4/5 Review: Ravaged: An Eternal Guardians Novella (1001 Dark Nights) by Elisabeth Naughton

Ari--Once an Eternal Guardian, now he's nothing but a rogue mercenary with one singular focus: revenge. His guardian brothers all think he’s dead, but he is very much alive in the human realm, chipping away at Zeus’s Sirens every chance he can, reveling in his brutality and anonymity. Until, that is, he abducts the wrong female and his identity is finally exposed. It will take more than the Eternal Guardians, more even than the gods to rein Ari in after everything he’s done. It may just take the courage of one woman willing to stand up to a warrior who’s become a savage.

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This series follows the adventures of the Argonauts and their soulmates. Ms. Naughton uses mythology to create this wonderful world of characters and manages to make this series an awesome blend of action, suspense, and romance. I love the way unique way Ms. Naughton uses the traditional mythology  stories and makes them her own. Ravaged gives us the story of Ari and his disappearance from the Argonauts and introduces us to Daphne who is a captivating nymph that quickly captures Ari's heart.

I honestly have no negatives to convey. This book is perfect. The dialogue, the descriptions and most of all, the surprises, totally and completely worked. Not all the surprises were good, some were downright deadly. Some took the main characters completely unaware and they fought for their lives, more than once. One completely floored me and greatly affected Daphne and her relationship to Ari. I never saw it coming.

Ms. Naughton will make you feel like you are reading a full length novel with this novella. She manages to give us Ari and Daphne's complete story without her readers feeling like they are missing anything. She also had me on the edge of my seat until the very end wondering where else she was going with this series as a whole. She seamlessly wove the story and connected everything perfectly to carry into the next book. I cannot wait for the next book now. There are so many questions and new possibilities! This was a terrific installment in this series. It was amazing!

4/5 Review: Dream Of You: A Wait For You Novella (1001 Dark Nights) by Jennifer L. Armentrout

 

Abby Erickson isn't looking for a one-night stand, a relationship, or anything that involves any one-on-one time, but when she witnesses a shocking crime, she's thrust into the hands of the sexiest man she's ever seen - Colton Anders. His job is to protect her, but with every look, every touch, and every simmering kiss, she's in danger of not only losing her life but her heart also.

 

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Dream of You by Jennifer Armentrout is a very quick read packed full of action, suspense, romance, and passion.

 

Abby is a widow at a very young age.  She married her high school sweetheart straight out of school and has never been with another man.  She has a lot of self esteem issues and can't understand why a guy like Colton is interested in her.

 

Colton is a GQ sexy Detective who is put on the case when Abby witnesses a murder after a truly horrible date.  She and Colton haven't seen each other since high school.  Both had crushes on each other but never did anything about it.  Abby had her boyfriend and thought Colton was too good for her. 

 

Seeing each other after so much time has not diminished the feelings they have.  They start dating but Abby cannot get over her insecurities.  It takes almost being killed for her to open her eyes and realize what she could have with Colton if she gives it a real chance.

 

I would recommend this story for those who are interested in romance and short stories.  It took me a very short time to finish reading this story as it drew me in and held me there until the last page. 

 

 

5/5 Review: Servicing the Target by Cherise Sinclair

A discharged Army Ranger, Ben considers his job as a BDSM club security guard to be an excellent hobby. He’s never been tempted to join in. But everything changes when the notorious Mistress Anne inadvertently reveals the caring heart concealed beneath her Domme armor.

Now, he’s set his sights on the beautiful Shadowlands Mistress. Maybe he’d considered himself vanilla, but she can put her stiletto on his chest any day, any time. He’ll trust her delicate hands to hold his heart. And if she wants to whip his ass on the way to an outstanding climax, he’s just fine with that too.

Sure, he knows she likes “pretty boy” slaves. And he’s older. Craggy and rough. And six-five. Minor hindrances. The mission is a go.

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WOW!  What an incredible story and what a way to tell it.  I really enjoyed reading about Anne and Ben.  The strides they took to be with each other and the obstacles they had to overcome had me rooting for this couple.  She a Mistress in the D/S community, and he an ex-ARMY Ranger who is not only a well-known photographer but works security at the Shadowlands BDSM club, make quite the pair.  This story is filled with action, and addresses issues such as love, abuse, BDSM lifestyle, family drama and more. 

Ben considers himself vanilla.  He is, however, intrigued with Mistress Anne.  She is his everything and is willing to try just about anything he can to be with her.  Even though she has a certain type of “boy” she likes as slaves something about him draws her to him.  When a chance at indulging in a scene with the Mistress occurs he takes the opportunity and runs with it.  She is also thrilled with this development.  Their mutual attraction and chemistry leads them into a relationship both want but scares her.  She guards her heart too tightly.  Will Ben be able to show her that even if he isn’t cut out to be a slave he still wants her dominance in the bedroom?  She owns his heart and he will not give up on her.  Will she be able to let him in and trust him?  She loves him but will he hurt her or help her heal from past pain?

I was blown away with this story.  I will admit that there were parts that had me crying.  I loved the emotions and the characters.  I recommend this book a million times over.

5/5 Review: Easy With You by Kristen Proby

Nothing has ever come easy for Lila Bailey. She’s fought for every good thing in her life during every day of her thirty-one years. Aside from that one night with an impossible to deny stranger a year ago, Lila is the epitome of responsible.

Steadfast. Strong.

She’s pulled herself out of the train wreck of her childhood, proud to be a professor at Tulane University and laying down roots in a city she’s grown to love. But when some of her female students are viciously murdered, Lila’s shaken to the core and unsure of whom she can trust in New Orleans. When the police detective assigned to the murder case comes to investigate, she’s even more surprised to find herself staring into the eyes of the man that made her toes curl last year.

In an attempt to move on from the tragic loss of his wife, Asher Smith moved his daughter and himself to a new city, ready for a fresh start. A damn fine police lieutenant, but new to the New Orleans force, Asher has a lot to prove to his colleagues and himself.

With a murderer terrorizing the Tulane University campus, Asher finds himself toe-to-toe with the one woman that haunts his dreams. His hands, his lips, his body know her as intimately as he’s ever known anyone. As he learns her mind and heart as well, Asher wants nothing more than to keep her safe, in his bed, and in his and his daughter’s lives for the long haul.

But when Lila becomes the target, can Asher save her in time, or will he lose another woman he loves?

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1001 Dark Nights Kristen Proby’s Easy with You (Bourdeaux 1.5) is excellent!!! Delila is a college professor who runs a study group for her struggling students.  Her students have been dying recently and the police send someone to investigate.  It just so happens to be her last one night stand!  She literally fell in lap and has dreamed about him ever since.  She doesn’t realize that he has been dreaming about her too.  Asher uses the murders as a perfect excuse to keep her close.  He just doesn’t realize the effect that it will have on him and his daughter.  After they get together she becomes attached to his daughter and to him.  For Asher it was never a protection detail, for him it was protecting what was his.  Falling for Delila caught Asher by surprise.  He didn’t think that he would be able to fall in love again after what happened to his wife.  When he realizes that he loves Delila he is even more determined to make sure that she is protected and that he doesn’t lose her like he lost his first wife.  Asher had to find out who was killing Delila’s students before the killer decided that he was going to go after his true target.  The feelings leapt right off the page and I was swept away with Asher and Delila.  I felt part of what was happening and while I had an inkling of who the murderer was, it was still a shock to have it confirmed.  I am going to get book one and continue the series!  It is a must read!

5/5 Review: Rage/Killian: Bayou Heat by Alexandra Ivy and Laura Wright

 

RAGE
Rage might be an aggressive Hunter by nature, but the gorgeous male has never had a problem charming the females. All except Lucie Gaudet. Of course, the lovely Geek is a born troublemaker, and it was no surprise to Rage when she was kicked out of the Wildlands.

But now the Pantera need a first-class hacker to stop the potential destruction of their people. And it’s up to Rage to convince Lucie to help. Can the two forget the past—and their sizzling attraction—to save the Pantera?

KILLIAN
Gorgeous, brutal, aggressive, and human, Killian O’Roarke wants only two things: to get rid of the Pantera DNA he’s been infected with, and get back to the field. But the decorated Army Ranger never bargained on meeting the woman—the female—of his dreams on his mission to the Wildlands.

Rosalie lost her mate to a human, and now the Hunter despises them all. In fact, she thinks they’re good for only one thing: barbeque. But this one she’s guarding is testing her beliefs. He is proud and kind, and also knows the pain of loss. But in a time of war between their species, isn’t any chance of love destined for destruction?

 

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1001 Dark Nights (Rage/Killian) by Alexandra Ivy & Laura Wright contains two books: Rage and Killian.  Rage is a Hunter for the Pantera who live in the Wildlands.  The Pantera are Puma shifters who can only shift while in the Wildlands.  When they cross the border they are in their human form with the strength and power of a shifter, but they can not shift into their animal counterpart.  Rage was ordered by Parish, his commanding officer, to request the help from one of their exiled.  Lucie is what they call a Geek.  She can hack into almost anything and was kicked out for it.  She makes a living being hired by companies to hack into their systems to find out if they are secure or not.  Rage finds her and tries to get her help.  When they finally come face to face they must face the fact that they have always been what the other needed.

Killian is a military man who went to a clinic to get help for PTSD.  What he did not sign up for was to be experimented on and turned into a Pantera.  He enters the Wildlands and is attacked by a Hunter.  Rosalie is living with the grief of losing her mate.  He is killed by humans so she believes that all humans are the enemy.  Killian is kept in Wildlands to find out the information he possesses and to try and figure out if the process can be reversed.  Killian’s cat decides that it is going to stay and that Rosalie belongs to him.  They heal each other and figure out that they belong together.  Rosalie finds the perfect balance for her and figures out that not all humans are bad, but the bad ones need to be taken care of.  I give this book 5 stars!  Both stories are excellent!

 

 

 

4/5 Review: Tempest Rising by Julie Kenner

Secrets, Sex and Scandals …

Welcome to Storm, Texas, where passion runs hot, desire runs deep, and secrets have the power to destroy… Get ready. The storm is coming.

Nestled among rolling hills and painted with vibrant wildflowers, the bucolic town of Storm, Texas, seems like nothing short of perfection.

But there are secrets beneath the facade. Dark secrets. Powerful secrets. The kind that can destroy lives and tear families apart. The kind that can cut through a town like a tempest, leaving jealousy and destruction in its wake, along with shattered hopes and broken dreams. All it takes is one little thing to shatter that polish.

Ginny Moreno didn’t mean to do it, but when she came home to Storm, she brought the tempest with her. And now everyone will be caught in its fury…

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This first book is about a girl named Ginny Moreno who comes home to Strom, Texas for the summer. She and a friend are driving during a nasty summer storm when tragedy hits, and she is now having to face a new challenge as well as face something she has had to face before. Change isn’t new for this girl since this isn’t the first time tragedy has struck for her and her siblings. Having to grow up at such a young age, Ginny can feels she can handle just about anything.

Tempest Rising is a book you can polish off in a few hours because of how drawn into the story you become. Kenner is able to keep your attention with her writing style and skill. There are a lot going on with twists and turns of who does this, and what is going to happen next! This book definitely leaves you wanting for more. With the tragedy and miracle that occurs in this books, makes you believe that anything is possible. Life is too short to worry about the unknown details, and focus on what is in front of you that very moment.   J Kenner and the other authors of this series have a good thing going and I look forward to seeing what more happens in this little town of passion and secrets. J Kenner along with Dee Davis can definitely write a page turner.

4/5 Review: Hades: A Demonica Novella (1001 Dark Nights) by Larissa Ione

A fallen angel with a mean streak and a mohawk, Hades has spent thousands of years serving as Jailor of the Underworld. The souls he guards are as evil as they come, but few dare to cross him. All of that changes when a sexy fallen angel infiltrates his prison and unintentionally starts a riot. It’s easy enough to quell an uprising, but for the first time, Hades is torn between delivering justice — or bestowing mercy — on the beautiful female who could be his salvation…or his undoing. Thanks to her unwitting participation in another angel’s plot to start Armageddon, Cataclysm was kicked out of Heaven and is now a fallen angel in service of Hades’s boss, Azagoth. All she wants is to redeem herself and get back where she belongs. But when she gets trapped in Hades’s prison domain with only the cocky but irresistible Hades to help her, Cat finds that where she belongs might be in the place she least expected…

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I am going to write this review on how this book was written and not my personal feelings towards it.  I will explain.  This was a very well written story with all that one would look for in a great read.  I, however, am a Mythology fanatic and cannot see Hades as he is portrayed in this story.  To me, Hades is the God of the Underworld, this includes both Tartarus and the Elysian Fields.  He is strong, dark, and mysterious.  

In this story he is portrayed as a fallen angel who is working for Azagoth.  He is the jailer of the underworld, and is known for his meanness.  As for his appearance, I apologize but I just do not see him as having a blue Mohawk.  This does not scream Hades to me.  I have to say he is my favorite God in Mythology along with Ares.  It is hard for me to read books about them if they are altered too much.  

Now on to the book itself.  It was a good piece of writing.  That I will not take away from the author.  I could see myself falling in love with the characters as I did with the plot if I have not been such a fan of Hades.  Cataclysm, a recently fallen angel who is trying to regain her positon has a hard time coping.  She is in other words clumsy and naïve.  She brings about the start of Armageddon without intentionally doing so.  I don't know why but I love how that came about.  It brings me to the cliché saying, "things happen for a reason".  What that reason is, is for the reader to find out.  

I would recommend this book to any lovers who love a quick romance book filled with lots of excitement.    

4/5 Review: Stripped Down A Blacktop Cowboys Novella by Lorelei James

Never challenge a cowboy to a little naughty competition… 

A flirty game of sexual truth or dare between best man, Wynton Grant, and maid of honor, Melissa Lockhart during their BFF’s wedding reception results in a steamy hookup. 

But their plans for a one and done change when a family crisis leaves Wyn shorthanded at the Grant Ranch. Experienced horsewoman Mel volunteers to help out and gets way more than she bargained for living under the same roof as the sexy rancher. Playing house has never appealed to Wyn…until now. 

But the feisty redhead is keeping secrets and Wyn’s not above stripping her bare—body and soul—to get to the bottom of it… 

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This is my first 1001 Dark Nights read.  But, I will be looking into them now!  Lorelie James, brings us Stripped down from the Blacktop Cowboy Series (another series I will be looking into as well!)  It wasn't necessary to read the Blacktop series to enjoy this short hot cowboy romance.

We meet Melissa (the Maid of Honor) and Wyn (the best man) at Wyn's brothers wedding.  They both are super hot, super sexy and enjoy a sexual adventure.  For a short read - the characters are surprisingly fleshed out and the story keeps you turning pages to see what they get up to next.  Will the short time they spend together change them for the better or will they be on to their next conquests?  Definitely worth the time, and I am sure going to be looking into the series after this quick ride!