Beneath that careful control, he was like her.
────── ♔ ──────
Twisted by Cynthia Eden
Standalone - LOST #2
Release - April 28, 2015
Genre - Romantic Thriller
POV - Multiple 3rd person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5 / a couple of scenes
Format/Source - owned paperback
Length - 389 pages
Publisher - Avon
Release - April 28, 2015
Genre - Romantic Thriller
POV - Multiple 3rd person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5 / a couple of scenes
Format/Source - owned paperback
Length - 389 pages
Publisher - Avon
Other books in the series: Broken
Dean Bannon comes to New Orleans for one reason only: to track down a missing sixteen-year-old girl. That's before he meets the drop-dead gorgeous con artist who makes him want to lose his legendary control.
With her past, Emma Castille doesn't claim to be psychic. She just notices things other people don't. Like the fear in a runaway's eyes—or the pain in an ex-FBI agent's heart. Her chemistry with Dean is blistering, but Emma follows her passion . . . not someone else's orders.
Then a madman breaks into Emma's home and leaves a twisted message: You're next. Now Dean refuses to let her out of his sight until he pries every last secret from her full, sexy lips. And suddenly Emma's aching to give him everything he wants.
My Two Cents
4 "You're Next" stars
A sixteen year old girl is missing and it's up to the LOST team to find her. The cops aren't concerned until everyone realizes that this isn't a simple case of a runaway—a serial killer is on the loose. For Dean, it's an uncomfortable truth that stems from his past. He was once a victim at the hands of a killer and he's determined to end this killer's spree. For Emma, years ago her help was too late and she wants to help any way she can.
Emma was a bit annoying with her unrealistic expectation of partnership. She couldn't understand why she wasn't given the same courtesy as the members of the LOST team. Could it be that her experience as a 'psychic' reader in the town square didn't quite equal that of an ex-cop, ex-FBI agent, ex-Navy SEAL, a profiler, and a forensic pathologist?
Maybe.
Aside from that, this was a wildly entertaining thriller. Although I guessed quickly at the identity of the killer, it didn't detract from my enjoyment of how everything unfolded. There were twists and turns and some oblivious professionals and I liked it.
There's a spark between Jax and Sarah. Both have dark pasts so I'm sure that will play into their connection and since their story is next, I'm off to go read it.
The Author
Award-winning author Cynthia Eden writes sexy tales of contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal romance. She is a New York Times, USA Today, Digital Book World, and IndieReader best-seller. Since she began writing full-time in 2005, Cynthia has written over one hundred novels and novellas.
Cynthia lives along the Alabama Gulf Coast. She loves romance novels, horror movies, and chocolate. Her favorite hobbies including hiking in the mountains (searching for waterfalls) and spelunking.
Visit http://www.cynthiaeden.com/ for more information!
As he rocked in and out of her body, she felt taken, dominated...
And protected.
And protected.
────── ♔ ──────
Conqueror by Anna Hackett
Standalone - Galactic Kings #4
Release - November 8, 2022
Genre - SciFi Romance
Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5 / several scenes
Format/Source - ebook from Kindle Unlimited
Length - 242 pages
Publisher - Indie
Release - November 8, 2022
Genre - SciFi Romance
Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5 / several scenes
Format/Source - ebook from Kindle Unlimited
Length - 242 pages
Publisher - Indie
Overlord * Emperor * Captain of the Guard
After two years of alien captivity, Evie is free, but her captors have changed her. Now struggling to control a terrifying new power, her only hope is one formidable, dangerous alien king.
Logistics manager Evie Mason is no longer a prisoner on an alien space station, but she’s far from Earth, suffering nightmares, and fighting to ignore the growing power inside her. She just wants to be normal, but when she comes face to face with the intoxicating ruler of the planet Taln, normal isn’t an option. He speaks to the power inside her, and ignites a fierce desire she’s never felt before.
Conqueror Graylan Taln Sarkany is the king of Taln and its people, who can control the geological forces of their planet. He’s dedicated to protecting Talnians from his evil father and uses his immense power to command the rocks, soil, and earthquakes. But Gray must always keep a part of his power leashed. The part that’s too volatile, too enormous, too dangerous. Then one small, tough woman from Earth threatens all his control.
As a final, violent showdown with Graylan’s father draws closer, Gray and Evie are swept into a whirlwind of power and passion, their powers connecting them in ways neither of them understand. With Gray’s brothers, their mates, and allies by their side, they will fight, and Gray will unleash everything he has to protect his planet, his people, and Evie.
My Two Cents
4.5 "Finding Freedom in Love" stars
Conqueror had a distinct instalove sort of vibe... and I loved it!
Evie, the woman rescued in Captain of the Guard, was held as a lab experiment by a vicious sadist for two years. She was having a hard time adjusting to being free. She was angry, frustrated and hurting. Her only real moments of peace came from those stolen with the ruler of Taln.
Graylan and his planet were the last stand in the war against his warlord father. He and his brothers (Rhain and Brodin) were willing to do any and everything to stop him from killing even one more person.
Working together, will they finally put an end to their father's tyranny?
I really liked how the romance developed between Gray and Evie. He was so patient and understanding with her, and she saw the man behind the duty. And for how strong and incredible they were together... I loved watching it all.
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
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 :)
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