kirsten Potter is one of my all time favorite narrators. I am already looking forward to her reading the next installment in this series to me.
We get the best of both worlds in this book. We get to see some of our favorite Immortal Guardian’s and learn the history of the Lasaran’s. Taelon was sent on a mission to find out what happened to his sister. But things didn’t go according to plan. This story is his journey and boy is it a journey. I can’t wait to see what is next in this series.

Disclaimer:
I purchased this audiobook and this review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts