Category: Kimberly’s Review

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Kimberly reviews Eyes Wide Open by Raine Miller

Eyes Wide Open

TITLE: Eyes Wide Open
SERIES #: The Blackstone Affair #3
CHARACTERS: Brynne & Ethan
AUTHOR: Raine Miller
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/14/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The third part in The Blackstone Affair series: A love on the brink of being destroyed. The fight of a lifetime to keep it alive.

Big surprises are on the horizon for Ethan and Brynne as they struggle to adjust to what life has thrown at them. Demons from the past are threatening to destroy the passionate bond they’ve forged despite their vow that nothing will ever keep them apart. A truly devastating loss coupled with the promise of a new hope opens their eyes to what is most important, but is it possible for the lovers to move on from the painful histories that continue to haunt them? A stalker is still lurking in the shadows, plotting evil amidst the distraction of the 2012 Olympic games in London. Brynne and Ethan are on the cusp of losing everything as the stakes rise. Will they yield to circumstances beyond their control or will they give every ounce of fight they have left to save each other and win the ultimate prize of a life together?

Eyes Wide Open is a passion-wrought story that shows us what pure love can achieve when tested and what the heart can accomplish despite danger and adversity.

REVIEW:
3.5 Stars This is the third in the Blackstone Affair series and probably the best of the bunch. I was a little worried about this one after having read the second one which did not have the same feel as the first and while the first was not the best book I had ever read it was interesting and this story went back to the basic of the story and was much better.

The storyline is interesting in this book. The stalker is still in the book which was the understory of all three books but in the end we find out who it is. The problem is that Ethan still seems to immature in this relationship. He has become obsessed with Brynne in my opinion and it just seems he is not only obsessed with Brynne’s safety (understandable) but also with sex with her and knowing every aspect of her day. He is just not the alpha Dom that I think the author was trying to get across instead he seems needy and desperate. Brynne in this book actually seems more down to earth. Yes she goes through some emotions but it is understandable with her past and what is going on.

Sure give this book a try if you are into the erotic and romance/suspense type books. I doubt you will be sorry you did.

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

3hearts-68-77

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Kimberly reviews Ruby by Jeffe Kennedy

Ruby

TITLE: Ruby
SERIES #: Facets Of Passion #3
CHARACTERS: Dani & Bobby
AUTHOR: Jeffe Kennedy
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/13/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Book three of Facets of Passion

Danielle Sosna has no problem denying herself in order to achieve her goals—after all, that attitude landed her a dream job at Vogue Paris. But in New Orleans for one last assignment before heading overseas, she’s faced with the most decadent of temptations. Seductive Cajun chef Bobby Prejean takes Dani’s strength of will as a challenge, and offers her a night of wild indulgence—if she will agree to obey his every command…

Dani can’t resist Prejean’s invitation to join him in a world of carnal desire, complete with fetish costumes and masks. Determined to keep her emotional distance, she gives Prejean everything but her name. A night becomes a week, as she spends Mardi Gras suspended…in the delicious space where pleasure meets pain.

Too late, she realizes the cloak of anonymity has not protected her—and that chasing her dream might come at the expense of her heart.

For more Facets of Passion, check out Sapphire and Platinum, available now!

REVIEW:
This is the third in the series and while I somehow missed the first one I loved the second (“Platinum”) so I was excited to read this story. And it did not disappoint. I will say it was not as good as Platinum but still a great erotic read.

The main characters have an instant connection and it flows through the whole story. The erotic scenes are creative and interesting. I was a little surprised at the way the main male character changed toward the end but it does not take away for the story. If you enjoy erotica with a BDSM theme then you will enjoy this book and the entire series. Hope there is more to come.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews The Accidental Demon Slayer by Angie Fox

Accidental demon Slayer

TITLE: The Accidental Demon Slayer
SERIES #: Demon Slayer #1
CHARACTERS: Lizzie & Dimitri
AUTHOR: Angie Fox
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/23/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
It’s never a good day when an ancient demon shows up on your toilet bowl. For Lizzie Brown, that’s just the beginning. Soon her hyperactive terrier starts talking, and her long-lost biker witch Grandma is hurling Smuckers jars filled with magic. Just when she thinks she’s seen it all, Lizzie learns she’s a demon slayer-and all hell is after her.

Of course, that’s not the only thing after her. Dimitri Kallinikos, a devastatingly handsome shape-shifting griffin needs Lizzie to slay a demon of his own. But how do you talk a girl you’ve never met into going straight to the underworld? Lie. And if that doesn’t work, how dangerous could a little seduction be…?

REVIEW:
If you like silly and paranormal then you will enjoy this book. I was going to give it 1 stars because I really did not enjoy this however I can see that someone who enjoys silly movies, books, etc would like this.

I am also not a fan of talking animals even though Pirate has some ok lines it is not enough to make this book worth while. I am not a fan of silly movies (Austin Powers, The Hangover, etc) and know I am one of the minority but if you are a fan and like a good paranormal then do not take my word for it. Try it yourself and see.

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

2hearts

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Kimberly reviews Don’t Bite The Bridesmaid by Tiffany Allee

Dont bite the bridesmaid

TITLE: Don’t Bite The Bridesmaid
SERIES #: Sons of Kane #1
CHARACTERS: Alice & Noah
AUTHOR: Tiffany Allee
PUBLICATION DATE: 05/27/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon| B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Alice Shepard needs one thing: a date for her sister’s wedding. And not just any date. A hunk who will make her fiancé rue the day he left her for her best friend. Her drop-dead gorgeous neighbor fits the bill—even if he is a bit quirky and never comes out during the day—and Alice has downed just enough appletinis to ask him. But she makes it quite clear that there will be no funny business.

Spending a week on a cruise ship full of humans while sleeping close to his sexy next-door neighbor sounds like a helluva bad idea to vampire Noah Thorpe. But his friends need time to get him out of a shotgun wedding—a vampire bonding that will tie his fate to a female vampire he’s never met. And Alice’s offer comes at just the right time.

What could possibly go wrong?

REVIEW:
3.5 Stars This is a cute story with more of a contemporary feel than a paranormal even though Noah is a vampire. The characters are very cute together and while it is a vampire romance it has a bit of a different storyline than a lot of paranormal romance.

While short parts of the story went on a bit too long. But it is really cute so worth it. If you enjoy a contemporary paranormal with vampires then this is the book for you.

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

3hearts-68-77

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Kimberly reviews Being Me by Lisa Renee Jones

being me

TITLE: Being Me
SERIES #: Inside Out Trilogy #2
CHARACTERS: Sara & Chris
AUTHOR: Lisa Renee Jones
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/11/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The sexy second installment in the Inside Out erotic romance trilogy, following If I Were You—in the seductive tradition of Fifty Shades of Grey.

Fascinated by the dark fantasies in the journals she’s discovered, and the two men who have now found a place in her life, Sara McMillan finds herself torn between her new life and her past. Now, more than ever, Sara identifies with the lost journal writer, Rebecca, and is certain that something sinister has happened.

In the arms of the sexy, tormented artist Chris Merit, Sara seeks answers about Rebecca and ends up discovering things about herself she never knew existed. Chris forces Sara to reconsider who she is and what she truly wants from life, but not before his dark desires threaten to tear them apart. Her boss, Mark Compton, offers her the shelter to understand just what those needs mean to her, and what they might have meant to Rebecca, but can she trust him to lead her to a final conclusion to Rebecca’s story?

REVIEW:
This is the second in a trilogy and the first thing you need to know is it does not stand alone. You must read the first to understand the second (and the third am sure). And the second thing you need to know is while it might be in the genre of erotica this book is not. And neither was the first for that matter. Sure it has a feel to it of erotica but honestly nothing happens in it that so many other books don’t have too.

Now I really enjoyed the first book but so it seems with so many trilogies the middle one just doesn’t stand up to the first (and usually the last) of the three books and I feel that way about this one. Something is off in it a bit. First it is too long. I say that because there is just a lot of “I must tell him my secret but he will never forgive me so I won’t tell him my secret”… it gets old kind of quick. And honestly the secret doesn’t end up having the big wow factor I think it is supposed to.
And there is something amount desperate and needy about this story that the first one I didn’t feel had.

But all of that being said it is a good story. It is one that makes me want to read the last in the trilogy (Revealing Us) to see how the story ends. Once again I am not one that compares books but seeing as the publisher/author itself seems to want to jump on the bandwagon saying “if you loved 50 Shades you will love this” I will say that if you loved 50 Shades you probably will enjoy this even though it is very different there is that underlying connection the books seems to have.

But again do not read this one as a stand alone. It needs the first to understand any of this story.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews On Dublin Street by Samantha Young

TITLE: On Dublin Street
CHARACTERS: Jocelyn & Braden
AUTHOR: Samantha Young
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/31/12
ORDER LINKSAmazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Jocelyn Butler has been hiding from her past for years. But all her secrets are about to be laid bare…

Four years ago, Jocelyn left her tragic past behind in the States and started over in Scotland, burying her grief, ignoring her demons, and forging ahead without attachments. Her solitary life is working well—until she moves into a new apartment on Dublin Street where she meets a man who shakes her carefully guarded world to its core.

Braden Carmichael is used to getting what he wants, and he’s determined to get Jocelyn into his bed. Knowing how skittish she is about entering a relationship, Braden proposes an arrangement that will satisfy their intense attraction without any strings attached.

But after an intrigued Jocelyn accepts, she realizes that Braden won’t be satisfied with just mind-blowing passion. The stubborn Scotsman is intent on truly knowing her… down to the very soul.

REVIEW:
Wow… I was not expecting this book to be anything like this. Honestly I wasn’t sure what kind of book I was expecting but this certainly exceeded my expectations. I was enthralled within the first couple of pages. This is a very intense romance. Jocelyn is just so broken from her past that she has literally stopped herself from feeling. She makes the reader hurt for her. There were times I wanted to reach through the book and slap her and other times I wanted to just hug her. She is just written so clearly and emotionally that she almost leaves you feeling her emotions.

Braden on the other hand is just… perfect? Is that the right word? Yeah I think so. Yes he has issues but of course his issues are nothing like Joss’s. She is so strong and yet so loving that I wish more men were like him in the world. He is rich (as so many are in these books) but you never really get that feel from him.

The book is written in an odd way. It took some getting used to for me. This was written almost like a letter or email would be written. I could imagine “Joss” sending this information to a friend. Having that moment when you say “that would later come back to haunt me” and then telling them why it did. It is hard to explain but it did take a little bit for me to get used to that.

I loved this book. Yes there is sex but this is not erotica this is romance. This is intense romance. And worth reading every word.

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

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Kimberly reviews Sleeping With The Entity by Cat Devon

Sleeping With The Entity

TITLE: Sleeping With The Entity
SERIES #: Entity #1
CHARACTERS: Daniella & Nick
AUTHOR: Cat Devon
PUBLICATION DATE: 06/04/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
She has a sweet tooth and a dream.

Meet Daniella Delaney. She’s all ready to open her shop, Heavenly Cupcakes, in one of Chicago’s sleepier districts. But she’s having a hard time convincing the local business association—namely Nick St. George—that she’s a good addition to the neighborhood. Daniella hopes that her famous red velvet cupcakes will be enough to melt any man’s heart. But Nick is no ordinary man. He’s got fangs.

He has a constant craving…

As leader of the Vamptown clan, Nick has no intention of letting Daniella breathe new life into his old haunts. But something about her leaves Nick hungry…for more. He can’t control her mind like other humans, a trait that makes Daniella irresistible. Could it be that, for the first time in centuries, Nick has met his match? Love is always a force to be reckoned with. But can this vampire have his cake and eat it too?

REVIEW:
I am sorta on the fence with this book. It has a bunch of potential and I was interested and wanted to know what was going to happen because the story was very different but it was also really unimpressive in a way. The writing is very simplistic and the characters never seem to really have a connection. Nick is very brooding but not in a good way. He is almost rude in this actions to Daniella. And she is a bit irritating.

The thing that I didn’t like most about this story is how everything just happens to fall into place. I know that sounds weird but it gets old. They need something and it somehow is sitting right next to them. The author changes the “vampire rules” a lot in this story too. And the other irritating thing is she does too much name dropping. So many song/bands, authors, tv shows/movies, etc are listed to count. I do not know why but that also gets old quick. There is also the fact that there is very little of vampire acts in the story.. Honestly I do not think one neck was sucked at all.

Now that all being said it did hold my attention and the story is a bit different so it is something I wanted to finish to see what happened. If you enjoy cheesy vampire stories you will enjoy this one. It keeps your attention if you can get past all the other stuff.

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

3hearts-68-77

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Kelly and Kimberly review Two Of A Kind by Susan Mallery

TITLE: Two of a Kind
SERIES: Fools Gold #12
CHARACTERS: Gideon Boylan & Felicia Swift
AUTHOR: Susan Mallery
PUBLICATION DATE: June 25, 2013

ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery welcomes readers back to Fool’s Gold, where a one-time fling could become the real thing…

Felicia Swift never dreamed she’d hear a deep, sexy voice from her past in tiny Fool’s Gold, California. The last time Gideon Boylan whispered in her ear was half a world away…on the morning after the hottest night of her life. Her freaky smarts have limited her close friendships, and romance, but she came to Fool’s Gold looking for ordinary. Gorgeous, brooding Gideon is anything but that.

Black Ops taught Gideon that love could be deadly. Now he pretends to fit in while keeping everyone at arm’s length. Felicia wants more than he can give-a home, family, love-but she has a lot to learn about men…and Gideon needs to be the man to teach her.

As these two misfits discover that passion isn’t the only thing they have in common, they just might figure out that two of a kind should never be split apart.

 

KELLY’S REVIEW:
My second Susan Mallery book was just as good as the 1st one I read Just One Kiss #11 in the Fools Gold series.

Felicia (who we met in Just One Kiss and I would highly recommend you read Just One Kiss first) is the brainy, sexy, socially awkward new girl. Felicia has had a very strange and lonely childhood. Now she just wants to be normal. To finally fit in. To finally know what it is like to be loved and to love. But the person she wants to do all this with has made it clear that he his not the forever type.

Gideon may have dreams of Felica. He may wish that he could be everything she needs, but he knows he can’t. He is not whole any more, not after what happened to him. And Felicia deserves someone better then him. But when Felicia asks him to teach her how to date and teach her how she should act with a boyfriend. Gideon is powerless to say no.

These two are so perfect for each other. Throw in some twists and turns of life, the past and the possible future, you have an awesome story. You will be rooting for Gideon to man up and for Felicia to stand up for what she wants. Very much looking forward to the next book in this series Three Little Words.

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
4.5 Stars So this is the 12th in the Fool’s Gold series and with all of her books Susan Mallery takes us to a place that not only do we love to visit but we wish we could live.

I will be honest and say I was unsure about this story when I first started it. Felicia is a bit hard to get to know. She is what we know as “book smart but not street smart” and is a bit rough around the edges. She has never lived a normal life and her IQ is off the charts high so while at first her intelligence and yet her naivety is a little overwhelming it soons becomes endearing. Gideon on the other hand is the strong silent type. We met Gideon in the last Christmas story Mallery put out so while we knew he was a loner we also got to see that he had a heart in that muscled up body and this books just shows us more of it and gets to the heart of why he is now the strong silent guy he is.

As with all of this series you can easily pick up any book to read it as a stand alone and this story is no different but this story really gives the reader a feel of the town of Fool’s Gold that we haven’t seen as much of lately. You will never go wrong visiting Fool’s Gold or reading any of Susan Mallery’s books.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews Snowy Fate by Marissa Dobson

TITLE: Snowy Fate
SERIES #: Fate Series #1
CHARACTERS: Aspyn & Damon
AUTHOR: Marissa Dobson
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/03/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Fate always knows when you’re ready for love.

The past is catching up with Aspyn Layton. The father she never knew passed away and she is left to deal with his estate. An unexpected snowstorm has her stranded at the one place she didn’t want to be—her father’s house—with a naked man.

Damon Andrews has a secret, one he shared with Aspyn’s father. He must convince Aspyn there is more to life than what she knows. How will she react when she finds out he is a mountain lion, and she is his mate? Their fates are intertwined.

REVIEW:
This is a very short shapeshifter story. The timeline is very fast . Damon is a shifter and Aspyn comes to her fathers home and meets up with Damon. Aspyn learns that fate is a powerful thing.

I enjoyed this story very much. I just wish this story had been a bit longer. I would have loved more time with these characters. If you love having a quick read around just in case you are stuck somewhere and need a story to grab this is the one for you.

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

4 Hearts

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Kimberly reviews All In by Raine Miller

TITLE: All In
SERIES #: The Blackstone Affair #2
CHARACTERS: Brynne & Ethan
AUTHOR: Raine Miller
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/09/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
The second part in The Blackstone Affair series! Looming danger. A love worth fighting for. A man who’ll go all in.

Ethan Blackstone has a problem on his hands. He’s broken Brynne’s trust and she’s left him. He’s unwilling to live without her and isn’t giving up—he’s dead-set on getting his beautiful American girl back. The passion between them was explosive, but the secrets they hid from each other are dark and chilling and are powerful enough to destroy their shot at a life together. With political threats now directed at Brynne, Ethan is running out of time and he’ll need to gather all his strength and agility to protect her from the dangers that could take her away from him forever. Will Ethan be able to save Brynne from a past that keeps her locked in fear? Will he ever feel the warmth of her touch, the solidity of her trust again? This is a love-struck man who is willing to do whatever it takes to possess the heart of the woman he loves. He’ll go to any lengths to protect her. He’ll go all in.

Here is the fiery story of what happens when two people surrender to a love so great it can heal the scars of the past and give way to a life of pure, rapturous ecstasy.

REVIEW:

2.5 Stars This is the second in the series. I have to say that it is not as good as the first in the series. This one is written in Ethan’s point of view while the first one was Brynne’s and it just did not seem the same. Ethan is such a needy character and while he is supposed to have a domineering side it is just not much there as far as I can tell. He also seems to be obsessed with sex with Brynne but it always seems to be the same type of sex if you ask me and he seems to confuse sex with love. He can actually sometimes turn irritating.

Brynne seemed off in this story too she seemed to turn marshmallowy in this book. While we learned more about her background and wow what a background it is and explains her attitude I actually wonder if a person who has gone through what she has would actually become the sexually submissive and everyday marshmallow that she is.

I hope the next in the series end up being better than this one.

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

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Kimberly review Star Crossed by Kele Moon

TITLE: Star Crossed
SERIES #: Battered Hearts #2
CHARACTERS: Romeo & Juliet (yes really)
AUTHOR: Kele Moon
PUBLICATION DATE: 07/03/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Heavyweight MMA fighter, Romeo Wellings comes from the hard streets of New York where his family ties to the mafia cause him nothing but pain. His life takes a surprising detour when he crosses paths with the twin sister of his long time enemy. After a steamy one-night stand, he faces the fight of his life, but it’s not in the cage. The secret relationship that blooms between Romeo and his real life Juliet has him battling his family and a dark past rather than let her go.

The only lawyer in her hometown of Garnet, Jules Conner is also a volunteer Sheriff’s deputy and co-owner of a successful MMA training center. Strong and dependable, Jules is always there for those who need her. Until one forbidden night in Las Vegas with Romeo leaves her feeling so alive she can’t stop reaching out to the sexy, bad boy of MMA, even knowing the forbidden love affair could jeopardize everything.

As the tide rises against them and the people they love work at keeping them apart, Romeo and Jules hold onto a dream for a better life together and vow to go down fighting rather than accept a tragic ending.

REVIEW:
3.5 Stars We met both Jules and Romeo in the first book of the series “Defying The Odds” and it was pretty obvious from the first book that this would be the next story up and I enjoyed it. I did enjoy the first book a little better but this was really good as well.

I enjoyed Romeo and Jules together. I even enjoyed both sides of their brothers. I was a little over the whole mafia thing after a while but I guess that will be leading to a different story later on. There was a lot of sex in this book… I mean a LOT of sex. Much more than in the first story and while it is written very well I wondered if there would ever be a real story in the book. And finally there was. And the ending was really good.

This really is a good book. I look forward to reading the next story about Wyatt.

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

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Kelly and Kimberly review Twisted by Rebecca Zanetti

TITLE: Twisted
SERIES: Dark Protectors #5.5
CHARACTERS: Terrent Vilks & Maggie
AUTHOR: Rebecca Zanetti
PUBLICATION DATE: June 20, 2013

ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Maggie is a wolf shifter who was captured and experimented on by the Kurjans. Now that a cure has finally been found for shifters (although not for vampire mates or witches), she can concentrate on creating a new life for herself and finally accepting that her memories are gone forever. Most memories, that is. Sometimes in the hazy world between dreams and dawn, she hears a Scottish voice, dark and deep, that sounds suspiciously like wolf-shifter Terrent Vilks. A man she happened to anger by kidnapping a few years back. Hey, it was for a good cause.

Terrent Vilks knows more than he’s let on for the past several years. After digging for answers, he knows exactly why the demons want Maggie dead. And he remembers his past with Maggie…very well. She is finally where he wants her. Now all he has to do is discover what exactly the Kurjans did to her, beat the demons into so much submission they leave her alone, and get her to fall in love with him. Again. Good thing he’s used to wrangling monsters.

REVIEW:
4.5 Stars Oh I was so excited to read Terrent & Maggie’s story. I would have loved for their story to be longer, but isn’t that the way most novella’s are? Always leave you wanting more?

In Twisted we finally get a little insight into why Maggie may have been taken by the Kurjans and her connection to Terrent. These two have a very interesting past and it looks like the future is going to be just as interesting.

And that is all I am going to say.. Hey it is a novella!! I can’t give anything away. If you are a fan of Rebecca’s Dark Protectors’ series then you know of Terrent & Maggie and the tension that has been brewing between them. If you are new to the series. I think you could read Twisted as a stand alone, but highly recommend that you read the series in order that way you have a better understanding of the world and Terrent & Maggies past. I am very much looking forward to what is next for the Dark Protectors’ series *cough* Jase *cough*

KIMBERLY’S REVIEW:
This is a short novella in the Dark Protectors series. This is 5.5 of the series. The characters of Maggie and Terrent are wonderful. I love the connection that they have even if Maggie can not remember it.

We finally get into the story of Terrent and Maggie but I wish the book had been a full story and not just a novella.

This is a great series that any shifter fan would love. You could probably read this book without reading the series but I would not recommend it. And Rebecca Zanetti is a incredible author so why would you want to?

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

4 Hearts