Cozy Mystery review: Unbridled Murder (A Carson Stables Mystery #3) by Leigh Hearon

Title: Unbridled Murder (A Carson Stables Mystery #3)  
Author: Leigh Hearon 
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Lenght: Novel
Rating: 4
Reviewed by: Laurie 

After horse trainer and rancher Annie Carson visits a feedlot in eastern Washington, she is determined to save as many horses from slaughter as possible before hightailing it back home--until she discovers the sleazy owner seemingly trampled in his corral. With the fate of the feedlot herd in her hands, Annie must navigate unfamiliar territory while trying to track down a killer and solve an increasingly tangled mystery. But unfortunately for Annie, returning to the Olympic Peninsula alive will be trickier than she ever imagined.

Growing up with horses I have a deep love for them and follow several rescues that go out and payees to keep these amazing creatures from not only becoming food, but also to save them from heartless abuse. So, when I noticed this book on NetGalley I jumped on it.

The story offers great characters, story development, description of the settings and some huge surprises along the way. I really liked Annie’s voice and how she related to the entanglement she was placed in and look forward to reading more of Annie’s adventures. For you romance readers out there, you’ll love Annie’s boyfriend Marcus, which is very prominent in the story.  

The only reason I gave it 4 stars was because of repetitious and a few slow parts, but it wasn’t a lot of either one.

I recommend this to not only cozy mystery lovers out there, but also to romance lovers that love mysteries and horse. This is a totally standalone book, I never felt like I was missing much at all. 

The Taming of Malcolm Grant (The MacGregor’s: Highland Heirs Book 4) by Paula Quinn - ARC Review

The Taming of Malcolm Grant

(The MacGregor’s: Highland Heirs Book 4)

By Paula Quinn

Pages: 384

Publish Date: September 29, 2015

Publisher: Forever

Source: Netgalley

Review requested by Author

GENRE: Historical Romance

AMAZON     BARNES & NOBLE     GOODREADS

AN ALLURING LASS

Emmaline Grey spends her days with her beloved dog, dreaming of the sea-until a brawling Highlander shatters her quiet life to pieces. Though her blindness prevents her from seeing his face, his voice is a warm blend of velvet and silk, and his rakehell ways unmistakable. Risking the wrath of a rival clan as she nurses him back to health, Emma soon realizes the real danger is the magnetic pull she feels to this half-naked Scot recovering in her bed.

A RECKLESS ROGUE

With his rugged handsomeness and wicked charm, Malcolm Grant wants nothing more out of life than whisky, women, and the occasional war. The only lass he's ever trusted left him with more scars than a battlefield. Yet now at the mercy of this sweet stranger, Malcolm can barely resist the gentle hands that make him feverish with desire-until Emma, the one he will never have, is the only woman he wants . . . 

RATING:  5 STARS

SEXUAL: 3 FLAMES

Review by Ronda Tutt
a.k.a Queentutt

Historic Writing of Brilliance!

Ms. Quinn’s master piece of creativity combines one enchanting sexy rogue, one blind determined and independent Lass, and one incredible woven life of experiences filled with harsh realities and haunted regrets producing one visionary and heartfelt Highland Romance of all time.

I was totally spellbound from the first page. This exciting story is full of mischief, humor, deceit, jealousy, honor, death, and sacrifices.  The stunning characters will have you caught up in their story as if you were living it with them.

I loved getting to know Malcolm Grant.  His highland honor and pride are ordinary traits, however what captivated me most was his character’s demeanor and experiences of trying to correct his wrongs, giving up women for the last few years, separating himself from a previous clingy old rump in the sack, and rationalizing his purpose in life along with discovering if love would exist for him which had my heart singing for him.

Emmaline Grey (Emma), hands down is one of the best female characters ever created and that you will ever read about.  Sure she is like every other woman being independently strong and feisty but her special quality exceeds any personality trait I have ever read about.  She is blind but doesn’t let her handicap hold her back.  She acts like she is not blind and moves around like every other ordinary female.  She is intelligent and beautiful inside and out.  I loved that she was a healer and was knowledgeable of the herbs.   I fell in love with her Seeing Eye dog Gascon too and could feel the special bond between the two.

The character connection between Malcolm and Emma is explosive.  Emma is off limits due to respecting his friend’s wishes but their chemistry between each other is stronger than honoring his friend’s wishes.  Their sexual tension steams off the page and their toe curling interlude romantically involves a secluded beach and some ocean waves. SWOON! (3 Flames)

Other characters won me over too and I can’t wait for Paula Quinn’s next installment to find out more about these new characters.  Cailean, Malcolm’s young brother has definitely had his share of tragedy.  We already knew from a past installment that he lost his best hound but now he has had another great loss that will possibly send him into insanity or locked into himself forever being sad.  My heart just cries when I think of his devastating baggage. 

Also, the character Sebastian Winther has my interest.  It was bad enough that Sebastian’s brother Oliver is an evil monster who caused all kinds of hell and many died from him but Sebastian was the good guy and I hope the readers get his story of him living his dream of sailing his own ship.  Sebastian’s sexual charisma bled off the pages and I only wanted more of him.

In the end, I’m still reeling with the lasting images as they play through my mind. The Happy Ever After is blissful and has me satisfied with giddiness, yet the unfinished battle of the wicked evil Baron of Newcastle has me hungry for more story.  This is just an outstanding read and I totally recommend this historical romance to all readers.  I can actually say this is one story that I will enjoy reading over and over again and definitely will be keeping it on the shelf.

ARC Review of If I Were You by Lisa Renee Jones

Title: If I Were You (Inside Out Trilogy Book #1)
Author: Lisa Renee Jones
Source: Requested
Genre: Erotic Romance/Contemporary Romance
Length: 330 Paperback pages
Reviewer: Revolutionary Riot Gyrl

He is rich and famous, and dark in ways I shouldn't find intriguing, but I do. I don't understand why his dark side appeals to me, but the attraction between us is rich with velvety promises of satisfaction. Chris is dark, and so are his desires, but I cannot turn away. He is damaged beneath his confident good looks and need for control, and in some way, I feel he needs me. I need him.

ARC Review Never Seduce a Scot by Maya Banks

Title: Never Seduce a Scot (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #1)

Author: Maya Banks

Source: Edelweiss

Genre: Scottish Historical Romance

Length: Novel (352pgs)

Release Date: Sept 25 2012 from Ballantine Books at Random House

 

A sinfully sexy new romance from Maya Banks features a remarkable woman whose rare gift teaches a gruff Scottish warrior how to listen with his heart.

Review of Masquerade (Vampires Realm #10) by Felicity E. Heaton

Title: Masquerade
Author: Felicity E. Heaton
Source: Author ARC Requested Review
Genre: Paranormal Romance - Vampires/Werewolves
Release Date: May 19th 2012
Buy link - Author's Website

ARC Review Enemy Lover by Karin Harlow

Enemy Lover- book one in the L.O.S.T series
Author Karin Harlow
Paranormal romance- vampires
Authors website
ARC copy release date May 25th 2010




[close] When you have no alternative, then you call in L.O.S.T. Because with the

Book Description
Last Option Special Team, it’s do or die. . . .
It’s Jax Cassidy’s first mission for L.O.S.T.—one that will give the former cop who went rogue a chance to prove herself. Her assignment: gain the trust of assassin Marcus Cross . . . eliminate him . . . then take down Marcus’s mentor, Joseph Lazarus, a man with a bold eye on the White House. But the woman who’s known by her team for being a femme fatale succumbs to passion, only to discover Cross’s deadly secret. He’s a vampire, and Joseph Lazarus is his creator.

Left for dead by his platoon in the violent hills of Afghanistan, Special Ops sniper Marcus Cross was given a second chance at life. His newly heightened skills make him the perfect killing machine, and as Lazarus’s right-hand man, he’s quickly rising to the top of his dark empire, purging enemies with speed and precision. Only when dangerous beauty Jax Cassidy is sent to bring him in does he begin to question Lazarus’s motives and his own actions. But when Jax’s life is threatened by the one thing that can destroy them both, Marcus must make a bitter choice—her death or his.

Laurie's Review
Rating-

Sexual-

This book is totally different from any paranormal vampire book I have read. Harlow works her magic with this book she adds lots of suspense, throws in the paranormal spice then tops it with a political heated battle that will have you spellbound.

I want to add the first hundred pages is getting you familiar with both special Team Operatives and their characters, Jax, the senator and his family. In other words, it takes a bit before you get into the juicy between Jax and Marcus. If this tends to get boring please continue it, will get a lot better.

A Politian’s old seat and his families life hangs on a line between two team operatives. One operative The Solution is the vampire side (Marcus) the Politian has created to take out the bad in the city, but now he wants to terminate the operative. But they won’t shut down that easy. They go after his daughter (I want to add here there is a huge reason they go after his daughter and it surprised me who it was behind it). So the Politian calls another operative L.O.S.T the human side (Jax) to take care of things this is where Jax and Marcus meets. Marcus is ordered to take out the senator’s daughter. Jax is ordered to take out Marcus boss Lazarus. So while the passion increases between these two they both have to be careful to not reveal who they are really are and working for. It gets quite tense while Marcus is trying to find out who Jax is and working for and Jax is trying to get in on Marcus side and not reveal who she is working for. You’ll have to read to find out which Enemy side will cave and who will win and if the Politian will ever get his seat or does something else happen to him.

Jax, I loved reading her. Jax as Angela had something brutal happen to her in the past she takes matters in her own hands and ended up on her way to the big house. This is where the operative L.O.S.T. Team comes in. The leader of this team is Black (The Godfather) brings her in to make her part of the team. Jax has the tuff attitude that will take on any man and with her looks she does just that.

Marcus works with operative called The Solution's Team. His creator Lazarus (Colonel) is the leader. Marcus is of course, a vampire, is a killer in every since but he will not take out an innocent. I liked how Harlow writes her vampires and the powers she gives them. Plus how they can transfer that power to a human just by them drinking blood.

Jax and Marcus together makes for seamy hot romance scenes. One being my favorite on the balcony OMG it was HOT! The other is the first one, Marcus having vampire blood can scents things. So he knows that Jax has been hurt in the past so the first scents he takes her like a man or vampire in this case should, lets just say she forgets everything.

ARC Review Assassin's Honor by Monica Burns

Assassin's Honor - First book in the An Order of the Sicari
Author Monica Burns
Paranormal Trade paperback 352 pgs.
ARC copy the release date is June the first.
Authors website



Book description
Archeologist Emma Zale sees the past when she touches ancient relics. It’s how she uncovered evidence of an ancient order of assassins—the Sicari. When a sinfully dark stranger shows up on her Chicago doorstep demanding an ancient artifact she doesn’t have, he drags her into a world where telekinesis and empaths are the norm. Now someone wants her dead, and her only hope of survival is an assassin who’s every bit as dangerous to her body as he is to her heart.

Ares De Luca comes from an ancient Roman bloodline of telekinetic assassins. A Sicari, he’s honor bound to kill only in the name of justice. But when the woman he loved was murdered, Ares broke the Sicari code and used his sword for revenge. Love cost him dearly once before, and he’s not willing to pay the price again. At least not until hot, sweet, delectable Emma walked into his life. Not only does she hold the key to a valuable Sicari relic, she might just hold the key to his heart.

Laurie's reivew
Rating-

Sexual-

What an impressive spicy way to start a new series. Once I started reading this book it made me want to go right out and study Archaeology, just so I could meet my hot Sicari warrior. Oh, did I forget to mention the adventure that comes along with the warrior, well hold on to your seat because this one has an exciting one. With Ares warrior attitude and Emma’s sarcastic charm they keep you enchanted the whole time. I will be vague in this review I hate to give out to much info.

I loved the Sicari characters Monica has created in this book, they are strong warrior men and women. Lysander looks hot from one side of his face but the other side tells a different story. He really charmed his way into my heart in this story, so I really cant wait for his book now. Phae is Ares sister and she has a special power as all Sicari women, she can heal. I really enjoyed reading Phae I hope she will have her own story. I love the powers Monica gave these warriors. Even Emma has a special talent that’s really neat.

Little spoilers
When Emma was at an archaeology dig in Cairo she found her parents had always been right, the Sicari wasn’t a myth. As she tapped another piece of mud off the wall she seen the evidence of a icon that proved the elite guild assassins descendents of Ptolemy’s personal guard was real. Her boss Charlie, ends up dead at the dig and Emma found herself the main suspect after a few hours of questioning at the police station and a little unknown help from Ares, she fond herself back at home in Chicago. Low and behold she fond some items her father has left about the Sicari and while she is reading what her father had left, she heard the floors squeak. She knew she locked the doors, but this man was able to come in with the locks in place. Who is the intruder is he the one that has come back to kill her like Charlie or is it someone else? You’ll have to read and find out what happens to Emma.

Ares is a strong warrior that believes in honor. He does break rules but he takes the Sicari Order’s laws serious. Its so serious as you read you’ll figure out he will do anything to hold up Sicari traditions. Make sure your ready for this ride because you may find yourself with tissues as Ares holds up honor and keeps Emma safe.

The only reason I didn’t give this 5 stars is because, Emma. She got on my nerve in middle of the book. Emma keeps thinking back to her bad relationship and keeps thinking Ares is the same as her ex fiancé
with out really stopping and thinking what all Ares has gone through just to keep her safe. You see at the end the story is not finished, so you’ll be waiting on the next installment to see what’s going to happen next.

Books in order
1.Assassin's Honor
2.Assassin's Heart

Review Shadow of the Vampire by Meagan Hatfield

Shadow of the Vampire
Author Meagan Hatfiled
Paranormal- vampire and dragon shape shifters
Mass paperback 384pgs
Authors website
This book is due out July 1st



Book Description:
Even vampires should never sleep with the enemy.

Vampire princess Alexia Feodorovna has been undead for 125 years, so it's been a while since any man has made her pulse race. Until Declan Black. One look at his bronzed body and a fire like no other consumes her. Then she discovers that he's a dragon lord come to take revenge on the vamps who killed his parents. And claim a crystal said to imbue its owner with incredible powers.

Alexia is ordered to torture and kill the dragon lord. Yet with each reckless encounter, she finds herself consumed by his fiery passion. A passion Declan battles, as well. Will he be able to resist the fire of lust she kindles within him and keep revenge in his heart? Or will he risk everything to quench the burning desire and claim the vampire as his own?

My reivew
Rating-

Sexual

I have two version's of this review. The first one is more spoilers the next one is less spoilers, so if you want less just keep scrolling unitl you hit less spoilers.

This was a excellent read! Hatfield has a wonderful talent that shows bright in this highly intense action packed sexy book. The talent she has is to take you in depth in the characters in a short length of time and add so many twist and turns you can’t seem to turn the pages fast enough to learn what’s happening next. In this book you get tons of intense action, torture, fighting, (dragons against vampires), betrayal, HOT Sex, and a huge cliffhanger that really makes you want the next book or maybe its two books yep, that’s it two books. I would like to give a warning to those that are of the faint of heart ,there is a lot of torture in the first of the book for both Declan and Alexia, so be prepared it starts right off. With everything going on in this book I never felt lost or confused on who is who or what is what. The way Meagan writes it, its very easy to read and understand.

What would you do if the woman that compels you with hot passion is your enemy? The very one that could have killed or had a hand in killing of your parents, then she is the one that captures you and beats you then throws you in a dungeon. Is she the brutal monster or someone else? If not, is there anyway he can keep her without his family killing her.
They both also have another problem, she is a vampire and his family won’t accept her unless she is a dragon, now how are they going to be able to jump through that hoop.

Now for Spoilers! If you want to know more.
There is so much in this story I don’t want to give out to much, but yet I want to touch on what I enjoyed most, the only thing is I have a problem with that because I enjoyed it all. There’s a war going on between the vampires and the Dragons. Alexia (vampire) is soon to be queen, her mother (named Catija, vampire) is being controlled by the evil general ( named Lotharios, vampire). Alexia’s mother and the evil general kills the King and Queen of the dragons, well lets just say the dragon King and Queen was pretty much tortured to death by them. Now Alexia needs a crystal to have power, so this is were we get into the action, Alexia knows Declan (dragon) has it so she captures him and tortues him to tell her where the crystal is, when he doesn’t comply he is thrown in the dungeon after beaten then beaten some more, later she comes to see him to see if she can get more out of him, but what she finds is an attraction between each other. What Alexia doesn’t know is Declan is the dragon’s King and Queens son. From there Alexia finds things are not as they seem in the vampire world and she now has to help Declan escape while she herself takes beating’s from Lotharios.

I know this is one big spoiler here, I just cant resist. After Declan and Alexia escape Declan is still in week state, but when Alexia is thrown off a cliff he jumps and changes into a dragon in mid flight avoiding the pain and the hard rain trying to get her, This is one intense moment where you really can’t turn the pages fast enough to see how he gets her and makes it back up the high cliff. If I don’t stop now I will giveaway everything and I don’t want to do that. I have to let you know some of this I just wrote will have a few changes as you read the book, I can’t give everything out LOL you’ll also find quite a few more surprise’s yourself.

I do believe this book will hit this top of my favorites of this year right now it’s tied with the top one so far, that’s how much I enjoyed this story. I would recommend this book to anyone that reads PRN reader even some UF readers that enjoy a little sex would like this book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Less spoilers

This was a excellent read! I would recommend to anyone. Hatfield has a wonderful talent that shows bright in this highly intense action packed sexy book. The talent she has is to take you in depth in the characters in a short length of time and add so many twist and turns you can’t seem to turn the pages fast enough to learn what’s happening next. In this book you get tons of intense action, torture, fighting, (dragons against vampires), betrayal, HOT Sex, and a huge cliffhanger that really makes you want the next book in had to start it. I would like to give a warning to those there is a lot of torture so be prepared it starts right off at begging. There is a lot going in this book, I have to say I never felt lost or confused on who is who or what is what. The way Meagan writes it, its very easy to read and understand.

There is a war going on between the Dragons and the Vampires. They both want a crystal. One has it and his name is, Declan (dragon), Alexia (vampire) needs it, so she captures Declan and torture’s him but he doesn’t talk. In the dungeon they both find a passion for each other that wont let up. They both escape the evil vampire general. Now Alexia is with Declan and has to brave the dragon layer and they don’t want her. The only why Alexia and Declan can make it together is if she is a dragon this is an intense adventure to see how these to make it happen. You also read about some more characters on both sides, so I know I will be looking out for more books.


This book receives Top Bite Award

Review: My Sister is a Werewolf by Kathy Love

My Sister is a Werewolf (book four in the Young brothers)
Author: Kathy Love
Paperback 280pgs.
Kathy Love website

Book summary:

Elizabeth Young's brothers think they have it rough as vampires? Ha! Two words for them: unwanted hair. What werewolf Elizabeth craves is a normal life with a husband, kids, and less shaving. Unfortunately the vaccine she's researched isn't working yet. Worse, she's in heat—and soon every dangerous wolf pack for miles around will be at her door. To buy time, she needs to have sex, and often, with the first human male she can find

Veterinarian Jensen Adler just meant to drown his sorrows, until a stunning, leather-clad brunette made him an offer he couldn't refuse. Now he's caught up in something really weird, definitely dangerous, and, okay, extremely hot. So his new girlfriend's hiding something (and she's a little freaky about the moon), but Jensen knows true love when he feels it, and this time, he's not giving upno matter how hairy things get.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Laurie's rating 4/5
Sexual Mild very nice
Paranormal, Werewolf
Laurie's review:

This is the fourth book to the Young brother series. I kept putting this book off because of the low rating, but I really enjoyed the story. I loved Jensen, he fell in love in high school and the passing of his love left him empty until he seen Elizabeth in a bar and gave her a ride home, the passion that they found this night could not keep them apart long. Elizabeth is great she comes with a past and mate she has not seen in years, that she is in need to get rid of.. I love the scene it take place in the town where two of her vampire brothers and their wives lives, so they are in the book also. This is a fun, easy read book with excitement and great romance.