Review of Bring on the Heat by Katie Rose

Bring on the Heat by Katie Rose

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.

Bring on the Heat is a sweet read. What starts out as a case of mistaken identity soon snowballs into a lie that just won’t stop. Darcy is ecstatic when her employer – a party girl heiress – sends her to an event in her place. Even though Darcy tells those at the event who she is, no one seems to believe her and assume that she is Lydia, including the Sonics pitcher, Chase Westbrook. Darcy is a baseball fan, a Sonics fan, and a HUGE Chase Westbrook fan. After being ignored yet AGAIN when she tells Chase her true identity, she decides to just go with the flow and enjoy the evening … it’s not like she’ll ever see these people again. Fortunately for Darcy, the flow leads her back to Chase’s for the evening. Unfortunately for Darcy, she can’t handle her liquor and passes out on her heartthrob. Mortified when she wakes up the next morning and remembers what happened, she sneaks out. And THAT’S where the story really gets interesting.

Chase was none too happy to wake up alone, but was quite pleased when he realized that “Lydia” had left something at his place, something that would guarantee that he would see her again. And thus the game begins as Chase decides to figure out just why “Lydia” has the reputation she has when she seems so sincere and caring when they spend time together. By holding the item hostage, he insures that “Lydia” has to continue to spend time with him. Of course, Darcy loves spending time with Chase, but she hates lying to him and doesn’t feel she has any other choice considering the value of the item he still has. As the two get to know one another, Darcy finds herself losing her heart to Chase and dreads what will happen when he finds out who she really is … or isn’t. Unbeknownst to her, Chase is finding the contradiction that is “Lydia” fascinating and finds himself falling for her … at least the parts that are Darcy. And even though the two are clearly well-matched and the sex is great, Chase can’t help but feel betrayed when Darcy’s identity is revealed.

Ms. Rose has penned a sweet sports romance with just the right amount of heat that kept me entertained the entire time. I adored Darcy’s character and couldn’t help but hope that she got her Cinderella ending. I also like that Ms. Rose showed quite a bit of character development for Chase as he found his place within his team and realized what was really important to him when it came to his career. Bring on the Heat is a great start to The Boys of Summer series and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

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Review of Shifter's Claim by A.C. Arthur

Shifter's Claim by A.C. Arthur

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Shifter’s Claim is the fourth book in The Shadow Shifters series and can be read as a stand-alone. I have read Ms. Arthur’s spin-off series of novellas, Shadow Shifters: Damaged Hearts, and was excited to get the opportunity to see what she could do within a full-length novel. Suffice it to say, she did not disappoint.

Priya is a journalist looking for a story … a story to confirm the existence of “cat people.” But she isn’t investigating the story to make a name for herself as a journalist. She is being blackmailed and her brother’s life is on the line. While she doesn’t actually believe in the existence of “cat people,” she was pointed in the direction of a specific individual. As she attempts to get closer to him during a fundraiser she is intercepted by Sebastian and her life takes an even more unexpected turn – she just doesn’t know it yet. The chemistry between Priya and Bas is primal … but we are dealing with shifter pheromones after all. Ms. Arthur has a knack for writing intense sex scenes that are raw and primal, thus making Bas and Priya’s immensely pleasurable.

There is a lot of action in this book as the rogues continue their attacks. The author provides bits and pieces of information for readers of the prior books in the series, but does so in such a way that readers who haven’t read books 1-3 yet aren’t lost. If anything, she has peaked my interest even more in the earlier books in the series and I suspect that I will be reading them sooner rather than later as I’m quite interested in the stories of some of the other characters. Shifter’s Claim is an action-packed paranormal romance with plenty of steam to keep you entertained. Ms. Arthur has definitely made a fan of me.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

See the Shifter's Claim by A.C. Arthur blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Just a Little More by Ella Sheridan

Just a Little More by Ella Sheridan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This was a really enjoyable read for me. Just a Little More deals with the struggles that Angel and Brad face in the aftermath of Angel’s assault. That the assault occurred almost immediately after Angel and Brad admitted their feelings for one another and made plans to take the next step in their relationship is what makes this book so heart wrenching.

Because this is a novella, Ms. Sheridan makes the necessary jumps in time that keep the story moving forward and does so effectively that, as a reader, I never felt as though I was missing anything – I didn’t need to read the details of Angel’s attack, her time in the hospital, or the six weeks of ever-increasing depression she experienced to understand her and Brad’s actions and sympathize with their plight. This allowed her to focus the story on Angel and Brad’s relationship and this led to one seriously sexy scene when Angel finally accepted that she was ready to move forward from the attack. Again, shower sex scenes are awesome!!! I needed a cold shower myself by the time Brad got through.

Just a Little More is an engaging read. Despite the fact that its premise is based on a brutal attack, it is a story of survival and love. I could not help but root for Brad as he stood strong and did all that he could to help Angel deal with her assault and loved her no matter what. While this is the third novella in Ms. Sheridan’s Secrets to Hide series, it can be read as a stand-alone; I did, but I would like to go back and read books one and two as I am interested in Alex and Damien’s stories. I’m also looking forward to the next book in the series as it looks like Ryan is up next.

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

See the Just a Little More by Ella Sheridan blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.



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Review: Ash to Steele

Ash to Steele by Karen-Anne Stewart

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I found Ash to Steele to be an intensely enjoyable read. Ms. Stewart has created rather engaging characters in Emma and Breck. While the premise of the book provided a multitude of opportunities for the author to take the easy way out and produce a story full of stereotypes, she didn’t. She took the time to develop the characters fully, causing me to become invested in them and empathize with them as they dealt with some rather stress-producing situations – both good ones and bad ones.

Yes, Emma is the virginal preacher’s daughter who is immediately in lust with the forbidden fruit, but she has a fire to her I rarely see in similar leading ladies. Then we have Breck. The quintessential manwhore who has a different girl or girls on his arm every night, while trying to forget the childhood that turned him into the broken man that he is. As expected, he finds himself inexplicably drawn to Emma’s innocence. I found it interesting that he initially insists that he intends to corrupt her, but later it is her innocence that heals him in a way. Despite Breck’s reputation, we are well into the story before he and Emma FINALLY consummate their relationship and it was worth the wait. The two are well-matched and their interactions are heartwarming, heartbreaking, and entertaining to say the least – especially when you throw Gavin and Jess into the mix.

Ash to Steele is s story of salvation and redemption through love. But it’s not just love of another, it’s also finding salvation in learning to love oneself. And the author gives the couple several trials they must overcome that certainly test their love. I feel I should note that because Emma is a preacher’s daughter there is a very mild religious theme to the book. However, once you get toward the end of the book you find out why and it adds an unexpected dimension to the storyline that I appreciated – and I don’t tend to like religion mixed with my sexy fun-time reading, of which there was plenty. Ms. Stewart has penned a well-written and engaging story that I expect I will read again. She would not be remiss should she decide to write a sequel featuring Gavin (hint, hint).

I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

See the Ash to Steele Tour Stop at Crystal's Many Reviewers.




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