Hell or High Water by Julie Ann Walker

Hell or High Water by Julie Ann Walker

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


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

I’m going to start my review off with a warning to Key West residents and geography buffs, if you can’t read a book without getting stuck on some of the geographical details that Ms. Walker takes liberty with, then don’t bother – you’ll be missing out on a great book, but you’ll avoid the heartburn. As geography is NOT my strong suit and I actually have no problem with an author shifting the locations of real places to suit his or her story, it was not a sticking point for me. So if you’re a reader who can go with the flow and you enjoy romantic suspense novels, then I suggest you dive right in (pun intended) and enjoy the adventure because Hell or High Water delivers the gut-wrenching action and suspense I’ve come to expect from Ms. Walker’s storytelling…and this time it’s in a much warmer climate.

While fans of Ms. Walker will likely draw parallels between the men of Deep Six and the Black Knights Inc. as in both cases we are dealing with some seriously sexy and dangerous alpha males, this band of ex-SEALs and their salvage company is not a front for a black ops group. Deep Six is an actual salvage company with their eye on finding a sunken treasure before the lease on the island that Leo’s family holds expires. And while you can take the SEAL out of the Navy, you can’t take the SEAL out of these six guys, especially when the request for help comes with a hefty payday that will fund their treasure hunt, but more importantly when it comes from Leo’s “the one that got away” – Agent Olivia Mortier. What follows is a high octane adventure as Deep Six faces off against a band of terrorists and a CIA mole in a race to retrieve the makings for one of the most dangerous chemical weapons known to the military. Of course no Walker novel would be complete without a searing romance and Leo and Olivia seem out to prove that if it’s worth having, it’s worth fighting for in the first book of the series.

As a fan of Ms. Walker’s writing, I was excited when I learned that she was writing a new series (I actually squealed out loud when I read the email). As a resident of Key West for 13 years, my excitement level rose when I learned that it was set on and around the island because seriously, what better place is there to set a novel about treasure hunting ex-SEALs? So forgive me if I seem a bit fangirly because I not only got to read a book set in my backyard, I got to read a book by one of my favorite romantic suspense authors…set in my backyard. All that aside, the author does a great job of introducing the men of Deep Six so that we get to know some better than others in this installment, giving us friends we’ll see in the next installment while leaving an air of mystery around the others to give us even more to look forward to. Not surprisingly – at least not to me – Leo and Olivia proved to be a great match. Their banter was entertaining, their resolve to get the job done was equally matched, and their chemistry was hotter than the Caribbean sun. Leo definitely knew how to make the most of cramped spaces and held nothing back when it came to making sure Olivia was taken care of – physically, emotionally, and sexually. The ending of Hell or High Water was perfect and already has me craving the next book in the series. Well done Ms. Walker, you seem to have created a new series that has the same feel as the Black Knights Inc. without leaving me feeling as though I’ve already read the book. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for the men (and women) of Deep Six.

Check out the Hell or High Water by Julie Ann Walker Spotlight Tour post on Wicked Reads.


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Must Love Cakes by Virginia Nelson

Must Love Cakes by Virginia Nelson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Must Love Cakes was a quick and sexy read as Carolyn finds out that her two best friends may want more than just friendship. When Carolyn gets dumped by her current boyfriend via text [insert nasty derogatory thought about boyfriend], she calls in Grady and Ben to accompany her to an important social outing so that she doesn’t have to face her ex alone. Because of the conversations between Grady and Ben that the reader is privy to, it was not a surprise that they did so nor that they were more than happy to play mind games with her ex when he acts like a jerk during the party. And while the public make-out session was hot, Carolyn fled the party to go home alone because she couldn’t bear finding out whether or not the guys meant it – and she wasn’t sure which answer she really wanted.

As a plus-size gal, Carolyn has plenty of insecurities about her looks and cannot believe that her super-hot besties would be attracted to her at all. Because of this, I was excited for her when she realized that the guys really did want her; at the same time, I understood her reservations when she thought she had to choose between them. With the way both of the guys stood up for her and how much their friendship meant to all of them, I got why she wasn’t willing to risk it, especially with the guys’ track record. Thankfully for everyone (the reader included) Ben and Grady were willing to talk about the issue – or stop talking about it and act on it in Grady’s case. Once they were able to make Carolyn understand that they were interested in a relationship between the three of them and how very little would change from what it currently was, the sex scene that followed was both sweet and hot as can be. Unfortunately this is a novella and the story ended far too soon for my liking – mainly because I wanted to see more of the trio, bedroom time included. While Must Love Cakes is the third book in the Watkins Pond series, I read it as a standalone and enjoyed it without having read the prior books in the series. If you’re looking for a short and steamy ménage romance, then you might want to check this one out.

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

Check out the Must Love Cakes (Watkins Pond #3) by Virginia Nelson blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Snowcroft Safehouse by Christi Snow

Snowcroft Safehouse by Christi Snow

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Snowcroft Safehouse was one heck of a ride. The prologue is explosive and starts the book off with a bang…literally. Despite already looking forward to reading this book, Ms. Snow managed to hook me in even further and I was quickly immersed in Declan’s story as he finds himself in the Witness Protection Program – the only surviving member after his rock band was targeted by a mobster. I liked that the author included a note at the end of the book stating that she took procedural liberties regarding WITSEC within the story, but for me it was unnecessary as I had no problem going with the flow as Declan was transferred from the custody of the US Marshalls to the FBI for his protection. The believability factor was upped after Declan and Law’s conversation about the homophobic agents Declan was forced to deal with and that Law just so happened to have access to property in Snowcroft, New Mexico.

As it’s been over a year since I read Snowcroft Lost, I wasn’t sure of how welcoming the community would be to Finn (Declan’s alias) as an openly gay man. However, Law managed to make Finn’s sexuality a non-issue by obtaining him employment in a job that guaranteed him immediate acceptance into the community – the middle school band teacher. I enjoyed how fate kept throwing Finn and Jack into one another’s paths – at Jack’s bar, the music store, and the middle school as Jack’s daughter quickly became Finn’s most promising student. Despite Jack being firmly in the closet and having no intention of coming out of it in fear of how it would impact his daughter and Finn not wanting a relationship with anyone while having to lie about his identity, neither man is able to resist the other for very long. The chemistry between Finn and Jack is intense and the sex scenes between the guys are hot. But when Declan’s survival becomes public knowledge and his past comes back to finish off the job, Jack and his daughter get caught in the crossfire and Declan’s chance at a happily ever after is at risk.

Snowcroft Safehouse definitely delivered on the action. I was quite surprised with just how far Ms. Snow took the story in regards to Declan facing off against the mobster at the end of the book, but it certainly added to the suspense. In addition to the relationship that Declan (Finn) is building with Jack, we are treated to the bond that is forged between Declan and Law. Although the underlying circumstances are different, the fact that both men suffer from PTSD and are able to understand the other’s suffering and lend support as needed added to the richness of Declan’s character. It also laid the foundation for Law’s book – which I look forward to reading once it’s released. Fans of Snowcroft Lost will be pleased to know that Trevor and Jamie do make an appearance in this installment so we get to find out how they are faring. Snowcroft Safehouse was an excellent addition to the Snowcroft Men series and I cannot wait for Snowcroft Restoration.

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

Check out the Snowcroft Safehouse (Snowcroft Men #2) by Christi Snow blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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The Captain's Pet by Samantha Cayto

The Captain's Pet by Samantha Cayto

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


The Captain’s Pet was an interesting twist for me. While I have read some M/M sci-fi romance, the majority of the genre that I have read in which the human becomes an alien’s sex slave have been those in which the sex slave is a human female. So for me this was a new twist on a classic plot in the sci-fi romance genre. And I REALLY liked it.

The Travians are a matriarchal society, with the males being the warriors and the females having the political power. When Wid and some of his acquaintances are caught vandalizing Travian property on a disputed planet, they find themselves sentenced to duty on a Travian ship – as sex slaves. Because of how the Travian is society is structured, there is no infidelity should a mated male take on a male lover; actually, a mated female can replace her male mate with another at any time or add a second male mate to the family. As the captain of the ship, Kell is expected to accept the “gift” of one of the sex slaves even if he feels that having a “pet” will be a burden on his time. Although Wid didn’t know it at the time, he was fortunate that the captain found his fair-hair intriguing as he narrowly escaped being chosen by the sadistic second in command. Contrary to one of his fellow captive’s laughable suggestion that being gay would make it easier for Wid to endure being Kell’s sex slave, Wid wanted nothing to do with the situation. Despite their less than ideal start, Wid eventually begins to see Kell as more than his captor and vice versa, until affection (not love) develops between the men. But this closeness does not discourage Wid and the others from plotting their escape. When a mutiny occurs, the human pets find themselves under the control of much harsher masters and they must choose between the devil they know (their old masters) and the devil they don’t (their new masters). Fortunately for Kell and those loyal to him, it wasn’t a difficult decision for the humans to make.

I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Kell and Wid. There was no instant love between the men and in fact there were times when Kell’s behavior would undo the progress he had made with Wid. The eventual bond that forms does not occur because of Stockholm syndrome, but rather two men getting to know one another. I loved how Wid’s opinion of Kell changed when he overheard part of Kell’s conversation with his mate. In the same vein, I liked how Kell developed an appreciation for why the humans refused to leave the disputed planet after talking to Wid – there wasn’t much he could do with the information externally, but it did shape his opinions on the humans and their plight. While the sex was indeed hot between Kell and Wid, the true action was when the human pets took their fate into their own hands and came to the rescue of their masters. Kell and his men were forced to exercise a level of trust in the humans they weren’t accustomed to and it made for a more interesting fight. Kell’s final battle and subsequent adrenaline relieving activity was the height of alpha male dominance and it was freaking awesome. As The Captain’s Pet is the first book in the Alien Slave Masters series, I can only hope that Ms. Cayto gives fans the opportunity to catch up with Kell and Wid again as she spins someone else’s tale, but either way, my eyes are peeled for book two.

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

Check out The Captain’s Pet (Alien Slave Masters #1) by Samantha Cayto blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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The Medic of Brighton Creek by Adaline Raine

The Medic of Brighton Creek by Adaline Raine

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I was really looking forward to The Medic of Brighton Creek and the second-chance romance that it offered with a side order of spanking. When Mikayla returns home for her best friend’s wedding, she falls victim to a snowstorm and ends up at the front door of her childhood crush’s home. Fortunately for Mikayla, Sam is a paramedic who received additional medical training while in the military so he is more than capable of patching her up. Unfortunately the weather is so bad that she is “forced” to stay with him until it clears – or is that unfortunate? Mikayla’s not sure because her feelings for Sam are still a jumbled mess just as they had been when she left town years ago. Great premise, right? While most of the book was good, there were a few things that prevented it from fully delivering on its promise in my opinion.

Have you ever walked in on an ongoing conversation and tried to play catch-up, but know that you must have missed a vital piece of information or two? That’s how I felt several times while reading The Medic of Brighton Creek. It was obvious from the book that there was a significant history between Mikayla and Sam, so between that and the fact that the book was a novella, I had no problem with how quickly they seemed to get together. Where I had problems was that at times the scenes seemed to be written with the assumption that the reader knew all about their past, so I felt lost with what was going on – enough so that I actually looked to see if this book was part of a series, but I found no listing indicating it was. And while I THINK that for the most part I was able to pick up on what the author was trying to convey, this gave the book a very disjointed feel for me.

Another issue for me was Mikayla herself and how her behavior seemed to get worse and worse as the book went on. I realize that the author was trying to make Mikayla’s behavior seem bratty, but for me her behavior and the constant “Will I? Won’t I?” left me with the impression of a person with rapid cycling bipolar disorder and it frankly got on my nerves the more it occurred. I’m all for a Mikayla testing Sam’s willingness to follow through with his promises to punish her, but frankly it went on for far too long – especially for a novella. And I really, Really, REALLY didn’t understand Bonnie and how she could claim to be Mikayla’s best friend yet had no problem telling Mikayla’s business to Sam’s ex. Seriously?!?! Best Friend Code 101 – You NEVER blab your best friend’s business to her nemesis. I don’t care how big of a gossip you are, you just don’t do that.

Setting all that aside, when Mikayla wasn’t letting her insecurities get in the way, the romance that unfolded between her and Sam could be quite sweet to watch. It was nice to see Sam tell Mikayla how he felt for her and how he had always looked out for her as she was growing up. I’m not sure how to describe their chemistry because while there was a definite connection between them, Mikayla’s volatility kept interfering with it. The spanking and sex scenes were hot and I did learn that the medical play scenario in this book is so not my thing, but more power to Mikayla for discovering one of her kinks. The Medic of Brighton Creek was a good read, just not a great read for me. But check it out because it might be yours.

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

Check out the #Spank of the Day: The Medic of Brighton Creek blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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