Review of Donna Grant's IRON EMBER

 

Elodie MacLean reluctantly returns to Skye. She plans to fix up her childhood home to sell and then leave again. However, the place dredges up dark and painful memories. Something sinister is killing druids, and Elodie is their next target. Her secret, the one she wants no one else to know about, makes her vulnerable to their attacks. Can Elodie overcome the ghosts of the past? Will she figure out who is behind the druid killings?

Scott Ryan is a Druid from Edinburgh, Scotland. He has a two-part mission: the first to find out who is killing Druids, and the second to convince Elodie to join his organization. Scott never expected to be captivated by the woman and the island of Skye. Something about Elodie makes him want to protect her from mysterious threats. Can Scott help Elodie face her terrible past? Or will his association with his organization elicit distrust?

I admire Elodie’s inner strength. It had to be difficult to return to a place that harbors such devastating memories. Elodie even faced the hostility of people she had wronged years ago. She knew the only person in the wrong as herself, that there was no excuse for her past actions.

I just want to say – I am so happy that we finally get a male Druid as the main hero. It is a nice change of pace from the usual Fae, Dragon King, and Warrior type.

It did take me a while to warm up to Scott. I like that he did not want to use his charming ability with Elodie. I admire Scott’s decision not to use his charm or magical ability with Elodie. He knew she was still trying to cope with her childhood trauma, and he did not want to add any more emotional baggage. What I liked the most about Scott is how he tried to help Elodie overcome her trauma. He genuinely wanted to help her come to grips with everything.

IRON EMBER is the first book in Donna Grant’s paranormal romance series, SKYE DRUIDS. This is another spin-off from her DARK SWORD/DARK WARRIOR, DARK KINGS/DRAGON KINGS, and REAPER world. DARK ALPHA’S COMMAND, book fifteen in the REAPER books, is a prequel and introduction to the new series.

IRON EMBER can standalone, but I highly recommend reading the other series to understand all that has led up to the current events of the world. Ulrik and Eliliah (from TORCHED – book thirteen in the DARK KINGS series) and Broc and Sonya (from DARKEST HIGHLANDER – book six in the DARK SWORD series) play a vital role in the story. It is great re-visiting with these characters from the other series again!

Trigger warnings: abuse

Review of Jennifer Roberson's SWORD-BEARER

Rating: 5 

Sandtiger – Tiger to many – is a legendary Southron sword-dancer. Delilah – Del- is his Northern sword-singer lover. They have retired from their adventuring to raise their daughter and to teach the new generation of sword-dancers. Tiger wakes one morning to discover snow in the deserty south, and he feels magic behind the odd weather. He and Del, along with his adult son and two students, embark on journey to find the one responsible. Destructive weather, challenges to death-dances, and a Northerner bandit plague their trip.

SWORD-BEARER is book eight in Jennifer Roberson’s fantasy series, TIGER AND DEL. I would suggest new readers to start from the beginning before picking up this book. The prior books set up the author’s vivid and vastly interesting world, especially about the intricacy of sword-dancing and sword-singing. They also show all the hardships and trials Del and Tiger had to overcome.

I could not contain myself when I saw this title available for review. I am beyond happy that the author decided to return to this world. I never realized just how much I missed the characters, especially Del and Tiger, and the intricate world. I cannot wait for further adventures with Sandtiger and Del!

I do not read very many first-person books anymore, so it took me a while to adjust. It did not take away from the experience. Fans of this series remember that the prior seven books, along with the author’s CHEYSULI books, are written that way too.

Review of Grace Draven's RAVEN UNVEILED

 

Review courtesy of Romance Junkies
Rating: 5 (A recommended read)

Gharek of Cabast is The Spider of Empire’s cat’s paw, a henchman who dutifully fulfills his mistress’s every malicious demand. He is a wanted man now that the Empress is dead. Gharek hunts for the one woman he feels betrayed both him and his daughter. He finds Siora, but he also stumbles across something much more malevolent than his former employer. Gharek and Siora become unlikely allies to not only evade the evil creature but to retrieve a certain magical artifact. Can Gharek learn to let go of his need for vengeance? Or will he lose far more than what he bargained for?

Siora is a shade speaker, a person with the ability to see and to communicate with ghosts. She is the former nursemaid to Gharek’s young daughter. She tries desperately to outrun her previous employer, but she notices something sinister is devouring ghosts. Now its attention focuses right on Gharek and certain other living beings. To safeguard him and the dead, Siora offers to help Gharek retrieve a certain magical relic. She cannot ignore the hold the cat’s paw has on her. Will Siora embrace her full potential? Can she defeat the evil entity bent on destroying the world?

I am so pleased that Gharek got redeemed. He deserves it! The past two books show Gharek is not inherently evil, just a desperate man forced to do unforgivable acts to insure his daughter’s well-being and protection. I admire Gharek for never once forgetting the atrocities he has committed. He does not fault his victims nor their families for their hatred of him. Gharek also believes he does not deserve forgiveness or redemption. What I adore the most about Gharek is his parental love towards his daughter. He knows how the world, with its ugliness and cruelty, would treat her because of her deformity. Gharek wants nothing more than to shield Estred from all that negativity.

Siora is a woman who believes in doing the right thing despite the consequences and her circumstances. I kind of sensed there may have been something brewing between her and Gharek in the previous book. I have no objections because I feel they counterbalance each other nicely. I adore how Siora interacted with Estred. She did not see a deformed child but a delightful girl full of innocence and curiosity. Siora loved Estred as if the girl were her own. What I admire the most about Siora is how she saw the man beneath the mantle of cat’s paw. Siora may not have approved of his methods, but she understood what drove Gharek to do the things he had done.

RAVEN UNVEILED is the third book in Grace Draven’s fantasy romance series, FALLEN EMPIRE. I would not recommend reading this book before the previous two. The first novel sets up the author’s fascinating world and its outlook on magic and politics. This story takes place during the aftermath of all that transpired from the prior novels. There were some events I had forgotten, but the author does a wonderful job of refreshing the important events.

I adore how Malachus, Halani, and the free traders from DRAGON UNLEASHED, book two, play a significant role. It was wonderful revisiting with them again. I also like that the author did not neglect Gilene and Azarion, the couple from PHOENIX UNBOUND. They may not have made an appearance in the story, but they are loosely referred to.

RAVEN UNVEILED is an epic fantasy enemies-to-lovers tale of forgiveness, acceptance, and redemption. Grace Draven has this knack of appeasing my high fantasy needs. I cannot get enough of this series! I hope this is not the last adventure in the collapsing Krael Empire.

Review of Jill Shalvis' THE BACKUP PLAN

 

Review courtesy of Romance Junkies
Rating: 5 (A recommended read)

Alice Moore discovers she inherited one-third of an old inn from her hometown. The place holds such bittersweet and painful memories for her. Alice is forced to stick around and help her two partners – her former best friend and her teenage crush – renovate the place. They decide to make a list of rules to follow while working on the inn together. Alice cannot seem to shake the attraction brewing between her and Knox. Secrets from the past threaten to break their fragile truce. Can Alice ignore the past to reconnect with Lauren and Knox? Or will she balk at the first sign of trouble?

Knox Rawlings owns a general contracting company in Seattle. He learns that he inherited one-third of an old B&B inn in Sunrise Cove, California. Knox intends to honor his late benefactor’s wishes and renovate the place to its former glory. He just needs to convince Alice to remain and help in the restoration process. Knox is ready to put the painful past behind him. However, long dead secrets resurface and threaten his and his partners’ peace-of-mind. Can Knox convince Alice to confront her inner demons? And what backlash will the past have for the three? Can they overcome it?

I adore Alice’s name. It holds a special meaning to me because it was my late grandmother’s name. I always get excited when I see it in books, which is not very often. I like how Alice has three quirks that are reminiscent of my grandmother. Spunkiness, swearing like a sailor, and knitting. Although, my grandmother crocheted instead of knitting (almost the same thing), and she only swore when angered, which was rare. I want to thank the author for bringing back happy and loving memories of an important person in my life, who I miss greatly. What I adore the most about Alice is her feelings towards animals. She has a soft spot for them, including rodents.

Knox is such a sweetheart. He has had a crummy childhood, growing up with an alcoholic parent. Something I identified with. I like how Knox and Alice have quite a lot in common. They both have lost someone important to them, and they both are afraid to open-up to others. What I love the most about Knox is how he encourages Lauren and Alice to mend their relationship. He does not know what caused the rift between them, but he knows they need each other.

THE BACKUP PLAN is the third book in Jill Shalvis’ contemporary romance/woman’s fiction series, SUNRISE COVE. This story can be read separately from the previous two. The only thing the three books have in common is the setting. There is no on-going plot or recurring characters. I like how Jill Shalvis touches on real-life issues such as personal loss, alcoholism, alienation, etc. She breaks the seriousness with snarky and sometimes light hearted humor.

THE BACKUP PLAN is an uplifting tale of finding acceptance, self-worth, and absolution. I could not put this book down and flew through the pages. Jill Shalvis writes such poignant stories filled with humor. I never tire of them. I cannot wait to visit Sunrise Cove again in the next installment.

Review of Amalie Howard's THE DUKE IN QUESTION

 

Review courtesy of Romance Junkies
Rating: 4.5

Lord Valentine Medford, the Duke of Thornbury, is a former agent of the Crown. He agrees to assist a fellow operative to apprehend the elusive rogue spy, Kestrel. Instead, Valentine encounters his friend’s beautiful yet infuriating half-sister. He rescues the lady from a precarious situation, only to discover she is Kestrel. Now Valentine must protect Bronwyn from the dangerous men coming after her. Will Valentine be forced to give Bronwyn to the authorities? Or will he find the true mastermind behind her missions?

Lady Bronwyn Chase is the half-sister of the Duke of Ashvale. She secretly becomes a covert operative to make a difference in the world. Bronwyn boards one of her brother’s ships for America with information that could be beneficial to its civil war. She never expected to find Valentine, her brother’s best friend, on the vessel. Bronwyn must elude him or risk blowing her cover. She soon finds herself way over her head. Can Bronwyn complete her mission without detection? Or is there more at stake than what she knows?

It took me a while to warm up to Valentine. He is a man who keeps his emotions encased behind a wall of ice. That allowed him to succeed in his former profession as a spymaster. Emotions in espionage is dangerous, and it could be an agent’s downfall. I like how Valentine grudgingly taught Bronwyn tactics in self-defense. It sent against his better judgement, but he wanted to ensure that she survived their ordeal. What I love the most about Valentine is how he secretly admires Bronwyn’s pluck. She never once bowed down to him; instead, she kept him on his toes. Valentine never knew what to expect from her at any given time.

Bronwyn is a nice surprise. She is a woman who is not content to adhere to the rules and regulations society has for noblewomen. I like how Bronwyn is different from other members of Polite Society. She abhors intolerance and bigotry. Bronwyn hopes she can lead change in the way people, especially the ton, view and think of multiracial people. What I adore the most about Bronwyn is her mettle. She prefers to stand on her own two feet than be dependent on another, especially a man. Bronwyn wants more for her life than what is expected, and she is not afraid to take action to achieve it.

THE DUKE IN QUESTION the third book in Amalie Howard’s historical romance series, DARING DUKES. Sadly, I have not read the previous two books in the series. That did not hinder my ability to follow and enjoy the storyline or the characters. There is no on-going plot. However, the hero from book two, RULES FOR HEIRESSES, plays a part in the story. I will have to check that book out. I have only read one other book from this author, and I noticed this story is a lot spicier than that one. There were moments when it seemed excessive, but overall, it did not bother me much.

THE DUKE IN QUESTION is an engrossing and risqué enemies-to-lovers and brother’s best friend tale. I adore the spy/covert operative angle. I will certainly be looking into the author’s backlist. I cannot wait to see what she has in store for this series.

Review for Allison Pang 's MAGPIE'S FLIGHT

 

Review courtesy of Romance Junkies
Rating: 4.5

Raggy Maggy, aka Magpie or Mags, is a Moon Child with a special mechanical heart. She has survived being Tithed and spending a harrowing time below in the Pits. Mags accompanies her two friends, Lucian and Ghost, up to Meridion. She plans to help the brothers re-establish their house and to have the Moon Children recognized as citizens. However, Mags experiences a new kind of prejudice and scrutiny. Plus, the city’s elite wants to separate her from Ghost. Can Mags rescue Ghost from a forced political marriage? And what role does her heart play for the city of Meridion?

Ghost, formerly known as Trystan d’Arc, is the youngest son of Meridion’s creator (and later its betrayer). He is also a Moon Child. Ghost and his brother need to restore the d’Arc House before they can help Mags fight for the Moon Children’s rights. However, he finds himself trapped in an unwanted marriage negotiation with a powerful house. Can Ghost or his brother find a way out of the betrothal without jeopardizing their house? Or will he be forced to sacrifice himself for Mags and the Moon Children’s cause?

Mags continues to be a remarkable yet conventional heroine. She has endured such incredible hurdles without losing her sense of self. I admire Mags’ determination to establish the Moon Children as citizens. She believes they are owed those rights because of the many injustices and horrors dealt to them throughout the years. What I adore the most about Mags is how she includes Ghost as a true Moon Child. She recognizes that he is special to her, and Mags refuses to allow Meridion or its people use him as a political pawn.

Ghost is a young man divided by two sides. He does not exactly belong to the Moon Children or the Meridions. I adore Ghost’s intentions on helping Mags and the Moon Children. He has spent time in their world, and he has seen how cruelly they have been treated. Ghost wants them to be elevated in status with the basic rights humans of any kind deserve. I only wish we got more of his point-of-view in the story. I understand Mags is the main character, but Ghost plays an important role in her life.

MAGPIE’S FLIGHT is the third and final book in Allison Pang’s dystopian, steampunkish series, THE IRONHEART CHRONICLES. I highly recommend reading the previous two books before jumping into this one. It is best to start from the beginning to understand and appreciate the author’s fascinating world-building. This story picks up where the second one basically leaves off. I like how the author finally explores Meridion and its citizens in this book. It has been heavily mentioned throughout the first two novels. I especially like how their way of life greatly differs from BrightStone’s people.

MAGPIE’S FLIGHT is the thrilling conclusion to a phenomenal series. I am bummed that this series has come to an end. It has been an incredible ride. I did hear that the author may consider writing side and short stories for this world. I am totally behind this!

Review of Christina Britton's SOME DUKES HAVE ALL THE LUCK

 

Review courtesy of Romance Junkies
Rating: 4.5

Ash Hawkins, Duke of Buckley, co-owns a gaming hell in London, England. He is responsible for three defiant and rumbunctious wards. When two run away, Ash is forced to chase after them to his mother’s ancestral home. He bumps into the most fascinating bluestocking there. Ash believes that Bronwyn may be the solution to his problems. He just needs to convince her to agree to a marriage of convenience. However, Ash never imagined he would fall in love with Bronwyn or grow close to his wards. Can Ash exorcise the demons of the past? Or will it destroy any possibility of a future?

Miss Bronwyn Pickering is nothing like her social-climbing parents. She prefers her entomology pursuits than interacting with the ton. Her parents demand that Bronwyn must find a titled husband or risk the destruction of her scientific work. She has no other choice than to accept a stranger’s hasty marriage proposal. Bronwyn accepts the conditions Ash insists for their marriage; however, she cannot stop the growing feelings for her new husband. Can Bronwyn help Ash let go of his traumatic past? Will she help him forge a bond with his three wards?

Ash won my heart instantly! He is a man haunted by a dark and traumatic past. Ash refuses to be the monster that his father and his ancestors were. That is why he keeps an emotional distance from others. I understand, and admire, Ash for wanting to protect his three wards from the truth. He means well, but his good intentions rob him and the girls from what they truly need. What I adore the most about Ash is his endless support of Bronwyn’s scientific interests. He openly respects and acknowledges her intelligence. Ash continually encourages Bronwyn to follow her dreams.

I could not help but to adore Bronwyn. She is a lonely soul who has never truly fit in or experienced parental love. I empathize with Bronwyn’s self-confidence issues.  She has endured years of ridicule and belittlement from her parents and others because of her interest in entomology. I like that Bronwyn is the total opposite of her parents. She has no interest in the ton or their world. What I liked the most about Bronwyn is how she blossomed under Ash’s care. His support and acceptance helped Bronwyn find the person she was meant to be. It gave her the courage to stand up for herself.

SOME DUKES HAVE ALL THE LUCK is the first book in Christina Britton’s new historical romance series, SYNNEFUL SPINSTERS, a spin-off from her THE ISLE OF SYNNE series. This my first time reading this author. The book’s synopsis is what grabbed my attention. It sounded like something I would enjoy. I flew through the pages, unable to put it down. I found myself immediately immersed in the characters and the plot.

The spin-off can be read separately. I did not feel as if I missed out on anything from the previous series. I do plan to check out THE ISLE OF SYNNE books and the author’s other works.

SOME DUKES HAVE ALL THE LUCK is a sweet and heartwarming tale of two love-weary souls finding where they belong. I hope this series focuses on Bronwyn’s friends in The Oddments. I cannot wait to read the next installment!

Review of Nalini Singh's ARCHANGEL'S RESURRECTION

 Review courtesy of Romance Junkies
Rating: 4

Zanaya, Queen of the Nile, is an Ancient Archangel. She refuses to follow in her parents’ footsteps. Then Zanaya sees Alexander. They find themselves trapped in an unending cycle of fierce passion and painful separation, neither willing to compromise. Zanaya wakes prematurely from Sleep to help fight an insane Archangel intent on destroying the world. However, she does not escape the battle unscathed. Will this change affect Zanaya’s relationship with Alexander? Can they make their love work this last final time?

Alexander, Archangel of Persia, is known for his battle tactics. There has only been one woman forever in his heart, and that woman is Zanaya. Their tempestuous love locks them into a continuous on and off loop, neither inclined to concede to the other. Alexander has never forgiven Zanaya for abandoning him to Sleep. However, Lijuan’s threat against humanity and the Cascade brings his lover back to him. But for how long? Can Alexander and Zanaya break their eons cycle to be together? And at what cost?

I had a tough time connecting with Zanaya. Generally, she is everything I like in a heroine: smart, driven, and able to hold her own. Throughout the book, she proves she did not need a male to complete her. However, Zanaya’s refusal to compromise or bend a little irked me. I understand that she did not have good role models when it comes to romance and relationships. Her parents’ unhealthy and dysfunctional time together skewed her outlook on them. What I like about Zanaya is that she acknowledged half the blame for her and Alexander’s flawed relationship. She knew they had problems, yet she just did not know how they could overcome them.

I am still on the fence about Alexander. There were times when I just could not connect with him, and then he would do something that endeared me. I feel the bulk of Alexander and Zanaya’s relationship problems stems from their inability to yield when the situation calls for it.  They are too strong-willed and set in their ways. I adore how Alexander did not want to impede or influence Zanaya’s growth. He waited patiently for her to become the angel she was meant to be before entering into a relationship. What I love the most about Alexander is his stance on children. He believes children, angels and humans alike, were off limits.

ARCHANGEL’S RESURRECTION is the fifteenth book in Nalini Singh’s popular paranormal romance series, GUILD HUNTER. I have been a fan of this series for years now; however, this book did not grab me as the others had. I like how the author is branching away from the main couple (Raphael and Elena) to tell other characters’ stories. My main problem is that neither Alexander nor Zanaya left much of an impression on me from the previous books. I did like that Raphael and Elena made appearances in the latter half of the book.

I like how Nalini Singh broke the story into parts. The first half involves Alexander and Zanaya’s beginnings, before they became archangels. Another section revolves around the Cascade, telling the events from another perspective. The last part focuses on the aftermath from the Cascade and Lijuan’s demise. It explains how the world and people are adjusting.

ARCHANGEL’S RESURRECTION is a fascinating tale of two obstinate archangels’ last chance at love. I am curious about which characters Nalini Singh plans to write next. I cannot wait to see what is next in her GUILD HUNTER world.

Review for Amanda McKinney's BURIED DECEPTION

 Rating: 4.5
Review courtesy of Romance Junkies

Former Marine, Easton “Chief” Crew is the founder and CEO of a combat-tracking training facility and volunteer search-and-rescue team. He and his teammates are called in to help search for a missing teenager in the swamps of East Texas. There is something about Mia Frost that draws Easton to her. He agrees to assist her in searching for another missing person. However, the situation takes a turn when the injured man accuses Mia of assaulting him. Can Easton trust Mia? Will he be able to protect her against the real threat?

Dr. Mia Frost is a psychologist who specializes in treating PTSD and building psychological profiles on criminals. She gets called in to interview a rescued teenager and to provide the authorities with a profile on the girl’s attacker. However, the girl’s situation reminds Mia of her own painful past. When her client ends up missing, Mia turns to Easton to help search for the man. Things turn dire when that client claims Mia assaulted him. Will Mia’s traumatic past come to light? Will she finally gain closure from what happened to her? Can Mia and Easton catch the real villain?

What is there not to love about Easton? He is gruff and a touch antisocial, but he does have a vulnerable side that he keeps under wraps. I like how observant Easton is toward his trainees. He analyzes each ones’ strengths and weaknesses. Easton does not baby them; instead, he prepares them for the harsh reality of war and combat. I also like Easton’s low tolerance for bullies and glory hounds. He knows achingly well the casualties such men cause on the battlefield. What I adore the most about Easton is his primal need to protect and pamper Mia. He sees Mia as no one else does.

Mia is such an inspiration for women. She has survived a harrowing situation, something no teenager should ever experience. Mia allowed that traumatic event to turn her towards her chosen profession. I admire Mia for how she tries to help other people overcome and deal with their own troubles. She often feels like a fraud because she never really got over her own mental demons. What I like the most about Mia is her steadfastness toward her clients. She never abandons them. Instead, Mia gets a little too immersed in helping them find closure.

BURIED DECEPTION is the first book in Amanda McKinney’s romantic-suspense thriller series, ON THE EDGE. This is my first time reading anything from this author. She did not disappoint! The story’s suspense kept me immersed from start to finish. Mia and Easton’s romance is more low-key than being the book’s main focus, which I was totally fine with. The only nitpick I have is Easton and Mason’s hostility towards each other. It just felt unresolved.

BURIED DECEPTION is a gripping tale of two damaged people finding each other during a turbulent time. I hope Mia’s co-worker and business partner, Jo, receives a book next. I cannot wait to see what deep, dark secrets she is harboring!