Shadow Music (Highland Lairds #3) by Julie Garwood

 

Summary:

For Princess Gabrielle of St. Biel, Scotland is a land of stunning vistas, wild chieftains, treacherous glens, and steep shadows--skullduggery, betrayal, and now murder. Prized for her exquisite beauty, the daughter of one of England's most influential barons, Gabrielle is also a perfect bargaining chip for a king who needs peace in the Highlands: King John has arranged Gabrielle's marriage to a good and gentle laird. But this marriage will never take place.

For Gabrielle, everything changes in one last burst of freedom--when she and her guards come upon a scene of unimaginable cruelty. With one shot from her bow and arrow, Gabrielle takes a life, saves a life, and begins a war.

Within days, the Highlands are aflame with passions as a battle royal flares between enemies old and new. Having come to Scotland to be married, Gabrielle is instead entangled in Highland intrigue. For two sadistic noblemen, underestimating Gabrielle's bravery and prowess may prove fatal. But thanks to a secret Gabrielle possesses, Colm MacHugh, the most feared man in Scotland, finds a new cause for courage. Under his penetrating gaze, neither Gabrielle's body nor heart is safe.

Review:

I am such fan of this author's romance books! When I was a little young one in the romance fiction game, she was one of the first authors I read. I love her romance books! I love them so much that I reread all of her romance fiction yearly. I was making my way through the Highland lairds when I noticed Amazon was pointing me towards a book called Shadow Music. Long story short - I cannot believe this book has been out for so long and I never knew about it. Utter shock!

I grabbed it and it did not disappoint. I was able to revisit characters that I love i.e. Broderick, Ramsay, the Maitlands, etc. We are introduced to Princess Gabrielle and all of the greedy Englishmen that are lusting after her and her kingdom's treasure. We are also introduced to Laird MacHugh who is an ally of the Sinclairs, Maitlands, and Buchanans. By fate (more likely the machinations of a greedy king and his barons) - Gabrielle ends up finding sanctuary with Laird Colm MacHugh. Colm, alongside Gabrielle's cousin by marriage Broderick Buchanan, are searching for enemies of the MacHugh clan and happen to witness Gabrielle being mistreated. They rescue her and decide the best way to protect her is for Colm to marry her.

This book is more than just a story about a Princess and her interactions with a greedy England. The author finds a way to spin a tale about a monarch guarding the secret of her once rich nation, a strong Laird bent on avenging his brother, a greedy lustful King John, two obsessed English barons, and sprinkling in prior characters with a nice love story. Sad it took me so long to read it, but glad I did.

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Wild Lover (Magical Lovers 3) by Michelle Howard

Summary:

Danger threatens...
Christine Jones never imagined that becoming connected with the paranorm world would bring danger to her doorstep. But with her best friend married to a warlock, his enemies have now targeted her as an easy means to strike against him.
Hope found...
Ben Griffin never thought he’d find his mate. Centuries had gone by and he’d resigned himself to a lonely future. Nothing could have prepared him for someone like Chrissy Jones. His boss’ enemies think they can get to him by using her? That’s not going to happen.
One night...
Can a one night stand lead to a love everlasting?

Review:

I'm going to be honest and say that I read this series out of order. I started with book 3 and I am definitely going back to read the first two.

I will say that it was not difficult to follow the story even though I was unfamiliar with some of the characters mentioned. In fact, it only whetted my appetite for more. I thought I had a good idea of where the story line was going, but I am happy to say that as the story moved along I didn't. It is the nature of the romance fiction beast to most often be able to predict the path a book will take. The interesting part is, of course, the journey. 

In this book, those familiar with the characters, know that someone is out to get the warlock Drake who just so happens to be getting married to Christine's (main character) best friend.The night before the wedding Christine and Drake's bodyguard, Ben, have a fling. Ben disappears and at the wedding he acts as if he has no idea who Christine is. After a huge altercation between the two at the wedding, Christine becomes a target because of her relationship to Drake's wife. 

This book was so much better than I thought it would be. Its fast-paced and sexy, and definitely worth the read.

 

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Broken Skies (Dragon's Gift: The Storm #4) by Veronica Douglas and Linsey Hall

 

Broken Skies by Veronica Douglas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So now we come to the end of Neve and Damian's story.

Neve is now a full blown genie and her and Damian are still battling Matthias. We have Neve trying to resolve her missing parents, her new status as a full-blown genie, and figure out her and Damian's relationship.

Damian is a fallen angel with a (view spoiler)[ Firesoul nature (hide spoiler)] that makes it exceedingly difficult for him to be around Neva safely.

Matthias is out of control and is seeking the creation of a new plane with the help of enslaved genies and demons.

There are so many issues that Neve have to deal with as a couple and between themselves. Each issue had its own moment for resolution so that when the series finally ended - I was satisfied.

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Linsey Hall Shadow Guild Vampire Bride Series

 

Drakon and Mac. 

Let me say that I enjoyed this couple's story. I am not new to the writings of the Shadow Guild (Mac's friends Carrow, Eve, Seraphia, Beatrix, etc). I will say that you will appreciate these two characters more if you're 'familiar' with the stories of her friends; however, it's not necessary. 

This trilogy starts off completely different than other books in the Shadow Guild series. Book 1 (Bite Me) starts with Drakon accusing Mac of burying him alive and that he is there to exact revenge by killing her. Mac negotiates her life by selling her skills as a seer in order to help him locate a hidden treasure amongst a secret shadow group's Hunger games. Throughout this book Drakon and Mac are fighting for their lives (Mac twofold) while at the same time Mac is trying to discover who actually locked Drakon away.

Book 2 (Suck It) continues the story of the evil sorcerer Ludovic and the continuous threat of his next plot for power while trying to acquire Mac. The plot turns out to be attacking a mass of shifters and using their souls to fuel his power. It is now up to Mac and Drakon to help the shifters against their new foe. In the background lurks the truth of Drakon's immortality and its connection to Mac.

In Book 3 (Kiss Me), Drakon has turned to stone because of his connection to Mac. The relationship between the the two is complicated. Cue the angst. The truth of Mac's power and background are becoming clearer and clearer. With the help of witches, Drakon is returned to flesh for one week. So now Drakon and Mac must find a solution to the flesh to stone issue while still going after Ludovic while still trying to learn Mac's true history. Its a lot going down and oh so worth it. 

I can say that this series moves quickly. As the author presents questions  you do not have to wait long to get answers.The story arc's are fast-paced. Most of the three book ending's have a resolution wrapped up in a pretty bow and initially it was hard to deal with, but I dig it now. 

I give the entire series a B+ for enjoyment and yes I will be moving on to the next Linsey Hall series that I haven't read yet.

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Mentored in Fire (Demon Days, Vampire Nights book 10) by K.F. Breene

 

Mentored in Fire by K.F. Breene
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I so love Reagan's crazy ass. So Reagan has been rescued by her dad and is now in the Underworld to get some training and get to know her dad. Cahal came with her and is there to keep her grounded. The level of intrigue, secrets, and power plays left me on the edge of my seat. Penny, Darius, and Emery are in the Underworld trying to rescue Reagan & Reagan is with Lucifer - learning the ropes. On the other hand, the world is in shambles. War is coming. The elves time is up. As Reagan said - you're either with them, Lucifer, or the elves. Vlad is still machinating. Ja is now fully in the mix. I can't wait to read the next book. I hope that Cahal and Roger both get their own book.

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Demon Pack (Demon Pack, #1) by Jaymin Eve and Everly Frost

 

Summary

I’m no stranger to the dark. The shadows belong to me. But the dark can’t hide me forever...

I run with my own pack—my four demon wolves and the two friends I would kill to protect.

We might be the rejected shifters of the Vegas supernaturals, different and unwanted, but our pack is strong. Feared. Think of us as your local supernatural vigilantes.

With my demon wolves secretly watching our backs, we’re unstoppable. Until the night the first rune appears on the streets. A rune that hasn’t been seen for hundreds of years, sending the Vegas supernaturals into a tailspin.

It seems that the Master of Demon Runes has returned, a demon with unlimited power to deceive and kill, dragged up from the depths of the underworld itself.

What he wants, no one knows.

Except maybe… me.

Because there’s a teeny tiny chance that my demon wolves used to be his. And an even larger chance he won’t return to the underworld without them…

Or without me.

Review

So, its become obvious that Jaymin Eve is fast becoming one of my fav authors. I first discovered her writing in her Shadow Beast series. I saw that there is a part two coming in December, but I couldn't stop myself from starting this.

Nova is kick ass. She is the alpha of her pack, which consists of two outcast shifter hybrids (like herself) and 4 invisible wolves. The other two hybrids are sisters to her, Malia and Taniya. Together they all form a vigilante-like group that patrols the Vegas areas keeping out of line supernaturals in line. Unfortunately, on a <i> routine </i> operation they discover that the King of Demons has disappeared from the Underworld and as a result a high-level demon is running amok in their area. That combined with a mysterious stranger that tries to warn Nova and her pack away and the story begins. There are secrets that Nova holds, secrets that the mysterious stranger holds about himself, Nova, and what is actually going on, and there are secrets that entwine them all.

Action, secrets, intrigue, specieism, sexual tension, family. I loved every part of this book. I'm just sad that I have to wait until December for part two. This is definitely worth reading and I have already added part two to my TBR list.

ARC The Adversary by Thea Harrison

 

 

 

 

 

 

When Dragos and Pia move to the Other land of Rhyacia, they hope starting a new life will bring safety and freedom to their family, especially their young baby, Niall. And at first their new home seems perfect… but looks are deceiving.

Beneath Rhyacia’s idyllic façade an ancient, malevolent force lurks, waiting for the right opportunity to break free of its cage. When that opportunity comes, it strikes with devastating accuracy.

While Dragos has never backed down from a fight, he’s also never encountered an enemy like this one before. How can he fight a foe who doesn’t have a body? A foe who can invade and turn his own mind against him?

How can Dragos protect his family, when at any moment one of them may become the enemy?

As Dragos and Pia race against time to fight this unseen menace, they must also acknowledge a terrifying truth—when anyone can become the enemy, no one can be trusted.

An adversary who can trap the dragon poses a threat to everyone in Rhyacia, and that means no one is safe…

 

 

 

 

Dragos and Pia….two of my most favorite characters out of all of the books I have ever read. This pair have been through so much in their short time together. Two children and one new kingdom later – here we are. The Cuelebre power couple are trying to establish a kingdom for Elder races in a new dimension/world called Rhyacia. Pia, alongside the Elves, are able to sense and see shadow individuals that once resided in Rhyacia. That, however, is not where the problem resides. The building crews stumbled upon a crypt and when she and Dragos go to investigate an accident occurs and what comes out of the crypt alongside her is not her husband. Cue the Adversary title. Now Pia and the Sentinels, along with some New York Sentinels, and Liam (aka Peanut aka Cuelebre Heir #1) are fighting the being that his currently inhabiting Dragos.  

This story is just as amazing as it sounds. It is full of non-stop action and edge of your seat intrigue. Technically, you can enjoy this book by only having read The Unseen; however, to get the full FEELS of friendship, determination, comradery, love, and dedication possible I recommend that you read at least a couple of the Elder Race novels. The Sentinels would be more like old friends if you do.  

Both books, The Unseen and The Adversary, are worth picking up. And The Adversary does not disappoint.