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Darkest Night by Alessa Thorn

Three years ago, Kon seduced a mysterious woman and stole a magical artifact from her. He thought their paths would never cross again. He had just made the biggest mistake of his life.

Found as a bloody child in a forest, and raised by one of the most ruthless and calculating mercenaries dirty money can buy, Athena Edgeworth isn't the kind of person you betray and get to walk away unscathed.

It was the perfect rivalry waiting to happen.

Both know they should end their dangerous game once and for all, but they are addicted to the thrill of the chase...and to each other.

When they get a common enemy hunting them, they will have to put their vicious rivalry aside and work together.

Kon's only ever wanted revenge, but Athena Edgeworth's dark heart might be the prize he's always been searching for. And she's not about to let him have it without a fight.



I really freaking enjoyed this book!

Kon: as a small boy, he witnessed the murder of his parents and spent his whole life searching for the man who needs killing.
Athena: as a small girl, she was found bloody and alone in a forest and she's spent her whole life fascinated with living on the edge.

On a mission, Kon steals from Athena and starts the hottest cat-and-mouse game I've ever read!

I loved the love/hate relationship that Kon and Athena shared. It was obvious from the start that these two were hot for each other. That they had finally met their match. And I had a blast watching them catch all of the feelings.

There's plenty of action and heat, a bunch of intriguing side characters, and a plot that seems to lead into the books to come. This was such a solid story and I'm excited to read the rest of the series.





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.

Hello hello! I'm back with some more books that didn't really work for me, but might be winners for you. These all rated pretty well on Goodreads and Amazon, so I think, once again, that this is a ME problem more than anything wrong with the actual books.

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Dec the Holls by Jasinda Wilder	Cuff Me by London Hale
Genre - Contemporary Novella Release - December 19, 2014	Genre - Contemporary Novella Release - July 11, 2017
A week before Christmas, and all through office not a soul is stirring, not even a mouse. Holly is working overtime, cold and lonely and broke. Across the hall, Declan is lonely too, and thinking this Christmas is going to be a joke. Then one blustery night Holly’s car won’t start and Declan is there to help with a little love in his heart.	From the moment Lola moved into my apartment building, I’ve wanted her. She’s too sweet and seemingly innocent, but it doesn’t stop me from lusting after her. There’s something about the hours she keeps, though. Something about the life she leads that has warning bells going off in my cop brain. Yet I can’t stay away. Not when she needs my help. Not when she needs me. Even if being with her could cost me my future.
My Rating - 2 stars I found that I didn’t care for this book. The story didn’t really have a chance to grab me and I was really hoping it would. I could see myself probably liking both Dec and Holly if given more time.	My Rating - 2 stars I’ve actually really enjoyed other books from this author… just not this one. The heroine, who believed that the only job she was qualified for was as an escort… she really tried my nerves. From there, I just didn’t care whether or not she got a happily ever after with the hero. Honestly, I didn’t even know why he liked her so much.

Pitch Black by Elise Noble	When Gargoyles Rise by Ashley C. Harris
Genre - Suspense/Mystery Release - December 1, 2015	Genre - YA Paranormal Romance Release - September 5, 2017
After the owner of a security company is murdered, his sharp-edged wife goes on the run. Forced to abandon everything she holds dear - her home, her friends, her job in special ops - she builds a new life for herself in England. As Ashlyn Hale, she meets Luke, a handsome local who makes her realise just how lonely she is. Yet, even in the sleepy village of Lower Foxford, the dark side of life dogs Diamond’s trail when the unthinkable strikes. Forced out of hiding, she races against time to save those she cares about. But is it too little, too late?	When Rose was born in the year 1544, she and the other gargoyles were a beautiful race of humans with dragon's wings. Created by magic, the gargoyles were able to do and take whatever they wanted... Until the vampires came, and with them, they brought a curse. Almost five hundred years later, Rose awakens from stone in Washington DC, to a world that's very much changed. The kingdom of the gargoyles is no more; instead, the same group of blood suckers that cursed Rose's family now rule a hierarchy of shades and shadows. Desperate to awaken her loved ones and break the spell, Rose learns she must convince Sean Noble, a human, to fall in love with her. Something that should have been easy... if he and Rose weren't only seventeen, and required to attend school. Sean and his high school girlfriend dislike Rose as much as they do homework. And to make things worse, the handsome vampire prince, Adamus, who betrayed Rose in the year 1556, he and his bad boy brother have surfaced... Rose, before graduation, must find a way to keep her identity secret from Adamus, not let him get too close, and trick Sean into falling in love. Easy if you have wings, right? Not so much.
My Rating - DNF The story sounds intriguing, but I’m not a fan of single perspectives and I could feel myself getting bored with just the one voice.	My Rating - DNF I just can’t. No.

Beast by Measha Stone	Passion & Venom by Shanora Williams
Genre - Contemporary Romance Retelling Release - February 27, 2018	Genre - Dark Romance Release - September 12, 2016
Wouldn't you give up everything for the one you love? When Ellie's father is taken by a group of thugs planning to take his life in exchange for his debts, it’s no surprise she goes running straight into the beast’s lair. After all, Ellie Stevens has been her father’s keeper for as long as she can remember. However, Ashland Titon isn’t a man of mercy. If you owe, you pay. End of story. His unrelenting control has built his empire, and he’s not going to give over that power now. But when Ellie charges into his life with her demands and possibilities of sweet surrender, her offer proves too tempting to pass up. Yet there’s more at play here than just working off a debt. There are secrets buried in the shadows, and dangerous desires to be explored. While the two of them dance to an erotic beat, outside forces threaten Ashland's empire and Ellie must decide where her heart truly lies - and what she's truly willing to risk for love.	Imagine this: Your husband is murdered on your wedding day. Your gown is soiled in his blood. You are taken hostage... Treated like a caged animal. The man behind your husband's murder is revealed. His name is Draco Molina. Draco has power. Respect. Wealth. He is a savage beast of a man - dominant in every way. Soon after, he makes you an offer that you can't refuse. All you have do is submit to him, and in return you won't be punished. He will reward you handsomely. But if you disobey, you must be prepared to face the consequences. What do you do when the most wanted man in the world . . . wants you?
My Rating - DNF The heroine fell into every bad trap a heroine could fall into. And while I like retellings and can see why she was prone to pitfalls, I found it hard to care.	My Rating - DNF I was set to love this story. I was warned that it got really dark and from what I’ve read, it was heading there. Gia’s husband is murdered right in front of her on their wedding day. And then she’s kidnapped, beaten and humiliated. So far, so good. Then Gia’s thoughts about her fellow captive, whose arms have been amputated via torture, made her an unsympathetic heroine and I struggled to continue. Yes, he has been helpful at times, but he is a complete jackass. It’s no wonder he’s here–or why those men did that to him. He has a smart mouth. I’m sure he doesn’t control anything he says. I still tried, but then I read this: Those thin, dark brown eyes are… How are the eyes thin? And then this type of phrasing kept happening and I gave up.

Want Me by Cynthia Eden

Standalone - Dark Obsession #2
Release - January 27, 2015
Genre - Romantic Suspense
POV - Dual 3rd person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5
Format - ebook from Amazon
Length - 140 pages

She doesn’t play it safe...

Sophie Sarantos has a weakness for dangerous men. She doesn’t like safe lovers—she likes men with a wild, rough edge. But Sophie may have attracted a lover who is too dangerous, even for her. Someone is stalking Sophie, slipping into her home, watching her day and night. The stranger seems to know all of Sophie’s darkest secrets, secrets that should never be revealed.

Out of options, Sophie turns to ex-solider Lex Jensen for protection. Lex is part owner of VJS Protection, Inc., and Sophie hires him as her bodyguard. She thinks Lex is one of the “good guys” out there, but she couldn’t be more wrong.

He doesn’t play at all...

Lex has his own secrets. Dark, deadly secrets. And as his feelings for Sophie grow, Lex knows that he is going to have to stop pretending to be a gentleman and, instead, he’ll have to show Sophie who he really is. A man trained to kill. A man too used to evil. A man who will take any risk... as long as he can claim Sophie.

Because there is one thing that Lex wants in this world…one person he desires above all others... Sophie. And no one will hurt her, not on his watch.

My Review - 4 stars

When I can’t figure out who the killer is until the author reveals them, that story’s a winner.

Gwen’s got a stalker… or really more than one. Someone wants to protect her. Someone wants her dead. And someone just wants her.

Chance gave up his chance to be with her. Once her bodyguard, he didn’t believe he deserved her. Now that she’s in danger, now that she needs him, he’s not letting her out of his sight. He’ll put himself between her and whoever is out there to hurt her. He’s not giving her up ever again.

Things were intense for the entire book. From the intimacy between the characters to trying to suss out who was doing what, I had a great time. I haven’t looked ahead for this series and I’m hoping Ethan gets a book because dude deserves some happiness.

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Slow Burn by Autumn Jones Lake

Standalone - Lost Kings MC #1
Release - October 9, 2014
Genre - Contemporary MC Romance
POV - Dual
Heat - 4 out of 5
Format - ebook from Amazon
Length - 242 pages

President of the Lost Kings MC, Rochlan "Rock" North, hasn't managed to find a woman capable of making him want to curb his wild ways—until he meets sweet, innocent, married lawyer Hope Kendall.

Forced to represent the outlaw biker, Hope is rattled by her immediate attraction to Rock. Hope is a good girl in a good marriage. Rock thrills her, but she's not going to throw away everything she's built on a fling with her criminal client.

Rock respects Hope enough to leave her alone, even as he realizes he's become a little obsessed with her. When their connection endangers her life, he'll have to destroy her in order to save her.

After tragedy strikes, Rock is determined to earn Hope's forgiveness and convince her that even with their staggering differences, they're meant to be together.

My Review - 3 stars

While I was entertained by this story, I failed to really connect with it. Both Rock and Hope came off as one-dimensional characters. Their lives were described with vague references. The only thing I could cling to was their connection. There was denying their feelings for one another. I’m still unsure why she needed to have a husband and go through mourning in order for this story to reach somewhere. If the husband didn’t exist, I guess half the book wouldn’t either.

I did enjoy the writing so I can definitely see myself reading from this author again.

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Stygian by Nashoda Rose

Scars of the Wraiths #1
Release - March 19, 2015
Genre - Paranormal Romance
POV - Dual
Heat - 3 out of 5
Format - ebook from Amazon
Length - 277 pages

Danni: Mortal

I remember nothing of my abduction two years ago. Sounds and scents trigger horrific flashes, but it’s all a blur except for one man with brilliant green eyes. When the tatted six foot two Adonis shows up at my door, my knowledge of the world is shattered.

Bound to the immortal Scar by an ancient spell, we are on the run. Because Balen is the hunted.

And if he dies, so do I.

Balen: Scar Tracker

My code of honor was respected without question … until I consumed the blood of a vampire in exchange for a mortal woman’s freedom.

The Scars want me imprisoned. The Wraiths want me dead.

But the woman I can’t forget needs me. And I’ll risk everything to protect her.

Even if it means killing her.

Because in order for her to live—first she must die.

My Review - 3 stars

I am strangely fascinated with the world of Scars and Wraiths. This book, for the first in the series, did feel like I was dumped in the middle of a story, but I did enjoy myself. As lost and confused as I sometimes was… I enjoyed myself. I didn’t have a lot of love for Danni. She was incredibly immature, impulsive, rude, and irrational. I think I liked Balen, but with how vague this story was, I’m still not sure. I enjoyed meeting all of the other characters and am fascinated by them and what their stories might be.

Interested enough to read more from this series?

Probably.

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Hunter Avenged by N.J. Walters

It’s taken Viking hunter Sven Knutson six frustrating months to find her. To track down the angel responsible for compromising the Forgotten Brotherhood and waking the drakon. She may be clever. Resourceful. But no one ever gets away from Sven. Ever.

All Rivka longed for as an angel was a chance to serve on Earth and help humans. Instead, it all went impossibly, horribly wrong, and she still doesn’t understand how or even why. All she knows is that she’s on the run—not only from Heaven’s dangerous elite guard, but also from the Brotherhood, who want answers.

She might just have to trust the immortal Viking whose icy blue eyes make her feel almost wickedly human. Because someone wants Rivka dead and the Brotherhood eliminated. Someone powerful enough to take on the most dangerous assassins who have ever lived. Someone who could unleash the fury of both Heaven and Hell…and Rivka is the key.



When I finished reading Bjorn Cursed and met Sven, I knew I needed him to have his own book. And I've been eager for it ever since. I can't begin to tell you how excited I was to finally get his story in my hands. I don't often fangirl the heck out of myself, but I'm fangirling people!

I already knew that Sven was saved and enslaved by the goddess Freya and was now free to live any life he chose. His parents were alive and he could have a relationship with them, but aside from joining The Brotherhood, he's kept his distance.

And maybe, with the weight of destiny on his shoulders, he'll finally give himself a chance to be truly happy and embrace all of his blessings.

I really enjoyed this story. As the conclusion to an incredible series, I was happy to see most of the past characters make an appearance and in such impactful ways. I loved what blossomed between Sven and Rivka. From the way he hunted her around the world to bring her to justice in the plot against The Brotherhood, to his realizing that all he wanted to do was protect her from any and everyone who might have reason to do her harm. Sven was such an amazing hero and Rivka came into her own in such a wonderful way!


This series made N.J. Walters a must-read and must-buy author for me. There are incredibly gifted heroes, exciting plots and connections, and so much freaking love!


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!