Review: Fluidus Rising: A YA Paranormal Novel: by Margo Ryerkerk 5 of 5 stars

Fluidus Rising: A YA Paranormal Novel: by Margo Ryerkerk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sierra Reeves lives with her gran and is graduating high school when something happens and she is torn away by her gran where she is told that everything she knew up to now is a lie and she is actually a rare supernatural with special powers called a Fluidus. Suddenly they are on the run and trying to stay away from the Ardere Regency and a rebel group called Culpatus. They arrive in Savannah, Georgia and hide out with the help and protection of handsome Ardere marshal Gavin McLoughlin. She starts to explore her powers under Gavin's guidance when her location is discovered and a murderer strikes. Sierra will have to use all her skills just to stay alive.

I loved the idea behind this story and the world of the supernaturals created by the author. Everything seemed to sit together well and made sense. I liked the relationship between Sierra and Gavin and the various complications and events involved in the way it developed. I could feel the emotions involved in some of the events described in the story and was able to have empathy for the characters involved. It was a great start to the series and I can only hope it carries on being this good as the story develops.

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Review: The Playboy God by Erin Hayes 5 of 5 stars

The Playboy God by Erin Hayes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Damien Eros is a matchmaker for the elite and is damn good at it - he should be - he really is Eros the Greek God of Love. His trusty PA Maxine Galloway is a single mother and she keeps him in line. However when someone tries to destroy his reputation and business he pays her to be his fake fiancee to fix his public image. Surprisingly she accepts, and then she is surprised when he isn't the bad boy he appeared to be. It can't go any further - neither believes in love so it's just never going to happen - or is it?

This is a lovely light read that was a charming take on the boss/employee fake engagement theme. The characters were very vibrant and alive, I could empathise with them and their situation, plus I ended up rooting for Damien hoping that he would get a HEA. It was well written and really enjoyable.

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Review: Forevermore by C.C. Wood 5 of 5 stars

Forevermore by C.C. Wood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ava Amaris is a witch and Ewan Macgrath is a vampire with a bizarre similarity - they both woke up one day cursed with no idea who they were and where they came from. Both have done their best to make a life for themselves. They have to join forces to defeat a powerful witch who appears to know everything about them (including who they were) and is determined to destroy them and take their powers. They also seem to be connected, Ewan feels that Ava is his mate, and they need to work together to remove their curse - even though there is a risk if they go too fast it could destroy them.

Wow - there was just so much drama and excitement in this story. I couldn't put it down, read far too late into the night and found myself reading faster and faster as I was dying to know what happened next. Well written and I could put myself into their places and feel all their thoughts and emotions. Great story and delightful characters that I could get behind and root for.

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Review: The Island: Vampires of the Merovingi Book 1 by Sarah M. Cradit 4 of 5 stars

The Island: Vampires of the Merovingi Book 1 by Sarah M. Cradit
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Etienne de Blanchefortis a French colonial plantation owner on the island of Saint-Domingue in the West Indies. He feels very justified in his move there after the French Revolution hits and they are largely unaffected. However when his "fiend" arrives he cannot reconcile his mind to what they really are let alone cope with hid wife's dreams that are stealing life from her, his three daughters who are becoming more free, curious or doing strange drawings and then his son gets a new friend that he won't talk about. So when the fiend makes a strange request from him their lives are going to change their (and their descendants) lives forevermore.

This is an interesting time and as usual the author has really worked hard at investigating the world that this story takes place and her writing shows that as it paints a clear picture in your mind as to where they are, what is happening and why. That also meant that I could really feel what they were thinking. An enjoyable story that sets a great foundation for the series going forward.

**Please note this is earlier than the House of Crimson and Clover and so you don't need to read that series first.

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Review: Brandon's Bliss by Dale Mayer 5 of 5 stars

Brandon's Bliss by Dale Mayer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Brandon is new at Legendary Security and is sent to Africa to help in the search for Bullard who has gone missing from a new property he had purchased recently. Kasha has worked for Bullard for 5 years and so knows most of the people at Legendary too. Working close together Brandon puts himself close to Kasha on instinct - hoping he gets the chance to make that more permanent if they can get out of this situation.

This was a dramatic story set in Africa with gangs, gun running, corruption, lots of drama and danger, and an attraction that appears to be impossible to ignore. There was plenty of action as the story unfolded as one bad situation was followed by another. Their abilities and professionalism shone though. I loved the way they respected each other as colleagues for their skill in the face of danger while there was an underlying promise of something good if they survived. Well written and very enjoyable read that transported me away to Africa.

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Review: The Dragon's Glare by T.J. Wolf 4 of 5 stars

The Dragon's Glare by T.J. Wolf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This story starts in 2019 - three years after Una Waters found the Hopi artefact in the previous book. She is sent on a special assignment from DC to New York - specifically Chinatown in the city - when there is a cuber breach at the NYPD and she comes back into the realm of General Ashcroft who now works in US Cyber Security. Then Jack Howser arrives to investigate a UFO sighting and Una connects it to an incident where some time was missed during the Chinese New Year parade. After an encounter Una feels closer to the Sky People from her Hopi childhood and she she realises that the humans on Earth need to start to accept that they are not alone.

This was a fast moving and complex story that needs your full attention so you can appreciate the skill that the story was woven together by the author. It tied together Hopi and Chinese folklore and that added a great deal to the story. Well written and very enjoyable it was the kind of read that you need to take your time with to absorb everything. This is the second book in the trilogy and although I think it could make sense to just start at this book I believe to truly appreciate the story and the relationships between some of the characters you should read the first book before this one. Very enjoyable and starting to build up nicely for the next book which is the last one in the trilogy.

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Review: Defeating the Odds by Kacey Hamford by Amy Davies 4 of 5 stars

Defeating the Odds by Kacey Hamford by  Amy Davies
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Damon is a world class MMA fighter with anger issues that come out after fighting a man and almost killing him - so he gets shipped off the rehab to sort himself out. Ford Matthews is a pro football player with a gambling problem who is sent to rehab to sort himself out after he loses big time. Both think they don't have an issue and both are convinced this is a waste of their time.Help and love can come from the most unexpected sources.

I loved this story. It was sensitively written and I don't think any of the sexual content was gratuitous or unnecessary. Everything was clear and easy to understand and left you with a warm feeling that everything worked out for them both.

**Please note this is a M:M love story so if you feel that that is not for you please don't buy the book.

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