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Nancy and the Naga by Honey Phillips

Can an alien prince in exile protect an escaped slave who won’t surrender?

A year as a slave in an alien mine is enough to destroy any woman, but Nancy refuses to give up hope. When she sees a chance to escape, she takes it.

Her freedom is worth almost any price, but she didn’t anticipate how hard she would have to struggle to survive. When a strange new alien discovers her, she fears the worst. He’s part man, part snake, and all dangerous - but he makes her feel safe for the first time since she was taken.

Banished from his home planet, former prince Kaiyo has found a place for himself in the dangerous underworld of Kalima. For the right fee, he’ll solve any problem - quickly, efficiently, and with no questions asked. The only problems he can’t fix are his own.

When an uncharacteristically altruistic action leads to the discovery of a fierce, frightened woman, his long-forgotten instincts demand that he protect her - whether she wants him to or not. And the more time he spends with the tasty human, the more he realizes he never wants to let her go.

But Kaiyo’s past is about to catch up with him. He has no intention of releasing his claim on Nancy - but will she be able to handle all of his secrets? And will his people ever accept a human?



I really enjoyed the dynamic that played out between these characters. Nancy was stolen from Earth and now stranded on an alien planet, she tried to make an abandoned residence as 'homey' as she could. When a strange alien enters her new home, she is desperate to stake her claim and make him leave.

Too bad Kaiyo was in the mood to be a gentleman. No way was he going to leave a defenseless human female like that. But how could he stay? And what did an exile have to offer her for a future?

Again, if I were to be kidnapped by aliens, please let me fall into the hands of the ones from this series! Two characters who couldn't find a home found one with each other.


Honey Phillips writes steamy science fiction stories about hot alien warriors and the human women they can’t resist. From abductions to invasions, the ride might be rough, but the end always satisfies!

Honey wrote and illustrated her first book at the tender age of 5. Her writing has improved since then. her drawing skills, unfortunately, have not. She loves writing, reading, traveling, cooking, and drinking champagne - not necessarily in that order.

Visit https://www.honeyphillips.com for more information

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Faith and the Fighter by Honey Phillips

A rogue spaceship captain. A human scientist.

Faith has spent the past eight years as a scientist locked in an alien research lab. When she finally manages to escape and finds out what the aliens are doing with her work, she is appalled and determined to stop their plans.

The alien spaceship captain who unknowingly assisted her escape is going to help her shut down the lab - whether he wants to or not. And she’s not going to let his massive body or the kind heart hidden behind his gruff facade distract her.

Captain Athtar finally has his life exactly the way he wants it - he has his ship, his crew, and his freedom. No mouthy little human is going to interfere with any of that, no matter how much she tempts him or how much his instincts demand that he claim her. If only he weren’t as tempted as much by her brilliant mind as by her luscious body.

Can Faith and Athtar fight their overwhelming attraction long enough to defeat the evil scientists and stay ahead of the Imperial Fleet? And when the battle is over, can there be a future for the two of them?



Okay, so I'm not saying it would be cool to be kidnapped by aliens, intent on selling me into slavery, however... if I knew that an alien viking would be my hero...


I'm just sayin.

Athtar was absolutely delicious and although he was a reluctant hero, he was indeed a remarkable hero in this story. He even made my somewhat blah feelings for Faith a bit easier to bear.

---

I also read the 7th book of the series, Greta and the Gargoyle, but it was more of a novella than anything else. I actually really enjoyed it too and give it 3.5 stars. It was about a totally helpless human female who was imprisoned for defending herself against the horrors of her new 'master'. Imprisoned, it takes the kindness of one of her guards (Mikaroz the gargoyle) to give her a taste of happiness. Action and a bit of sex... can't really complain. It overlaps the story of Cam and the Conqueror, so it was neat to see those characters again.


Honey Phillips writes steamy science fiction stories about hot alien warriors and the human women they can’t resist. From abductions to invasions, the ride might be rough, but the end always satisfies!

Honey wrote and illustrated her first book at the tender age of 5. Her writing has improved since then. her drawing skills, unfortunately, have not. She loves writing, reading, traveling, cooking, and drinking champagne - not necessarily in that order.

Visit https://www.honeyphillips.com/ for more information

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Erebus by Alessa Thorn

The titan of darkness clashes with the witch queen of Corinth in this final and epic instalment of The Court of the Underworld.

Erebus let his monstrous side loose in order to save Medea from Darius, but pushing it back down is proving more challenging than he expected. It fact, it's almost bloody impossible when the beautiful and terrifying witch is trying to fight him every chance she gets. But damn, is it fun.

After fifteen years of being experimented on, Medea, the most hated woman in all of Greek history, is free and planning her revenge on Darius and his followers. She needs to keep her rage and madness under control, and being around a certain titan makes all of worst impulses rise to the surface.

As Darius's final plan to start a war between man and gods is finally revealed, Erebus and Medea are going to have to work together and embrace each other's dark sides in order to save Styx...and maybe even save each other in the process.

EREBUS is a new story based on characters from Greek Myth. It contains adult content, including violence, swearing, and steamy sex scenes.



Everything was leading to this... and I enjoyed the heck out of it!

It's all come to a head. Our heroes have practically decimated what's left of Pithos, but Darius still believes he has moves to make. I thought it was hilarious that this dude, this human thought he could take on the gods and goddesses, but he made things entertaining.

So I found plenty to like about this story, such as:
😈 whenever Erebus took his true form and completely annihilated everything. How did I fall in love with shadows?
😈 the way the author characterized Medea, humanizing her in a way. She had such lovely vulnerable moments and yet she was so strong and fierce. She really was the best match for Erebus
😈 how all of the characters came together as a family. They all moved so beautifully together
😈 the laughs. I won't forget all of the funny moments amidst the mayhem
😈 how incredible scars can seem. Who knew?
😈 and so much more. I'm obviously not going to spoil things

My question about Ariadne's fate as a human was answered. My heart has been owned by these people. And here at the end of the series, I'm not sure what to do with myself. Hmmmm... probably start on this author's other one!



"You are definitely crazy, but you don't need to apologize for it. You're in the right company," Erebus replied, reaching over to gently move her hands away from her mouth. "You don't need to hide it. Be as crazy as like, you fucking earned it."
Medea stared at the roof of the truck and calmed her laughter. "I really did. How do I keep surviving all of this?" she asked, sounding a little hopeless.
"Because you can't die until you get your revenge on those that wronged you."
"And what happens when there's no one left to kill, Erebus? What will I be then?"
"Terrifyingly magnificent at whatever the fuck you decide you want to be, Medea," he replied without hesitation.

»»————-　♔　————-««

Medea reached for the hem of her black shirt and pulled it off over her head. Erebus lost the ability to breathe as she unclipped her bra. Maintaining eye contact, she pulled off her jeans. No underwear again, he noticed.
Ichor was roaring through his ears, drowning out the other sounds. Erebus looked her over, hands gripping the arms of his chair. She was literally covered in scars. Even her lovely brown nipples had lines through them where Darius or Kayne had dissected them.
Very slowly, Medea turned so he could see the ruined state of her back and heart-shaped ass.
"Say something," she whispered. Medea thought he was silent because he was disgusted. It was because he was speechless with how much he wanted her. Every broken and mangled part.

»»————-　♔　————-««

"The darkness has always made me feel safe, so I used to talk to the shadows like they were my friends," she continued. "I had forgotten about that until the night you saved me. I hate admitting that out loud, but you did. You saw what they were doing to me and you came for me. No matter how mad I get at you, I'm always going to love you for that, you asshole."



Alessa Thorn believes that all monsters and villains deserve their happy endings. She prefers her clothes black, eyeliner winged and books full of hot romance. She thinks heroes are boring, so her first series 'The Court of the Underworld' centers around dark gods, monsters and villains from her favorite Greek Myths.

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Twice Tempted by Jeaniene Frost

Dating the Prince of Darkness has its challenges...

Leila's psychic abilities have been failing her, and now she isn't sure what the future holds. If that weren't enough, her lover, Vlad, has been acting distant. Though Leila is a mere mortal, she's also a modern woman who refuses to accept the cold shoulder treatment forever–especially from the darkly handsome vampire who still won't admit that he loves her.

Like choosing between eternal love and a loveless eternity...

Soon circumstances send Leila back to the carnival circuit, where tragedy strikes. And when she finds herself in the crosshairs of a killer who may be closer than she realizes, Leila must decide who to trust– the fiery vampire who arouses her passions like no other or the tortured knight who longs to be more than a friend? With danger stalking her every step of the way, all it takes is one wrong move to damn her for eternity.



Vlad's worst enemy might be dead so it's safe for him and Leila to really be together. Or not. Leila runs away, drama ensues, they get back together, powerful enemies are still on the prowl, betrayal hits close to home, and Leila can't act like a grown up even once.

I'm saying it again... I really don't like single perspective stories. Especially when they come from a character like Leila. I guess I'm supposed to like her. She's the light to Vlad's darkness, her innocence versus his jadedness and blah di blah blah. But I couldn't get over how childish she was. She was like every bad cheerleader stereotype without being a cheerleader. She couldn't decide who she was much less what she was supposed to do or feel. Love... this lady didn't have a clue. Every time she was horrified or appalled by something Vlad did or said, I had to ask myself "This chick realizes he's VLAD THE IMPALER, right?!"

I was going to quit while I was ahead, but for some reason I kept reading this book. The author's writing keeps making me want to continue, then I get stuck with all that is Leila, and not even my craven curiousity for Vlad makes it a pleasant experience. I wish I could get inside his head. Maybe that would make me want to read further, but this is probably the end for me. If Leila isn't leading on Vlad's best friend, she's trying to turn Vlad into a pussy, a real punk bitch, and I'm just not here for that. I don't need to read romance that serves to try to emasculate its alpha hero.

Why couldn't Leila be a better character? Why did she have to ruin everything for me? Gosh, if she was a fraction of all that's awesome about Veritas, I'd be okay. Sadly, she's not. I'm hoping Cat in the Night Huntress series is better. Please tell me it's better. Please tell me it's dual pov. And if it's not, please tell me that I'll enjoy it anyway.


I searched for one online, but I'm just going to put down some bits. Maybe you can see why I can't stand Leila...

"You're with Maximus." A statement, not a question.
I shrugged even though he couldn't see it. "That's none of your business."
Flames appeared, crawling up from his hands to his upper arms. "Oh, but it is."
Then his eyes opened and he sat up, looking around as if to pinpoint my location. I waved my hand back and forth, pleased when he didn't so much as glance in my direction. Vlad always seemed to know where I was before when I spied on him, further proof that none of this was real.
"It ceased to become your business when you walked away from us without a backward glance," I said, relishing the chance to unload some hurt. Thank you, subconsious!
"I walked away?" His snort managed to be both contemptuous and elegant. "I offered you everything, yet you spurned it all. I've had enemies be less merciless in their dealings."
I grabbed his shoulders but my hands went right through. So much for shaking some sense into him!
"Me merciless? All I wanted was for you to love me, but according to you, THAT was asking too much."
Those flames extinguised. Good. I didn't want to dream about him accidentally blowing up his plane.
"Words." His tone sharpened. "I shared my house, my bed, and my blood with you, as well as offered you a place in my life forever. What are words compared to that?"

---------------------------------------------

"You've proven to be the exception to my rules."
Those burning lips made the cool pressure of his fangs feel that much more erotic. Still, a deep-seated hurt overrode the passion slamming into me.
"Not all of your rules."
Vlad made a sound too harsh to be a growl. "You won't be satisfied until you've brought me to my knees, is that it?"
"Why not?" It shot out of me with all the recklessness of my still-broken heart. "You brought me to mine."
He released me so abruptly I had to use the couch to steady myself. Without his body against mine, I felt cold despite the pleasant warmth of the room.
"I told you that you can't have it both ways, and that's true for us as well."
Did I miss something? "What are you talking about?"
"I'm Vlad the Impaler," he said, biting off each word. "I've survived for over five hundred years because if someone crosses me, I kill him, and if I am betrayed, I exact my revenge. I told you this when we met, yet you're still upset when I act on it."
"Oh, you don't have to remind me how merciless you are," I said, bitterness leaping to the surface.
"Obviously I do," he replied. Then he cupped my face with hands so heated they felt like brands.
"You claim to love me, but the man you love doesn't exist. That man wouldn't have survived years of beatings and rape as a boy because sheer hatred kept him from breaking. That man wouldn't have impaled twenty thousand prisoners to terrorize a larger advancing army because fear was the only tactical advantage he had, and that man wouldn't have imprisoned one of his closest friends for lying to him over a woman he was enamored with. I am not that man."
His hands dropped and he stepped back, his expression still frighteningly intense.
"You see, you don't want me to love you. You want the version you've made up. The knight, even though I'm the dragon and I always will be."




Jeaniene Frost is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Her works include the Night Huntress series, the Night Prince series, the Broken Destiny series, and the new Night Rebel series. Jeaniene’s novels have also appeared on the Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal, ABA Indiebound, and international bestseller lists. Foreign rights for Jeaniene’s novels have sold to twenty different countries.

Jeaniene lives in Florida with her husband Matthew, who long ago accepted that she rarely cooks and always sleeps in on the weekends. In addition to being a writer, Jeaniene also enjoys reading, writing, poetry, watching movies, exploring old cemeteries, spelunking and traveling – by car. Airplanes, children, and cook books frighten her.

Visit https://www.jeanienefrost.com/ for more information

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Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost

She's a mortal with dark powers...

After a tragic accident scarred her body and destroyed her dreams, Leila never imagined that the worst was still to come: terrifying powers that let her channel electricity and learn a person's darkest secrets through a single touch. Leila is doomed to a life of solitude...until creatures of the night kidnap her, forcing her to reach out with a telepathic distress call to the world's most infamous vampire...

He's the Prince of Night...

Vlad Tepesh inspired the greatest vampire legend of all—but whatever you do, don't call him Dracula. Vlad's ability to control fire makes him one of the most feared vampires in existence, but his enemies have found a new weapon against him—a beautiful mortal with powers to match his own. When Vlad and Leila meet, however, passion ignites between them, threatening to consume them both. It will take everything that they are to stop an enemy intent on bringing them down in flames.



I was very interested in reading Vlad's story after meeting him in the Night Rebel trilogy. I wanted to know more about the firestarter who was also fireproof. And I'm so glad I got to read this book because not only was he cold, deadly, and extremely hard to kill, he was someone who had really lived, suffered, and survived.

However, I couldn't really get into this story because of Leila. She was a hard pill to swallow. While reading this book, I kept thinking about all the people who told me that I would love Vlad's story more than Ian's. You were wrong! Leila was no Veritas. There's just no comparison. And we all know how much I absolutely hate single perspective stories, but they're easier to enjoy if I enjoy the voice telling the story. I didn't enjoy Leila's voice.

Here's the thing... single perspectives are like listening to someone tell you a long story in a monotone. There's no inflection, no variety, no excitement. At least most of the time. That's what Leila's voice was like. A solid hum that I wanted to silence so badly!

Even Leila's 'super powers' didn't give me enough. She was delusional, irrational, immature, and I hate saying this... but she was unworthy of someone like Vlad. It also didn't help that I felt absolutely no chemistry between them.

I wish I could get Vlad's side. It would make such a difference. And since the bad guy wasn't caught in this book, I'll be reading the next one, hoping beyond hope that I'll get something different.




Jeaniene Frost is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. Her works include the Night Huntress series, the Night Prince series, the Broken Destiny series, and the new Night Rebel series. Jeaniene’s novels have also appeared on the Publishers Weekly, Wall Street Journal, ABA Indiebound, and international bestseller lists. Foreign rights for Jeaniene’s novels have sold to twenty different countries.

Jeaniene lives in Florida with her husband Matthew, who long ago accepted that she rarely cooks and always sleeps in on the weekends. In addition to being a writer, Jeaniene also enjoys reading, writing, poetry, watching movies, exploring old cemeteries, spelunking and traveling – by car. Airplanes, children, and cook books frighten her.

Visit https://www.jeanienefrost.com/ for more information

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To Kiss a Demon by Stephanie Rowe

When Paige quit her job as Satan's minion, she thought she was finally free. But when she accidentally incinerates an angel, she discovers she's on the fast-track to becoming a soulless, evil wraith. The only way to save herself? Enlist the help of the deliciously sexy shadow warrior sent to push her over the edge.

To save his brother, Jed Buchanan sold his soul to Satan Jr. for all eternity. But when the immortal assassin winds up in Paige's bedroom during a botched mission, the sassy temptress offers a possible way out if he'll team up with her.

Everyone from heaven to hell wants to get their hands on the weapon Paige is becoming, and time is running out. Can the tormented assassin find the peace and love he's always desired with an irreverent wraith who refuses to give in to her dark side?




Was I supposed to giggle so much?
Paige, the Rivka, had me tittering all over the place.
And Jed wasn't half bad. He was able to give as good as he got.
And let's not get into the swooning mess I became.

Paige, with all her purity and embrace of life, needed him, an evil bastard with no redeeming traits at all.

Paige was a newbie Rivka, who quit her job serving Satan, and discovered something horrific about herself... her touch killed anything and anyone with goodness inside. The girl who loved people, who craved intimacy, who wanted to explore everything the world had to offer, couldn't touch her nearest and dearest. She had never felt more alone. And then she met Jed, who not only could withstand her touch, he didn't die, and he could possibly help her rid herself of the killer wraith.

Leather, muscles, and a badass attitude? This was her kind of guy.

I loved this book! Loved it!! And seriously, if I wasn't so disappointed by the ending, I would have given it all of the stars. Written beautifully, full of sunshine, suspense, sensuality, and substance, this story made me laugh and sigh and love. I think I would have loved it even more if I read the books that came before it (which I will be remedying forthwith). I loved Paige. I loved Jed. I loved Rafi. I loved Theresa. I found Satan and his son to be hilarious. I want to know more about Derek, Quinn, Justine, Becca... gosh, I want to know everyone! I'll definitely be reading more from this author!

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Chalk Dirty To Me by Lani Lynn Vale

Two years ago, Cannel Crow experienced the worst day of her life. She was taken from a supermarket, and forced to spend a year with a man that treated her worse than a neglected, chained up dog.

One year later, she’s saved by a shadow organization that believes the law is a joke, and the only person you can count on is you.

After another year, she finally realizes the law’s limitation firsthand when the man that bought her from human traffickers, and then forced her to comply to his every whim for a year, is given a plea bargain for names of others in the operation.

Knowing that her abuser will spend the rest of his life in the lap of luxury under an assumed name, Cannel spirals.

At least, she begins to.

Then Wilhelm Schultz, call me Will, walks into her narrow world, larger than life, and changes her reality between one breath and the next.

The abrasive, larger, gruff police detective sees the world in black and white. There is right, and there is wrong.
Until he falls for a woman that needs him to see shades of gray.

The second he sees the world like she needs him to, there’s not a single thing on the planet that’ll stop him from fighting for her.

Not even the oath he swore to protect and do no harm.





After the brief glimpse I got of Cannel in Conjugal Visits, I knew I wanted to know more about her story. Who took her? How was she treated? Was she healing? And would she ever forgive Toot?

I wish I could say that what happened to Cannel wasn't pretty, but I can't. Here I am again, hoping that LLV would dip a toe in the dark side. However, the author did give enough of a hint to make me feel for the girl. Whatever she experienced had traumatized her. She was a changed woman who wished to erase the abuses she suffered. She didn't even believe she would ever find happiness again... and then she met Will.

It only took a moment for Will to know that something bad had happened to Cannel. In that same moment, he knew that he would stand in the way of anything and anyone who even thought about hurting her. He wanted to be her hero and I've gotta admit, he most definitely was. He was patient and understanding and gave her everything she could possibly wish for. He became her happy place.

"I need slow."

His eyes shifted to something between interest and regret. "I can do slow."

Aside from some drama (I see you, Brianna) and an unexpected suspenseful element (I can't be the only one who thought it was weird, right?), the romance that developed between Cannel and Will was smooth and breezy. I loved their banter, their natural ease with one another, their love. These stories are like chocolate cake to me — I CAN'T RESIST!!

Check out the previous books:

Lani Lynn Vale is married to the love of her life that she met in high school. She fell in love with him because he was wearing baseball pants. Ten years later they have three perfectly crazy children and a cat named Demon who likes to wake her up at ungodly times in the night. They live in the greatest state in the world, Texas. She writes contemporary and romantic suspense, and has a love for all things romance. You can find Lani in front of her computer writing away in her fictional characters world...that is until her husband and kids demand sustenance in the form of food and drink.

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Inmate of the Month by Lani Lynn Vale

A porn video changed his life.

One second, he has an ex with an ax to grind, and the next, he’s internet famous—and definitely not in a good way. In an, it’ll ruin your career, kind of way.

Only, Laric didn’t know that he was internet famous.

Not until a black-haired beauty walks into his life, and stumbles over every word that she says because all she can picture is him doing the unthinkable for the world to see.

Sadly, that’s not the only thing wrong in his life. His world is messed up, and he likes it that way.

There’s no room for a woman that wants to fix him.

Because fixing requires intimacy, and intimacy isn’t something that Laric does. Not after the life that he’s lived, and the things he’s done to survive. Oh, and let’s not forget the fact that he’s a felon, and he has no regrets about how he got that title.

The last thing he needs in his life is a woman that has her head in the clouds and thinks this world is made of butterflies and confetti.

However, Catori isn’t who she seems.

The day she meets tall, dark, and handsome, he saves her life. And then never leaves—though not for his lack of trying.
Not that she’s complaining about the way they’re thrown together, time after time. She’s more than willing to have a man like Laric around. Mostly because she’s already seen the good in him that he refuses to admit that’s there.

He may be a biker that does questionable things, but in her heart, she knows that he does those bad things for good reasons. And she’s not about to throw away the chance at happiness just because he thinks he knows what’s best for her.
Plot twist: she knows what’s best for her. And that’s him.

Amazon CA * Amazon US

I've been looking forward to Laric's story ever since I met him in book one. After finding out he was Lynn's son, I needed to know what was next for them. Was there anything to forgive? Would they forge a path forward as father and son? Would I finally learn why he didn't know about Lynn, yet Lynn knew about him? And knowing Lynn, just how far was his reach into his son's life?

Inmate of the Month gave me answers and a whole lot more. There was so much love here!

☑ a broken hero, who had a tragic past and believed he wasn't worthy
☑ a sweet heroine, who may be just the person to heal all of the hero's wounds
☑ a suspenseful plot that proved to be more hilarious than scary
☑ friends and family that made this a 'happy reunion' kind of read
☑ two characters that seemed to mesh right from the start!

Instalove is great when it works and LLV definitely made it work. Laric and Catori were amazing together. I loved their shared humor, their chemistry, and how deep their feelings ran for each other. This story was easy to love, from its characters to its plot to the sweet and funny happily ever after.

──────　♔　──────

I did have a couple of issues with this book, which kept it from getting all the stars. (1) There's a part where Laric's mom's age was revealed (two years ago she was 41, making her 43)... how old was she when she gave birth to Laric? He's supposed to be thirty-something. And (2) The ex drama, especially with Thor, bled through the whole book, but then fell flat. What was that? He shot Catori, bribed some gangbangers to shoot up a hospital, basically terrorized everyone, went into hiding, then popped up only to be taken down so easily. Oh and (3) I thought Lynn's last name was

Laric & Catori's family tree

Laric's family:

• Lynnwood Thatcher Windsor (father) - Repeat Offender

Catori's family:

• Jack Stoker (father) - Last Day of My Life
• Winter LaRue (mother) - same as above
• Adam Stoker (brother) - Any Day Now

Check out the other books of this series:

"I feel like I'll be learning all about that big mouth soon." I paused, wincing slightly. "I didn't mean that at all how it sounded."

Adam started to laugh. "Oh, God. Y'all will be perfect with each other. By the time we've found Thor, you're either going to kill her or marry her."

I highly doubted that I'd marry her. Though I found her highly attractive, I'd sworn off women for the most part.

Women required you to be home every night — and I wasn't.

Women, particularly someone you wanted to spend the rest of your life with, likely required children — which I knew didn't need to have a dad like me.

Not to mention I just straight up didn't know how to deal with pleasing a wife or girlfriend. I mean, I knew sexually I could more than make her happy. But women, significant others, required love. Sacrifice. Devotion. Understanding. I just didn't know how to provide those.

A, I wasn't sure that love was even real. I'd never seen it and highly doubted that it was an 'actual' thing.

B, sacrificing would be okay. I could do that. But I couldn't keep doing that. I'd be willing to bend, not break.

As for devotion and understanding, I'd been taught over and over again that those two things were a f-ckin' myth.

Lani Lynn Vale is married to the love of her life that she met in high school. She fell in love with him because he was wearing baseball pants. Ten years later they have three perfectly crazy children and a cat named Demon who likes to wake her up at ungodly times in the night. They live in the greatest state in the world, Texas. She writes contemporary and romantic suspense, and has a love for all things romance. You can find Lani in front of her computer writing away in her fictional characters world...that is until her husband and kids demand sustenance in the form of food and drink.

Her mind might be confused, still sorting itself out, but her instincts were sure.
She knew this male.
She wanted this male.

Dark Obsession by Aja James

Maximus has always been in control.

As the Commander of the Chosen, the Dark King’s personal guard, he can’t afford to step wrong. With his eternal familiar at his side, he can loosen up, give in to moments of carefree fun. But all that changed on a fateful night.

She will always find a way back to him…

Ariel Kyles is an experiment with programmed thoughts but no soul—until a black panther’s spirit possesses her body. Suddenly, she discovers whole new needs, desires, and a primal, irresistible obsession: Maximus.

Fate will not be denied…

Maximus and Ariel each have secrets about themselves to uncover, and their journey leads them to a fantastic, hidden world.

But the most delicious mystery of all may prove to be their Destiny together.

Amazon CA * Amazon US
(free to read with Kindle Unlimited)

At first, when I thought of typing up this review, I thought I would use my usual format. Not that I have a set structure mind you, but it seems like one. Then I thought "F*ck that!" because it's not like this story deserves anything less than the rambling, passionate thoughts I had while reading it. So rather than hide everything under spoilers, I'm going to lay it all out right here. So if you don't want to be spoiled, stop here knowing that I loved this book, I love this series, and I highly recommend it!

Ariel and Maximus = too hot for words! Obviously Max's connection to Simca and hers to him made all of this possible, but I loved how much Ariel was able to blossom with her new soul. And how Max was able to see all sides of her. He loved this female. Loved everything about her. He loved her sass, her intellect, her badass attitude. He loved her passion, her competitiveness, even her over-the-top possessiveness. He loved the way she pushed him, the way she partnered him, the way they fit together like two halves of a whole.

While Max was the clear star of this story, Ariel gave him a run for his money. She was a joy to meet and a wonder in the making. And I loved how obsessed she was with him. “If you take me,” he rumbled low, “you’ll never take another male as long as I live.” She dug her sharp little fingernails into his ass. “Fair. And I’ll rip out the throat of any female who looks at you twice.”

Am I supposed to feel sympathy for Wan'er? I felt nothing but disgust for her. I still wish her a cruel, punishing and agonizing death. I did feel sorry for her mate (because he didn't ask to be a blood slave or to father a child, no matter that everyone should be thankful that Ishtar was created) and for her abandoned child. I get wanting revenge, but she went too far. Working for her enemy, watching her mate be dishonored, being disgusted by him, watching him die, then one day working for your enemy's daughter... Wan'er is pathetic.

Is it weird that I thought it was equally wrong and right that Simca (now Ariel) was so obsessed and aroused by Maximus? These two were insanely hot together!

I think it's hilarious that both Tal and Benji can see The Creature, no matter his disguise. When will these people figure it all out and realize that he is The Creature they have been battling all along? And The Creature watching Benji was such fun! This boy was positively diabolical! Ridiculously smart. Brilliantly astute. This was a boy after his own dark heart.

Could Ariel's life have been more sad before she was merged with Simca? Medusa and Wan'er are monsters and I can only imagine I'll have more horrifying stories to read about in the books to come.

I loved getting the glimpses of Maximus as a boy. The loneliness he suffered, the abuses were heartbreaking, but I enjoyed seeing his kinship with felines, his unrelenting passion and zest for life, his overwhelming compassion for the trapped white tiger (not even realizing their connection)... everything spoke to the amazing and beautiful male he became.

Okay, so mind blown over here but... Max's dad is the white tiger? I know Goya has a story in this series at some point (and I can't wait to read it), but holy sh!t I'm still stunned over this connection. Seriously, Aja James is brilliant!

I'm a terrible person for appreciating the fact that Max killed his mother to free his father. He didn't even know they were his parents. She was no maternal figure and his father was locked in a cage and tortured regularly. Of course he'd want to help his father, without knowing he was his father.

That moment when Max was in his vampire form and Goya was in his tiger form... and they were sitting in silence and kinship... so unbelievably sweet! This father/son duo were giving me life. And then when they fought together in their tiger forms... I'm telling you, this book was amazing!

I am enamored by The Creature's strong connection to Dalair. Those scenes are so intense and illuminating and I'm always excited to see them pop up.

I'm so glad Clara's mortality was brought up. How will she and Eli conquer that? How will they continue to thrive togeher if he is immortal and she is not? Is there more to her (as it seems) or will her genetics be changed as Ava's were?

I need Dalair to fight his programming again. This is getting ridiculous. How is he supposed to live with himself after realizing he was a part of the animal spirit massacre?That he has been 'sleeping' with the enemy? That he has been fighting against his own?

What caused Tal to bellow in such pain? Then, he threw back his head and let out a soul-shattering shout into the sky, the rawness and agony tearing through his vocal cords, breaking his voice. The Creature felt it to the core of its being. Its heart might be black and shriveled, but whatever heart that was left there twisted and clenched in vicarious pain, filling its nostrils with acid. There was an infinite amount of anguish in the Pure warrior’s howl. An unfathomable depth to his despair. The worst of it was, the Creature knew very well what had led to this moment. The Creature watching his father like that, not even knowing he's his father... my heart just keeps breaking for these people.

After getting a glimpse of Alend Ramses's pain and his determination to never fall in love again, wouldn't it be hilarious to find out that he was Anu's father and that the woman he loved and never loved him back was her mother? I'm just saying, this series seems to love its six degrees of separation, so it's not a reach.

I'm in so deep and I have no intention of finding my way out. I've already got Pure Providence downloaded so I'm off to go deeper.

Check out the previous books:

On a shudder, Maximus came awake.

And stared into Agent Kyles’ golden green eyes.

She’d turned in his arms while he slept, her torso flush against his. Her crotch cradling his hard-on oh so tightly even through the layers of their cold-weather clothes.

She was stroking his face lightly with her hands, tracing his eyebrows, temples, nose, cheeks, jaw and mouth with inquisitive fingers.

He realized that she’d been doing this for a while now.

It was her touch that calmed him in his dreams. Her touch that pulled him out of memories he’d rather forget.

“Hands are such wonderful things,” she murmured huskily, her voice rough from sleep.

“I could never do this with paws. And you have such an intriguing face. Such a beautiful body. I want to touch you all the time.”

Maximus swallowed.

His heart thudded. His cock leapt.

It would be so easy to push down their trousers and drive into her welcoming, wet heat.

He knew she would welcome him. Her body all but hummed for him to fill it.

“Ariel…” he rasped, searching for the right words but coming up empty.

Just her name alone gave him pause.

It was the first time he’d used it. The first time he’d even thought it.

She’d always been Agent Kyles to him, a designation instead of a person.

He also couldn’t see her as Simca, no matter what she said about the panther’s soul being inside her. No matter that he saw glimpses of his feline familiar in her personality, thoughts and gestures.

But now…somehow…she was Ariel.

And that realization and recognition made him even more confused than before. Even as a part of him embraced it.

He felt too raw right now, too conflicted from his recent dream.

Had she seen it too? Had she seen what he really was?

What was inside him all this time?

“Beautiful,” she said firmly. “You were magnificent in your dream. Fierce and primal. The most gorgeous being I’ve ever seen. You shouldn’t hide yourself. You should be proud. You protected someone helpless. You saved his life.”

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!