Review // Hunter Avenged by N.J. Walters

January 18, 2023

Hunter Avenged by N.J. Walters

Nothing in Heaven compared to the pure pleasure of kissing Sven.

────── ♔ ──────


Hunter Avenged by N.J. Walters

Hunter Avenged by N.J. Walters


Standalone - Forgotten Brotherhood #6
Release - January 16, 2023
Genre - Paranormal Romance / forbidden
POV - Dual 3rd person
Heat - 3 out of 5
Format - eARC provided by the publisher
Length - 344 pages
Publisher - Entangled: Amara


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.

My Two Cents

4 "Anything for Sven" stars

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!

She yearned for his touch, enjoyed his intellect, respected his skills, and admired his dedication to the Brotherhood.

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!

The Author

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!

Review // Marcus by Anna Hackett

January 10, 2023

Marcus by Anna Hackett

She was why he fought through the muck every day. So she could live and the goodness in her would survive. She deserved more than blood and death and killing. And she sure as hell deserved more than a battled-scarred, bloodstained soldier.

────── ♔ ──────


Marcus by Anna Hackett

Hell Squad: Marcus by Anna Hackett


Standalone - Hell Squad #1
Release - April 19, 2015
Genre - Scifi Romance / apocalypse
POV - Dual 3rd person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5
Format - ebook purchase from Amazon
Length - 217 pages
Publisher - Indie

In a world gone to hell, Elle Milton—once the darling of the Sydney social scene—has carved a role for herself as the communications officer for the toughest commando team fighting for humanity’s survival—Hell Squad. It’s her chance to make a difference and make up for horrible past mistakes…despite the fact that its battle-hardened commander never wanted her on his team.

When Hell Squad is tasked with destroying a strategic alien facility, Elle knows they need her skills in the field. But first she must go head to head with Marcus Steele and convince him she won’t be a liability.

Marcus Steele is a warrior through and through. He fights to protect the innocent and give the human race a chance to survive. And that includes the beautiful, gutsy Elle who twists him up inside with a single look. The last thing he wants is to take her into a warzone, but soon they are thrown together battling both the alien invaders and their overwhelming attraction. And Marcus will learn just how much he’ll sacrifice to keep her safe.

My Two Cents

4 "Fighting to Survive" stars

I haven’t read much in the way of apocalyptic romance, but this author set this one up so well that I feel like adding this trope to my must-read list.

The world has been overtaken by an alien invasion and the few human survivors left are waging a war to get the planet back. The Earth has been ravaged and aside from a few bases around the world, nowhere is safe.

The elite force of Hell Squad has been kicking ass and taking names. As the team leader, Marcus seems to have the entire world on his shoulders. I really liked this character. He knows loss and he knows pain. He also knows want and need. Battle-scarred and battle-weary, he doesn’t think he’s good enough for Elle. But when he learns that he’s the only man she sees, he has to start seeing things her way.

I liked Elle. She was a selfish and superficial party girl before the invasion. Now she is the best communications officer on the base. She provides reliable intel and is one of the few people who can translate the alien language for recon. She’s also consumed by her want and need of Marcus, but feels he’s out of her league. When he lets her in, she’s all in.

However, I did have one major issue with this book and it was one scene...

Her face turned mutinous. “Enough with the orders. You can order them around–” she jerked a thumb at the team “--but not me.” Marcus was speechless. He heard one of the others snicker.

What???

This is how you talk to your squad leader in front of his squad? Why, because you’re sleeping together? In a relationship? It was so weird and what was even weirder… he was okay with it.

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

Books That Didn't Make the Cut Pt.8

January 07, 2023


I'm back with three more books that just didn't work for me, but might be right up your alley. If you've read any of these or plan to, please think about letting me know what you thought in the comments below!



Queen of Diamonds by Natalie Bennett


Genre - Mafia Romance

His enemy. His partner. His whore.
His mind games. Her morals.


The road to hell...
Well, there is no road to hell.
I already live there.

I was forced to partake in a rigged game of seduction, manipulation, and murder.

Mateo Remmington is my formidable opponent.

He makes the devil look like a saint.

He’s immoral.
He's ruthless.
He's a goddamn king.

King of a clandestine empire who sits on a throne covered in innocents’ blood.

I’ve become his obsession.
He’s becoming my deadly addiction.

And if I make one wrong move he’ll end my life.

My Review: DNF

I couldn't get into this story. I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be dark or mysterious or whatever. I was lost before the story even really started. And now I'm sad because I have the entire series SIGNED on my bookshelves. I wish I could have dived in and loved it.



Ghosted by J.M. Darhower


Genre - Contemporary Second Chance Romance

He's a troubled young actor, Hollywood's newest heartthrob, struggling with fame as the star of the latest superhero franchise. Through scandal after scandal, addiction on top of addiction, a flurry of paparazzi hunt him as he fights to conquer his demons.

She's a single mother, assistant manager at a grocery store, existing in monotony with her five-year-old daughter. Every day when she goes to work, lurid tabloids surround her, the face of a notorious bad boy haunting her from their covers.

A man and a woman, living vastly different lives, but that wasn't always the case. Once, they were just a boy and a girl who bonded over comic books and fell in love unexpectedly.

When Kennedy Garfield met Jonathan Cunningham back in high school, she knew he had all the makings of a tragic hero. With stars in his eyes, and her heart on her sleeve, the pair ran away together to follow their dreams.

But dreams, sometimes, turn into nightmares.

Now, years later, the only thing they share is a daughter—one who has no idea her father plays her favorite superhero. But Jonathan is desperate to make amends, and at the top of his list is the woman who gave up everything for him and the little girl he hasn't yet met.

My Review: DNF

The heroine was so wrong. And while I couldn't really connect with Jonathan, the ways in which Kennedy had him jumping through hoops so he could connect with the daughter he didn't know he had... wrong! The secret baby trope is so hard to do well and this one didn't work for me.



Down On Me by J. Kenner


Genre - Contemporary Friends-to-Lovers Romance

Tight muscles. Vibrant Ink.
Meet Mr. January. Winter’s never looked so hot…


Certified bachelor Reece Walker wants two things — to save the local bar he manages and to get Jenna Montgomery into his bed.

He has a few ideas for the bar. But Jenna... well, he’s going to have to rely on cold showers, because she’s been his best friend for years, and that’s a line he just can’t cross.

Until one wild kiss on a dark night changes everything. Now Reece is certain Jenna’s meant to be his.

And with long nights in bed, sensual caresses, and deep, lingering kisses, he sets out to thoroughly convince her that friends can be lovers, too.

My Review: 2 stars

Overall, this was a decent story. I loved the friendship that Reece, Jenna and Brent shared. Best friends for life, they knew everything there was to know about each other and supported each other in all things. And that's where my problem lies. Jenna knew Reece. She knew his hangups. So why... why when they FINALLY get together... why did she try to change him? And not only change him, but give him an ultimatum to try to force him to change?

I stopped liking Jenna after that. All of her thoughts on how to sway Reece to her side made me physically ill. If you love someone, love them. No conditions. No doubts.

December 2022 Bookish Recap

January 03, 2023


Hello hello!

I hope all of you celebrated a happy and safe new year. Can you believe we're already in 2023? I swear, the year passed by so quickly!

December was a great reading month for me. Many of my reads became favorites and I'm excited to share it all with you.

Stats

Total Books Read: 17
Total Pages Read: 7006
DNFs or No Rating: 2
From my TBR: 11
Avg. Rating: 3.53

All the Books

I had several favorite books of the month...


The other books I still found worthwhile (and would recommend) were:

Twisted by Cynthia Eden
Taken by Cynthia Eden
Wrecked by Cynthia Eden

Added to my tbr


Book Haul

I didn't purchase any books this month. Everything I read was either already on my Kindle or on my bookshelves or from the library. I really liked this process!



I hope you find only the best reads!

Talk soon,


xo, Natalie

Review // Cute But Psycho by Lani Lynn Vale

Cute But Psycho by Lani Lynn Vale

I wanted to do just about anything he was willing to do with me.

────── ♔ ──────


Cute But Psycho by Lani Lynn Vale

Cute But Psycho by Lani Lynn Vale


Standalone - Gator Bait MC #3
Release - January 17, 2023
Genre - Contemporary Romance / enemies-to-lovers
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - 4 out of 5
Format - eARC from Uplifting Author Services
Length - 241 pages
Publisher - Indie

Etienne LaFayette hits the ground running the moment he breathes free air after being paroled from a maximum-security prison in Texas.

He claws his life back from his brother-in-law who’d taken over his business during the years he’d spent as an inmate at Huntsville Penitentiary. Though it is hard, he puts his life back together in Accident, Florida.

There, he hires new employees, joins a motorcycle club, and becomes wildly successful overnight.

Seems like the perfect life, right?

Wrong.

Because one of his first clients is a beautiful, curly-haired woman that reels him in from the moment he first lays eyes on her. Only, before he can work his charm, she forms an opinion of him based solely on the person that he chose to work at his side, day in and day out. That opinion? Utter disgust.

***

Matilda Deveraux has been dealt blow after blow her entire life.

First with the death of her mom. Then living with a stepfamily that despises her.

Her entire life she’s been known as different. The “weird girl that creeps everyone out.”

It’s not her fault that she’s different, yet everyone, including Etienne’s assistant, treats her like she’s a menace to society.
Like she would be better off in a loony bin than gracing the streets of Accident, Florida.

After years of abuse from everyone around her, the last thing she needs is to be around a man that would have that horrible woman around him twenty-four seven.

As a result, she forms an opinion—something that people do to her all the time—and treats him accordingly.
Only, it turns out that Etienne isn’t who she thought he was.

He’s much, much worse. But only in the best of ways.

My Two Cents

4 "Kick 'em to the curb" stars

Matilda was a doormat her whole life and she was just about done. Done with letting people take advantage of her. Done with allowing people to walk all over her. Just done. If only her family would get the memo.

The attraction between Etienne and Mattie was instantaneous, however, his assistant was a problem. She lived to make Mattie miserable and she refused to associate with someone who associated with someone so hateful. Good for her!

When the problem is solved, will Mattie get out of her own way and give Etienne a chance?

I really enjoyed this story. The brotherhood that exists between the men of this series is so special. I love the way they interact with each other. Matilda had her quirks, but she fit and I think she was great for Etienne. He deserved a happy ending and she gave him an amazing one.

The Author

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.

Visit https://lanilynnvale.com for more information!

Review // The Law of Moses by Amy Harmon

The Law of Moses by Amy Harmon

Whatever it was, when Moses came to Levan, he was like water—cold, deep, unpredictable, and, like the pond up the canyon, dangerous, because you could never see what was beneath the surface.

────── ♔ ──────


The Law of Moses by Amy Harmon

The Law of Moses by Amy Harmon


Standalone
Release - November 18, 2014
Genre - Contemporary Romance / second chance
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - 2 out of 5 / fade to black mostly
Format - ebook from Amazon
Length - 366 pages
Publisher - Indie

If I tell you right up front, right in the beginning that I lost him, it will be easier for you to bear. You will know it’s coming, and it will hurt. But you’ll be able to prepare.

Someone found him in a laundry basket at the Quick Wash, wrapped in a towel, a few hours old and close to death. They called him Baby Moses when they shared his story on the ten o’clock news – the little baby left in a basket at a dingy Laundromat, born to a crack addict and expected to have all sorts of problems. I imagined the crack baby, Moses, having a giant crack that ran down his body, like he’d been broken at birth. I knew that wasn’t what the term meant, but the image stuck in my mind. Maybe the fact that he was broken drew me to him from the start.

It all happened before I was born, and by the time I met Moses and my mom told me all about him, the story was old news and nobody wanted anything to do with him. People love babies, even sick babies. Even crack babies. But babies grow up to be kids, and kids grow up to be teenagers. Nobody wants a messed up teenager.

And Moses was messed up. Moses was a law unto himself. But he was also strange and exotic and beautiful. To be with him would change my life in ways I could never have imagined. Maybe I should have stayed away. Maybe I should have listened. My mother warned me. Even Moses warned me. But I didn’t stay away.

And so begins a story of pain and promise, of heartache and healing, of life and death. A story of before and after, of new beginnings and never-endings. But most of all...a love story.

My Two Cents

4 "My heart hurts" stars

Anyone who's read a story from Amy Harmon has had their heart put through the wringer. No doubt. Even I, the queen of no tears, have had to battle them back. This book tried to break me and I feel like I'm better for it.

It's a small town with small town values, small town minds, and small town drama (or lack of). So when Moses, born a half-Black crack baby in a mostly White town, came to be... he was newsworthy. People called him weird. Wrong. Evil. He was constantly talked about and did almost nothing to deserve it. Is it his fault that the dead won't leave him alone?

I was unhappy about the fact that the first person of color I've found in one of this author's books was depicted in such a negative light, but I loved the way this story was written. It grabbed a hold of me, broke my heart, and made me smile.

Georgia wasn't exactly my cup of tea, but I could see her appeal. I did wish that she was more understanding and supportive of Moses. How can you say you love someone without really loving them?

I loved the friendship that grew between Tag and Moses. They both knew little more than pain, but together, there was such comfort and caring. Their brotherhood was very special.

And the connection Moses had with those who had passed... intense and magical.

I'm in awe of how powerful this story was and how it affected me.

The Author

Amy Harmon is a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and New York Times Bestselling author. Amy knew at an early age that writing was something she wanted to do, and she divided her time between writing songs and stories as she grew. Having grown up in the middle of wheat fields without a television, with only her books and her siblings to entertain her, she developed a strong sense of what made a good story. Her books are now being published in seventeen different languages, truly a dream come true for a little country girl from Levan, Utah.

Amy Harmon has written eightteen novels - the Washington Post bestseller What the Wind Knows, the USA Today bestsellers The Bird and The Sword, The Smallest Part, Making Faces and Running Barefoot, as well as the #1 Amazon bestselling historical From Sand and Ash, Where the Lost Wander, The Songbook of Benny Lament, The First Girl Child, The Second Blilnd Son, The Queen and The Cure, The Law of Moses, The Song of David, Infinity + One, Slow Dance in Purgatory, Prom Night in Purgatory, and the New York Times bestseller, A Different Blue. Her latest novel, The Unknown Beloved, a historical romance, was released April 19, 2022 by Lake Union Publishing and is now available for purchase.

Visit http://www.authoramyharmon.com for more information

Review // Broken Angel by Cynthia Eden

January 01, 2023

Broken Angel by Cynthia Eden

"You're in my soul, Lila.
The only good part that I have left."

────── ♔ ──────


Broken Angel by Cynthia Eden

Broken Angel by Cynthia Eden


Standalone - Bad Things #4
Release - December 13, 2016
Genre - Paranormal Romance / instant connection / forbidden
POV - Multiple 3rd person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5
Format - ebook from Amazon
Length - 202 pages
Publisher - Indie

A fallen angel has a bad side...and that side is about to be set free.

Angel Lila is being hunted - she can feel the hunter closing in behind her. Every move she makes, he's stalking after her. But does the werewolf on her trail want to destroy her - or can he protect her from the growing darkness that she is trying so desperately to fight?

Werewolf Rayce Lovel doesn't know what to do with an angel - especially one who makes him think too much about paradise. Lila may be heavenly, but every time he's near her, Rayce wants to sin. Angels aren't supposed to feel, but Lila was introduced to the world by way of pain. Pain is all she's known for far too long, and now, Rayce is tempted to introduce gorgeous Lila to pleasure.

But the longer an angel stays out of heaven, the more dangerous she can become. Lila sinks deeper into the darkness with each night that passes, and she finds herself becoming a pawn in an eternal battle...good versus evil. Is Rayce really her protector? Perhaps he is just the hungry wolf who has been sent to ensure that Lila never sets foot back in her paradise.

My Two Cents

4 "She'll Always Be His Angel" stars

Instalove with a forbidden romance twist? I'm here for all of it!

After rescuing Lila, she went off the grid and Rayce has been searching for her ever since. He's supposed to be looking for her for his friend, the Lord of the Dark, but all he wants to do is protect her from anything that can hurt her—even if it means saving her from himself. But what happens when even his best intentions lead them down a dangerous path?

As a fallen angel, Lila has no idea what's happening to her. But something is definitely happening to her and the author did a great job of capturing her fear, anxiety, and hopelessness. However, with all of her doubts, there was one thing (or one person) she was pretty sure of... Rayce.

And I couldn't get enough of Rayce.

As an Alpha werewolf, he was wild, he was fierce, he was dominating and controlling, but he was also kind and sweet and generous and loving and amazing.

With tons of action, this story had me turning the pages very quickly and I'm looking forward to reading more from this series.

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!

Review // Knotted by Pam Godwin

December 27, 2022

Knotted by Pam Godwin

Not everything's meant to be, but Jake and I are inevitable. We're knotted together, and damn if he doesn't know how to tie a knot that withstands the test of time.

────── ♔ ──────


Knotted by Pam Godwin

Knotted by Pam Godwin


Standalone - Trails of Sin #1
Release - April 25, 2018
Genre - Contemporary Romance with dark elements
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - 4 out of 5
Format/Source - owned paperback
Length - 311 pages
Publisher - Indie

I try to forget her.
It’s impossible.

Growing up together, Conor and I shared all our firsts.
First love, first kiss, first…
Not all our firsts.

We were sixteen the night she was violently assaulted while I helplessly watched.
I’ll never forget the sounds of her suffering.
Or my inconsolable agony when she left Oklahoma.

Years later, she returns to honor our teenage pact.
Except the boy she loved is gone, replaced by a ruthless cattle rancher knotted with secrets.
She doesn’t know my dark cravings or the trails of sin that lead to her.

I don’t deserve her, but one truth remains.
She’s mine.

My Two Cents

4.5 "Healing all of her pieces" stars


I went in blind and was completely blown away by everything this book had to offer. I figured it would be a light western read about a cowboy and his girl. It was about so much more than that.

This story was full of lies. So many lies that I'm still not sure if the whole truth has been revealed to my satisfaction. And while the lies and deceit were supposed to be for the greater good, to protect Conor... I'm still feeling hurt.

Ain't that some shit?!


I get why Conor couldn't know the truth. And honestly, I had to repeatedly remind myself that these characters were young because they had to make adult choices and decisions way before they should have. Three men and a woman when they were still babies!!

Their lives just weren't fair. I get all of that.

This is what death feels like. The shattering, unstoppable separation between life and the bleeding remains of the soul. There's no countermeasure. No resuscitation. I've taken my last breath as Jake Holsten's girl.


And yes, it's so cool that Jake found a way to give himself to Conor, even if she was kept in the dark about it for years.

But why did he have to sleep with practically everyone while he was pining for Conor and keeping her away for her own good? And yes, yay for him not kissing any of the numerous people he screwed.


And yes, let's celebrate that he still loved Conor after all that time. Still wore her bracelet while he pounded away through the women in town. Still carried her in his heart while he devastated her.

But was it necessary? Because here at the end, when they've got their happy for now ending, I'm still thinking that he didn't need to do all that. I'm still hurting and he ain't even my man!

However, because this story touched me so deeply, that even now my heart is hurting, I can't help but realize how very much I enjoyed it. Can you imagine reading all of that and feeling nothing? I'm feeling everything and although I don't love these emotions, I'm loving that the author was able to bring them out of me.

It's impossible to describe the bond we share. We're too great for words. Too sacred. We're a feeling that goes beyond starts and stops. We're stronger than hellos and goodbyes and deeper than beginnings and ends.


I believed in Jake's devotion to Conor and her's for him. I believed in their love, their connection, their future, their everything. Them coming together was truly a solace to the excrutiating parts of this story. I can't wait to dive back into their world in the next book, which is Jarret's story—Buckled.

The Author

New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author, Pam Godwin, lives in the Midwest with her husband, their retired greyhounds, and a foulmouthed parrot.

When she ran away, she traveled fourteen countries across five continents, attended three universities, and married the vocalist of her favorite rock band.

Java, tobacco, and dark romance novels are her favorite indulgences, and might be considered more unhealthy than her aversion to sleeping, eating meat, and dolls with blinking eyes.

Review // Where Good Girls Go to Die, In Deep, and Part of Your World

December 25, 2022

Where Good Girls Go to Die by Holly Renee


Standalone - Good Girls #1
Release - April 13, 2017
Genre - Contemporary Romance / second chance
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat 4 out of 5
Format/Source - ebook from Amazon
Length - 340 pages

It was a bad idea from the beginning.

He was my brother's best friend and the definition of unavailable.

But I didn't care.

I had loved him for as long as I could remember.

He was worth the risk. He was worth everything.

But then he broke my heart as easily as I fell for him. He watched me fall, spiraling out of control, and as I reached for him, he wasn't there to catch me.

So I ran.

Four years later, I never expected to see him again.

He was still my brother's best friend, and he was more unavailable than ever.

He looked every bit the bad boy I knew he was, covered in tattoos and a crooked smile.

Guarding my heart from him was top priority because Parker James was where good girls go to die.

Unfortunately for him, I wasn't a good girl anymore.


My Review (3 stars) ~ I still don't know how I feel about this book. If you don't like cheating, stay away from this book. It's messy. Really messy. One girl becomes a stripper because the boy broke her heart. The boy doesn't know how to be a good guy. He constantly cheats on others with this girl. Constantly. Liv was annoying. Parker was a tool. The end.

────── ♔ ──────


In Deep by Callie Harper


Standalone - All In #1
Release - August 5, 2016
Genre - Sports Romance
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - 3.5 out of 5
Format/Source - ebook from Amazon
Length - 256 pages

Chase is an Olympic swimmer going for gold.
Focused.
Driven.
Intense.

Emma is a blogger going for the scoop and she has the perfect in.
She’s gotten herself hired as his physical therapist.
With all that intimate time together -- the secrets
from his past don’t stand a chance --
And neither does she ...


My Review (3 stars) ~ I found it hard to get into this story, which was surprising because I'm a fan of this author and her writing. I just didn't like either Emma or Chase. They kinda felt plastic to me. I know that explains nothing, but I missed the usual sparks that are familiar to me. Emma turned out to be a liar, even if by omission, but the big reveal still didn't touch me. It could be that contemporary feeling romance isn't really my jam anymore.

────── ♔ ──────


Part of Your World by Liz Braswell


Standalone - A Twisted Tale
Release - September 4, 2018
Genre - Young Adult Fantasy
POV - Multiple 3rd person
Heat - 0 out of 5
Format/Source - ebook from Kindle Unlimited
Length - 475 pages

What if Ariel had never defeated Ursula?

Five years after the (twisted) events of the film, Ariel is now the queen of Atlantica, and Ursula is running Eric's kingdom on land. But when the sea witch threatens Atlantica once more, Ariel finds herself returning to a world (and a prince) she thought she'd left behind forever.


My Review (3.5 stars) ~ This was such a cute read and I believe that it should be listed as a book for all ages. If you would allow your child to watch the movie, The Little Mermaid, then they would be absolutely fine reading this. It wasn't as dark as the movie.

Ursula has always been one of my favorite Disney villains and the author only made me love her more with the way she was re-imagined. She had Eric and his entire kingdom under her thrall while she waged war with everyone else. She was hilarious!

Obviously the good guys won and the journey was such fun!

Review // Wrecked by Cynthia Eden

December 22, 2022

Wrecked by Cynthia Eden

"They said I was a monster. They're about to see just how much of a monster I can truly be." - Cash

────── ♔ ──────


Wrecked by Cynthia Eden

Wrecked by Cynthia Eden


Standalone - LOST #6
Release - May 30, 2017
Genre - Romantic Thriller
POV - Multiple 3rd person
Heat - 4 out of 5 / a few scenes
Format/Source - owned paperback
Length - 384 pages
Publisher - Avon

Other books in the series: Broken * Twisted * Shattered * Torn * Taken


SHE LEFT HIM ONCE.

LOST Agent Ana Young was only fourteen when she was abducted by a madman, but unlike many kidnapping victims, she did go home. Now, her mission is to find the missing. But her new case has her on the hunt for the escaped convict who’s obsessed with her. And Ana has an unlikely partner—the sexy, supposedly-by-the-book FBI agent she had one amazing night with and had to forget.

NOW HE HAS TO PROTECT HER 24/7…

FBI Special Agent Cash Knox knows that Ana, the petite, tough-ass former bounty hunter, can get the job done again. But this time, someone else leads them to “Bernie-the-Butcher,” someone who’s been watching Ana. Waiting for her.

FROM A CRAZED KILLER.

Now, catching a deranged murderer means Ana must trust her guarded heart to the gorgeous, complicated G-man she wasn’t supposed to fall for.

My Two Cents

4 "No on hurt Ana" stars

It's the last book of the series and it ended things off with an incredible bang. The reader is sure to figure out who the killer is really fast... or will they?

Every time I thought I had figured it out, another twist was thrown my way. And if the thrill of the chase (or the hunt) wasn't enough, what was brewing between Cash and Ana had me excited to keep on reading. I was able to piece together rather quickly that their pasts were linked in a tragic way, but the way it all unfolded had me feeling terrible for them. Such pain, but it was that same pain that bonded them. It's what drew them to each other in the first place. Like recognized like and they had something so special together.

The author did an amazing job with this conclusion and I'm only left with one question in the end that still hasn't been answered... What happened to Murphy?

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!