Book Reviews, Reverse Harem A-D



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A - Authors
                                        

Jeanne Allen


 Six Branches (The Agora Ser... Six Branches (The Agora #1)

                 by    ****REVIEW
Growing up as a foster child, now at college on scholarship, Rose has always been alone. She's barely let anyone into her life, but that suddenly changes with a touch. A painful handshake. Within days Rose finds herself surrounded by five (soon to be six) gorgeous men who tell her she's part of a group of mutated humans. There is an entire community if these special humans made up of 'families' consisting of the gifted and their anchor. Rose is the anchor to these powerful guys. This puts her in immediate danger, and she's at a further disadvantage having been raised as a normal human with no idea of her true nature. As a loner and observer of humanity, Rose doesn't know if she should trust the guys or their feelings but it all feels true. 


G. Bailey


Save the Sea (Saved by Pira... Save the Sea (Saved by Pirates #3)
                      by     ****REVIEW
Cassandra barely lived to escape the king; rescued by the sea god, she makes a deal. She must kill the king. Returned to her pirates she finds herself revered as the people's savior, the Chosen One who will save the world with the help of the rebel army. But first, she must follow the path of the sea god's riddle. She must visit the mermaids to retrieve the magical crown that will give her enough power to face down the king. She must also commit an evil act of mercy. An act that may destroy her soul and her relationship with two of her pirates. It's the only way. Then she must put the true Queen on the throne. Time is running out but if she wants a future of peace with her pirates she cannot fail. 
Save the Sea is the conclusion to the story of Cass and her pirates, Hunter, Ryland, Jacob, Dante, Chaz, and Zach. It's the culmination of the fight against the king, the battle to make the Chosen One's safe, and to save the land and sea. Cass comes into her own as the most powerful Chosen One with the love of her bonded. The Pirates continue to be awesome. The war storyline was solid but I enjoyed Cass's time with the pirates more. I didn't feel that there was enough time to truly enjoy each Pirate but I have no complaints about the encounters we did get. Hunter and Ry started out as my favorites and this never changed. These twins are Pirate Perfection. Everly continues in her role of increasing importance. We get the introduction of the Chosen Masters and the mermaids. The mermaids added drama but I wasn't sure about the Masters. It felt like something was missing; their introduction felt important but their significance to the story seemed minimal. 
Everything was wrapped up nicely by the ending with a nice little glimpse into the future. I had promised myself that I would skip the prologue and was much happier doing so. I am not a fan of this author's tendency to take a pivotal moment close to the end and start off with it. To me, it diminishes the suspense. This was the right choice for me and I will continue skipping her prologues in future books. A spin-off story was set up that should be equally entertaining. I admit I was a tiny bit disappointed overall. The series never matched the excellence of book one. It felt rushed after that. I missed the time spent with Cass and each Pirate talking, getting closer. Still, it was a nice conclusion for these wonderful characters. 


Love the Sea (Saved by Pira... Love the Sea (Saved by Pirates #2)

                       by 



                by G. Bailey  ****REVIEW



A Heart of Shame (The Redem... A Heart of Shame (The Redemption Saga #2) by 




A Life Of Shadows (The Rede... A Life Of Shadows (The Redemption Saga #1) by 




Wild Pride (The Kingson Pri... Wild Pride (The Kingson Pride, #1)

                      by Kristen Banet   ***REVIEW
Wild Pride is the Reverse Harem debut of the Kingston Pride series. Riley Stern found herself living in Wild Junction working as a waitress in the Starry Night diner. She has 2 friends, 2 "adopted" fathers, a crappy apartment, and little else. Yet she's happy enough. This wasn't her plan at 23, but after being abandoned by her father and ending up in an abusive relationship, she's happy on her own in the little town. That all changes when five men move back to town; Brenton Kingson, Zachary Woods, Andrew Hicks, Troy and Gabe Walker. Five gorgeous, rich men who are all feline shifters and part of the Kingston Pride. They have returned home having left the politics, intrigue, and danger of the feline world. However, once they meet Riley they realize it won't be so simple. She's a half-breed and has no idea. After a debate on whether to run her out of town or take her in, the Pride befriends her, explains what they are and what she is. She is given an invitation to join the Pride. This comes with the perks of their wealth and their sexy bodies. It also comes with now being known to the feline world and its dangers.
THE GOOD: This book has a wonderful storyline. The feline world backstory, the total corruption of the businesses and the different Pride members is compelling. Riley's intricate history makes for plenty of action. The characters are all nicely developed and likable. The Leopard brothers, Gabe and Troy with their playful sexiness; Andrew with his reassuring best friend persona, Brenton with his Alpha dominance; and my favorite Zachary with his grumpy, protective sexy self. Riley is a feisty, complex lead female. I love how she was her own girl no matter what was thrown at her. She owned her life! I also like how while she was emotionally strong and intelligent, she didn't become a physical force. So many paranormal books have the lead female develop skills to be the strongest member. Riley did what she could, but her feline stayed true to her human self. I also love her comfort level with her sex life and her sexiness. Women enjoy sex every bit as much as men and the fact that no double standard was allowed in the Pride was refreshing. The fact that there was a strong sexual connection between Riley and the guys was even better. The sexual tension was through the roof! I loved several of the side characters, the Sheriff, Joey, and Star. The villains of the story, human and especially feline were excellent.
THE BAD: The editing. I would have easily given this a 4 star without the errors. If it gets revised, I will change my rating. There were missing words on most every other page. Then was used instead of than is almost every instance. I read the book through KU thank goodness. I would have been upset had I paid for a book that clearly wasn't proofed. If an editor was paid, a refund or second reading should be demanded. If it was independently published with no professional editor, make use of volunteer Beta and ARC readers. I personally volunteer! This story is too good not to polish up.
The arc of this story finished up with an ending that set up book 2. I love when series do this. I will absolutely read the next book with the hope of a more finished product. The characters and story are good enough that I truly want more.


Nikki Bolvair

Convincing Tucker (Keep Me ... Convincing Tucker (Keep Me Series                    Book 1) by 



Honeymoon Blues (Faith Seri... Honeymoon Blues (Faith #6)

   *****REVIEW


Just Married (Faith, #5) Just Married (Faith #5)

                      by Nikki Bolvair    *****STAR REVIEW
Just Married is everything you could want in the final book of a series! I have loved the Faith Series and eagerly anticipated this one. It more than lived up to my expectations. I laughed, I cried, I sighed long dreamy sighs; sometimes all on one page. Nikki Bolvair truly delivered a rewarding finish to Daniel's story. 
The guys have proposed, Faith has accepted, now it's time for the wedding. It's not so simple though. Faith isn't the girl who has been planning her wedding since childhood. Pinning her and the guys down for details is tough; there's no venue, no design ideas, no date! They are all just happy to be together. This doesn't work for their families though, so an intervention is held. So much of the preparations, especially the meetings with Pastor John are hilarious. I will never see the word pollination again without giggling. 
Tyler, Kayden, Lincoln, and Faith are all wonderful. It's amazing that a relationship with four people, three siblings could work so well. The individual relationships between Faith and each of her guys are equally special. The dynamics work individually and as a group. They all have a special connection and the attraction is steamy hot. All of these characters are deeply developed, as are all of the supporting characters. The scenes between Faith and Bates and Sonya were adorable and touching. The scenes with Granny were fantastically ridiculous. 
Wedding preparations, Thanksgiving, house hunting, new additions, a wedding, honeymoon, final goodbyes, more surprises. This book has it all. In the end, Daniels becomes a McGuire. We survived her past, got to be there when she got a second chance at a family and found true loves. Now we get a glimpse into her HEA. So good!

Silent Secrets (Faith, #4) Silent Secrets (Faith #4)

                 by Nikki Bolvair   ****STAR REVIEW

Silent Secrets is the conclusion to The Faith Series, a group of 4 reverse harem novellas featuring Faith Daniels and The McGuire Brothers. A short, entertaining read. This is the book that finally gives us the answers to Faith's past. There are a few surprising twists and it's good that she can finally let the past rest and stop carrying any guilt. 
There are some sweet scenes between Faith and her guys, her family, her "kids", and her girlfriends. There is also a little humor inserted with Tucker and a surprise twist there as well. However, I was so unhappy with the book's ending. The author completely cheated the readers. The relationships culmination we have all been waiting for is completely skipped over. The three McGuire brothers take Faith for a romantic week to romance her and take her as theirs together as promised. Despite all the teasers leading up to it, we get nothing. It's completely glossed over and we're told it happened and that's it. Then we jump forward to the next major event a year or so later. If I was rating the book on this alone it would be a 2 star for my disappointment.  **Not the last book. Nikki added a wedding book, #5

Gaining Ground (Faith, #3) Gaining Ground (Faith #3)

                 by Nikki Bolvair   ****STAR REVIEW
Gaining Ground was a fast read, but I enjoyed it. Daniels' relationship with the guys faces some doubts that threaten to destroy their new relationship. Plus Tucker keeps stirring up trouble. Roxie! Daniels is starting to come into her own more and the scenes between her and the boys are the best part of the book.

 Brokenly Found (Faith, #2) Brokenly Found (Faith #2)

                  by Nikki Bolvair ****STAR REVIEW
Book 2 starts up right where book 1 ended. Daniels ran from Brady, Sarah and the McGuire brothers, wrongly thinking it was better to run than to wait for them to throw her out. She can withstand the pain of leaving them, but not losing them not of her own choice. Her bus crashes leaving her badly banged up with no memory of the last few months. It is nice to see that Brady and the boys truly care for her. 
Luckily the amnesia doesn't last throughout the entire book and Daniels comes clean with the reason she ran. I appreciated that the characters actually communicated and misunderstandings weren't allowed to fester. I also liked Daniels growing closeness with the boys and the introduction of Tucker into her life. Again the book is more a novella and we are left hanging for book 3.

Love Is Not Lost (Faith, #1) Love Is Not Lost (Faith #1)

                  by Nikki Bolvair   ****STAR REVIEW
Love is not Lost is the first in the Faith Series reverse harem books. It is set around Faith "Daniels" a former foster kid who has recently been taken in permanently by the cop, Brady, who found her after her parent's deaths. Daniels' life has been filled with emptiness and abuse and she has a protective layer around her heart. The story really begins when this new family moves to New York across the street from Tyler, Kayden and Lincoln McGuire. From the very beginning, they are determined to break through her walls and make themselves an important part of her life. The characters are rounded out with their sister, a few classmates, and the brother's enemy. It's a short book, more a novella in length and only takes a few hours to read. It is enjoyable, believable, and the characters are all likable. The story is original and with the ending, I will be reading book 2.

Tetchy Sleuth (The Lydents'... Tetchy Sleuth (The Lydent' Curse #3)

                by    ****REVIEW
One psych hospital, one ball of gray light and Trace's life is forever changed. When Hannah, her best friend called needing help, Trace didn't hesitate to put her detective skills to work. She needs to find out more about the people in the town Hannah has moved to. One claims to have answers Hannah desperately needs, so Trace starts to investigate. Following a secret source's lead, Trace starts at a psych hospital where she unknowingly absorbs the light of a dying Lydent. Within hours four Lydent warriors Cameron, Justin, Nox, and Thad are taking her into custody. They were on a mission to go to the hospital where a Lydent man, Ivan, who had taken part in the Royal bombing that devastated their people years ago was dying. Their job was to make certain that no one in his family receives his light. Arriving too late, they discover that a human woman has his light. Lydent women are scarce so if his light has created another woman and she lives, their community will be pleased; unless his light is as evil as he was. Then they must prepare for the worst. Trace is thrown into a new world, a world of magic, a world of reverse harems. She was not prepared but even more, the warriors are not prepared for Trace.

The Bridge Over Snake Creek... The Bridge Over Snake Creek (The                            Lydents' Curse Book 2) by 

Hidden Light  (The Lydent S... Hidden Light (The Lydent Series 1)

                       by 

Elizabeth Briggs

Beauty in Darkness (Royal H... Beauty in Darkness (Royal Hearts #1)

               by    ****REVIEW

 
Embrace the Dark

(Her Elemental Dragons #5) by 

Sora has big shoes to fill. Or wings...Her mom and dads sid save the country from the Goddess of Darkness after all. She's been trained her entire life to take over when she becomes of age. She will have her four dragon shifter mates and gain her own dragon. But the Death Goddess decides she deserves to be represented as well and demands Sora take a fifth mate or she will unleash the dead upon the world.

Ride The Wave (Her Elementa... Ride The Wave (Her Elemental Dragons #4)

              by    ****REVIEW
Kira has been captured, taken to Soulspire, and is being held prisoner inside a bone cage by the Black Dragon and her mates. Reven is encased in ice and that's all that's keeping him alive. Jasin has a badly injured arm/wing, Slade hasn't learned to fly after being newly bonded, and they have all lost their bond communication link to Kira. But they aren't giving up. Kira's mates are determined to rescue her even if it means accepting help from someone they consider an enemy. And once they have her back, she can save Reven, and they can travel on to the Water Temple for the final bonding. They will defeat the Black Dragon. Nysa and her mates have a thousand years of experience and immense power but they are missing the strength of a true bond, of love. The ascendants, Kira and her mates, will find a way to destroy the Black Dragon's evil reign and return the lands to peace. 

Shake the Earth (Her Elemen...Shake the Earth (Her Elemental Dragons #3)

              by 

Kiss The Sky (Her Elemental... Kiss The Sky (Her Elemental Dragons 2)

                        by    ****REVIEW
One huntress, a soldier, a prince, a blacksmith, and an assassin. Chosen by the gods these five are destined to become the world's next elemental dragons; to battle and replace the power-hungry black dragon and her cruel men. After bonding with Jasin and barely escaping the Black Dragon and the Onyx Army, Kira and her men are sailing to the Air Kingdom where she will bond with Auric. Naturally, their journey isn't smooth sailing. There are powerful, evil forces working with the current dragons and Kira and her men are only learning their magic. Still, when they work as a team they are strong. However, can they truly be the team they need to be? Slade is willing to perform his role but wants to keep his distance emotionally from Kira. Reven has already deserted Kira once. Auric has secrets that could destroy her trust. And once she learns more about their bond Kira doesn't even know if she has the right to ask the men to commit to her. The Air Kingdom brings quite the adventure.

Stroke The Flame (Her Eleme... Stroke The Flame (Her Elemental Dragons  #1) by     ****REVIEW

Kira has been a lot of things since her parents were killed when she was 13; a bandit, a traveling merchant, a servant to an innkeeper. Most of all she's tried to blend in, to not be noticed. That all changes on her 20th birthday when her fate finally catches up to her, set in motion by a strange encounter and a lightning strike. After several weeks of vivid dreams about beautiful men, the actual men start arriving in her village looking for her; all telling the same story. Jasin, the arrogant soldier. Auric, the scholarly prince. Slade, the protective blacksmith. Reven, the cold assassin. According to them, they’ve each been chosen by the gods to become the next elemental dragons and Kira is their mate, the Black Dragon of the Spirit Goddess, the most powerful of all. They need to mate, master their powers, and overthrow the current Black dragon and her mates to right the lands.

Light The Fire: A Reverse H... Light The Fire (Her Elemental Dragons 0.5)

               by    ****REVIEW
Calla has been chosen by the Fire God to be his High Priestess. Once she agrees, she must choose four mates to accompany her to the Fire Temple to live a life serving the Gods and helping the next dragons. She's been in love with her four best friends since she was old enough to understand what love is. Derel, the man she hates, the man her mother promised her to when she was born. His best friend, her best friend Falon. Roth, the man who once loved her and then broke her heart after a tragedy. And the town's bad boy, Blane who she's had a bit of a 'thing' with. Will they be willing to give up their lives and go with her? Will she know what to do as the High Priestess?



B.L. Brunnemer

When the Dead Come Home (The Veil Diaries #8)  

Senior year. Lexie is in a relationship with her guys but they are supposed to be keeping it quiet. There is a serial killer in town. Asher is back and dealing with being a shifter and Ethan is no longer human either. Zeke is in pain and Miles is keeping secrets. The witches are a threat and ghosts are still disappearing. Senior year is supposed to be a time to make college plans, to enjoy fun times with friends and to fall in love but not when you are a powerful necromancer. Not for Lexie Delaney.

I seriously can't get enough of these characters and their story. I love them. We got so many answers but in true BL fashion, we don't know what we can trust and we have so many new questions. It was equal parts rewarding and frustrating. Zeke opened up while Miles kept secrets. Miles was a disappointment to me. I have no issue with his entanglements but his thoughtlessness where Lexie was concerned hurt. I don't want to give any spoilers but he didn't behave like the man I love and Lucy needs to go. I liked the inclusion of Tara and Jessica into the family. I look forward to the final book in this first part. The witches must be dealt with, Lexie and her guys must work out their growing pains, the marigolds must be addressed. And don't forget Riley. That's a whole new story.


The Veil Diaries: Behind Th... The Veil Diaries: Behind The                 Veil (The Veil Diaries #7,5) by                               *****REVIEW





When The Dead Have It Easy ... When The Dead Have It Easy

               (The Veil Diaries #7) by 




Secrets From the Grave (The... Secrets From the Grave (The Veil Diaries #6) by 



When Evil Comes To Play (Th... When Evil Comes To Play (The Veil Diaries #5) by 

Lexie is a Necromancer, a Veil Worker. Currently, she is the only person with the ability to pass souls over. It's taking it's toll on her emotionally and physically. She is a Survivor but she has an expiration date. Her symptoms are getting worse; there are decisions to be made, and she needs to tell her guys. But how? When? Isaac is acting out, Ethan is worried, Asher's dad is back and it's not going well. Zeke will lose his mind.

Whispers from the Dead (The... Whispers from the Dead (The Veil Diaries   #4)  by B.L. Brunnemer   *****REVIEW

This book, Whispers From The Dead is just more. The Veil Diaries is just more. When is a hug more than a hug? When it's between the Tough guy and Baby. When is a kiss more than just a kiss? When it comes from any one of the guys. When is a dog more than just a dog? When it's Hades. When is a high school mean girl more than just a bit**? When it's Jessica (or Tara). See what I mean or should I go on? This book/this series is just more, it's everything!

Whispers From The Dead returns the reader to Alexis Delaney, 17-year-old high school necromancer, keeper of the Veil, lover of coffee, wanna-be tattoo artist, and center of the universe to an incredible group of young men, Miles, Asher, Isaac and Ethan, and Zeke. Lexy is still recovering from the brutal attack she suffered at the hands of Clay Ordin. She's in therapy for her PTSD and it's a daily struggle. All of her guys are having a hard time with her pain, but her trauma has triggered Zeke's own issues. It's a tough time for the friends. Not to mention that there's an influx of dead and they are getting more pushy by the day. And there's still the issue of Sophie. It's time for her to cross. Lexie is tired; tired of the dead, tired of Veil work, tired of being afraid, tired of Tara's nastiness; plain old TIRED. But this is Lexie. She's a fighter and she has Rory, Hades, and her guys. She starts confronting her fears; fear of the attack and her deeper fear of abandonment. It's time she decides she's "all in".
This is a book of emotions. Negative; fear, anger, hurt, worry, feelings of betrayal. Positive; love, attraction, warmth, happiness, amusement, relief. It's a book of confrontations. It's time to face fears, stop procrastinating, and reveal secrets, Lexie's childhood impacted the person she became. The attack has left her forever changed. That's okay. She's still Alexis. She's a beautiful, fiery, talented, stubborn, intelligent, loving young lady. She has a temper and a potty mouth. She has a light that cannot be ignored. She's still Alexis, she just has a few more triggers that need to be acknowledged. The guys carry the weight of their own pasts. Growing up means putting the past to rest. Some are more successful at this than others. It's an on-going journey.
This is a beautifully written book in a series that impossibly gets better and better. It's a must-read and that will probably happen in one sitting. It's captivating. I am more attached to and invested in these fictional characters than I am in some of my actual acquaintances. I adore Lexi and her guys, Rory (World's Best Uncle), Maria, and Riley. I can't wait for more!

When To Fear The Living (Th... When To Fear The Living (The Veil Diaries  #3)  by B.L. Brunnemer   *****REVIEW

Amazing, awesome, marvelous, fantastic, superb, phenomenal... Understand? This book is seriously good! When to Fear the Living is the 3rd book in B.L. Brunnemer's Veil Diaries. 
Lexie's life is complicated. As a powerful Necromancer she needs to pass souls through the Veil, but since someone messed with it, she has to fix it first. She has a pushy ex, Dylan who won't stop harassing her, determined to win her back. She has 5 male best friends, some that she is crushing majorly on. And she has a secret admirer that starts out sweet, borders on creepy, then moves straight into terrifying. 
This book deepens Lexie's bonds with the boys. She now sees Miles and Asher as guys, not just friends. She crushing, and there are several heated looks and almost kisses. As much as she's trying to ignore the butterflies when they are around, she can't. It bothers her that she can feel this way about not one, but two of her friends. There's no way to act on her feelings without putting her friendship with all of the guys at risk. Then to make it worse, she realizes that she's fallen for Zeke too. These "crushes" are not one-sided, but Lexie doesn't know this. She's also not willing to lose all of the guys, so she's trying hard not to cross any lines. 
We also learn more backstories of a couple of the guys. It's not pretty. It's no wonder that these boys are closer than family and have adopted Lexie. They have seen pain and loss in their young lives. Learning more about their histories helps us understand them better and love them even more. I dare you to tell me that these guys don't make you swoon!
This book has a trigger warning. Note it if you have survived a trauma. There is a dark event that will leave Lexie in pain for a while. The boys will suffer right beside her because they couldn't stop her from getting hurt. This may spoil any relationship movement for a bit, but I'm sure that they will all come through it together, stronger than ever. Until then, they won't leave her side again. Lexie's importance to them has never been more evident. Neither will Hades; I love this pup!
This book is well written, chalked full of important information and character development. It has some of everything; adventures, long talks, humor, frustration, break-ups, touching scenes, and a first kiss. It leaves you desperate for book 4 the moment you finish. I can't wait to see what comes next!

When the Dead Come A Knocki... When the Dead Come A Knockin' (The        Veil Diaries #2)  by B.L. Brunnemer   *****REVIEW

Amazing. When the Dead Come A Knockin' made me break my own review rules. Normally I would not give a 5 star to a book with as many editing errors as this book had. It wasn't overrun with errors, but there were too many. It's also a bit expensive for Kindle. Still, B.L. Brunnemer has created a series that I am obsessed with, so I had no choice but to praise it. It's original, well written, chock full of great characters. So, so enjoyable. 
The book is long and detailed, full of back story and new information. The characters become more developed and their stories become fuller. Loved all of this. Lexie still has moments of stupidity; perfectly understandable with her history, but she comes a long way in this book. Her heart is her best characteristic. The boys aren't perfect, but darn near close. Their protectiveness over Lexie is endearing. The jury is still out on Dylan. 
This book is almost painful. The slow burn of the relationship progress is wonderfully frustrating. One minute I want it sped up, but then I am enjoying the development so much I wouldn't change a thing. The RH genre has become a quality genre. No longer is it just tantalizing smut; now it has worthy writers. This book is a great example of today's RH. It's even better than the first book and I can't explain how much I want the third one to be released today! I recommend it without reservation.

Trying To Live With The Dea... Trying To Live With The Dead (The Veil         Diaries #1)  by B.L. Brunnemer    *****REVIEW

Trying to Live With the Dead is the first book of The Veil series by B.L. Brunnemer.  The story begins when Alexis Delaney is taken from her abusive mom and moves in with her Uncle Rory and cousin Tasha. Alexis is a 17 yr old girl and comes from a line of women who can see and talk to the dead. She has never had any close relationships because of her "freak" status. At her new high school though she is immediately adopted into a group of 5 guys. Isaac, a blue-haired MMA fighting, his twin Ethan, lead singer for a band, "Zeke", a mechanic, Miles, a computer geek, & Asher, a sports star with model looks. These 5 guys, along with Uncle Rory are awesome.
There is something wrong with the dead in this place, however. The spirits are getting more powerful and evil by the day. Alexis is tasked with finding and fixing the problem while trying to stay alive and keep her new guy friends safe. It's a fast-paced, fun read. My biggest criticism is the language. There's way too much unnecessary cussing. Profanity loses it's punch when every other word is f* this or f* that.
This is a very compelling storyline; one I can't wait to read more of. I was a little disappointed that all of the guys dated other girls throughout the book, and I hated that rule that was made in the end. I'm hoping that it gets broken during the first chapter of the second book. I love the guys, love Alexis, and I want relationships. A true RH wil
l make these books perfect.


                    by 

Found (Books of Stone, #1) Found (Books of Stone #1)

                      by 


Image may contain: 1 person, text


Stacey Brutger

Heart of the Assassins (Aca... Heart of the Assassins (Academy of  Assassins #2) by 



Academy of Assassins (Acade... Academy of Assassins (An Academy                       of Assassins 1) by Stacey Brutger     ****REVIEW
Morgan was discovered alone in the woods as a small child. She has no memory of her early years. She was raised in a coven as a Hunter. Life hasn't been easy for her; the witches abuse her and her training is twice as hard as any other's since she's a girl. She has one true friend, a hellhound, Ascher. Her life changes on the day that she receives an invitation to the elite Academy of Assassins, a school that trains witches and hunters for their most important job, protecting the human world from supernaturals. From the first moment, she arrives at the Academy she makes an impact. She is placed in the boy's wing with a boy roommate. makes an enemy of the "Queen" Witch, she gets under the skin of her trainer, she runs with werewolves, and she kicks some serious a** in her classes. She's placed on the most elite of teams as a test of her abilities; fit in and perform or be kicked out. It won't be easy, there haven't been any Huntresses in over 100 years. Still, this is Morgan and she was meant to hunt. Her team. Kincade, the leader, Draven, Ryder, and Atlas all accept her with varying degrees of acceptance, but they all acknowledge her skillset. Her old coven is attacked and danger follows her to the Academy. There is a price on her head as secrets of her past start to be revealed.
I loved this book! The story was entertaining and exciting, but the characters took it to the next level for me. Morgan is feisty, intelligent, tenacious, kind, determined, innocent, and aware. She's so strong, but vulnerable at the same time. She wants a family, love. She never backs down from a challenge and protects all who are weaker than she is. She wins the loyalty of a hellhound, the respect of an elf, the adoration of a siren and a werewolf, and the devotion of a gargoyle. The girl is seriously fabulous! The guys are all fantastic. They each have secrets and insecurities even if they seem perfect. The world-building is excellent. The injustices in the world and the wrongs committed by some of the witches made for a great, albeit frustrating angle. Discrimination and unfairness in the paranormal world!
Be aware, this is a can't put down, read-through- the night kind of book. Once you pick it up, there's no stopping. It's dangerously addictive. It's pure entertainment. I have a few questions that I look forward to being answered in the next book. Hopefully, the adventure continues soon. I look forward to watching Morgan and the team get even closer.


Joely Sue Burkhart

Queen Takes King (Their Vam... Queen Takes King (Their Vampire Queen #2) by 

Queen Takes Knights (Their ... Queen Takes Knights (Their Vampire Queen #1)  by Joely Sue Burkhart      ****REVIEW

Shara Isador has been alone, on the run for 5 long years never staying more than a few weeks in one place. Both of her parents have already been murdered and now her time is up. She's trapped, surrounded by the same monsters that killed her, and about to end it all when two men come to her rescue. Not only do they save her, but they call her their Queen. Alrik and Daire offer themselves as her guards, her blood. In a second Shara's life is forever changed, so many revelations, but most importantly, she's no longer alone. Shara is the last remaining descendant of Isis; she's a vampire. Everything she's ever believed about her life has been a lie. She has incredible power, but she must learn how to use it quickly because now that her existence is known, the monsters aren't the only things after her. Blood and sex, a prestigious heritage, a legacy, vampire politics, magic are all a part of her life now. 
I really enjoyed this book. I love books based on legends. The story of Isis and Osiris as the original vampires has always been fascinating to me. This one also mentions the Morrigan, my favorite Raven Queen. I really love when legends cross-over. Shara was a fantastic lead female. Her spirit, her strength, her innate kindness, and her persistence are admirable. Her first two Bloods, Ric and Daire are perfect. Their strength of character, their long-held wish for their own Queen, their bond with one another (M/M), and their instant love and loyalty to Shara made them ideal.
To be honest I would have never picked it up if it hadn't been recommended to me. The cover is unpleasant to me. It is fitting and brings me to the only aspect of the book I wasn't crazy about. The descriptions about the blood turned me off. SO MUCH BLOOD! Too vivid, too messy. I thought the sex was hot but would have been even more so without all of the blood. This is strictly a personal opinion, however, if you are like me and prefer "neater" vampires, heed this warning. This is NOT your sparkly vampire story.
The story alternates POV's between Shara and Ric which was the perfect way to contrast someone completely new to this world with an experienced veteran. The complexity of the paranormal world and the vampire politics provides a wealth of potential conflicts. The fact that the five years Shara spent alone and running for survival might be easier than navigating the next few months, accepting new Bloods and trying to avoid being killed by Vampire Queens is a fascinating scenario. It will also be interesting as new Bloods appear to see how they fit in with Ric and Daire and their previous bond with one another and first claim to Shara. There are sure to be issues with jealousy and power. I look forward to the next part of Shara's story. 

C - Authors


Kel Carpenter

Wicked Games (Queen of the ... Wicked Games (Queen of the Damned #2)

                 by      ****REVIEW
Ruby Morningstar. Half succubus, sharing a body with and trying to control the beast, Lucifer's daughter, Hell's future Queen. So much for the quiet life, she had planned as a tattoo artist living with Moira, her banshee best friend, and her raccoon Bandit. Now she must worry about transitioning, taking over hell, and staying alive. There's an imp after her and he's only the first once word gets out about who she is. Soon every big-shot demon in hell will want her dead. Not to mention her ex-boyfriend's girlfriend is trying to make her life as miserable as possible. And finally, there are the Four Horsemen. They were made for her. Obviously, she's attracted to them and the beast has claimed them as her own.

Lucifer's Daughter (Queen o... Lucifer's Daughter (Queen of the Damned             #1) by     ****REVIEW

Ruby Morningstar is a half-succubus living in Portland where she owns a tattoo parlor with her best-friend/roomie/banshee, Moira and has an incredible pet raccoon and a not so incredible crazy ex. After teaching someone a needed lesson in how to be a better human, Ruby is bailed out of jail by a handsome demon. He and his 'brothers' turn Ruby's life upside-down. Rysten, Allistair, Julian, and Laran, otherwise known as Pestilence, Famine, Death, and War. The Four Horsemen. The Horsemen aren’t aren't the bringers of the apocalypse like we've been told, they were created to protect Lucifer's Daughter, the one who can. And they are certain that Ruby is Lucifer's little girl now all grown up.



Kristy Cunning

Gypsy Freak (All The Pretty... Gypsy Freak (All The Pretty Monsters #2)

               by   ****REVIEW
Violet was used to raise the town's psychotic Alpha vampire. Now, this same vampire wants her to be the one to bring him and his fellow Alphas back together; to become the Alpha Pack, the brothers they once were. It's an intriguing idea since she's attracted to all of the Alphas but do they really want her or do they only want to use her? Do they want to control a Portocale gypsy to break their curse? Is she a replacement for their first love? 

Gypsy's Blood (All The Pret... Gypsy's Blood (All The Pretty Monsters #1)

                by   ****REVIEW

Three Trials (The Dark Side... Three Trials (The Dark Side #2)

                        by 
It's the return of Ghost-girl. She's on a mission to keep her team alive in the Devil's games. Once again it's up to her to save their pretty little, ungrateful behinds over the next three days. The Devil's three tests are not meant to be survived but survive they do along with a little 'gratitude' from a couple of the guys. However, the danger isn't over once they are sent back topside. Arguments take place, deadly betrayals occur, and the ultimate sacrifice is made. This is not how becoming a real girl was supposed to go! Sure, she can become solid, saved her guys, enjoyed some pleasures, watched some television, and has eaten popcorn, but now Ghost-girl has a few new goals. She wants a new badass name. And she wants to find out who killed her and get her revenge.
I loved every second of this book. I am not going to give any details of the story. The adventure should be enjoyed without any spoilers. Just know it's hilarious, maddening, surprising, and sexy. Ghost-girl is one of my favorite female characters of all time. She is such a unique combination of vanity and sensitivity. Her thought process is hysterical. The guys may not laugh at her, but I do! The guys were so much better in this book. It did take Jude way too much to come around, but still, better too late than never. And all of the revelations. Just awesome! I had figured out parts, but others came as a complete surprise. Love that! This series is just so much fun. Honestly, I can't read fast enough. I have no control once I start reading. I am addicted to Ghost-girl (who now has a name!) and can't get enough.

Four Psychos (The Dark Side... Four Psychos (The Dark Side #1)

                      by 

Siobhan Davis

Reign

(The Sainthood - Boys of Lowell High #3)

Time is running. In the world of The Sainthood, only the strongest will survive. Destroy or be destroyed. Harlow, Saint, Galen, Theo, and Caz must find a way to defeat Sinner but as determined as they are, he always seems to be one step ahead. But there's no way in hell they are going to lose. Sinner is fighting for power. They are fighting for love.

This story is unparalleled. The conclusion to The Sainthood is fierce, sexy, brutal, full of intrigue and danger and powerful love. Siobhan is brilliant. I fell in love with her writing from her very first book. Now she has found her footing among the elite RH authors. Harlow's guys are next level. Their individual personalities show such distinction and development. Their brotherhood with one another is deep and unquestionable. Their connection to Harlow was intense and forever. Harlow is a Badass Queen. She is f'n magnificent. This girl was born to rule the world. The side characters were compelling enough to deserve their own novellas. Diesel, Bryant...am I wrong?!? And the story itself was one crazy, convoluted, captivating ride. Beware, it's one of those books that once you reach a certain point, it's too late; you won't be able to put it down again until you reach the last page. Prepare to stay up all night. This is one of the few books where I would love to revisit the characters in five years to see where life has led them. Did they steer clear of The Sainthood or did Saint claim his birthright? Did Theo join VERO? Does Caz still have a word of the day? Has Galen let go of his past hurts? Who is adult Harlow and what trouble is she getting into? When fictional characters become real, when you fall in love with them, it's hard to let them go.

Rebellion

(The Sainthood - Boys of Lowell High #2)

I love Siobhan. I love all of her characters. I have since I first stumbled upon True Calling. Each and every one holds a place in my literary heart. But there is a new number one with this series. A true goddess among fictional females. HARLOW. She is magnificent in every way. She can kick your ass using her brains, her body or a weapon. She can unapologetically pick the locks to your house, seduce every man in your world, and still be ready and fabulous for school the next morning. And my girl has assembled the hottest harem imaginable. The Sainthood might need to be destroyed but the junior chapter is everything. Intense, sexy, loyal, gorgeous, intelligent, funny, and willing to please.

Rebellion, The Sainthood Series is nonstop. Nonstop suspense, nonstop sexiness, nonstop surprises. I can't get enough. I devour each page. Forget about sleeping, eating or any other obligation. This becomes my only priority. I am obsessed. It creates such emotion, lust, hate, envy. With each book Siobhan writes, she outdoes herself leaving me in awe (and usually screaming across the Atlantic). I can't wait to see what her twisted mind comes up with next!

Resurrection

(The Sainthood - Boys of Lowell High #1)

The night she lost her father, Harlow met them. Saint, Galen, Caz, and Theo. The next generation of the notorious Sainthood. One night to escape. The next time she sees them they make it clear that she belongs to them. She's theirs to play with, to destroy. But Harlow is no plaything, no victim, no saint. She's a Queen and these boys will learn soon enough just what that means. Their cruelty, their violence doesn't bring her to her knees, it brings Harlow back to life.

Surviving Amber Springs Surviving Amber Springs

              by     *****REVIEW
Blaire loves one person more than anyone else on earth, her other half, her twin Ethan. He's the best man she knows until he does the unthinkable. Now she's left alone, confused, hurting, angry, hated. Driven from their home, Blaire and her parents move across the country in search of a new start. But you can only run for so long, it's impossible to truly escape the past. This time Blaire isn't alone. She doesn't have to face the judgment and condemnation on her own. Axel, Skeet, and Heath took Blaire in as one of their own from the first moment they met and they are determined to stand by her. As grateful as Blaire is to have the guys in her life, by her side, they may not be enough. This time it may just be too much. 
Surviving Amber Springs is a tragic, contemporary RH. Every tragedy has multiple stories, many victims. This is a seldom explored, rarely sympathized view of one. It's gut-wrenching, traumatic, heartbreaking. Blaire's pain is palpable. Her loss overwhelming. Her confusion and anger understandable. The story is a compelling RH with great guys and believable relationships but it's so much more. It's a thought-provoking story of mistakes, misplaced judgments, second chances. There's pain on every conceivable level. It's a story of desperation, of giving up, of surviving. 
This is not an easy story to read. It is worth the read, however. Siobhan Davis has created one of her best books yet. The subject matters in this book are ugly. It's human nature at it's worst and lowest. But the story is written with sensitivity and a complete lack of sensationalism. As a reader, you are immediately drawn into Blaire's life. You will hurt, worry, get angry, cry. You will fall in love with Axel and Skeet and eventually Heath. You will root for Blaire. You will understand. You won't agree, you won't forgive but you will understand. At times you won't be able to put the book down, at others you may need to put it down and walk away for a minute. In the end, you will realize that you just went through a remarkable journey with these characters. You will be able to breathe again. 

Trigger warning: Gun violence, sexual violence, suicidal ideation


The Chosen One (Alinthia #4) The Chosen One  (Alinthia #4)

               by 
Alinthia’s awakening, her 18th birthday is quickly approaching, General Arantu is threatening the Earth, there is still the threat of the unknown Darkness, and while Alinthia has her guys back, Dane is still keeping her at a distance. The bond is strained at a time that Alinthia and her protectors can least afford. They must find a way to come together as one or all will be lost.

The Warrior Princess (Alint... The Warrior Princess (Alinthia #3)

               by    *****REVIEW
Alinthia is now the captive of a secret government agency; subjected to tests and forced training with the goal of making her a government weapon against enemy alien invasion. Her trainer- Zorc. For now, she will play along. Once she learns that her men are being held by General Arantu and his daughter Alandra she realizes that she must get stronger and learn to control her powers if she wants to escape and save her men. Alinthia finds allies, gets stronger, makes plans but it all comes with a price. She's straddling a fine line harnessing the darkness to gain strength quickly. She realizes that Zorc is attempting to control her with the evil side of power but she is desperate. Her human side once thought of as a weakness is her best chance to stay in the light. Her love for her men is her motivation and once the bonds are reinforced she is more determined than ever to get to them. Arantu is the great threat, Alinthia is the only one who can stop him but she knows she must have her men beside her for this fight, for her happiness and well-being. Without them, nothing else matters; together they can accomplish anything. 

The Secret Heir (Alinthia #2) The Secret Heir (Alinthia #2
                by    *****REVIEW
Tori knows who she is (Alinthia), knows her history (alien princess), and knows what she is supposed to accomplish (save the world). The problem is she has no idea what to do! She can't control her powers, she's worried about her visions and dreams, she has doubts, she has guilt, she has regrets. She's keeping secrets. Her bonds with Coop, Maddox, and Beck are deepening but Dane is keeping his distance. He doesn't trust Tori and has his secrets too. This is threatening the bond. And while the enemy aliens haven't attacked yet, they all know it's just a matter of time. If they can't work as a team, they will fall. When an unexpected newcomer arrives, secrets are revealed, weaknesses exposed. By the time Tori figures out the truth, it may be too late. She may lose her guys. The fight may be lost before the battle even begins. 


The Lost Savior (Alinthia #1) The Lost Savior (Alinthia #1)
                       by 
Tori is your typical All-American girl, except that she most definitely is not. High school senior, good grades, good group of friends, athlete, in love with the boy next door. Perfectly normal until a random encounter triggers her unknown heritage complete with superpowers, alien assassins, and a devoted group of protectors. This is a unique twist on Superman. Smalltown USA has unknowingly been the home to a girl who might save us all.
Siobhan Davis is one of my favorite contemporary authors. Reverse Harem is my favorite genre. For me, this is a match made in heaven or better yet on a distant planet. Told in Tori's POV we are with her every step along the way of her new adventure. We get glimpses of her past as they start to unlock through dreams and visions. Tori is a likable, relatable lead female. She's smart, sweet, strong (all the good S's). She's madly in love with her boyfriend and has a strong group of girlfriends with a fantastic bestie. Tori is confident in who she is and what she wants so when everything she has ever known about herself turns out not to be the entire truth her world is rocked but she handles it with as much grace as possible. She does this while dealing with a jealous boyfriend and normal high school drama. When overwhelmed she is not weak or whiny. I love that about her. She makes some missteps along the way but all-in-all she does the best she can. The guys are gorgeously fantastic. Flirty, fun Cooper; muscle-bound, yet insecure Maddox; shy, intelligent Beckett; and their cold leader, Dane with his distrust and harsh, hurtful words. There is an instant attraction that confuses Tori but she loves her guy and she's no cheater. That doesn't mean that the guys will just walk away once they find her. They have a duty towards her; their whole life is for her. If she is who they believe her to be, that is. Tori's life-long friends are not so bad themselves. Jensen, her boyfriend is everything you want in a guy, cute, smart, sweet, and devoted. Her best friend Kylie is exactly what every girl needs; the sister that has her back no matter what. The others round up the typical high school experience. 
We get a tantalizing glimpse of the alien worlds. History, character powers, and world-building are put in place to make a solid foundation. Siobhan is a master at soft sci-fi. We get a few creepy aliens but they are only the foot soldiers. We learn why Tori is important, why she is sought after, and who wants her but we don't meet the bad guy...yet. In true Siobhan fashion, there is a cliffhanger. It's disturbing and worrisome on a couple levels. While I would love for book 2 to be able to focus only on Tori getting closer to the guys and building relationships, I know that they will be tested. They will get closer, they will face battles. I just hope that they are all on the same side!






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