The Unleashing (Call of Crows #1) by Shelly Laurenston

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

If you asked me who my favorite PNR author was, I would hands down tell you that it is Shelly Laurenston. I love how her writing is not only packed with steamy romance, but that it is also genuinely funny with exceedingly engaging plots as well. Now The Unleashing is the first in a new series for her even though she did do a book with crows previously. We have a lot of setup going on in this book, and so many characters being introduced that my head was kind of spinning at one point. I normally don't mind jumping from pov to pov the way Laurenston does, but I found myself wanting more of the focus in the book to be on the two main characters than there was. That stuff aside though, I think that the Unleashing is classic Laurenston. I was sad to have her shifter series come to an end, but I do have to admit to being a tad bit excited meeting a whole new cast of characters too. Overall, I think this is a great start to what I hope will be an awesome series just like Laurenston's other ones, and I'm looking forward to the next installment.

*I received a review copy from the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

For more information about this series or Shelly's books, please check out her website.

http://www.shellylaurenston.com/

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Holding Strong (Ultimate #2) by Lori Foster

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

So is it just me, or does it feel like this new series is lacking on the suspense front? I feel like the "bad guys" in these books are contrived and it all seems rather forced to me. Sadly, Holding Strong was a glaring example of this issue. Cherry and Denver have been circling one another since they first met, but Denver finally grudgingly gives into the demands of his body despite his head saying otherwise. I wanted to like Denver. He's an all around good guy who just wants to protect his girl and keep her all to himself. His negative attributes within the book did tend to overshadow this though, because he can be kind of a jealous prick as well. Cherry, on the other hand, is the typical type of heroine that I always love when I read Foster's books. She is headstrong and wants to be independent, but eventually she gives in just a little to compromise with Denver. Now this book wasn't a very steamy, but the romantic elements were exactly what I'd expected for these characters. 

My biggest issue with this book, and the reason behind the 3 stars, is that the rest of this book I could have done entirely without. The conflict was entirely too stupid in my honest opinion. It felt like a forced after thought of Foster's where she just didn't know what to do with the rest of the story. I've always loved her complicated plots, it's why I read every single one of her books, but this series is seriously lacking for me right now. I do have high hopes for Armie's story though, so I sincerely wish that she would get back to what she is good at again that always leaves me craving more. :)

*I recieved a review copy from the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.* 

For more information about this series or Lori's books, please check out her website.

http://www.lorifoster.com/

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Game Play (Power Play #1) by Lynda Aicher

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

Game Play was a nice introduction into this new series by Lynda Aicher. I've never been much of a hockey fan, but I am a huge fan of Lynda's writing so I knew she could get me to enjoy this one. She didn't disappoint, because this was packed with humor and sweetness making it an overall enjoyable read. I will say that the one aspect that drove this to a 3 star rating was the heroine. Samantha was great at first and I loved her spunk, but I think her bitterness ruined her for me. I just didn't like the way she treated Dylan at times, and she kept going back and fourth far too much for me. Dylan, on the other hand, was a total sweetheart and I really loved him. I think if Samantha had given up that bitterness a bit faster, I would have definitely liked her far more because she and Dylan were great when she would let him in. The secondary cast of characters were a hoot, so I'm looking forward to where this series goes. I can't wait for Dylan's teammates to find their someone special as well.  

*I received a review copy from the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*

For more information about this series or Lynda's books, please check out her website.

http://lyndaaicher.com 

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The One That Got Away by Jess Dee

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

Jess Dee proves in this short story that she is just a master of expressing emotions. She opens the story with a scorching scene between Kai and Lily. What I loved most about this book, is that Dee is able to show in just in a short scene that these characters have more than lust between them. Then she throws us a curve and breaks them apart before things can even really have the chance to get started. Promises were made before they met, and Kai feels that he has to hold himself to his commitment. I love the way the story picks back up with Lily explaining to her friend about what happened a few months back with Kai as he is now suddenly thrown back in her path and she can't let herself forget all those feelings she still has for him. Even though we don't get to hear the story from Kai's point of view, Dee was still able to express his feelings to make the reader believe that he truly feels that he made a huge mistake. Although this is a short story, and I never want Jess Dee's books to end, it does leave a feeling of being complete. The ending also left a promise for the future, which I just absolutely loved. :) I definitely recommend this if you are looking for a sexy, short read.

*I received a review copy in exchange for my honest review*

For more information about this series or Jess's books, please check out her website.

http://www.jessdee.com/

Amazon

 

Mastering a Sinner (The Sinners Club #3) by Kate Pearce

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

On principle, I generally steer clear of FemDom books simply because they've never been my cup of tea. I've had one or two authors who have written them in a way that has worked for me in the past, but this one missed the mark. Sadly, I was kind of ambivalent reading Mastering a Sinner, and it wasn't the fact that Diana was a Domme. I honestly just couldn't connect with these two characters, and I frankly didn't think enough was spent on them to make me emotionally engaged in their relationship. For all the time they spent kinking it up, they simply didn't have enough intimate moments together to make me believe they fell in love. Lust...absolutely, but definitely not love because they really lacked a true emotional connection.

It's all rather unfortunate, because I think that this series has been really great so far. Mastering a Sinner had all the same level of intrigue and mystery going on, which quite surprised a few times, but I just didn't care one wit if these two could actually work things out between them. Alistair character was weak. It wasn't because he craved being dominated in the bedroom, but because he seemed exceedingly weak willed where his brother was concerned. Harry demonstrated time and time again that he had no love for Alistair, and I couldn't grasp as to why he put up with Harry at all. That above all was the biggest issue I think I had. I really understood his reasoning for craving dominance in the bedroom, and boy did he, but aside from his unwavering loyalty (for all save Harry) his character was just not all that appealing to me.

Overall, I think you can see that I didn't enjoy these characters, but I'm definitely going to continue on with this series though. There were some new revelations that come about that left me interested to see where things lead from here.

*I received a review copy from the publisher/author via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review*

 For more information about this series or Kate's books, please check out her website.

http://www.katepearce.com/

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Dinner at Eight (Sunday Night Dinner Club #3) by Jess Dee

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

I've said it over and over again how talented of a writer I believe Jess Dee to be, but this book is simply incredible. Dinner at Eight is a powerful and moving story, and I loved each and every moment of it. Jess has never been one to shy away from an emotional story, which is why I love her so much, but this one had so much more depth to it than any of her previous books with maybe the exception of her Circle of Friends series. What made this book so special for me was the subject matter. Ava feels broken inside. She put her trust in the wrong man and now, although she is just going through the motions of living life and taking back what pieces she can, she still feels that some aspects of her previous life are never going to come back again because she just can't trust others and most of all herself.

When Jared, her long-time best friend, returns from being in the states for the last year and a half, you can automatically tell by her reaction to him that they have an undeniable and very powerful connection. Ava is such a deeply strong character, but she also had this hidden vulnerability too that just nearly breaks your heart as you find out more about what happened during her marriage. I also don't think anyone else could have been more compassionate or caring towards Ava as Jared was. He holds the title as my second favorite hero ever, because of his unwavering support and love for Ava as she pushes to take back all aspects of her life. You know, I'm amazed that it took so long for them to get together, but then again I honestly think that the timing was quite perfect as well.

Overall, I feel that Dee has something pretty amazing here that you should all read. It is an emotional roller coaster, but when you get to the end it will leave you with a smile and a warm fuzzy feeling inside. So needless to say, Jess Dee delivered in a BIG way with Dinner at Eight, and I promise you guys are going to love every single moment of it just as I did.

*I received a review copy in exchange for my honest review*

For more information about this series or Jess's books, please check out her website.

http://www.jessdee.com/

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble

Unconditional (Always #1) by Cherie M. Hudson

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Reviewed by Tabatha

 

This one had all the perfect elements to make it a really great read and I absolutely loved this heartwarming story. It had a very original plot with well developed characters, and I laughed just as much as I cried. Emotions were definitely deep in this one, and wow did these two pack a punch in the chemistry department! The heat between them is intense and no matter how much Maci holds herself back, Raph isn't going to let her get away. Honestly, what I think I loved most about this book was just how real it felt. It handles a real life type situation, and we know going into it that the HEA is going to be difficult for these guys. Facing reality isn't going to be easy, but love is unconditional and that is exactly what this story reminds you. Definitely give this one a read guys, because I know you will love it too!

*I received a review copy from the author/publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*

For more information about this series or Cherie's upcoming books, please check out her website.

http://cheriemhudson.wordpress.com/

Amazon  ~ Barnes & Noble