He was tired of watching her flounder and put herself in danger.

As the only female vampire ever born, and the heir to two powerful immortal families, Hope Kayrs-Kyllwood has always felt the weight of fate and destiny. Now her heart is torn between two men and two different futures. It’s a choice between duty and love, peace and war, with the fate of everyone she loves hanging in the balance.

As the leader of the Kurjan nation, Drake has always known that mating Hope is the best path to avoiding war. He’s counting on her to know the same. . . . Paxton has been Hope’s best friend and protector since they were children. He would kill and die for her without a second thought. In fact, he’s always known that would be his path . . .

With deadly factions at her heels, Hope must decide whom to trust and where her loyalty lies—before the choice is taken away from her.

Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon

Going into this, I knew I'd be a wreck. Fifteen previous books were leading me here, to the final showdown. Would all of the characters I grew to know and love survive? Would love really conquer all?

Hope is the only one of her kind. She's a mix of basically every bit of paranormal DNA in existence. She's also a prophet. Her life hasn't really ever been her own and she just tries to make the most of it. On one hand, she believes destiny is telling her to mate with Drake to unite the realms. On the other hand, her heart keeps trying to pummel some sense into her. Paxton is the one for her, the male who truly gets her, her best friend, her strongest ally. Which will she choose: fate or faith?

I loved the way the author revealed the secrets of Paxton. He isn't just an accessory for Hope. He's a warrior, as fierce and determined and as brilliant as our leading lady. Together, they're story gave me the ending I was hoping for. I will admit that some events that took place took me by surprise, some deaths weren't expected, but I am NOT complaining.

Sadness doesn't begin to describe how I feel at the end of this series. It's a bittersweet feeling to know that all of the turmoil these characters faced is now over... I think. That there are no more books, no more adventures, in this incredible world Zanetti created. My only real solace is knowing that this author will deliver something else for me to fall in love with.

I only had one issue with this book and it was so small that I didn't want to mention it, but you know I had to...
Hope is hailed as this 'master strategist' and all I kept thinking is that she couldn't strategize herself out of a five door room.
There were so many times, throughout this series, that I wondered when Hope would lose her naivete. To know that it still existed in her adulthood, especially after everything all of these characters faced and endured... it really bothered me. Why weren't these events seen as teaching moments? Why wasn't this great prophet able to wise the frig up?
It was my only issue and if the author had left out the whole 'master strategist' part, I wouldn't have had an issue. But should someone who couldn't find her own shadow have a say in the way the world works for the rest of us?


Rebecca Zanetti is the author of over forty romantic suspense, dark paranormals, and contemporary romances, and her books have appeared multiple times on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. She lives in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest with her own Alpha hero, two kids, a couple of dogs, a crazy cat…and a huge extended family. She believes strongly in luck, karma, and working her butt off…and she thinks one of the best things about being an author, unlike the lawyer she used to be, is that she can let the crazy out. Upcoming series are: The Blood Brothers, The Realm Enforcers and The Scorpius Syndrome.

"Did you get a look at him? If asked, the table would've grown girl parts
and gone out back with him."

Garrett's Destiny by Rebecca Zanetti

Love and danger . . .
For most of his life, Vampire-Demon Garrett Kayrs, nephew of the King of the Realm, has carried a heavy mantle of responsibility with ease and control. Fate declared him heir to the throne, Fortune marked him with the power of the mysterious circle of Seven, and Chance promised more surprises to come. Nothing deterred him from his path. Until the nightmares began—agonizing dreams of having a female, the female, his mate, on the back of his motorcycle—only to have her torn away from his protection. He feels the menace around her, the danger she’s in, and he can’t rest until he finds her . . .

Duty and desire . . .
Destiny Applegate bears the weight of her name with a respectful balance of fear and purpose. She has been given some direction, but not nearly enough to truly understand her duty, what she was born to do. Even as a child, she had a sense of him. The him, her mate. A dream moment or two with him that might have saved her—or possibly cursed her. So now, when he finds her, she has no choice but to jump on the back of his bike and do her best to hold on until she discovers her path—even if that means ending his.

Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon

For years, Garrett dreamed of his fated mate. He was told and shown that his female would try to kill him. So why does his mind, heart and body yearn for the pretty little package that Destiny presents. She was the furthest thing from dangerous and all he wanted to do was bundle her up and protect her.

What happens when forces beyond their control force them to confront the truth?

Garrett Karys was a good man. Or male. He was strong and sure, and he loved his family. There was a gentleness about him that called to her, but if she were honest, it was the edge in him that made her knees weak. The hint of danger and the whisper of violence, both of which she knew he'd never use on her.

Each one of these books brings me closer and closer to the final showdown with the Kurjans, the Cyst, and my favorite immortal heroes. With Garrett's Destiny, I wasn't just on the precipice of the big fight, I was quickly caught up in the middle of it. It was just there and I. Was. Not. Prepared!!

I loved how every chapter seemed to take me in a new direction. One minute I'd be enjoying the growth of the bond growing between Garrett and Destiny, the next I was watching someone killing or dying. There was plenty of romance and action and the author created a fine balance. I still can't get over one of the deaths in this book and I'm excited to see how it factors in the book to come.

Destiny was so much more than expected and I loved how her character had so many layers. Garrett was obviously my favorite in this book (as all the heroes are in their books), but I definitely developed a soft spot for his lady.

There is a HUGE twist in this story and I'm both eager and terrified to read Hope's book, which is next. If you haven't started this series yet, you need to start already!!

Other Books in This Series:

Rebecca Zanetti is the author of over forty romantic suspense, dark paranormals, and contemporary romances, and her books have appeared multiple times on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. She lives in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest with her own Alpha hero, two kids, a couple of dogs, a crazy cat…and a huge extended family. She believes strongly in luck, karma, and working her butt off…and she thinks one of the best things about being an author, unlike the lawyer she used to be, is that she can let the crazy out. Upcoming series are: The Blood Brothers, The Realm Enforcers and The Scorpius Syndrome.

If she took his hand, life as she knew it would never be the same.

My Rating - ★★★★

Release - July 24, 2023
Genre/Trope - Paranormal Romance / fated mates
POV - Dual 3rd person
Heat - more than descriptive, less than explicit
Source - eARC provided by the publisher (Entangled: Amara)
Length - 266 pages

My Two Cents

The Author

──────　♔　──────

Secrets of Shooting Star Lake by Susanna Strom

Fighting primal instinct is not for the faint of heart…

Adam
All I needed from the wickedly smart pastry chef was the land that would give my pack an advantage in the upcoming war.

I never expected to need her.

But Marit Hagen is my fated mate. Every fiber of my being is telling me to claim her.

It doesn’t matter that it’s forbidden. It doesn’t matter that choosing her could cost me everything. Even my life.

All I know is what I feel in my soul.

She’s mine.

Marit
I thought the isolated cabin would be a perfect place to recover from my latest romantic disaster.

I was wrong.

Turns out the woods are full of supernatural creatures who want something from me. And one of them wants all of me.

Sexy werewolf Adam Landry says I’m his soul mate.

Puhleeze.

I’m willing to accept the existence of shifters and a potential paranormal war. But I’ll never believe in eternal love.

No matter how much he makes me wish I could…


I love when a new-to-me author gives me a book that seems to check all of my boxes!
❥ instalove/fated mate vibes
❥ Protective hero and compassionate heroine
❥ lovely side characters
❥ Tons of love and heat

At first, I found Marit to be a bit abrasive, despite understanding why she was rude and aggressive with Adam, however, she quickly grew on me. Once she gave herself a break, her character showed me she was full of such strong emotion, more than capable of being an equal to Adam. And Adam… I wasn’t even surprised by how much I enjoyed this character.

The author did an amazing job of weaving together the new connection growing between her characters, a sense of doom for the pack, and a bit of mystery. I was able to answer some of my questions pretty quickly, but I did not expect some of the twists and I loved that. I appreciated being surprised, especially when I thought I had things all figured out.

There was so much warmth between all of the characters. I found the expected spice between Adam and Marit, but their relationship, no matter how quickly they got there, was also full of so much heart. And the side characters, including her cousins and his, made me want even more. I’m hoping they each get their own story and that the subplot gets resolved in the books to come.


With the publication of Pandemonium, Susanna Strom is branching out into an entirely new variety of romance. Susanna loves to read—and write—stories full of complex characters who find love, hope and connection while navigating through a challenging new world. Pandemonium is her first foray in apocalyptic/dystopian romance, but it definitely won’t be her last. Susanna lives in the beautiful Pacific NW with her husband and two very spoiled cats.

"If I'm yours, that must mean that you're mine." ~ Poppy

Standalone - Galactic Kings #2
Release - January 18, 2022
Genre - SciFi Romance
Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5 / several scenes
Format/Source - ebook borrowed from Kindle Unlimited
Length - 266 pages
Publisher - Indie

My Two Cents

The Author

──────　♔　──────

Heart of Dragons by Aja James

Other books in the series:

Every lore of every clan, across time and space, dreamed of dragons. Did you ever wonder why?

Benjamin D’Angelo has officially replaced Ere the Black Dragon in the Jade Emperor’s mysterious quests. This time, Ere insists upon tagging along, for next to his Phoenix Mate Sorin, Ben is the greatest love of his life, and he just doesn’t trust anyone else to take care of his boy.

As always, their success is limited by seemingly arbitrary rules and an even more arbitrary sandglass of time. The only things they can count on is that: 1) each of their quests takes them to a time in the past, 2) they will witness (and perhaps even enable) True Love along the way, and 3) the Universal Balance hangs in...well, the balance.

Their sixth task is to retrieve the Stone Heart.

Ben and Ere return to medieval Britain some years after Ere’s first quest, reuniting with old friends in the process.

Meanwhile, Merlin the red dragon has escaped from the Celestial Realm to present day New York City. By luck or fate, he meets Annie, a fire witch, in his human form, drawn to her unique light. The present and past collide in the discovery and recovery of the Stone Heart, old wounds heal, and new Bonds are forged.

The end of the world may be just around the corner. Along the way, enemies may become lovers, reluctant friendships may form, and lots of hot, desperate, this-may-be-the-last-time-we-have-sex sex will definitely be had.

And who knows, you too may help earn the…

Heart of Dragons.



The books of the Dragon Tails series have all been irresistible and Heart of Dragons was no exception!

Merlin was everything I love in a hero—loyal, devoted, honorable, sweet, deadly, and a little broken. Once, love made him do dangerous things. It made him sacrifice pieces of himself he didn't think he'd ever get back. It destroyed him, devasted him, left him bitter and alone.


He lacked purpose until a bright flame drew his eye and his heart started pumping to a new beat.

Annie was that flame. As Ben's best friend and the daughter to immortals, she was no stranger to the impossible. And from the start, there was something about the red dragon that drew her. She felt compelled to give her all to him. To offer him comfort, to shield him from pain, to fight by his side.


They were true mates... if only Red would get out of his own way.

With this story, this series, the author is showing us how love should be—unfettered and unconditional devotion.

And I'm not just talking about the romance, though it definitely deserves its own shine. The love these characters share with their loved ones, be them family or friends, is the stuff of dreams. The bonds they share, the way they stand for each other, how they work through their issues... it all has it's own beauty.

There was no doubt that Annie was meant for Merlin and he for her. The sparks that flew from their first meeting and how they fought through his old wounds and old hurts to find each other on the other side showed us how strong they will be. Destiny is a wondrous thing and it spoke so loudly for them.


There seems to be so much more to discover in this world of dragons and their immortal companions. With all of them coming together as they have, I can't even begin to imagine what the author has in store for us next. I just know that I'm all tingly and excited for whatever is to come.



Best-selling author, Aja James, just completed the Pure/ Dark Ones paranormal-fantasy romance series in 2020. If you want your heart battered, bruised, shattered and skewered, then put back together in the most glorious ways, check out the series below. Every couple gets an HEA, but they fight like hell for it on the way.

Aja is now working on her new series, Dragon Tails, because dragons are her favorite shifters of all!

Check out Aja's expanded distribution of the Pure/ Dark Ones series on Google, Apple, Kobo and Barnes & Noble Books.

Visit https://aja-james.blog for more information!

Standalone - Immortals After Dark #6
Release - January 20, 2009
Genre - Paranormal Romance / rage demon & a sorceress / fated mates
Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5 / a couple of scenes
Format/Source - ebook borrowed from the library
Length - 432 pages
Publisher - Pocket Books

My Two Cents

Excerpt

Read an excerpt HERE

The Author

──────　♔　──────

Truth of Dragons by Aja James

Every lore of every clan, across time and space, dreamed of dragons. Did you ever wonder why?

Erebu and Sorin fought through countless lifetimes of trials and tribulations to find one another again. They even conquered death.

But Ere’s rebirth requires a price: he must answer the Celestial Summons when it comes and faithfully complete each task the Jade Emperor sets before him.

On the bright side, he doesn’t have to perform miracles alone. Sorin will be right there with him. On the not so bright side, his Fate, the Fate of all dragon Kind, and by extension, the Universal Balance, depend on the successful execution of each quest.

No pressure.



Know what you get when you pit a liger against a Dark Hunter?

One of the hottest romance novels I have ever read!

Zai was a reluctant Hunter for the Dark Queen. Born with no name, no parents, no one to care for him, he had to make the most of what he had. His skills made him the best and yet he didn't quite fit in.

Being different was what led him to make the most important decision of his life—betray all he's ever known, throw caution to the wind, and stand up for justice.


Honorable to a fault, when Zai realized that Sin was an imprisoned slave of the new Queen, he was willing to enter the lion's den, facing certain death, to free him. And Ben... sweet Ben was along for the ride. He knew that Zai was relevant to his latest mission. But how?

Long-time enemies, Sin and Zai were never meant to be. Or were they?

Sin had vowed to kill Zai. He was blind with rage, swearing vengeance. And Zai knew that all of that hate was well deserved. This man probably hated himself more than Sin ever could.


The hate was so strong until it wasn't.

What do you do when the person you're supposed to hate the most becomes the most important person in your life?

What happens when your greatest enemy becomes your greatest love?


I loved Ben.
Obviously.
I've loved him from the first moment he crossed the page.
Wise, precocious, sweet and funny. He reminded me of Ere, but he was wholly himself.
And the man he's turning into is only more intriguing.
And my heart hurts a little bit for whatever's in store for him.
But I'm not even really worried.
Aja James always delivers!

But this story was really about Sin and Zai. What they shared, from the bitterest battles to their all-consuming passion, was incredible to watch.
And so freaking explosive.
No one writes MM quite like this author.
The love, the understanding, the wonder of this couple, it had this beautiful synchronicity.
It was magical.

There was a savagery deep within that he struggled to leash. A need for violence, to inflict the maximum amount of pain and damage upon his prey and enemies. An unquenchable thirst and hunger for blood.

But then, Anya came. She fulfilled him in ways he'd never imagined. She changed his world view.

She taught him that it was the duty of those stronger to protect the weak. She calmed the Beast within, though she never tried to tame him. With Anya at his side, his strength and power began to attract other animal spirits, and thus they formed a pride.

But ever since he'd chosen his Mate, and especially since she started carrying his young, all he wanted to do was protect his own.

His flesh and blood. His family. They embodied his heart and soul.

He feared for them every moment of every day.

Best-selling author, Aja James, just completed the Pure/ Dark Ones paranormal-fantasy romance series in 2020. If you want your heart battered, bruised, shattered and skewered, then put back together in the most glorious ways, check out the series below. Every couple gets an HEA, but they fight like hell for it on the way.

Aja is now working on her new series, Dragon Tails, because dragons are her favorite shifters of all!

Check out Aja's expanded distribution of the Pure/ Dark Ones series on Google, Apple, Kobo and Barnes & Noble Books.

Visit https://aja-james.blog for more information!

──────　♔　──────

Ancient Desire by N.J. Walters

Nothing was supposed to wake half dragon, half human Lucius from his Deep Sleep. Nothing. And yet something, or rather someone has. The unexpectedly attractive human not only touched him. She kissed him. Now Lucius is awake, and more powerful than he has ever been in his 4,000 years of existence. And once he finds out who led her to his cave, he’ll deal with his 300 years of hunger…

College professor Raine Carson spent her life obsessed with myths and legends. And now she’s woken one up. Only, Lucius is nothing like anything she’s ever seen or read about in her history books. Because this man is part sexy badass and part terrifying…monster. Yet she wants him with a hunger like nothing she’s ever felt before.

Lucius used to be part of the Forgotten Brotherhood—a ruthless group of paranormal assassins. Now he’s unsure if his former Brothers are their allies…or enemies. All he knows is that someone is hunting him, and Raine is just as tangled up in this mess as he is. And he’ll protect her—even if it means unleashing his Dragon and all of its power.



There's something about the Forgotten Brotherhood series that really gets me going!

Raine is a dreamer, obsessed with myths and legends, without believing them to be true. So when she's trapped in a cave with a stone dragon, she talks to it—never expecting it to respond.

Lucius entered the Deep Sleep of his kind over 300 years ago, done with humankind and their never-ending hunt to decimate his people. He never imagined that a mere human female would be the only person to wake him up, much less be his mate.


I loved just about everything about this book. From Raine's chattiness, Lucius's initial wariness and inevitable humility, the guest appearances from past characters, the action scenes, the attempts by too many people trying to tear the Brotherhood apart, and even the unresolved suspense angle that I hope continues in the next book, it was all incredibly entertaining.

I loved seeing more of Maccus. He was my first beloved hero from this author and he will always be my favorite. And with Sven making a huge appearance with a giant tease for a plot to come, I'm hoping his story is next.


Once upon a time N.J. had the idea that she would like to quit her job at the bookstore, sell everything she owned, leave her hometown, and write romance novels in a place where no one knew her. And she did. Two years later, she went back to the bookstore and her hometown and settled in for another seven years.

One day she gave notice at her job on a Friday morning. On Sunday afternoon, she received a tentative acceptance for her first erotic romance novel and life would never be the same. N.J. has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.

Visit http://www.njwalters.com for more information!

"One last question."
“Very well, dearling.”
“Can I trust Cadeon?”
Nïx gave her a sunny smile with blank golden eyes. “As far as you can throw him.”

Standalone - Immortals After Dark #5
Release - May 20, 2008
Genre - Paranormal Romance / enemies-to-lovers again
Primarily Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat Level - 3.5 out of 5 / barely there... WTH?!
Format/Source - ebook borrowed from the library
Length - 384 pages
Publisher - Pocket Books

Goodreads * Amazon

My Two Cents

Excerpt

You can find Chapter One here: https://kresleycole.com/books/dark-desires-after-dusk/

About the Author

Dragon Tails #4
Release - July 16, 2022
Genre - Paranormal Romance / fated mates
Multiple POV - 3rd person
Heat Level - 5 out of 5 / explicit and frequent
Format/Source - eARC & beta read provided by the author
Length - 340 pages
Publisher - Indie

Goodreads * Amazon

My Two Cents

About the Author

Standalone - Ruthless Warlords #2
Release - June 22, 2021
Genre - SciFi Romance / omegaverse / fated mates
Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat Level - 5 out of 5 / frequent and filthy
Format/Source - ebook gift from Amazon
Length - 384 pages
Publisher - Orchid Publishing

Goodreads * Amazon

My Two Cents

I couldn't get enough of Maxheim.

I enjoyed some more of the world building and what all of the characters added to the big story (even the bad guys).

I loved how dedicated Max was to his omega. Who can resist an Alpha who can be weak and vulnerable for his mate? I know I can't.

I do wish that Tess wasn't so hard to like. She fought, which I liked. I do love strong females, but she fought too hard against Max, who had already shown how much he cared and was willing to do to make her happy. What more could he really do to illustrate how great of a male he was? Why did she feel the need to keep lying, hiding, fighting, etc.? It got repetitive, hurtful, and boring, which was unexpected because this author has amazed me with everything I've read.

Not to say I wasn't still amazed. I obviously was. But this wasn't my favorite story of the series.

I really want to see what happens next. Is the Sartin female Alexi's fated mate? Will they find their twin siblings? And who is this secret saboteur who has been pulling the strings and wreaking havoc on the Brotherhood, especially my beloved Skolovs?



“It’s a dangerous world out there, especially for an omega.”
“I know it all too well.”Her chin tipped up. “I know what I am. What my omega instincts crave.”She blushed, tightening the blanket around her. “But that doesn’t mean I should be forced to bend, bow, and submit to anyone stronger.”
“I’m not just anyone.”
“No, you’re not.”She looked at him—really looked at him—and his heart beat fast. Then she ruined it by saying, “But a cage is still a cage. If I don’t try to make it out in the world, I’ll never know if I can.”
“You can’t. Even if the Brotherhood wasn’t after you.”He didn’t even bother to sugarcoat it. “We already went over this with the other omegas. Your best shot for the kind of life you want is with me.”His voice dropped. “As mine.”
Was that unfair? Yes. Did he feel bad about it? Not really. That was just the way life in Anarcheim was, and he wasn’t one to hesitate to take advantage of it.
He and his were lucky that he was one of the strong.
“The Alphas you’ve dealt with until now and I are very different, little one. Don’t make the mistake of putting us in the same category.”He let his voice soften. “I don’t want to crush your will. I like your spirit. It makes me horny to taste it on my tongue. It makes me want to fuck it right out of you, again and again.”
She bit her lip, her gaze flickering away.
He could tell his words confused her, almost as much as they excited her.
Too few had told her of her worth. He was damned well changing that immediately.
“I think you’re extraordinary, Tess.”


Alison Aimes is the award-winning author of the sexy sci-fi romance series the Condemned as well as the sizzling contemporary romance Billionaire Bad Boys collection. A sci-fi fanatic with a PhD in Modern history, she’s an all-over-the-map kind of woman with a love for dramatic stories and great books, no matter the era. Now, she’s creating her own stories full of intrigue and passion, but always with a happy-ever-after ending. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two kids, and dog. When not in front of the computer, she can be found hanging with family and friends, hiking, trying to turn herself into a pretzel through yoga, listening to a fabulous TED talk, or, last but not least, sitting on the couch imagining her characters’ next great adventures.