Tonight’s Desire (Volkoff Pack #1) by S. R. Roddy

☆☆☆☆

Published
February 21, 2014
Publisher
S. R. Roddy
Genre
Paranormal Menage Romance
Word Count
87,810
Pages
366
Author’s Page
https://www.srroddy.com/

I got Tonight’s Desire as a freebie back in 2014 from Amazon and am now finally getting, and I am glad I did. I think I read it or started reading it before because I remember bits and pieces of the first few chapters. Anyway, moving on, Tonight’s Desire is a slow build that starts out very focused on Mia and her life up until she meets the twins, Hunter and Cyril.

I thought the story line was well thought out and the attention to detail was well thought out and written. I really enjoyed the way the author put time into building the relationship between Mia and her twins, Hunter and Cyril without rushing them into bed for hot heavy pornographic sex scene that dominate a lot of books. Don’t get me wrong there are bedrooms scenes that are addressed further down in the review.

My only complaint for Tonight’s Desire is towards the end when I started running into editing issues. It was like the author was coming to end and getting so excited to be done that he/she rushed to finish without checking for edits. Thankfully the edits that I notice were not enough to take away from my overall rating of Tonight’s Desire.

Heat
It took the twins a while but they finally got the job done, but Tonight’s Desire is more about the story line then the bedroom so it’s not so graphic to be considered porn but graphic enough to see a bit of steam coming out of the reading app.

Book Cover
Awesome Cover. The cover is clearly not generic and after reading Tonight’s Desire it is clear that the author and who ever created the cover paid attention to details from the story.

Blurb Rating
The blurb definitely needs some editing according to the little blue double lines on my Word program.

Book’s Blurb
Warning: This book contains sexual content involving M/F/M characters.

Surrounded by so much death Mia feels cursed. Afraid for her friends’ safety and in desperate need of a reprieve from life’s dangers she seeks solitude in a quiet cabin along the border of Canada. A chance meeting with two sexy werewolves and all her plans change.

Treated as outsiders by their family and pack twin brothers, Hunter and Cyril, long for a different life than fate has handed them. On leave after a long assignment they are stunned by the appearance of a woman whose erotic scent has their wolves howling to be released. A true mate, could the fates be that kind to the unworthy?

Desperate to win her trust they struggle against their own nature and their wolves desire to mate. Everything changes when a casual conversation brings to light the very real danger she’s in. As the clock ticks, they work together sifting through past events in an attempt to unravel any clues to her stalker’s identity.

Purchase Links
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The Alpha’s Abused by Ember P. Wolf

☆

Published
May 16, 2020
Publisher
Ember P. Wolf
Genre
Paranormal Romance
Pages
186

I saw The Alpha’s Abused on Facebook, it was being promoted by Dreame, one of those scam apps, so of course I added it to my shopping list of books in the hopes it would land on a legitimate book buying site. I am not sure if I was lucky or not when I found it on Amazon for $9.99.

Bane’s life has been hell, her “father” is the poster child for psychos are us, so it’s no wonder she isn’t afraid of the big bad wolf. I am surprised that the writer did not research PTSD or any thing else that would make the whole story line plausible or relatable for someone who has suffered such trauma. In other words, Bane’s recovery should take much longer and not just one nightmare and melt down and done. The author started out creating what would have been 3 dimensional characters and story line but then went flat which was disappointing. Don’t get me wrong the are some good moments in The Alpha’s Abused but it’s like the author like those parts the best and gave them more details than the parts she either didn’t like or wasn’t comfortable with causing the story to lose momentum and cohesion. Throw in the edits that need to happen and that creates a book that is not worth $9.99.

Book Cover
I don’t feel that the cover matches the story line. I can’t put my finger on it but after reading the book then looking at the cover again it just feels like the cover is off the mark.

Blurb Rating
The blurb is short sweet and to the point without giving every away, which is always nice but the author might want to go back and read it her self to fix a minor error or two. Also given the dark aspects of this story there should be a warning label for potential trigger events and maybe a PG 18 or older.

Book’s Blurb
Bane is a girl with much baggage. Some would say too much baggage. Not being able to shift and defend herself from her father she sees no light to this dark tunnel she is currently in. That is until she meets the Big Bad Alpha Damien. Alpha Damien is close to losing hope of ever finding his mate. So much so that he he does encounter his mate he does something unforgivable. Will she be able to forgive him? Or will he end up treating her just like the man in her nightmares?

Purchase Links
AMAZON (Affiliate Link) 

Fate (Sacrifice #1) by A. C. Heller

☆☆☆

Published
August 7, 2013
Publisher
A. C. Heller
Genre
Paranormal Romance
Pages
227
Author’s Page
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorACHeller

I purchased Fate back in July of 2014 but never got to it. I went scouring through it trying to find something that could grab my attention for more than 15 minutes or even make it past the 3rd chapter. Fate was successful on both counts and I was able to make it to the end of the story within a week.

Chasca is a rather interesting character, I couldn’t tell if she was the strong independent type or the damsel in destress type, she kind of flipped back and forth. At least she fights back when it counts. She clearly needs to work on her timing because she just keeps walking into trouble. Then there is Takeo, I get he is supposed to be the hero in all of this but the way he was written made it seem like he was a secondary character with now real substance, which was down right sad.

While reading Fate I discovered a new pet peeve, and I have to admit this one really bugged me and almost ruined the story for me. I decided to share the paragraph instead of a quote to help me explain the problem with it and that it adds to my dislike of stories told in the first person.

Once I finish speaking, I place a soft kiss on his cheek. Turning around, I gently slide off the bed, pick up the bowl, and head out of his room, not looking back. Little did I know, had I looked back, I would have seen Takeo’s eyes were open. And I would have seen what was in them.

Now how would Chasca know that when she never looked back? This is something you read in a story told by a third person not a first person story and it sort of ruins the continuity and credibility of the story.

Overall, the story wasn’t awful it was just flat and a bit confused. The author did take the time to make sure it was well edited which was awesome. I am going to give Fate three stars because the story line it self was pretty imaginative and I really like that, but it does need the some of the primary characters brought more to the forefront and decision needs to be made on whether this is a first person or third person story.

Heat
Wish I could say this story was teaming with graphic, orgasmic moments just to make my adult kids shake their heads and laugh about their mom reading porn (that’s all they think I read 😉) but no such luck. There are a few make out scenes but they are tame enough that some of my more conservative friends would appreciate it. As for the bedroom scenes there is only one and it is alluded to rather the told in detail.

Book Cover
This cover fits the story line but it is not very imaginative and does not live up to the creativity of the story line itself.

Blurb Rating
The blurb needs a couple of edits but is otherwise well written.

Book’s Blurb
“There must always be balance.”

Chasca Leon grew up in foster care and never spent a lot of time making friends. There were things about her people just wouldn’t understand. Thing’s even she didn’t understand. She lived a very quite life, going to work, and going home, never intentionally seeking adventure. This is, until she was kidnapped. Chasca cannot comprehend why someone would kidnap her and she only discovers why once she is rescued by two gorgeous militant men. While under their protection she learns that she is not human and that the strange things that have been occurring all her life were all because she is of the Nephilim bloodline.

Fate has never been a thing Chasca has concerned herself with but once she learns that she is part of an ancient prophecy she understand that she is truly in danger. Her protectors do everything they can to keep her out of harm’s way but there’s only so much that can be done when your ward is a headstrong mouthy woman.

Recommended for those 18 and older.

Purchase Links
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His Mysterious & Abused Mate by Claire White/Midnight Shines

☆☆☆☆

Published
November 8th 2021
Genre
Paranormal Romance
Pages
247
Author’s Page
https://authclairewhite.com/books

I saw His Mysterious & Abused Mate on my Facebook news stream. I wrote down the title and author, in the hopes I would find the story on Amazon or some other online spot that I purchase books from, because it was a GoodNovel post and I am not a fan of the scam apps.

The Night Howler pack’s Alpha has a grudge against humans and decided to take it out on a human child that he purchased from another Alpha. Only she isn’t what she appears to be and if he had only listened, he might have saved her and his son a lot of pain and suffering. Thankfully his Luna had the good sense to ignore his stupidity. I liked the characters, there were well thought out and written, even the old Alpha.

His Mysterious & Abused Mate’s does need some more editing and hopefully when it appears on Amazon or other e-book store it will have been edited other than that, the blurb and the cover I really have no complaints about the storyline or characters.

Book Cover
This cover doesn’t match the story line at all, it looks like the covers to the books my mom used to read when I was a kid (and just to add reference to that, I am 53).

Blurb Rating
The blurb needs some editing and the questions at the end of the book give more away than the actual blurb and are really not needed with a good blurb.

Book’s Blurb
Ruby is a simple girl who lost her parents at the age of 10, she was told that she was sold by her parents. However, she knew that her parents were killed because she felt her link to her parents break, she was the daughter of King Trent and Queen Geema from the Silver Moon Coven. Her parents belonged to the most powerful line of witches, however, fate has played a game with her as she was a smiple human girl without any powers. She still had a link to her coven which was broken by an Alpha and she was sold as a slave to the Night Howlers pack where she treated like trash and abused by the pack members. She only wished to get out of the pack and spend her in life in peace.

Jared is the next in line Alpha of the Night Howlers pack, he worked hard to become the Alpha his father wanted him to become because he believes that it’s his legacy to take over the pack and protect them. He wishes to meet his mate and he does, he felt like he has won a jackpot even if his mate was a simple human girl. However, he has to choose between his father and mate, he decides to fulfil his responsibility as the Alpha and rejects his mate, but he regrets it as soon as he finds out what his precious mate had gone through.

What happens when fate puts these two souls together?

Is Ruby really the simple human girl she is or is there a mystery behind?

Will she find out the truth about her parent’s death?

Can Jared win his mate back and earn her forgiveness?

Follow on their journey to find out.

Purchase Links
GOOGLE 

The Tyrant Alpha’s Rejected Mate (The Five Packs #1) by Cate C. Wells

☆☆☆

Published
November 12, 2021
Publisher
Cate C. Wells
Genre
Paranormal Romance
Pages
368
Author’s Page
https://www.facebook.com/catecwells/

Una has spent most of her life with a bum leg the she received trying to protect a baby from its own father. When she tells Killian he is her mate he asks her what she has done for the pack to deserve that elevation in rank while he is rejecting her. Seems to me he needs a good kick in the back side for being ignorant.

I really like Una she has courage and tenacity as well as ambition. I really like the fact that she was not going to let a bunch of abusive, backassward men stop her from doing her own thing. Then there is Killian, who has made so many changes in his pack to make it stronger but not with total equality in mind, he is…a work in progress. Una will be he balance just as soon as he gets his head out from between his butt cheeks.

The Tyrant Alpha’s Rejected Mate has a great story line that needs a couple of edits. There are spots where it looks like the author was writing a sentence but lost her train of thought and started writing it again without actually reading what she had already written there by creating a sentence that made sense once you mentally removed/added a word or two. The edits have me giving this book 3 stars at this moment, and the only reason I am sticking to that is I am not sure if I will ever want to read The Tyrant Alpha’s Rejected Mate and as some of you know I do like reading books again.

To the author, if I do read your book again it will warrant an extra star or two, but if you ever edit the story again let me know I will always want to read revised editions and on that note thank you for an entertaining story and I look forward to the next book in the series.

Quotes
One, two, three, four. Crack a window or a door. Five, six, seven, eight. Take a dump then lift the weights. —This quote was actually something Una was thinking about and honestly to awesome to pass up, but to get the whole thought process in Una’s head you really need to read the story.

Book Cover
The chair on the cover does not look like a folding metal chair and if the wolf is supposing to be Una, it doesn’t look scraggly at all.

Blurb Thoughts
I am mixed on the blurb; on the one hand I like the perspective that comes from the blurb from both characters perspective. On the other hand, it also makes the blurb a bit long winded but thankfully doesn’t give away the whole story. Six of one half dozen of the other, either way it fits with the storyline of The Tyrant Alpha’s Rejected Mate way better than the cover does.

Book’s Blurb
He rejected me, and then he realized I’m the center of his world. Bummer.

Una

I keep my head down. In this backwards pack, females rank low, and my bad leg makes me damaged goods. It doesn’t help that I’ve never shifted. I don’t mind the late twenties single life, though. No one’s paying any attention as I build an illicit farmer’s market empire.

My roomies and I are doing it for ourselves, and if life under Killian Kelly is stifling, at least it’s predictable. We can deal.

But when biology finally kicks in, I lose my mind. I claim our alpha as my mate. And he rejects me in front of the whole pack.
It’s all good. It only hurts when I breathe. I’ll survive. That’s what I do.

Who wants an arrogant jerk for a mate, anyway? I’ve got a business to run.

Killian

To lead this pack out of the dark ages, I’ve had to be hard. Merciless. I don’t flinch, and I don’t make mistakes.

Una Hayes isn’t my mate.

My wolf might have some kind of strange infatuation, but if she were mine, I’d know it. And I can walk away, can’t I? And if I keep coming back? If she starts living in my head?

I’m the strongest male in five generations. My pack scrambles to do my bidding. I can bring one quiet female back in line. No one can possibly be as stubborn as I am.

There’s no way I’ve ruined the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

I’m the Quarry pack alpha. I don’t lose.

The Tyrant Alpha’s Rejected Mate is a full-grown shifter romance. No cheating. HEA guaranteed. Intended for adult readers only.

Purchase Links
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Kill For His Mate by A. B. Lee

☆☆

Published
July 13, 2013
Publisher
A. B. Lee
Genre
Paranormal Romance
Word Count
30,567
Pages
112

I purchased Kill for His Mate in November of 2013 and have read it a few times. The story needs a number of edits and I really hate trying to read through edit but I really do like the story line.

Kill for His Mate kind of reminds me of that show 24 with Keifer Sutherland, which was a decent show but not a favorite. In the case of Kill for His Mate the 24 hours revolves around Alex escaping from the psycho vampire, Sinclair as well as finding and shagging her mate. The story is short enough that if you have a full free day, you could probably finish all 8 chapters.

Alex is a tough character that has met her match in her over protective mate, Carter. I have to say I feel really sorry for Carter’s brother, Jack, it’s a good thing he is a Lycan or he would be sporting constant black eyes. Maybe Jack’s new sister-in-law will save him a few bruises by keeping Carter in the bedroom.

I am rather sad that Kill for His Mate is no longer available but hopefully someday the author will republish it after editing it. In the mean time I do recommend the story but with the edits I am giving the story 2 stars.

Heat
There are 2 very steamy bedroom/shower scenes and a whole lot of sexual tension and fantasizing so have fun when you get to those parts.

Book Cover
Good thing the blurbs are cool because the covers aren’t anything to write home about but then again as I just wrote this, I got to thinking of that picture that pops up on Facebook from time to time. You know the one that has the books cover hidden behind a home-made dust jacket and the caption is something cool to challenge us to give a book a chance before seeing and judging the cover.

Blurb Rating
A.B. Lee is very good at writing reviews, I honestly think that is the biggest reason I purchase this authors books without even skimming the first few chapters. The darned author sucks me in with the blurbs alone because I just got to know what happens, dang just thinking like that makes me feel nosy.

Book’s Blurb
Alex Knight is on the run from the Vampire that wants more than her blood.

When she walks into a bar for something to eat, she finds herself in the midst of a Lycan pack.
Carter’s ready to send her on her way, he can scent the vampire mark on her and wants her gone, until he discovers that she is his mate.

Not only does he need to get Alex to agree to stay, he needs to keep her safe from the vampire that is attacking his pack for vengeance.

When the vampire attacks, Alex makes a decision that hands her over to him.

Can Carter and the pack get to her in time to save her life?

Size Matters (Chaos and Carnage MC #1) by Sam Crescent

☆☆☆☆

Published
January 18, 2022
Publisher
Evernight Publishing
Genre
Contemporary Romance
Word Count
87,800
Pages
320
Author’s Page
https://samcrescent.com/

Maddie has been put down for who she is all her life so when Bull, the biker takes an interest in her she isn’t too sure about it. Then just when she starts to trust him, he goes and does the stupid thing thinking to protect her.

Size Matters storyline has a lot of slow-moving parts, some are really great while others can get really freaking boring. All the parts combined to make for a great emotional roller coaster as long as you keep the skipping the boring parts to a minimum. Maddie is a very likable character when she is standing up for herself but she is so kind hearted that she rarely does it.

I did find what I thought were a couple of potential edits but after reading them again I was able to attribute the wording to be consistent to where the author is from and helping them make more sense and educational about other parts of the world. There was another part in the book where Bull was thinking about his motorcycle and the phrase “kept her in good nick” came up and again I was scratching my head but again I contribute that to where the author is from and hope that maybe by mentioning it she will explain it because I am really curious.

Heat
The heat in Size Matters come much later in the story line so if you are looking for graphic insta-porn this is not the book for you. When it does happen, you will be satisfied.

Quotes

Yep Gross
“I don’t want to know what she called any of you. It was bad enough that you had to come into the club and announce you had something wrong with your junk, and the fact it went around the whole club. Fucking gross.”—Bull

This one was just too funny to pass up.
“I’m not going to take dating advice from a brother who thinks getting crabs is a weekend of fun.”—Bull

Book Cover
The cover is pretty good but I am not entirely sure it fits the story line. Yeah, it was a drama queens dream book but Size Matters is not one of those dark drama type books that this cover seems to convey.

Blurb Rating
The blurb needs some miner grammatical editing according to Microsoft Words automatic editing, but is otherwise well written.

Book’s Blurb
Maddie French is used to being ignored, always told she’d never be good enough. When another date is a no-show, she decides to swear off all men.

After taking over from his father as the prez of the Chaos and Carnage MC, Bull’s priorities have been focused in keeping everyone alive. Now’s the time for him to go after the woman he wants—Maddie.

Only, she doesn’t even realize how badly he wants her. Bull is determined to show her she’s worth everything, and he won’t take no for an answer. Maddie agrees to one date with him, and little by little, he fills her heart, getting beneath her skin.

When an enemy tries to take over his turf, Maddie is attacked. The only thing Bull can do to keep her safe is to push her away, to hurt her in the most painful way.

Bull can try to win her back, but he may have lost the love of his life.

He broke her heart, but she will find it in her power to build herself up?

Purchase Links
AMAZON (Affiliate Link)
SMASHWORDS (Affiliate Link)
BOOKSTRAND

Alpha Wolf (Silvercoast Wolves #1) by Ruby Knoxx

☆☆☆

Published
December 15, 2021
Genre
Paranormal Romance
Word Count
38,823
Pages
120
Author’s Page
https://www.facebook.com/authorrubyknoxx

Ryel and Mila come home on the same day and immediately start the verbal attacks reminiscent of their childhood, seriously grow up and get a clue.

Alpha Wolf is basically about adults acting like they are still in school instead of adults. Ryel, the man whore, is hot for Mila and acts like a middle schooler being mean to the girl he likes instead of as a man hot for his mate. I am not sure Mila is any better when she goads him for a reaction. I think the best part of the whole story was the first chapter and the main characters on the motorcycles even though it does prove my point about Mila. From there I got bored out of my mind and skipped a few chapters where things picked up starting with the Alpha challenge.

There were a few edits but not enough to hinder the story line they way the boring parts did. The thing is about the boring parts of any book is that you can always pick a story again and find those boring parts riveting and that actually works the other way as well in a book where the riveting parts are boring on the next reading. So, this brings me to my rating and there is always a chance that I could read Alpha Wolf again in the future and have a very different reaction to it and there in lies my problem because I feel like I can see myself reading this story again and I feel like my rating should reflect this potential. I think 3-stars will be a safe choice for now because it leaves it open for me to read again later and adjust based on my open on the next potential reading.

Heat
The bedroom and forest scenes though tastefully done were pretty steamy and probably the most not boring parts of the story.

Quotes
I chose this quote because it proves my point that it’s time for someone to grow up and stop being a man whore.

“I know what’s wrong with you, my friend. You never face anything. You run and you use people. You use women to fill that void inside you that was there long before your father died. You can’t use people anymore. You can’t do whatever you want. You are a pillar of this community. Whether you become the alpha or not, you will be a head wolf. It’s time you settle down. Find a mate. Get serious, Ryel. It’s time.”—Axel

Book Cover
The cover looks like the author put some thought into creativity for her cover by not using the same old tired generic cover arts that are usually offered. Does it match the story line

Blurb
The blurb is a little to wordy. I think the age warning is a great touch but the blip about the whole series is a bit over kill with how long and one sided the blurb it is.

Book’s Blurb
He used to torture me mercilessly for being a geek.
He shattered my heart by calling me names and comparing me to others.
But I’m no longer the scrawny girl with the braces.
I’m a curvaceous grown woman, and I want my revenge.

Everyone in the pack has always joked that we would end up together.
But I know how he uses women and runs away from them.
He might be a mighty wolf, but I’ve seen his weakness.
I know that I could never give him my heart.

Yet all that knowledge doesn’t stop my womanhood from reacting to him.
Even in anger, he makes me feel something no man has ever made me feel.
Even in shame, he gets under my skin in a way that makes me blush.
I’ve never let a man have control of me before.

Do I dare give it to the new alpha?

The women of the Silvercoast Wolves pack have envy-provoking lives. They live in a beautiful small town, are surrounded by the hottest guys on the coast, and once they’ve found true love, their mates will stop at nothing to please them. Want to come and visit?

WARNING: Intended for 18+ readers.

Purchase Links
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The Girl With Lycan Blood by Sydney Marie

☆

Published
July 8, 2021
Genre
Paranormal Romance
Word Count
54,295

Annalee Evens is the last surviving member of her packs Alpha family and rather then stand strong she runs; at she did see to the safety of her remaining pack mates. Then of course she finds her vigilante Alpha mate who wants her to reject him because he doesn’t want to let her go.

I want to start by say The Girl With Lycan Blood is an imaginative story that has the potential to be a really good book. However, at this time the story needs a lot more thought and work. There needs to be a lot of editing to smooth out the story so it flows from one sentence to the next without speed bumps slowing down the works. I think my biggest issue was chapters 23 and 24, they were the same.

Sydney Marie, if you ever go back to edit and update The Girl With Lycan Blood please contact me, I would love to read the new and improved version and give it a better rating.

Book Cover
There was clearly not much effort put into the cover. Hmmm…Kind of the like the editing of The Girl With Lycan Blood

Blurb
The blurb on Amazon starts with a teaser then the actual blurb. Honestly, I wish the author had place the blurb first. Especially since Amazon already gives everyone a sneak peak to decided if they want the book.

Book’s Blurb
My back ran into the wood door as he held my arms at my side, my breath heavy and my knees weak.

“Say it.” He demanded.

I shook my head and tried to free myself from his strong hold, but I had no luck.

“I said say it!” He shouted again.

I looked him dead in the eye as his grip on my wrists tightened.

“No.” I shake my head slightly, praying he would let go.

“Anna I said-”

“I won’t reject you!”

Annalee Evens watched her pack burn to the ground after her parents, the Alpha and Luna, died in a rouge attack along with her brother and sister. The pack never truly healed, and the pain of loosing them ruined her.

She will no longer stay there in her sorrows, she is going to leave, even if that means becoming rouge. But her journey is cut short when she meets her mate, the Alpha with a temper, and with secrets. Anna will not only discover things about her mate, but dangerous aspects of herself.

Purchase Links
AMAZON (Affiliate Link)

Rejected Wolf (Wolves of Evergreen #5) by Suzanne Roslyn

☆☆

Published
May 9, 2021
Publisher
Ember Secrets
Genre
Paranormal Romance
Pages
126

I don’t usually start with what I don’t like about a story but this times it is not so much about what I don’t like but what makes sense. Apparently in Rejected Wolf shape shifters have gone public and the government put them all on reservations. This makes no sense to me because the author indicated in the story that the shape shifters are Native Americans, a majority of whom are already on reservations. Why would you put them on a reservation when they are already stuck living on reservations?

There is also the situation about Tala and her brother Tyee, how could they not talk over the years? I have siblings that I did not grow up with but we have been in contact with each other off and on through out the years. So again, how did they not talk and communicate in some way? I guess you could blame the bitter mother but Tala is older and capable.

I did find a few edits but nothing that really takes away from the already shaky story line and anticlimactic ending.

Book Cover
The book cover is rather generic and could fit any storyline about werewolves.

Blurb
The blurb is just right, short, sweet and to the point, giving me a taste of the story without telling me a condensed version of the story.

Book’s Blurb
He needs her to find the lost wolf spirit of her ancestors.
Hurt and rejected, Tala fled her home and her pack years ago.
Forced to return to the shifter reservation, Tala must face those who bullied her for her size.

The one man who shattered her heart is now the alpha, and he needs her help.
Her brother is missing and a new danger lurks outside Evergreen’s borders, but is Tala willing to risk herself for the one man who rejected her long ago?

Purchase Links
AMAZON (Affiliate Link)

Second Love by Mary Goldberger

☆☆

Published
January 27, 2021
Publisher
Mary Goldberger
Genre
Paranormal Romance
Pages
251

Wren has found her mate but choses not to act on it primarily out fear. Plus, he seems to be interested in another pack member making it easier for her to not stake her claim.

Colwyn has found his second chance mate but is considering a chosen mate. He does not want the pain of losing another mate.

Second Love contains a great story with multiple subplots and twists. Second Love also contains a lesson about what love should be and shouldn’t be. I think that author put a lot of thought into her characters, especially the main characters and that the story has so much to offer once the author deals with some of the holes in her story.

I really like the story line and most of the characters were for the most part likable. I just feel like there are a few holes in the story, for example where did Imogen disappear to? She just up and disappeared with no explanation like the author just dropped her until the end what was the point of Imogen? Next hole is more like a huge question, how the heck does Kate convince the pack females the she is Colwyn’s mate and that she is a wronged woman? And while we are at it, how did Kate figure out that Wren was a threat to her made up relationship to Colwyn?

Second Love is also needing a lot of editing, there a lot ‘her’ where ‘he’ should be and vise versa. There were a few sentences that I needed to read twice to make sense of them. Editing and filling in holes would definitely smooth out the whole story while improving the it. In the mean time I am giving the Second Love a 2-star a review with the stipulation that if the author ever edits/makes changes to the story I will be happy to read it again and review it again.

Quotes
I really liked this quote because of how true it is love should not be selfish or manipulative.

“When you love, it shouldn’t be selfish.”—Donovan

Book Cover
I like the cover, it stands out.

Blurb
The first 5 sentences were just enough to give me a taste of what Second Love was about. The last to sentences seemed like overkill and unnecessary.

Book’s Blurb
When a one loses their mate, it can destroy them.
Wren knew this firsthand watching her father go through it. Not wanting any mate of hers to suffer the same fate, Wren decided to keep to herself not wanting to find her mate.
Losing his mate so suddenly, Colwyn lost himself in other women. He didn’t want to love, and lose, another again so he started making plans.
Two wounded individuals meet unexpectedly and Fate decides to intervene.
When you find your mate, it seems nothing can stop what Fate has already decided.

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2021 Reading Wrap Up

I love participating in Goodreads annual book challenge, it is fun and a great way to keep track of cool facts in my reading history. My goal for 2021 was to read 30 books thinking it was an attainable goal because I had beat my 2020 goal of 20 books by reading 32 books. Sadly, I succeeded in reading 19 books in 2021. Now for the interesting facts about some of the books that I read that Goodreads shared and 1or 2 facts of my own added in for fun.

Total pages read in 2021
2,813

Average book length in 2021
148

My average rating for 2021
3.1 stars

My first review of 2021
Sweet Royal Beginnings by Lizabeth Scott

The longest book I read
Hybrid Rejected by Romy Lockhart
496 pages

The shortest book I read
Sweet Royal Beginnings by Lizabeth Scott
51 pages

The most popular Goodreads book I read. Is on 5,382 other people’s shelves
My Second Chance Mate by Anna Gonzales

The least popular Goodreads book I read. Is on 5 other people’s shelves
The Alphas Unwanted Mate by Jane D. Coffey or Charlotte Stockdale

The highest rated book on Goodreads that I read
Scarlett by Shelly Ferguson

I gave 3 books 5-star reviews

My last review of 2021
In Name Only by Vivian Rose Lee

Books I read in 2021 written by one of my favorite authors
Mission: Guardian Angel (Veslor Mates #2) by Laurann Dohner

Books I read in 2021 that I have read several times since purchasing it
In Name Only by Vivian Rose Lee

My reading goal for 2022 is 25 books, wish me luck.

In Name Only by Vivian Rose Lee

☆☆☆

Published
August 7, 2011
Publisher
ViviRose publishing
Genre
Contemporary Romance
Pages
157

With as often as I have read this book, I really should have written this review along time ago. I have honestly read In Name Only nearly once a year since I purchased the book in 2012. This story is great if you are looking for an emotional roller coaster ride. One second, I was laughing, the next I was mad and ready to strangle that twit, Dina and the next second, I was wanting to cry.

I really liked Skylar; she has survived some pretty hard knocks. Ben needs surgery to pull his head out of his arrogant pathetic ass. It a pity Skylar didn’t get relocated before Ben caught up to her, he should have been forced to chase her down giving him time to cool down and think before opening his stupid mouth.

I do like In Name Only and should give it a 5-star rating after the number of times I have read it but with the number of edits that need fixing I just can’t do that. The story flows well for the most part as far as continuity in the story line goes it’s the extra words or missing words that create the speed bumps in that detract from the story. If the author ever decides to edit this book, I will be happy to change my review.

Heat
In Name Only had a couple of tastefully written bedroom scenes that definitely had steam rising of my tablet.

Book Cover
The cover is nice but does not match the story given that Skylar was married in a court house with out a wedding dress so all this cover does is give away the ending.

Blurb
Think the blurb is a bit winded giving away to much of the story. I think half the story is cliff noted in the blurb.

Book’s Blurb
Skylar Carter a shy, widowed dressmaker, and disowned from her affluent family, finds herself again married to the same type of man she vowed never to get involved with, all because she let go of her reserve for one night. Now she was in a name only marriage with a man that hates her. USN Commander Benjamin Smith was floored when he see the beautiful dressmaker sitting at the family table at his sister wedding. He was instantly drawn to her in a way he had never experienced. He wants her to be his at least for a little while. After a night of unbridled passion Ben wasn’t sure he could let her go. Until he thinks Sky has betrayed him, forcing him to do something he never wanted, and Benjamin is never forced to do anything he did not want. Now he is married Sky making it clear it the marriage will be in name only. As he and Sky begin to share a home, he begins to wonder was he wrong about her?

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Scarlett (Love in Somerset #1) by Shelly Ferguson

☆☆☆☆☆

Published
June 30, 2019
Publisher
Magic Lily Press
Genre
Paranormal Romance
Pages
234
Author’s Page
https://shellyfergusonauthor.com/

Scarlett is certainly having an interesting week, she finds her mate, Ian, with a wedding ring on his finger. The King of Centaurs and her co-worker, the science teacher, wants her. She has a new friend that stabs anyone who makes Scarlett uncomfortable and a body guard that hardly says anything to her.

It was easier to pick what I didn’t like in Scarlett then it was to pick what I liked. The characters, and there a number of characters, are all pretty cool and likable. I did not like the science teacher, he seemed pretty odd from the beginning. The story line for Scarlett was well though out and well written with few to no edits to speak of. There are a couple of boring spots but they are fairly short lived. I look forward to reading more books in the series.

Book Cover
Based on the description of Scarlett, I am not sure that the cover actually matches the story. Scarlett has mouse brown hair, to me that mean a little to medium brown, limp hair in a constant bun, which is clearly not what the model is sporting.

Blurb
I like blurbs that give you a taste of the story without giving to much away, the blurb for Scarlett gives your that. I don’t like blurbs that have questions about the story at the end and this blurb also delivers on this. Scarlett blurb needs minor editing just because of those stupid questions because adding questions to the end of a blurb is just stupidly pointless.

Book’s Blurb
One crazy week will change Scarlett’s life forever.

For the last ten years, Scarlett thought her Fated Mate was dead … until he hit her with a buggy in the shampoo aisle of the grocery store three days after she moved to a small town in the Georgia mountains.

That little bump leads to a girlfriend road trip, a hot centaur, a creepy co-worker, and a gremlin sidekick who stabs first and asks questions … never.

When the local romance book club – The Crazy Cats – adopted her all bets were off. They planned her wedding and helped her settle into their small town before she knew what was happening.

Will, she chose the charming Derek Heiss (the King of Centaurs) or Ian Beckett (a small town deputy she was born to love)?

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Mission: Guardian Angel (Veslor Mates #2) by Laurann Dohner

☆☆☆☆☆

Published
February 11, 2020
Publisher
Laurann Dohner
Genre
Sci Fi Romance
Pages
153
Author’s Page
http://www.lauranndohner.com/

Because of what happened on the Gorison Traveler there is now an alliance with the Veslors. The Velsor king has sent a grouping to Defcon Red to assist in securing the safety of a colony. Abby who is being hounded by the press is on Defcon Red to make sure that the Veslors are being treated well because she feels responsible for them. Where Abby wants this alliance with the Veslors to work Bradley Rogers wants it to fail without even giving it a chance and if Abby suffers in the process all the better.

Mission: Guardian Angel has a great story line and like the other series from Laurann Dohner maintains an amazing continuity between the books in a series. I liked Abby in The Gorison Traveler Incident and after reading Mission: Guardian Angel I think she is awesome; she isn’t afraid to stand up for what she believes in. I also like Drak and his grouping, the whole dynamic of a grouping is an interesting concept. All the characters, even the bad guys, had dimension and personality like all of the characters that this author creates.

Over all I loved Mission: Guardian Angel, it was very imaginative and well written and deserves the 5-star rating I am giving it.

Quotes
The were 2 quotes that I wanted to share but the second one was rather long and as much I liked that quote, I did not think the author would appreciate me using them both because of how long they are. With that in mind I read both quotes several times trying to decide on which one I liked more and this one won by a hair.

“That’s not what I’m known for, Milts. I destroy careers by exposing assholes who don’t conform to fleet standards. That would include sexually harassing women. Saying crude things falls into that category.”—Abby

Book Cover
I really like the cover; I think it really covers the whole story line.

Blurb
Like always with this author the blurb is well written and gives the buys a taste of the story without telling the whole story

Book’s Blurb
Ever since her friend Vivian mated a Veslor, Abby Thomas has been curious about the mysterious aliens. She also has a vested interest in making sure their newfound relationship with United Earth is a success, prompting her to take a job on a military vessel to ensure the Veslor grouping stationed there are treated fairly. It doesn’t hurt that they’re easy to look at. When one Veslor in particular catches her attention, she hopes he’s nothing like the humans she’s dated, who were only interested in her bank balance and connections.

Drak and his Veslor grouping quietly endured unfair treatment aboard Defcon Red…until a beautiful spitfire spoke up on their behalf, earning herself nemeses among the ship’s fleet. When those foes try to silence Abby, Drak makes it his mission to protect her. The harrowing experience quickly bringing them so close, Drak is determined to make Abby his mate…if her enemies don’t ruin his chance, permanently.

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