Romance Book Review: Dahlia West's Shooter

Author: Dahlia West

Series Connection: Burnout

ISBN: 978-1499176421

Genre: Contemporary Romance, Erotic Romance

Purchase Link: Amazon

Meet the men at Burnout, a group of ex-Army Rangers making their place back in the world after serving their country. Chris "Shooter" Sullivan is the teams leader. He moved back to his home town and brought what was left of his former team with him. When his friend Maria calls him about his rental unit for a new employee Shooter doesn't want to trust her, but slowly she worms her way into his heart.

When "Hayley" gets off the bus in yet another small town she keeps to her routine and works to just live another day. She's on the run and has been for a long time. Maria takes her in as a new employee at her biker bar. For "Hayley" this is supposed to be just another temporary place to stay until she can go home again. That is until she meets Chris and his team mates. 

While on the run she's made friends before, but no one she ever wanted to be close to until she meets Chris and his group. 

This is another of those books that might not appeal to everyone. It seemed to have all my favorites in the book-- romance (in some places the sex was just a little too much), suspense, humor--everything that makes a book good. But at the same time it was a bit disjointed. For instance in the beginning of the book Hayley seemed like a street-wise hard ass. She knew to keep her head down, protected herself from jerks be placing the dresser in front of her door, that kind of thing. Then midway through the book she suddenly turns into Susie homemaker. That part seem so out of character for her and not someone that Shooter would be interested in at all. Without saying too much, at the end she turns back into the heroine you'd expect from the beginning of the book. 

At times it also seemed a bit long and while it was giving the readers a chance to really see who Hayley was and explain her story, (another part I wasn't crazy about when it happened). 

The saving grace for this story for me was that I did wind up liking all the characters and was interested in seeing where the rest of them ended up throughout the series. I think I'd like to try again and read on of the other books in the series and see if it makes a better impression.  

Description:

Chris “Shooter” Sullivan has returned to his home town of Rapid City, South Dakota to pick up the pieces of his life shattered by a roadside bomb in Iraq. He only wants to focus on holding what’s left of his old unit together, running his garage where he builds custom bikes and cars, and pretending that his murdered father’s motorcycle gang doesn’t exist. 

Hayley Turner is a young woman with her own traumatic past. Fresh off the bus from Nowhere, USA, all she wants is a job and a place to live, until it’s time for her to leave again. She doesn’t want to make friends, or enemies, least of all the ex-Army Ranger who obviously doesn’t like her. She bristles under his watchful eye. He’s even got her convinced she’s bad news. 

But circumstances force two people who don’t need anyone to need each other more and more. The more Chris gets to know Hayley, the harder it is to stay detached. And the more Hayley gets to know Chris, the more she realizes she’s been alone for so long she might never recover from it.

Romance Book Review: Rachel Van Dyken's Bang Bang

Author: Rachel Van Dyken
Series Connection: Eagle Elite
ISBN: N/A
Series Connection: Contemporary Romance, Mafia Romance

Purchase Link: Amazon

Whenever she needed him Ax was there for her. She knew him throughout her childhood and he had always taken care of her. Kept her safe from her family and his. Until one night she was forced to run away with him dying on the ground from gun shot wounds and in all likelihood dead. Or at least that was what she was led to believe.

Years later when she has hit rock bottom, out of money with very little choices left, Ax once again comes to Amy's rescue. Finding out he isn't dead brings mixed emotions to Amy because him being back in her life may mean her life is over.

This novella is middle book in the Eagle Elite mafia series. All of the books are made a stand alone reads, however it is a series that connects the characters together so readers may want to read the series from the beginning.

The story is set in first person from both Amy and Ax's point of view. There is a lot covered in this one short story and gives enough of Amy and Ax's story, plus the others in the series to generate an interest and move forward or backward in the series.

Although well written and a good storyline, this is not a warm and fuzzy sweet romance. There is some violence, although I suspect not as much as the earlier and later novels. Ax's character is totally alpha but more sensitive than one would expect for a Mafia hit man and Amy isn't as hardcore as the women usually portrayed in Mafia style romance. Both characters are easy to like and work well together. Definitely a good read for a lazy afternoon, if you like the real bad boys.

Description:

He was my best friend. Until he became my enemy. All within the span of one night.

Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang.

The rapid fire of gunshots became the soundtrack to my life.

This is the Mafia. Lines are blurred. Choices are never black and white. And the life you thought you knew is... one giant lie. He was dead.

And I didn't want his life to be in vain, so I tried to make something of myself. I tried and failed.

Now he's back. Alive. And he wants something... Me.

Nobody ever said the mafia played fair.

Welcome to The Family.

Romance Book Review: Lacey Wolfe's Virgin Cowboy

Author: Lacey Wolfe

Series Connection: Carver Ranch Series

Digital ISBN: 9781940744902

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Purchase Link: Amazon

For as far back as Braden can remember he's admired bar owner and single mother Courtney, but while they are friends he doesn't think she's even noticed him as boyfriend material. When telling him about her latest bad date Braden blurts out his feelings and asks her out for a date. When she says no, Braden can only decide it is time to move on.

Courtney has always like Braden. He was easy to talk to and definitely easy on the eyes. She's taken by surprise when Braden expresses an interest in dating her. With the age difference between them and her being a single mother why would he be interested. 

When Braden stops coming around the bar, Courtney suddenly misses him being around and wonders if she spoke too soon and maybe she should consider dating Braden after all. 

But while the two are taking their time getting to know each other, Braden wonders if maybe he should explain his lack of experience with women and not everyone is as excited about the two of them spending time together.

While this is book three of the Carver Ranch Series it didn't seem necessary to read the previous books to enjoy this book, although you might want to.  

I'm a Lacey Wolfe fan, although I've read more of her erotic romances than contemporary romances, I may have to chase down some of her contemporaries. The Virgin Cowboy was fast moving contemporary romance.

I like the fact that she stepped back and created Braden's character outside of the box. He had his own alpha tendencies but wasn't the average man-whore type that are so often portrayed in short romance stories where the men are often out sowing their oats and sleeping with all the women in the bar before finally meeting their one true love who takes them away from all of that. 

Braden is more true to himself and feels strongly about his beliefs. Good writing backs up her story line, especially in creating the perfect woman for Braden. You'll have to read the story to really see how the two, although different, work well together. 

Description:

This cowboy lands the girl of his dreams, but he's got one little secret…

Courtney Johnson, single mom and bar owner, hasn't had much luck in the dating department. That all changes one evening when Braden Carver asks her out, and she decides to take a chance with him, even though she's ten years older than him.

Braden's always felt like he lived in the shadows of his two older brothers, never really being noticed. Before he knows it, he's on the dance floor with the girl he's liked for years, calling her 'sweetheart'. Finally, life is looking up for him. However, his mother isn't pleased when she finds out he's seeing Courtney.

As their relationship heats up, one thing still lingers—Braden's a virgin. How will Courtney react when she learns of his innocence? Will it be enough to make her walk away, especially with his disapproving mother?

Content Warning: contains adult language and sexual situations

Romance Book Review: Celia Kyle's Impawsible

Author: Celia Kyle
Series Connection: Buchanan Clan
ISBN: N/A
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Shifter Romance, BBW Romance
Publisher: Kindle Words

Purchase Link: Amazon

Bethany Buchanan moves to Deals Gap, North Carolina to start her life over. As a wererabbit she has always been considered prey, despite being taken in by a family of werelions, but things had been getting a little weird back home. Deals Gap is a place where she can be herself. To town is filled with misfit weres, so Bethany hopes to fit in.

Immediately she meets her mat Weretiger/wolf Carter. Carter has no problem with Bethany being a wererabbit and immediately falls for Bethany. He'll do anything to protect her, including protecting her from anyone who see her as prey or wanting to kill her to pay an old debt.

I loved this story. Already I've started to get to know the characters of this series and can't wait to see how the others in the Buchanan clan get to meet their mates. I understand that Mina Carter has also released a book that takes place in Deals Gap called "Werelock" and the whole town of mixed shifters was founded by Eliza Gayle with her Southern Shifters series. So far Celia Kyle is doing a good job continuing Eliza Gayle's stories.

Description:

A wererabbit and a tiger-wolf hybrid? Impawsible!

Wererabbit Bethany Buchanan hopes she can create a new life in Deals Gap, North Carolina. Home to the weird, wacky, and unwanted, it should be a place where she doesn’t have to hide (much) and can be herself (mostly).

When she meets Carter, a hotter than hot tiger-wolf hybrid, she knows she’s found her new home. Especially when he purrs and tells her he wants to eat her… in a very naughty way. Carter loves every inch of her curvy wererabbit body and is willing to do anything to make her happy.

Why? Because Bethany is his mate and he’ll kill to keep her. Which, as it happens, he might just have to do. You see, there’s this vicious werelion from her past and he’s looking for revenge…

Romance Book Review: Eris Sage's Fever The Complete Collection

Author: Eris Sage
Series Connection: Order of the Alphas
ISBN: N/A
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Shifter Romance, Erotic Romance

Purchase Link: Amazon

As an alpha Michael is used to being the one everyone yields to, but since he met Aiden six years ago she has never backed down from him. This makes him uneasy and something else he can't put his finger on. While she isn't his type at all, he can't help the attraction he feels toward her.

When Aiden is attacked Michael runs to be by her side and protect her, whether Aiden wants him too or not. When her attack turns out to be something worse than a simple mugging, Michael knows he must claim Aiden as his mate or lose her forever.

Aiden can't believe that she's finally with the man she's lusted over for years, but she can't stand the fact that he's only claiming her out of misplaced loyalty and since shifter mate for life, she can't help but worry that Michael will be sorry for making a rash decision.

This is a serial of three book that has been put together into one collection, however be warned that while this story ends with a HEA for Michael and Aiden it does continue with the underlying mystery.

As for this story be prepared for some very erotic scenes as Michael and Aiden navigate their way in their relationship. I wish these two made a love match, but really Michael seems to spend a great deal of the book doing the honorable thing and his shift to wanting to make a go of there relationship doesn't seem to have any reason. I might have liked to see more time away from the bedroom scenes and more time with the two getting to really know each other.

That being said the story line did keep my attention and I liked Aiden's character a lot. So I can give it some credit for generally being well written and good suspense. I'd take a chance and read the next part of the series to see where the background story leads.

Description:

Michael Freiheit is a billionaire CEO who just so happens to be a wolf shifter. As a member of the sacred Order of Alphas and Alpha of his own pack, he’s charged with protecting shifters and humans alike, and his authority is unquestioned by all under his command. 

Except for Aiden Walsh, that is… 

The curvy human doesn’t even know that shifters exist, yet she has an infuriating habit of challenging him at every turn. But when a new and potentially deadly danger arises, Michael will have to put his feelings aside if he’s to save Aiden, the aggravating human who he discovers is his most unlikely mate.

Romance Book Review: Celia Kyle and Mina Carter's Hunting A Mate

Author: Celia Kyle and Mina Carter
Series Connection: M&M Mating Agency
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Shifter Romance

Purchase Link: Amazon

Paige is on a the worst job interview of her life, when she runs into her mate, but she's too embarrassed by her own out of control shifts that takes off in less than five minutes of meeting him. When she runs to her best friend for support, she finds that her mate is the brother of her best friend's mate.

When the two meet its magic, but not everyone is pleased that the two have found each other and will stop at nothing to keep them apart.

Cute and funny story of a were-ferret and a were-cougar who meet and immediately know they are mates. Poor Paige doesn't have control of her inner ferret and when she gets frightened whiskers start popping out and her nose starts to twitch, but when she meets Archer her ferret calms down under her mates protections. I enjoyed watching Paige grow stronger under Archer's loving embrace.

Description:

Does love at first sniff exist? Archer and Paige seem to think so. Well, more like Archer says yes and Paige says no. But don’t worry, they’ll work it out in the bedroom. 

Wereferret Paige Baxter has an itty-bitty shifting problem. Mainly she spontaneously shifts, and that’s a problem. Her answer is to remain calm, practice yoga, and stay away from anything that could scare her… or surprise her… or arouse her. Of course, the super-hottie hunk of werecougar she runs into at the M&M Mating Agency ticks off all three “must never happen at once” boxes. 

Paige does what any embarrassed, self-respecting woman would do in that situation—she runs. Unfortunately—or fortunately—cats love a good hunt. 

The M&M Mating Agency: We deal in matings, not chocolate.

Romance Book Review: Zoe Chant's Honey for the Billionbear

Author: Zoe Chant
ISBN: N/A
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Shifter Romance, Werebear Romance

Purchase Link: Amazon

After a broken heart from her thief of a boyfriend, Isabella goes to spend some time at her aunt's honey bee ranch for some peace and time to heal. When she gets into town she learns that the old mansion down the way has a new mysterious owner. Her job is to leave two bottles of honey on the porch once a week. Her aunt tells her it isn't likely that she will meet the billionaire that purchased the mansion, but she can't help but hope to get a glimpse of him.

While running from what she believes is a wild bear and getting stuck in a storm, Isabella is hurt during a storm and meets the mysterious billionaire. While the two get to know each other and quickly hit it off, but can Isabella's new found beau help keep her safe from her ex-boyfriend or will his secret keep them apart for ever.

While short this story offers a quick fun read with enough to give the reader a good insight into the couple and a beginning. I'd have liked to have had a little more of the story to read and get to know the characters better.  

Description:

BBW with a broken heart + mysterious billionaire bear shifter + an unexpected storm = one sweet and sexy story! 

Curvy Isabella is done with love. After her ex-boyfriend turned out to be a con man, she fled to the country to take care of her aunt's bee farm. Sweet honey and sweet solitude -- the perfect cure for a broken heart. All she needs to do is tend to the bees, and deliver two jars of honey every week to reclusive billionaire Ryan Steele. 

Ryan may be a billionaire, but he's never been lucky in love. He too retreated to the country in the hope of healing his wounded heart. Then Ryan finds Isabella injured and shivering in the woods after a storm. He only means to keep her warm, but instead they light each other's fires! But when her dangerous ex-boyfriend returns, can Ryan protect his mate from her past? 

Honey for the Billionbear is a standalone bear shifter romance. No cliffhangers!

Romance Book Review: T.S. Joyce's Grey Back Bad Bear

Author: T.S. Joyce

Series Connection: Grey Back Bears

ISBN: N/A

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Shifter Romance, Bear Shifter Romance

Purchase Link: Amazon 

As a child Willa and her friends agreed to spend a week together after they graduated from college. So much has happened since then, Willa didn't have much in common with the three bombshells she grew up with. Now sitting in a bar in the mountains, she can't believe that she didn't realize the reason she wasn't sitting on a beach with a tropical drink was because this town was filled with shifters. Shifters that her girl friends wanted to nothing more than to have hot and sweaty sex with and then move on with their lives. 

That wasn't what Willa wanted at all. She was still a virgin with a capital "V".

That is until she meets bear shifter Matt. Keeping strictly to the friend category, Matt and Willa begin spending time together and it isn't long before Matt realizes that all his playboy days are behind him and he's met his mate, but now he has to convince both Willa and his crew of bear shifter lumberjack buddies that his mate belongs by his side. 

I haven't laughed so hard in a long time while reading a romance. Willa is a gutsy, smart-mouthed person who blends perfectly with Matt. The couple works well together. I also didn't mind the shortness of the book, this time, because it worked well to introduce the characters and gave enough time to speak pull the couple together and was believable they would be able to make the HEA. 

Description:

Matt Barns is on a mission. The goal of this mission? Find a mate before his broken bear drives him into madness. He knows exactly what he’s looking for, but when his bear finally settles for a mate, she dumps his world upside down. She’s funny, sure, but other than that, she’s not his type in any way. Or so he thought, because Willa is breaking down his walls and opening his eyes to a new life he thought he might never find. 

Willamena Madden: smart-mouthed, fun-loving, loyal-to-a-fault, proud nerd and fragile human. She’s also somehow become the potential mate to a grizzly shifter. A shifter? She feels sorry for the critters and wishes humans would leave them alone, but Matt is proving he doesn’t need her pity. He’s a sexy, scarred up, growly beast-man, and she’s thinking he could be the one to finally take her V-card. But Matt’s hot and cold, and one of her friends is after a bucket-list werebear diddle with the man Willa’s falling for. And if that isn’t stressful enough, Matt’s Gray Back Crew is a loosely knit community of maniacs. 

Matt feels important, but Willa has never been in more danger. If she can’t find a way to survive his people, she’ll have to go back to her safe life without her Gray Back Bad Bear. 

**Brand new series from T.S. Joyce. Can be read as a standalone series. No cliff-hangers. Just a crew of lumberjack bad-a bear shifters, and the women strong enough to love them.** 

Romance Book Review: Ashlynn Monroe's Beloved Darkness

Author: Ashlynn Monroe
Genre(s): Paranormal Romance, Supernatural Romance, Ghost Story Romance
Digital ISBN: 9781940744810
Publisher: Beachwalk Press

Purchase Link: Beachwalk

Saffron left the world of the supernatural with her childhood, but when her own son's life is in danger she run to her sister for help. Sage has a friend who she believes can help Saffron's son, but it may take Saffron believing in the unbelievable to help her son before the ghostly aberration takes him away.

When she meets Sage's friend Judson, she isn't sure if she can trust him, with her son or with herself. When the ghost show and puts them all in danger, Saffron must learn to believe or lose everything.

Fast read, short story. Read this book in one night. Some great moments of tension as the story climaxed. I was hoping for a little more between the hero and heroine, but the story was just too short to give them anytime for readers to see the HEA. Otherwise the story was well written and perfect who like a little supernatural with their romance.

Description:

There is more lurking between heaven and hell than most mortals are burdened to see.

Saffron Thorne flees to her younger sister's house when something in the darkness attacks her four-year-old son, Carsten. Saff doesn't believe in the supernatural woo-woo that her sister loves, but she trusts Sage with her son's life.

Convinced that evil forces are at work, Sage invites her friend Judson over. Jud is the hottest guy Saff has ever seen, but he's also a medium who talks to the dead. Saff is suspicious and leery, but for some reason she feels inexplicably drawn to him.

Judson soon proves he's legit, but can she trust him enough to put her feelings about the mystical aside and embrace the darkness? She'd do anything to keep her son safe. But as dark surprises are revealed, the danger intensifies even more.

Content Warning: contains graphic sex scene, creepy descriptions of the supernatural, and a love that defies the laws of death.