They'd never been enemies, but definitely rivals.
Now she was his love.
Now she was his love.
────── ♔ ──────
Captain of the Guard by Anna Hackett
Standalone - Galactic Kings #3
Release - May 17, 2022
Genre - SciFi Romance
Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5 / several scenes
Format/Source - ebook from Kindle Unlimited
Length - 255 pages
Publisher - Indie
Release - May 17, 2022
Genre - SciFi Romance
Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5 / several scenes
Format/Source - ebook from Kindle Unlimited
Length - 255 pages
Publisher - Indie
Other books in the series:
Overlord * Emperor
An alien warrior and a fierce shapeshifter who drive each other crazy must work together to save an entire planet from a terrifying evil.
First Claw Annora Rahl is tough, fierce, and loyal. She stands at her emperor’s side to protect the wolf shapeshifters of the planet Damar, and she isn’t afraid to use her claws. Stopping an evil king from a neighboring planet, who’s intent on enslaving all the planets in their system, is her top priority. She won’t fail her family, her people, or her emperor. Even if it means joining forces with an infuriating rival warrior…one who she isn’t sure if she wants to kill or kiss.
Captain Thadd Naveri is strong, unyielding, and dedicated. As captain of the guard for the overlord of the planet Zhalto, he lets nothing threaten his king or his people. He’s still recovering from his capture and torture by the enemy, but he readily accepts a top-secret mission into enemy territory. He’s less than pleased to share that mission with Annora—the one woman in the galaxy who fills him with scalding hot anger…and burning desire.
To save their allies on the planet Taln, Thadd and Annora must sneak into the enemy’s most feared science labs. As they fight side by side, they are forced to face their overwhelming attraction. But as the enemy closes in, it is a race against time to save not only Taln but themselves.
My Two Cents
4.5 "Bicker and Banter to Love" stars
This is my favorite book of the series so far!
Thadd was this fierce warrior, a protector of all, who was a bit broken after being taken and experimented on. There's just something so special about a broken hero.
Annora was equally as fierce as Thadd, just as protective, and a force of nature. I loved how strong and loyal she was.
It was like reading an enemies-to-lovers romance, but without the true hate. It was obvious from previous books that something was sparking between these two and I was here for when it imploded. They were hot!!
There is still so much of the underlying plot to be explored. Zavir, the father of the kings, is out there, plotting ways to bring them to their knees. Luckily, I've already got Conqueror downloaded so I can discover what will happen next.
The Author
Anna Hackett is a USA Today bestselling romance author who’s passionate about fast-paced, emotion-filled romantic suspense and science-fiction romance. She loves writing about people overcoming unbeatable odds and achieving seemingly impossible goals. Some of her bestselling series include Norcross Security, Team 52, Galactic Gladiators, and Eon Warriors.
Anna lives in Australia with her real-life hero and their two little boys. For more information on Anna and her books visit: www.annahackett.com
This week I chose to cover more books than usual. To be honest, there a ton of books to go through for this type of post and I'm trying to keep up. It sucks but it's the truth. So here are FIVE books that I didn't happen to love, FIVE books that were actually well-liked in the reading community, FIVE books that you may enjoy a lot more than I did.
Pretty Dead Girls by Monica Murphy
Genre - Young Adult Thriller
Beautiful. Perfect. Dead.
In the peaceful seaside town of Cape Bonita, wicked secrets and lies are hidden just beneath the surface. But all it takes is one tragedy for them to be exposed.
The most popular girls in school are turning up dead, and Penelope Malone is terrified she's next. All the victims so far have been linked to Penelope—and to a boy from her physics class. The one she's never really noticed before, with the rumored dark past and a brooding stare that cuts right through her.
There's something he isn't telling her. But there's something she's not telling him, either.
Everyone has secrets, and theirs might get them killed.
2 stars - The most popular girls in school are turning up dead, and Penelope Malone is terrified she's next.
You know I hate you when I hope you are.
Penelope (don't call her Penny) was a mean girl who didn't think she was a mean girl.
And I'm not saying that anyone should have been killed, however...
When the killer was revealed, I was like "Hmmm... you crazy, but I don't really blame you."
Not kidding. I'm just joking.
I just didn't like anyone in this book. The one character I did think I could like, Cass, came off as too soft. I already knew from the beginning that he was gonna get cast in a certain light. And for Penny (bitch, I'll call you what I want) to actually believe rumors and doubt him... spoke more to her lack of character than anything else.
In the end, I was kinda rooting for the killer and wanted Cass to find a new girl.
You know I hate you when I hope you are.
Penelope (don't call her Penny) was a mean girl who didn't think she was a mean girl.
And I'm not saying that anyone should have been killed, however...
When the killer was revealed, I was like "Hmmm... you crazy, but I don't really blame you."
I just didn't like anyone in this book. The one character I did think I could like, Cass, came off as too soft. I already knew from the beginning that he was gonna get cast in a certain light. And for Penny (bitch, I'll call you what I want) to actually believe rumors and doubt him... spoke more to her lack of character than anything else.
In the end, I was kinda rooting for the killer and wanted Cass to find a new girl.
Imposter by K. Larsen
Genre - Mystery Thriller
The next blockbuster thriller for those who loved The Girl on the Train, Jezebel and The Butterfly Garden...
In idyllic Brunswick, Maine, tragedy strikes, leaving one family struggling to stay together.
Seven-year-old Sophie Anderson vanished from a neighbors' front lawn in 2006 leaving the Anderson family reeling.
Helen, a mother who never gave up hope.
Sam, a father who couldn’t cope.
Cora, the even-keeled sister, and Shane, the angry half-brother fought to maintain their family after losing Sophie.
Just when the Anderson’s thought they had moved past Sophie’s disappearance,
Cora finds Sophie shivering behind a dumpster in Portland, Maine 10 years later.
As Sophie integrates back into her family a series of dark revelations rear their ugly heads.
How well do you know your child, your spouse, your best friend or neighbor?
How far would you go to protect your family?
How many secrets could you keep before your world begins to crumble?
How far would you go to better your life?
Everyone has skeletons. Everyone lies. The question is, which lies are harmless and which skeletons are meant to be bared?
2 stars - Stories about missing children will always break my heart so it was a given that I would be shattered by everything I read. I liked that I continued to be surprised by what happened right up to the end. Little Sophie deserved so much more and her family is forever broken. The mom, Helen, wasn't a wholly sympathetic character, but I did feel for her. Shoot, I felt bad for all of them.
While I enjoyed what was written, I didn't really enjoy the way it was written. It was broken up in a way that didn't work for me, but I'm sure it will be fine for others.
While I enjoyed what was written, I didn't really enjoy the way it was written. It was broken up in a way that didn't work for me, but I'm sure it will be fine for others.
Professed by Nicola Rendell
Genre - Contemporary Romance / forbidden / student-teacher
At a secret masked ball at Yale, Naomi Costa is literally swept off her stiletto-blistered feet by a man with a killer jawline, a perfect body, and an even-better kiss. They bust out of an emergency exit and have axis-shaking sex. He pours whiskey in her belly button and after they run out of condoms, they have to get creative. That kind of sex.
The next day, she learns that he is none other than Dr. Benjamin Beck, a brand new member of the Yale faculty and the hottest thing to happen to academia since… well, ever. She has to take his damned junior seminar to graduate, but it gets worse. He’s also her College Master: her boss, her advisor, her everything. And he’s just moved in, right downstairs.
They can’t stay away from each other. They're either fusion or fission or both. They’re making out in libraries, hiding notes between stones, and sneaking off to nautically themed AirBnbs. Hear that sound? It’s the academic code of ethics going up in flames.
If they're found out, he’ll lose his job and his reputation. She'll lose her scholarship and be forced to return to the life of lobster fishing that she thought she’d escaped.
And they will be found out, yes they will.
So what the hell are they going to do?
1 star - I've loved everything I've read from this author.
Except for this book.
I didn't like ANY of the characters.
I didn't care if things worked out.
The sex (forbidden or not) wasn't hot as much as awkward.
I'll still read from this author.
Except for this book.
I didn't like ANY of the characters.
I didn't care if things worked out.
The sex (forbidden or not) wasn't hot as much as awkward.
I'll still read from this author.
A Not So Meet Cute by Meghan Quinn
Genre - Contemporary Romance / fake relationship
How did you two meet?
The quintessential question asked to every couple. And the answer is usually some bubbly, lovey dovey tale of being struck in the bum by Cupid’s arrow.
My meet cute (well not so meet cute) is slightly different. I was trolling a wealthy neighborhood in Beverly Hills, searching for someone to take me as their bride, you know, to make my arch nemesis jealous who consequently just fired me.
He was stomping around the block like some sort of gorgeous ogre, mumbling about a business deal gone wrong and attempting to finagle his way out of it.
And that’s when we bumped into each other.
There were no sparks.
Not even a hint of blossoming love.
But next thing I knew, I was scarfing down free chips and guac, listening to this man lay out all of his problems which led to his big ask . . . he wanted me to be his Vivian Ward, you know, from Pretty Woman--minus the frisky behavior.
We’re talking about living in a mansion, intimate double dates, and pretending we were head over heels in love . . . and engaged. Can you imagine?
The absolute audacity.
But people do crazy things when they’re desperate. And I reeked of desperation. So, I struck up a deal.
My one big mistake, though . . . big . . . HUGE? I accidentally fell for the incomparable Huxley Cane.
2.5 stars - I really wanted to like this one. It had so many things that I look for in a book. And the tropes usually work for me. Who doesn't like a fake relationship slash enemies to lovers romance?
But Lottie was a hard pill to swallow.
Introduced as a desperate doormat, why was she so rude to Huxley? Her attitude sucked and I don't care how beautiful she was to look at.
Huxley was the typical 'love can't touch me' hero and it was lovely to watch him fall. I just don't like who he fell for. Lottie was a bit toxic and I'm not a fan of how everyone would put her in her place and excuse her behavior at the same time. Give her some dang consequences!!
But Lottie was a hard pill to swallow.
Introduced as a desperate doormat, why was she so rude to Huxley? Her attitude sucked and I don't care how beautiful she was to look at.
Huxley was the typical 'love can't touch me' hero and it was lovely to watch him fall. I just don't like who he fell for. Lottie was a bit toxic and I'm not a fan of how everyone would put her in her place and excuse her behavior at the same time. Give her some dang consequences!!
Darkness Awakened by Katie Reus
Genre - Paranormal Romance / second chance / fated mates / secret baby
Years ago he ended things between them to protect her…
As leader of one of the fiercest werewolf packs in the south, Finn Stavros is in full battle mode 24/7. He has no choice—he’s one of the few beings strong enough to fight the Akkadian demons, whose mysterious escape from hell threatens the entire world. With the battle turning bloodier by the second, Finn is ready for anything…until his vampire long lost love shows up on his doorstep in desperate need of his help, sending his heart into a tailspin. He agrees to help her, unaware that she carries a shocking secret that will turn his life upside down.
This time, he’s not letting her go…
Vampire Lyra Marius curses the day she met Finn. The ruthless werewolf promised to love her forever, but he rejected her instead—before she could share her life altering news. Pregnant, kicked out of her coven, and cast aside by the love of her life, Lyra struggled to raise their rare shifter-vampire daughter Vega alone among humans. When the 16-year-old is kidnapped and used to fulfill a frightening prophecy, Lyra swallows her pride and turns to Finn for help. But how long can she fight her feelings for him and keep him from guessing the truth about who Vega really is? As they race against the clock to save their daughter, they must defeat the lethal threat imposed by demons infiltrating the human world and a hell gate that could not only reveal their existence to mankind, but destroy the world in the process.
2.5 stars - I actually enjoyed this one. I love forbidden romance. With Finn being all sexy Alpha and Lyra being a fierce vampire, there were lots of battles to be fought. My only hangup was the 'secret baby who's now on the verge of adulthood' thing.
I'm not sure if I'm interested enough in this one to give the others a try. I guess we'll see some day :)
I'm not sure if I'm interested enough in this one to give the others a try. I guess we'll see some day :)
Hello hello!
Yes, I'm late, as usual. Get used to it 🤣😂
November was actually a very decent reading month for me. I found some to love, some to not love, and some I couldn't finish. Here's what I was up to for the month...
Stats
Total Books Read: 23
Total Pages Read: 4639
DNFs or No Rating: 3
From my TBR: 16
Avg. Rating 3.11
Total Pages Read: 4639
DNFs or No Rating: 3
From my TBR: 16
Avg. Rating 3.11
All the Books
My favorite books of the month were:
The other books I still found worthwhile (and would recommend) were:
Brute Force, Machine, and Primal Urges by Lizzy Bequin
The Mermen Trilogy by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff
The Kingdom Series by Marie Hall
The Darkest Half by J.A. Redmerski
Set by Alessa Thorn
Good Trouble by Lani Lynn Vale
The other books I still found worthwhile (and would recommend) were:
Brute Force, Machine, and Primal Urges by Lizzy Bequin
The Mermen Trilogy by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff
The Kingdom Series by Marie Hall
The Darkest Half by J.A. Redmerski
Set by Alessa Thorn
Good Trouble by Lani Lynn Vale
Added to my tbr
Pretend by R.L. Mathewson
Gift of Dragons by Aja James
Totally Folked by Penny Reid
Gift of Dragons by Aja James
Totally Folked by Penny Reid
Book Haul
I hope you find only the best reads!
Talk soon,
Talk soon,
xo, Natalie
"If I'm yours, that must mean that you're mine." ~ Poppy
────── ♔ ──────
Emperor by Anna Hackett
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
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
Other book(s) in the series: Overlord
When an experimental starship test goes horribly wrong, a scientist from Earth finds herself fighting for her survival, and her only lifeline is a wild, powerful alien king.
Waking on an alien world, wracked by pain, Dr. Poppy Ellison is confused and adrift…until his voice calls to her in the darkness. The big, wild, enthralling man reveals that she’s been infected and is turning into an alien shapeshifter. Poppy has always been smart, practical, and boring, but with her entire life turned upside down, there is no one she can trust…except for this alien wolf.
Emperor Brodin Damar Sarkany is king of Damar and its shapeshifters. As wild as the forest city they call home, the Damari can be volatile, always fighting to control the wolf inside. Brodin uses his immense strength to keep his people in check and protect them from the most dangerous evil of all—his war-mongering father. He can’t afford the distraction of a small, tantalizing woman from Earth, even when everything about Poppy sings to the instincts of both man and wolf.
As his father’s ruthless warlord attacks, innocent children are at risk, and Poppy knows she has to help by mastering her new, emerging abilities. She must also face the shocking passion that explodes between her and Brodin. But as Poppy and Brodin hunt down the enemy, they uncover a plot that could mean the destruction of all the Damari…if they don’t stop it in time.
My Two Cents
4.5 "She calms his beast" stars
I don't know what it is about this series, but it is ticking all of my boxes!
Dr. Poppy Ellison crashlanded on an alien planet along with her bestie, Mal in Overlord. While Mal developed energy powers and fell in love with the ruler of Zhalto, Poppy had been infected by a Damar wolf, and the transition was killing her. Her best hope was to be taken to the planet of Damar and be treated by their best and brightest. Under the protection of the Emperor, she couldn't be safer.
I loved that while Brodin wanted to make sure Poppy was alright, he couldn't help but be drawn to her. He was so protective and possessive and the fact that she returned those feelings only made this read better. I love when there's no instant denials and lies to get in the way of a must-have romance.
Poppy was a great heroine—smart, quirky, loyal and surprisingly fierce. Through Brodin, she was able to see the potential within herself. She was able to overcome her perceived shortcomings and embrace the life and love that Brodin and his world were there to offer.
And Brodin... he was absolutely yummy. I really, really loved this male. Strong, intelligent, kind, respectful, honorable... he was everything that Poppy deserved.
The plots of these books, where the father of these heroes is so desperate to have his sons by his side that he sends sinister villains to cause trouble, is very entertaining. Poppy and Brodin may have defeated the current foe this time, but everyone knows that Zavir (the evil father that didn't seem quite so evil when he appeared in this story) isn't anywhere near done.
Captain Thadd and First Claw Annora are next. They will be sent on a mission to protect the Talnians, the planet of one of the brothers. It's more than obvious that there is a lot of tension, of the sexual variety, going on between these two and I can't wait to see how it all explodes. Luckily I've already got their loaded up and it's what I'll be reading next. See you there!
The Author
Anna Hackett is a USA Today bestselling romance author who’s passionate about fast-paced, emotion-filled romantic suspense and science-fiction romance. She loves writing about people overcoming unbeatable odds and achieving seemingly impossible goals. Some of her bestselling series include Norcross Security, Team 52, Galactic Gladiators, and Eon Warriors.
Anna lives in Australia with her real-life hero and their two little boys. For more information on Anna and her books visit: www.annahackett.com
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