Retribution by Dana Delamar

Retribution by Dana Delamar

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Once again, Delamar had no problem sucking me back into the world of the Luchessis, the Andrettis, and the rest of the Italian ’Ndrangheta. But she really amped up the stakes and the action in Dario’s personal vendetta against Enrico by luring Enrico’s illegitimate son, Nick, to Italy. And we learn that Nick’s little boy lost mentality causes him to fall right into Dario’s trap – again and again and again. Seriously, for an Interpol agent, Nick really isn’t that savvy when it comes to dealing with the criminal element and he fails miserably when it comes to learning from his mistakes. While his ineptness endangers him, it’s also probably what saved him because no one really saw him as a threat – because he wasn’t.

Dario’s daughter, Delfina, is struggling against the strictures of the family business. She has no desire to marry someone of her father’s choosing just so that he can strengthen the family’s standing. Especially as his choice is her best friend’s brother, who is a drug addict. Especially when what she wants to do is design clothing. Especially when all she really wants is to not be a part of the ’Ndrangheta. To live her own life. To be free. When she first meets Nick, she knows exactly whose son he is and, due to his age, she despises him because of what he represents – her uncle’s infidelity to her beloved Aunt Toni. But as she spends time with him, she understands why her aunt was so drawn to her Uncle Enrico – the Luchessi men possess a natural charm. As it becomes obvious that Delfi will soon be engaged to a man of her father’s choosing, she hatches a plan that will either save her from her father’s machinations or get Nick killed.

I was blown away by just how well Delamar subtly reminded the reader that Nick was British and not raised in the ’Ndrangheta way. There was a definite difference between the Italians and Nick in their mannerisms, speech, and how they saw the world. Honestly, I’m still amazed that Nick made it to the end of the book still living because some of the stunts he pulled should have gotten him killed. As with the previous books in the series (which you do have to read before Retribution), there are plots, deals, lies, and subterfuge aplenty, and just when you think you know what’s going on, you find out that there is even more going on than you as the reader are privy to. I’m intrigued to know if Delamar is playing it that close to the vest or if her muse is as secretive as her characters are with one another. Or maybe I’m just as paranoid as Dario – who, by the way, was a major arse at the end when he revealed the “supposed” truth about Toni’s feelings for Enrico. I, for one, don’t buy it – but it certainly shook Enrico up and that alone made me dislike Dario even more. Ultimately, Retribution was another excellent addition to the Blood and Honor series, keeping me up until the wee hours of the morning to finish it and leaving me salivating for Redemption to find out what the author has in store for the families.

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

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Reap by Tillie Cole

Reap by Tillie Cole

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I am ashamed to admit that I have not read Raze yet. I had planned to read it before reading Reap, but I got my review schedule confused and didn’t have a chance to do so. That said, I didn’t feel the least bit lost at what was going on in Reap. There is a possibility that I missed some of the series thread nuances, but as far as Zaal (221) and Talia’s story goes, I had no problem following along. And what a story it was.

Not being familiar with what was done to Raze/Luka, I got to witness the horrors of Zaal’s time as 221 without any preparation. It is appalling to think that there are people in the world capable of the cruelty that Jakhua and the other Bratva bosses engage in over the course of Reap – yet, I know there are. That what was done to Zaal started when he was EIGHT is horrifying. But there is no doubting that 221 was a finely tuned killing machine. Thankfully, when Luka learns that his friend’s twin brother has been found, he stops at nothing to rescue him from the monster that has turned him into a mindless killer. Unfortunately for Luka’s sister, Talia, the only place Luka can secure 221 is at the family’s home in the Hamptons – the place Talia has gone for two months in order to escape the pressures of being a Bratva boss’s daughter. Although Talia is at first disgusted by her brother’s actions to save a Kostava, she soon finds herself drawn to him. Much like Kisa calms Luka, when Talia is forced to make physical contact with him, we find that she calms 221. As they spend time together, Talia finds that her hatred for all things Kostava is soon replaced by feelings of compassion, affection, and attraction for Zaal. When Jakhua returns to collect his “dog,” Talia finds out just how much Zaal returns her feelings.

I really enjoyed Reap. I’ve read books where drugs were used to create super-soldiers and mercenaries. I’ve read mafia books. But this is the first I’ve read that combines the two and Cole makes it work wonderfully. Watching the relationship that develops between Zaal and Talia is very sweet in its own way. To see the Bratva princess tame the savage beast within (literally), and help him learn to live in the world as a free man was actually heartwarming – not something I’d expect from a mafia book, even if it is a romance. But Cole does a great job of off-setting all that sweet with some seriously action-packed scenes as Luka taps back into Raze to rescue Zaal – twice – and make Jakhua pay for Anri’s death. The final scene in the Epilogue is an excellent hook for the next book because I have to know what happens next. Until then, I get to backtrack and read Raze and I am really looking forward to it.

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

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Right By Your Side by Christi Snow

Right By Your Side by Christi Snow

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Having read Snow’s Snowcroft Men series, I was intrigued by the idea of reading an M/F romance as I really like her M/M romances. As I was nearing the end of the book, I kept thinking that it was way more predictable than I expected it to be based on my experience with the author’s other series. Snow still delivers some seriously hot chemistry between Skye and Scott. But the romantic suspense angle wasn’t living up to my expectations. And then…. Oh, my goodness! I owe Snow a major apology for underestimating her, because the one whodunit, wasn’t who I thought it was and never was a suspect in my mind.

Keeping in mind that I (incorrectly) thought the romantic suspense angle was predictable, I still enjoyed seeing the story unfold. Initially, it was unclear as to who the actual target was and this ratcheted up the tension significantly. Even after it was determined that Skye was the killer’s target, all but one of the incidents occurred unexpectedly. So that part of the action kept me invested in the story even as I thought I knew who was responsible. But my true investment in Right By Your Side was the romance that developed between Skye and Scott. After some rather amusing misunderstandings and assumptions, watching them turn a bad situation into a friendship and the foundation for something more was enjoyable. It’s also what made Skye’s withdrawal from Scott so heartbreaking. Thankfully, Skye’s best friend had no problem stepping in and making sure Scott knew not to give up on Skye and sent him after her – a decision that ended up being even more advantageous than it looked like it would be at the time. I certainly give the author props for lulling me into a false sense of expectancy when it came to who was behind all of the attacks. And I am definitely looking forward to Cruel Serendipity because I have to know if KC lets Josh in or not.

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

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Final Protocol by J.C. Daniels

Final Protocol by J.C. Daniels

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


When I read the blurb for Final Protocol I was on the fence about it. I love sci-fi romances and the book’s description really caught my attention. I was beyond intrigued, but the length was short enough that I wasn’t sure that the author could pull everything off without rushing the story. So as I pondered whether or not to take a chance on a new-to-me author I happened to notice a little tidbit of information in the author’s bio – J.C. Daniels is the alter ego of Shiloh Walker. SOLD!!! I love Walker’s contemporary romantic suspense novels and novellas. I was no longer worried about whether or not the story would be rushed and was anticipating Final Protocol finally making it to the top of my review schedule. So worth the wait.

In a single scene involving an aborted assassination attempt, I learned all I needed to know about Silence to root for her. As more of her story unfolds, any niggling doubts were laid to rest as Daniels hints at and reveals some of the horrors that Silence endured at the hand of her owner. It makes it easy to understand why she accepted her final assignment even knowing that she might not make it out of the situation alive. But when she comes face-to-face with the man who was largely responsible for her current position, the veil over her memory lifts and she knows that the nightmares she’s had are actually memories she’s reliving. And yet she doesn’t know who to trust and which truth is hers. Silence soon learns that while the truth may set you free … what it sets you free from may not be what you expect it to be.

I devoured Final Protocol. There is a steady flow of action that kept me flipping the pages so that I could learn the truth alongside Silence. There is a huge romantic suspense angle to the novella that the author manages to unveil without rushing the story, without making me feel as though I was shortchanged by the book, and left me wanting more. More action. More justice. More Silence. I just wanted more. Because I enjoyed Silence’s character so much and would love to see more of her story, I can only hope that Daniels decides to turn this book into a series. In the meantime, I’ll be checking out more of Daniels’s work to see what other little gems are out there.

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

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A Glimpse of the Dream by L.A. Fiore

A Glimpse of the Dream by L.A. Fiore

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Having read only one other book by Fiore – Beautifully Damaged – but having read it a dozen times at least, I was excited for the opportunity to review A Glimpse of the Dream. I loved the characters, drama, conflict, and angst that made up Beautifully Damaged and I was anxious to see if the author would bring the same talent to A Glimpse of the Dream. I was not disappointed at all as this book was everything I hoped for and more.

The opening of A Glimpse of the Dream is both sad because of Teagan’s loss, yet hopeful when Kane comes into her life. I enjoyed skipping through scenes from their adolescence, watching their friendship form, strengthen, and grow into more. The love that grew between Teagan and Kane was pure and illustrated what some people experience when they are fortunate enough to find their other half at such a young age. It was beautiful to watch, which is what made Kane’s decision to breakup with Teagan while she was away at college so hard to understand. And Fiore does such a beautiful job of depicting Teagan’s shock and devastation that a similar personal experience was not necessary to feel Teagan’s pain and loss – there was no need for a frame of reference to be able to understand why Kane’s news nearly destroyed her. Honestly, Fiore did such a good job of making me fall in love with Kane that I could not imagine a single thing that could be revealed that would enable me to forgive him for breaking Teagan – not just her heart, but her entire being. And yet, she did. Once Kane’s secret was exposed and I understood why he did what he did, it was impossible not to forgive him.

But understanding it and forgiving him for it does not mean that I agreed with Kane’s decision. That he continued to run hot and cold on Teagan even after she learned his secret and made it clear that she wanted him in her life in whatever way irritated the crap out of me. Yet it was realistic to the situation and his secret, as was his back and forth on issues when he worried about failing or letting Teagan down again and this kept me sympathetic to his plight. The chemistry between Kane and Teagan was even more intense once they reunited and this made for some seriously steamy scenes. I adored Simon and the family that was forged at Raven’s Peak and this is what made the ending of A Glimpse of the Dream so perfect. I’m still in awe that Fiore managed to make me fall in love with Kane, fall in hate with Kane, and fall in love with him all over again – but I shouldn’t be because she made me do the exact same thing with Trace in Beautifully Damaged. Even though I now know Kane’s secret, I cannot wait to read A Glimpse of the Dream again and relive Kane and Teagan’s love all over again. I will certainly be checking out more of Fiore’s work as well.

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

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Burned Deep by Calista Fox

Burned Deep by Calista Fox

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Burned Deep was a sexy as sin romantic suspense novel that kept me glued to my Kindle as I read it from start to finish in one sitting. What boggles my mind is that I initially passed on this novel while trying to keep my review schedule light during the holidays, but when the boss lady asked for help filling in, I figured it was meant to be. And I was so right because I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fox combines a whole lotta sex with a good amount of danger and intrigue, far more than you would expect a wedding planner to find herself dealing with, yet it worked for me on several levels.

Ari is an up and coming wedding planner whose reputation for detail and discretion has landed her a society wedding that seems doomed thanks to missing groomsmen (and the groom) and an approaching monsoon. While Ari can’t control the weather, she does have some sway over the groom and his groomsmen and after a rather intense encounter in the venue’s bar, she manages to pull the wedding off without a hitch. But the incident in the bar brings her to the attention of Dane Bax, a businessman who is in the midst of launching an exclusive resort that Ari has applied for a position at. While it’s not a big stretch of the imagination to know that Ari will be hired on at 10,000 Lux and that she and Dane will begin seeing one another, what did surprise me was that it was Ari who insisted on their non-work relationship remaining strictly sexual while Dane was pushing for more. But Dane was not above using his sexual prowess – of which he had a LOT, boy howdy – to try and convince Ari that they could have more. Because I don’t want to spoil the read for anyone about the romantic suspense angle in the novel, I won’t go into specifics except to say that the incidents proved to be rather thrilling in how they escalated over the course of the book. That said, I really liked that there was more than one plausible suspect and it wasn’t clear (at least not to me) who was actually responsible until the reveal.

I really liked Ari’s character and I think I connected with her so well because she reminds me of a very close friend. Like Ari, my friend’s parents went through a rough patch and there was a lot of yelling, screaming and door slamming, which resulted in complete relationship avoidance for years. Because I saw so much of my friend in Ari, I recognized many of her behaviors as realistic responses to conflict and love. As for Ari’s parents, I loved her father’s character and that they had such a good relationship. Her mother, on the other hand, was despicable and an example of narcissism in the extreme. Dane’s character surprised me because he was far more accommodating to Ari than I usually see in the dominant alpha male billionaire. That’s not to say he wouldn’t do all that he could to convince her to do as he asked, but he seemed to understand when to relent on certain issues. While I really enjoyed the ending, I was surprised by the epilogue because Kyle’s final statement would suggest a sequel when there’s nothing to indicate that this is a series and Burned Deep seems complete as is. I suppose I’ll have to wait and see.

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 Burned Deep by Calista Fox blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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The Strongest Steel by Scarlett Cole

The Strongest Steel by Scarlett Cole

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


When I finished The Strongest Steel I wasn’t sure whether to give it four or five stars. Without a doubt, the book was great and I thoroughly enjoyed it. But I reserve five stars for those books I’d like to read again or that impact me significantly. I just wasn’t sure where on the spectrum this book fell – whether or not it was something I would consider rereading. So I slept on it. The next morning I was still undecided. Yet my indecision was still not enough to relegate it to a 4-star read as I tend to do when I haven’t committed myself to the full five stars. But as I sat down to write this review and thought more and more about the journey that Harper takes and all that she overcomes in the course of the novel, I find myself with no doubts that it is indeed a 5-star read for me.

It’s obvious from our first encounter with Harper that she has suffered something beyond tragic that has left her scarred – inside and out. Even when we see her first meeting with Trent at the tattoo studio and her reactions to his touch as well as her reactions to physical contact with others, I was not prepared for the magnitude of what she suffered and the lengths to which she went in her quest to feel safe again. But the revelations of her past makes the relationship that develops between her and Trent that much more meaningful, impressive, sweet, heartwarming, fulfilling, you get the picture. While Trent does not lack for female company and has a bevy of beauties at his disposal, his usual tactics are thrown out the window when it comes to Harper. He wants more than a one-night stand or short-term relationship with her and he’s willing to put in the time and effort it’s going to take to break through her defenses. And as they spend more and more time together in the studio and out, he realizes that she’s worth the effort … even when her past comes back with vengeance on his mind.

I really liked how much the book focused on the relationship between Trent and Harper and how Trent took it slow with her. He took what he knew of her history into consideration and didn’t push her or rush her. This allowed for a friendship to develop first and then they built upon it. I also liked that Trent’s touch didn’t “cure” her. Even after she was accustomed to Trent touching her, Harper still flinched when Cujo touched her and during her training with Frankie. Cole kept this aspect of the story true to life by making it the repeated exposure to others that enabled Harper to accept touch more and more as the book progressed. While Harper’s abduction by her ex wasn’t a surprise plot wise, I appreciated that the author kept short and that Harper was able to use Frankie’s training – it may feel a bit anticlimactic for some readers, but I liked that it wasn’t drawn out. Even though I really didn’t like Trent’s response to Harper’s less-than-thrilled reaction to his news about the reality show, it felt appropriate to the situation considering Trent’s past and it showed that he was human too. My only real complaint about The Strongest Steel would be that the Reid angle felt extremely unfinished. Harper’s brother’s desertion of her and their family when her ex was convicted didn’t sit right; it didn’t make sense for a brother who had protected her their entire life until Nathan tried to kill her would simply vanish from their lives. I can only assume that the author will be giving us more on Reid in a future installment in the series. Regardless, I absolutely loved the camaraderie between the Second Circle family and cannot wait to read more. I’m already looking forward to the next installment to find out what’s really going on between Drea and Cujo.

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

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Fire & Ice: A Guns & Hoses Novel by Brenda Cothern

Fire & Ice: A Guns & Hoses Novel by Brenda Cothern

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Cothern is one of THOSE authors. We all have them. The authors whose books we cannot get enough of. The authors who when I’m asked if I want to review their latest book I don’t even bother to ask what it’s about or when it’s due (because I will give up sleep to read it). The authors whose writing pulls you so fully into the story that you’re perturbed when you have to return to your dull and boring life (at least compared to their characters’ it is). You know, THOSE authors. The latest novel from Cothern’s Guns & Hoses series was no exception as I found myself so completely wrapped up in Austin and Lukas’s lives that I stayed up way too late to finish Fire & Ice.

For those who have read Guns & Hoses, you will be delighted to know that we get to catch up with Tig and Flame as Austin is Flame’s cousin and he is trying to get a job as an arson investigator in Tampa. While Austin is more than happy to stay with his cousin as he’s always looked up to him and credits him for making his high school years survivable, Austin finds it hard to tolerate Flame’s heavy handedness when Flame’s protective instincts are triggered. And it turns out that Austin’s new partner Lukas sets off all of Flame’s protective instincts. Fortunately, Austin is more than willing to tell his cousin to back off and mind his own business, even if he’s not willing to share his biggest secret with his cousin. But Flame isn’t the only person Austin is keeping secrets from and I found his deception with Lukas rather entertaining. Normally I wouldn’t consider Austin’s deception appropriate, but Cothern makes it work because Austin’s intentions are good and not coming from a place of malice. That didn’t keep me from worrying about the fallout that was sure to accompany his secret being exposed, but the author does something that was so unexpected that the fallout was practically nil.

I loved almost everything about Fire & Ice and I’ll get to the teensy weensy issue that I didn’t enjoy momentarily. The chemistry between Austin and Lukas is intense, but Lukas spends so much time fighting against it that when they do connect it is explosive. And it’s even more intense when they scene together. The BDSM scenes are off-the-charts hot. I seriously enjoyed that it took Lukas so long to figure out Austin’s secret and that it was his denial of his attraction to Austin that kept him from seeing what was right in front of him. I loved the serial arson investigation that Cothern included in the book. It not only elevated the novel’s level of realism, but it also provided Austin opportunities he needed to prove his mettle as an investigator. But the arson investigation also brought in the teeny tiny part of the story I didn’t enjoy. Cothern does such a good job of bringing in the FBI and utilizing their reputation for taking over local cases that I was a little let down with how that scenario played out. For once, it was more realism than I wanted simply because I wanted to see Lukas and Austin break the case. But that’s just me pouting and it wasn’t enough of an issue to reduce my rating because I loved the way Fire & Ice played out in the end. I cannot wait to see what Cothern has in store next for the Guns & Hoses series.

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

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Repentance: The Story of Kace Haywood by Meghan Quinn

Repentance: The Story of Kace Haywood by Meghan Quinn

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Flippin’ heck!!! Repentance was awesome! Having read the Bourbon series, I was quite familiar with Kace and jumped at the chance to review this book (which I also bought). At least I thought I knew Kace. While I knew that our moody, broody, sexy as sin former boxer’s story was going to be intense, I was not prepared for the rollercoaster ride that Ms. Quinn took me on. Truth be told, I should have been because the author has ripped my heart out and repaired it with each book in the Bourbon series, from which Repentance hails, and yet I was still taken by surprise time and time again as Kace’s story unfolded.

To begin with, I had drawn my own conclusions as to the events of the night that changed Kace’s life. Fans of the Bourbon series know that Kace killed a man while he was drunk one evening and I had always assumed that it was a drunk driving incident. The truth of that night was both better and worse than I imagined. Yes, Kace killed a man. Yes, he was drunk when it occurred. But it wasn’t the black and white situation that I had believed it to be based on Kace and Jett’s conversations about the past. While Kace did indeed feel a boatload of guilt over his actions, the main reason was because of the family he destroyed – taking away a husband and a father. I had wondered how Jett managed to cover up Kace’s crime and when we see that night play out, any doubts I had about Jett’s actions that night were obliterated. Even though Jett managed to keep Kace out of jail, he couldn’t keep Kace from living in his own self-imposed prison. What made this whole situation even more devastating was that it came on the heels of the loss of Kace’s boxing career. I nearly cried when Kace learned that his trainer had been doping him without his knowledge. To have your dreams stolen by the person you’re supposed to be able to trust – I can’t even imagine. I was devastated for him. I knew that Kace’s life had not been a good one, but until this book I had no idea of just how bad of a hand he had been dealt. The one thing that Repentance did reaffirm for me was that despite his outward demeanor, Kace Haywood is a good man.

Ms. Quinn presents Kace’s story by alternating between the past and the present and it works beautifully. We get to see the work that Jett, the girls, and Kace have put into the community center that Jett decided to open so he could help more people than just the Jett Girls. This format allows us to see the damage that Kace is doing to himself and those around him as he drowns in his guilt that has been increasing over the years. We get to see him try to destroy his relationship with Lyla even as we see how it started. Thankfully Lyla is just as spunky as Goldie and despite Kace throwing some seriously damaging blows to their relationship, she soldiers forth until she can make him see that she wants him – Kace, the man – bad moods, emotional baggage, sexy abs, and all. Let me assure you that Ms. Quinn still has it when it comes to writing steamy sex scenes. Yowser! Though I won’t say that I knew that the healing revelation was going to be what it was, I will say that I had begun to hope with all my heart that the situation would turn out that way because I could see no better way for Kace to find his redemption. And those scenes were made even better by Kace sharing them with Jett, his best friend and the man who had walked the journey with him, refusing to abandon him. And yes, tissues were needed. While Repentance is not officially a part of the Bourbon series, it is a must read for Bourbon fans because you not only get Kase’s story, but you also get to keep tabs on the lives of Jett, Goldie, and the Jett Girls. If you haven’t read the Bourbon series don’t worry because Repentance easily stands on its own, but you may find yourself adding three books to your to-be-read list. Well done Ms. Quinn! I cannot wait for the next spin-off.

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

Deadly by Ker Dukey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Were you ears burning Ms. Dukey? Because I pretty much cussed you out – out loud much to my dog’s dismay – when I got to certain point in the book. It wasn’t nice either. I used words I don’t tend to use unless I’m really angry or upset and you made me both. I know you know what point in the book I’m referring to. You made me cry and the worst part about it was that I didn’t know who I was crying for. Despite this, or perhaps because of it, I absolutely loved this book. Then again I have been fascinated by all of the books in the series because the author creates characters whose insanity is horrifically realistic.

There’s not much I can say about the book itself for fear of revealing spoilers, but I’ll do my best not to let the cat out of the bag. Deadly takes place three years after Vacant and we learn that Ryan is still trying to get Cereus to accept who she is by owning her actions. There are parts of Deadly that are confusing, but they’re meant to be. The book is written from the points of view of Ryan, Cereus, and Blake and only one of those three is actually sane … maybe. We learned in Vacant that Cereus was not only sociopathic like Ryan, but she was also hallucinating – seeing and talking to people who weren’t there. Needless to say, her chapters are those that will make you question what the heck is going on, what’s real, and what is not. Don’t be afraid to reread passages to make sure you grasp what’s going on – remember, crazy people are narrating. Adding to the confusion is that the story begins in the present and jumps to the past so that you can see the events unfold that lead to Cereus and Ryan being where they are – pay attention to chapter and section headers because they will help reduce timeline confusion … maybe. Again, crazy people narrating. As for me, just when I thought I had it figured out, the story took a turn and I was wrong. Boy was I wrong and I was so very glad to be wrong.

I enjoyed getting to catch up with Mel and Blake, even if it wasn’t under the best circumstances. Mel’s visceral reaction to Blake’s betrayal was only surpassed by his reaction to her refusal to keep him in her life. If you have read the previous books in the Empathy series, then you won’t be shocked by the violence in this installment. If you haven’t read them, don’t start with Deadly because none of the books in the series are stand-alone reads. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, romantic suspense, and sociopaths and serial killers, then I strongly recommend this series. Deadly is an excellent addition to it and I love that it ends in such a way that it serves as a conclusion, or an opening for another book. Yet again Ms. Dukey, I am impressed with your mastery of the sociopathic mind.

I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads.
Check out the Deadly by Ker Dukey is Now Available & Reviewed post on Wicked Reads.


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Heart Breaker by Harper Kincaid

Heart Breaker by Harper Kincaid

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


So I have been on a really good reading jag as of late and have been handing out 4 & 5-star reviews like crazy. This is due to two things. The first is that I’ve had the opportunity to read or re-read books that I bought from authors I love and share my love of said authors with our blog followers – yeah, just a bit of fan-girling going on. The other reason is that I’ve also had the opportunity to read books by authors I’ve discovered through the blog and have come to really enjoy their writing. Harper Kincaid’s Heart Breaker falls into this second category and I’m surprised to say that I think I may have enjoyed it even more than Rule Breaker and I loved that book pretty thoroughly. I suppose I’ll have to read them back-to-back to know for sure and that will be SUCH a hardship. <=Did the sarcasm come through?

Kincaid sucked me right in with a Prologue that left me devastated. I actually had to put my Kindle down for a good 10 to 15 minutes before I could continue – it was that heartbreaking for me. Yet it gave me a good glimpse into the player that Samantha was before her world was shattered. Understanding her grief, I completely got where she was coming from when she rebuffed Kyle’s advances and I would have loved to have watched that scene play out in a movie. But as their paths continue to cross (in an orchestrated maneuver on Kyle’s part), Sam finally gives in and I can only say WOW!!! The chemistry between the two is intense and it’s what made the morning after so … heartbreaking, frustrating, infuriating, you get the picture. While I loved the relationship Sam has with her sister, I freaking adored Trick and the stunt he pulled was fabulous! Witnessing the emotional upheaval Sam experiences is distressing, but thankfully Kyle proves he knows how to grovel with the best of them and even better, he knows how to admit when he is wrong.

While the book moved quickly, I didn’t feel as though the relationship was an insta-love situation. There was a professional admiration that Kyle had for Sam as he had seen her act in a couple of plays before they ever met, so that “celebrity” attraction was there. But because both have some rather serious baggage – and Kyle’s was freaking fascinating – neither was in a rush to fall in love. They might have been willing to fall into bed after a bit of a pursuit, but their hearts were pulled back as neither wanted to get hurt. But pain is inevitable when love is involved and these two were given quite the lesson as to how much hurt people can endure and still come out swinging. And that suspense element kept me on the edge of my seat as the drama played out. I really did not know what to expect and was impressed with just how much action Kincaid managed to put into the book and maintain a smooth-moving storyline. Heart Breaker was a blast to read, an excellent addition to the Break on Through series, and I cannot wait to read the next one – please let it be Mad Max and Jessica. PLEASE!!!

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

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Tarnished by Erica Chilson Blog Tour

Royce Kennedy believes he has the town of Rusty Knob and its citizens in the palm of his hand. For altruistic reasons, of course. A real man takes care of his land and the people on it, whether they want to accept the help or not.

After fostering an orphan, adopting underprivileged kids, creating businesses to bring jobs back to the area, donating his time, energy, and money by founding the Community Growth: Life Skills Center, people are beginning to wonder if the man is running a campaign to earn the status of a saint.

Royce’s family is getting frustrated by idly watching their patriarch spread himself too thin, because he won’t allow them to shoulder his burdens or their own. Drastic measures are taken before the man can see reason. When the dust finally settles, Royce realizes he’s been taking care of everyone but himself.

But there’s a problem with sorting out your issues, with the clarity of mind, you can’t hide from the good, bad, and downright filthy secrets buried in the depths of your past.

With dark, violent, depraved skeletons, Rusty Knob’s patriarch isn’t as pure of soul as he appears to be. Will he finally surrender and accept the help to buff the tarnish away?

Just because it’s the moral thing to do, doesn’t mean it’s the right thing for you.

Book 2
Buy Links

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“Our very own Wynn Gillette has prepared a speech for us today. Rusty Knob’s valedictorian, 2015 Basketball State Champion, and recipient of a basketball scholarship to West Virginia University.” Miriam gestures to the podium, and then takes a seat on stage.

“My God, Wynn’s glowing like a supernova.” Mesmerized, Kade’s pupils are blown. “I will not be held accountable for my actions after graduation.”

Striding across the stage like he owns the place, Wynn turns on a dime to face the auditorium with a huge grin stretching across his face. He clears his throat twice, lifts his index cards, and memorizes a few lines. His lips twist into an expression I’ve never seen grace my son’s face before. A warped mix of excitement and fury, tarnishing what should have been a proud moment.

“I prepared a speech for today,” Wynn begins in a defiant tone. “It was going to be poignant, proving how eloquent of a speaker I am after growing up in the hollers. I was going to hit on how isolation breeds ignorance, not a lack of intelligence. I was going to put a voice to my struggles, being the youngest of poor white, abusive, drunk trash. How I was adopted at seventeen. How through all of that, I maintained a high GPA and led our basketball team to victory.”

Wynn raises the cards in his hands, and tears them down the center while wearing a rebellious smirk– the microphone picks up the audible ripping sound, causing it to echo around the auditorium. Speech fluttering to the ground, he releases all of the pent-up rage he’s held on to for far too long.

Hands gripping the edge of the podium, Wynn leans into the microphone with eyes blazing fury. “I agree with Francis Parker. Fuck you, Rusty Knob!” Slowly enunciating, words quiet, they hit their intended targets like ammunition fired from a gun. “Fuck! You!”

Deafening silence rings throughout the auditorium, and I have no idea where Wynn is leading with this, and no one else does either. I crank my head around wildly, trying to gauge the reaction from the crowd.

“Rusty Knob?” Wynn cups a hand to his ear. “Can you hear me now? You’ve been mighty deaf lately. For the past seven months, I’ve either been called a faggot or patted on the back for being courageous. Both reactions were insulting– both insinuating something is wrong with me. Whether we’re at fault or not, it doesn’t change the fact that this school fired my boyfriend because we’re gay. So fuck you!”

Kade leans forward, releasing a noise I hope to never hear again. I yank the idiot back by the collar before he crawls on stage.

“But I owe you a thank you,” Wynn circles back, finally having our undivided attention. “Thank you for the education, for allowing me to make the most of it. I hope your eyes and ears are now open to the sources of education all around you. I’m no longer ignorant, so thank you.”

Wynn reclaims his seat while whispers roll through the auditorium, all versions of ‘what the fuck was that?’ Miriam has everything under control. Whatever speeches and events planned for the ceremony are cut in the wake of the chaos weaving its way through the auditorium.

Miriam walks to the farthest part of the stage near the steps. One of her helper monkeys on the school board hands her rolled up fake diplomas from a woven basket. Child after child crosses the stage, exiting down the stairs to join their family members as a high school graduate– an adult.

☆☆☆☆☆

Once again, in the interest of full disclosure I will begin my review of Tarnished by letting you know that I was one of the beta readers for this book. Yes, despite the fact that I got so sucked into Rusty Knob that I missed errors (I know this because of comparing notes with the betas), Ms. Chilson graciously allowed me to take part in the beta read for Tarnished. Needless to say, I was beside myself with glee because upon finishing Wynn’s story, I was dying to learn Royce’s. Again, I got sucked into the story so fully that despite reading it twice, I’m sure that I missed errors that the other betas caught. But let me tell you folks, I blame Ms. Chilson for writing a tale that is so engaging that I forgot my duty and immersed myself once again in the town of Rusty Knob.

A few things you need to know about Tarnished. Unlike Rusty Knob and the remaining books of the series, it is an M/F romance. Before the strictly M/M readers ick out and bail ship, you should know that first and foremost, Tarnished is a romantic suspense novel. This means the focus is on the secrets from Royce’s past and the suspense that accompanies their revelations. Yes, there is a romantic element and there are sex scenes – and they are seriously hot – but you can skim past them if you’re a strict M/M reader because this is NOT a book to be missed. While Royce’s romantic parts are M/F, the LGBTQ theme is continued in this installment as we get to see Wynn and Kade’s relationship continue to develop as well as learn of what they have endured since their “coming out” to the town’s residents. And let me tell you that Wynn’s valedictorian speech is not to be missed, but make sure you have your tissues handy when you hit the graduation scene because I bawled both times. The author also gives us more insight into Bren as she lays the foundation for his book in such a way that I was left with my mouth hanging open. Literally. Thank goodness there were no flies around.

Next, Royce’s story is a darker read than Wynn’s. If you picked up on Royce’s reactions and statements in book one, you would expect it to be so this shouldn’t be a surprise. It was clear in Rusty Knob that Royce loves his sons fully whether they are his by blood, adoption, or foster care and their sexuality is not an issue for him nor does it diminish his love for them whatsoever. This point is made even clearer in Tarnished even as the author reveals the events from Royce’s past that could have easily made him feel differently. To be clear, while this book certainly has darker tones to it, the author reveals the incidents via memories and therapy sessions in such a way that the reader knows what happened without having to relive every horrific detail with Royce. So while I know what happened to Royce and how it has affected him, Ms. Chilson didn’t subject me to graphic and grisly details of his past simply to shock me as the reader – which considering the tone set by Wynn’s story – would have been a serious case of whiplash.

And speaking of Wynn, Tarnished reveals that there is so much more going on in the lives of the people of Rusty Knob than Wynn knew. In blog and Facebook posts, Chilson has reiterated time and time again that books written in the first person (her style of writing) are meant to suffer from the faulty narrator, meaning that you can only know what the narrator knows. Despite having read almost every book she’s published, I never appreciated this concept as fully as I did once I finished reading Tarnished. If you read my review of Rusty Knob you know that I despised, hated, loathed, and detested Wynn’s parents. Yet by the end of Tarnished I had not only changed my opinion of Wynn’s father, but I actually cried for Corbin. Granted, Wynn was 16 year-old kid who couldn’t possibly know everything about the adults in his life, but as memories are revisited and facts are unveiled, we learn that there was more going on in Rusty Knob than even Royce knew and my entire viewpoint of Corbin Gillette has changed, which makes me rabid for more of the series to find out who else has me and the narrators fooled. Willa definitely fell into this category as well because there was so much more going on in her life that Wynn wasn’t privy to and rightly shouldn’t have been in the know about.

The hardest part about writing my review for Tarnished is not spilling the beans because there are a LOT of secrets revealed in this installment. I found myself shocked, dismayed, angered, flabbergasted, relieved, devastated, and over-the-moon happy as I read this book. I laughed, I cried, I squirmed, I groaned, and I fell in love once again with the characters as well as the author’s writing. I’ve said it before and I’m sure I will say it again, Ms. Chilson writes the first person point of view beautifully and her skill improves with each book she writes. I don’t feel as though I’m being told a story, but rather that I am living the character’s life in that moment. Tarnished was no exception as I got to experience Royce’s fear, hate, happiness, passion, and love as it occurred. This is yet another of the author’s books to be added to my reread shelf and I’m looking forward to reading Rusty Knob and Tarnished back-to-back and can only hope that the West Virginia muse comes a-knockin’ on the author’s door sooner rather than later so I can get my hands on the next book in the series, Stainless.

Also Available in the Rusty Knob Series

Book 1
Buy Links

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Erica Chilson does not write in the 3rd person, wanting her readers to be her characters. Therefore, writing a bio about herself, is uncomfortable in the extreme.

Born, raised, and here to stay, the Wicked Writer is a stump-jumper, a ridge-runner. Hailing from North Central Pennsylvania, directly on the New York State border; she loves the changes in seasons, the humid air, all the mountainous forest, and the gloomy atmosphere.

Introverted, but not socially awkward, Erica prides herself on thinking first and filtering her speech. There are days she doesn’t speak at all. If it wasn’t for the fact that she lives with her parents, giving her a sense of reality, she would be a hermit, where the delivery man finds her months after expiration.

Reading was an escape, a way to leave a not-so pleasant reality behind. Reading lent Erica the courage she gathered from the characters between the pages to long for a different life. Writing was an instrument of change, evolving Erica into the woman she is today- a better, more mature, more at peace thinker.

Erica has a wicked mind, one she pours out into her creations. Her filter doesn’t allow all of it to erupt, much to her relief. Sarcastic, with a very dark, perverse sense of humor, Erica puts a bit of herself into every character she writes.

Connect with Erica

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I was provided a free copy of Tarnished (Rusty Knob #2) by Erica Chilson to read and review.

Master of the Abyss by Cherise Sinclair

Master of the Abyss by Cherise Sinclair

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I cannot believe I fell for it AGAIN! I remembered the push and pull between Jake and Kallie because of each one’s issues – both of which go a long way in explaining their behavior. But I completely forgot who was responsible for the murders and I fell for the not-completely-obvious but certainly the person the writing pointed you to subtly … AGAIN! I do not care that it’s been a couple of years since I last read Master of the Abyss, it’s not something I should have forgotten so completely. But I got so caught up in the unfolding drama between Kallie and Jake that I took my eye off the ball and was blindsided by the revelation that who I thought had done it, hadn’t. Of course, that didn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the book all over again.

While series readers met Jake in Master of the Mountain, Kallie is an unknown yet she wastes no time in making an impression as she defends her friends in a barroom brawl until a man lands on her ... literally. Unfortunately for Kallie her pride is what is injured the most as she’s had a crush on Jake since the day she laid eyes on him and he had front-row seat to her humiliation. Because Kallie is pretty much a tomboy and refuses to behave like all the other women in town she has kept her feelings secret. So it’s a bit disheartening for her that the first time the man of her dreams touches her it’s because she’d been knocked flat on her face in a fight. Kallie does what we learn she does best – picks herself up and moves forward. All is well until her brothers finalize a deal with Jake and Logan’s lodge to provide guided tours for their guests and Kallie has to go to the lodge for BDSM night to get an idea of what activities might take place on a tour with the kinksters. When Jake approaches her with a one-night-only offer to give her a guided introduction to the lifestyle she agrees because she doubts she’ll ever have the chance again. And it was hot! Not surprisingly the night only adds fuel to Kallie’s fire, but unexpectedly Jake finds himself wanting a repeat performance. Even though they agree to a sex-only arrangement, both soon want more but neither is willing to admit it because of their personal histories and yet the connection builds and makes for some increasingly erotic sex scenes.

One of the things I enjoy about Sinclair’s series is that while the focus remains on the primary couple, readers are usually provided the opportunity to catch up with previously featured characters. With Jake and Logan being brothers it wasn’t really surprising, but I liked how Rebecca was included as an integral part of the Hunt family and inserted herself into Kallie’s circle. Not to downplay Jake’s baggage because it’s pretty devastating and made even more so as new facts are learned, but Kallie’s past hurts still break my heart when I read this book. To lose her mother at such a young age and then get bounced around from family member to family member, growing up feeling unwanted – I cannot even fathom what that would feel like. Jake’s rejections just compound her feelings of being unwanted and the culmination of these hurts present themselves in a scary as heck scene when Kallie faces off against the murderer, but at least this time I knew how it ended. I love Sinclair’s writing and am so glad I got the chance to go back and reread the Mountain Masters & Dark Haven series. I am so looking forward to rereading the next book in the series My Liege of Dark Haven soon as it was my very first Sinclair novel.

I reviewed my personal copy of this book.
Reviewed by Angela at Crystal's Many Reviewers!

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Gunny by MariaLisa deMora

Gunny by MariaLisa deMora

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I have been anticipating this book from the moment Gunny picked Sharon up and refused to let her go in Jase. And in typical deMora fashion, the author made it worth every moment between then and now. Consistent with the prior books in the series, we meet Gunny when he was Gunnery Sergeant Lane Robinson before he joined the Rebel Wayfarers MC. Back when his military career was coming to an end as he was the only surviving man on his team after an ambush attack. An attack he barely survived and spent 3 weeks getting to safety only be sent home on a medical discharge. Needless to say, PTSD was one of many themes found in Gunny and as the story plays out, we learn that Gunny is not the only one experiencing it.

I love how deMora takes the time to introduce the reader to Gunny, showing us how his life since the military has brought him to the Rebel Wayfarers MC and how the club filled a hole in him that his discharge from the military had left. While there are many instances in the series where the timelines of the books overlap, it’s never a recycling of scenes. In this case, I got to see a bit more of DeeDee’s life before she lost her husband and daughter and how important of a person Gunny was to their lives even when so few of the club members felt as if they “knew” him. What little we learned of Gunny in Jase demonstrated how closed off the man was, so it was nice to see how Deke sponsored him into the club and made the effort to befriend Lane, learning his triggers and doing his best to insure that Lane was successful in the club. The conversations between Deke and Mason regarding Lane provide a good measure of the man and I liked how Deke’s faith in Lane urged Mason to get to know Lane better and foster a friendship with the man who eventually became Gunny. While we’re almost a third of the way into the book before Gunny and Sharon’s scenes from Jase play out, fans of the series will recognize the events leading up to it and I for one appreciated that even the few places where the scenes overlapped, seeing them presented from Gunny’s perspective gave them an entirely different feel than we got from Jase.

I give deMora massive kudos for the snippet scenes that served to introduce Sharon’s history. Despite the first few scenes being extremely short, the author manages to pack so much emotion into the scenes that I felt Sharon’s fear and hopelessness at the hands of her husband. With just a few words and well-placed scenes, the author illustrated how non-military personnel can develop PTSD and how it can be just as devastating for them. That Sharon saw Gunny as safe rather than someone to fear made his visceral reaction to her that much more significant. Because of their damaged pasts, their instant bond does not make for an insta-love situation even if Gunny did move her into his house as soon as possible. Theirs is a relationship built on trust, safety, and protectiveness and while neither is willing to let the other out of their life, they are slow to recognize when love enters their relationship as both expect the other to leave them eventually. While you can probably get away with reading Gunny as a standalone, I really advise reading Jase first at the bare minimum but the entire series is well worth the read as the Rebel Wayfarers MC has an increasingly complex series theme building in the background that will make the book more meaningful when read in order. Gunny was everything I hoped for and more and I am excited that it brings us one book closer to Mason’s story as I’m looking forward to his book even more than I was Gunny’s.

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 Gunny by MariaLisa deMora blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Breaking by Barbara Elsborg

Breaking by Barbara Elsborg

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Having loved the first book in this series I jumped at the chance to review Breaking and did so without realizing that the Conrad in the blurb was Malachi’s Conrad from Falling. I was already hooked on the book within the first few pages, but once I made the connection as to who Conrad was…well there was no stopping me then and I read the book in one sitting. While Breaking is a romance, there is far more action and suspense in it than I expected and this added to my need to devour the book. And I LOVED Deefor! He was a great addition to the “cast” who enhanced the relationship between Conrad and Archer without drawing attention away from them with his antics. Such a good boy!

I found the relationship that developed between Conrad and Archer intriguing. While I realize that in the beginning Conrad had no idea of who Archer actually was, it seemed unfathomable that two men whose worlds were so diametrically opposed would have any chance of a relationship. And yet Elsborg makes a plot that sounds fantastical feel realistic. The idea of an honest-to-a-fault barrister and a former special forces sniper turned hitman meeting under the circumstances they do, learning to trust one another, building a relationship, and falling in love seems undoable without painfully contrived situations, but at no point did the scenes feel forced. Our world is full of spies so it would stand to reason that there are ex-spies who retire and settle down in our communities with us none the wiser. The idea of an attorney being targeted by a dissatisfied client or their family member is not fiction. This is what made Breaking believable for me – I don’t have to know such people personally to know they exist. Yet despite them both being targeted by outside forces, they still had “normal” relationship issues they had to work through, especially as both men have rather dominant personalities.

The romantic suspense element of Breaking keeps me from talking specifics, but I can say that I enjoyed how Archer’s unusual skill set helped save Conrad’s life, just as Conrad’s sense of right wouldn’t allow him to sit by and watch Archer drown despite his own injuries. The combination of losing Malachi in Falling and the car accident had Conrad questioning his life and set the stage for him to be more open to Archer than he would have been otherwise. For me, the author was able to make Conrad more vulnerable than he was previously without changing his overall personality – he was still the intense barrister but at the same time he was able to give up control sexually to Archer. This crisis of self also made his shift back to his “typical” personality as he healed and became more confident of his relationship with Archer believable. I was enthralled with how the pieces of Archer and Conrad’s life intersected and played out over the course of the novel and loved the ending. I’m looking forward to the next book in the Fall or Break series and cannot wait to see who it’s about.

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 Fall or Break Series Spotlight blog post on Crystal's Many Reviewers.


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Blind Love by Kishan Paul

Blind Love by Kishan Paul

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


WOW! That was so much more than I expected. Even with the vague references in the blurb of threats to innocent lives did not prepare me for just how intense Blind Love got when the romantic suspense angle was fully unveiled. I was expecting an angsty yet sweet romance in which our hero, Gabe, had to break down our heroine’s, Lauren’s, walls in order to convince her that her blindness didn’t affect his feelings for her. While there were some of those elements present in the story, the angst was minimal and the only thing sweet were the cookies Gabe shared with Evan. But the suspense – there was plenty of and it kept me glued to my Kindle to the point that I gave my dog a treat so she’d leave me alone when the action really ramped up.

Paul does a nice job of setting up the meet cute between Lauren and Gabe. Although we’re not aware of it at the time, Gabe has been lusting after his neighbor for the past several weeks since he bought the place next door. Because we don’t know this, his dinner invitation when they first meet seems a bit premature and I was just as shocked as Lauren was. But Paul presents the story from Lauren and Gabe’s points of view (Ben’s as well when needed) and it proves to be a bit entertaining as Gabe tries to figure out why he’s breaking his rule and pursuing a woman who is obviously not a one-night-stand kind of girl. Thanks to some not so gentle prodding by her best friend, Lauren begrudgingly allows Gabe into her life and fortunately her attempts to keep him at arm’s length fail. I will say that I was surprised with the morning-after freak-out, and even more so by the apology that followed later that day. While there is some back and forth regarding the relationship, it’s not too angsty and it felt realistic considering their situation … as we knew it to be. And yet when things started to get too serious, Gabe decides to take off and receives an unexpected phone call at the same time. THIS is when the romantic suspense elements first begin to appear in the story, but don’t be fooled by their seeming mildness because while the murder that sends Gabe back to Texas is disturbing, it’s merely the tip of the iceberg of where the book is headed.

The relationship between Gabe and Lauren begins as the distraction they each need but as it develops, the bond between the two strengthens even as neither is willing to admit it. Their interactions are at times heartwarming, at times full of humor, and certainly steamy as their attraction is palpable. I loved how Lauren’s profession was incorporated into the book and enabled her to help Evan. When the suspense elements really kicked in, I was on the edge of my seat, reading as fast as I could to find out how things would play out. There is an incident in the book that had me bawling and I was surprised the author took the realism that far – heartbroken, yet impressed. Fortunately Paul does a great job of breaking the intense moments with just the right amount of humor and I found myself laughing hysterically on more than one occasion, especially while reading the Epilogue. Blind Love was an unexpected surprise this evening and I loved it. I cannot wait to read more of Paul’s work.

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

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Miss Taken by Cleo Scornavacca

Miss Taken by Cleo Scornavacca

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I was quite excited to start this book today. I loved the premise of Miss Taken – the bad guy falling in love with his captive because he abducted the wrong twin. When I began the book I was even more excited as it was narrated in the first person from Rain’s point of view. However, within a few pages my excitement began to dim because the author kept switching from present tense to past tense, the transitions were not only jarring but they were a sign of poor editing. As Miss Taken was available on Amazon, I downloaded the sample to set my mind at ease about the editing. However, the sample showed that the tense issues were not only not corrected during the editing process, but the author’s edits were also visible in the purchased copy. What do I mean by this? You can see where someone has stricken out the text and made changes; for example: There had It had never been a sexual relationship between Tommy and me. Not good, but ultimately not the reason for the low rating.

Despite this and because I received a review copy, I soldiered on in the hopes that the story would suck me in to the point that I could overlook the errors and tense issues as I have found – on more than one occasion – a diamond in the rough, a great story hidden within bad editing. Sadly, this was not my experience with Miss Taken. As I said, the premise was great but the execution was not. I found Rain to be extremely disappointing as a female lead. Initially she comes off as a strong and sassy woman, living her life to the fullest despite a somewhat debilitating medical condition. Yet time and time again, her behavior was equivalent to that of a doormat. Just when I thought she found her backbone, she’d cave at Dominick’s first apology OR even worse, apologize to him first for something that was his fault. I lost track of the number of times that she allowed Dominick to walk all over her – it was bad enough that the final time in this installment that she left him did not leave me with the expected feeling of suspense I know the author intended. As for Dominick, egomaniacal does not even begin to do him justice. Add to that his volatility and obsessiveness, it was too much for me to stomach which is why Rain’s constant forgiveness made no sense to me. I could not relate at all. This left the story feeling flat and disjointed for me.

I usually give a book two stars when it falls within the “Just okay” area and reserve one-star ratings for books that leave me thinking “I hated it and I want my time back.” I didn’t hate Miss Taken, so it’s not really a one-star read, but I didn’t consider it “just okay” either. It was more of a situation where I really didn’t care what happened to the characters and there just wasn’t that much that appealed to me, no matter how much I tried to like it. I enjoy abductor-abductee romances and have many in my Kindle library that I have read and reread. I was looking forward to adding Ms. Scornavacca’s Miss Taken series to my collection but sadly that will not be happening as Miss Taken didn’t work for me and left me with no desire to continue the series.

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

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