Review: Dagger in the Dahlias by Dale Mayer 5 of 5 stars

Dagger in the Dahlias by Dale Mayer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Divorcee Doreen Montgomery can't seem to ignore cold cases when they come knocking even though she actually wants to lie low until she can send some of the priceless antiques in Nan's house to the Auctioneers. Can she avoid the press, avoid the seedier elements of the town who want to rob her and investigate the case (while not aggravating Corporal Mack Moreau too much)?

I loved this book which followed the investigation Doreen had undertaken trying her hardest to work out what happened 29 years ago. As usual, her determination in finding the truth left her a bit oblivious to any potential danger she was in. I loved the fact that once again the animals did their best to help her find the truth as well as follow her around like a faithful dog. Well written and addictive, I was definitely reading faster and faster as she got deeper into the mystery and nearer to the truth. If I have one regret it is that she has still not gone any further than simple friendship with Mack.

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Review: Coven by Rebecca Main 2 of 5 stars

Coven by Rebecca Main
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

Zoelle Baudelaire really should have taken her Gran's advice and stayed out of the woods, but she didn't and it starts a chain of events that will rock her world. It appears that her birthmark is actually a soulmark and pack Alpha Aleksandr ‘Xander’ Adolphus has the same soulmark - they are destined to be together. Suddenly she is thrust into a world of werewolves, witches (apparently she is one of those) and danger. Can she resist the inevitability of this or will it change everything?

This book had promise but I just became so irritated with Zoelle and her name indecision (you'll know what I mean). I know it wasn't her choice but her carelessness caused the start of all of this and I found her so rude and spoilt that I had to fight to stop myself from hating her. There were some interesting parts around inter-pack politics but I just didn't enjoy it. It was clearly written and I could understand it, I just didn't enjoy the story enough.

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Review: Scandalously Hellbound by Cassandra Lawson 5 of 5 stars

Scandalously Hellbound by Cassandra Lawson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Joey is a werewolf and has recognised that Lucifer's daughter Lucy is his mate - the problem is it's an impossible situation as he just knows that a) she won't get the same sense of recognition and b) her father is bound to kill him if he tries to do anything about it. So he does everything he can to leave her alone in order to stay alive but he just can't do it. So he decides that nothing (not even an overprotective father) will stop him.

.This was a charming story with lots of danger, drama and excitement. The potential relationship between Lucy and Joey was incredible once they both gave in and saw that they were made for each other and it could not be ignored nor denied. There was a great mystery in the story and it added a lot as they investigated it and found out who was guilty and how to fix everything. Well written, it was very easy to understand and was very clear. Very enjoyable especially if you have read any of the Hellbound novels in the past.

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Review: Tempted by Magic by Jasmine Walt 5 of 5 stars

Tempted by Magic by Jasmine Walt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Annia Melcott is an Enforcer and is back in Solantha because she made a deal with a spirit which gave her some illegal magic which is now churning and demanding to be used. However, if she wants to remain as an Enforcer and not end up in Prison she is going to have to learn to hide the magic even if it means she has to choose between sacrificing the innocent to protect her secret - the alternative is ending up locked away for life.

This was a great first full book in the series and very enjoyable. I loved her personality and the way there were times when I was most amused at her humour. It was lovely to be back in the world that has already been previously built that I was missing after the end of the Baine Chronicles. Well written and very enjoyable I'm really looking forward to seeing where this series goes and the adventures I can imagine Annia being involved in.

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Review: A Study in Seduction by Eva Chase 4 of 5 stars

A Study in Seduction by Eva Chase
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jemma Moriarty's family assumed she would give in to a supernatural cult they were in but she escaped with the help of a demon - now she is a criminal genius who gets what she wants doing whatever is necessary. As the time nears for the demon to collect the fee for his help she needs to steal the key to her freedom - however, she'll need the help of Sherlock Holmes. John Watson. Garrett Lestrade (all at the top of their game) to pull off a heist to get it. So she decides to exploit their weaknesses and utilise their field passion in the sheets to get their help. As she spends more time with them she can feel her heart weakening but knows she can't fail at this. She knows they could rule the world together but she knows she needs to disappear at the end of the heist. Will she get away with this?

I liked this twist on the Sherlock Holmes stories. It has the potential to be a reverse harem as well as there are M:M themes. I enjoyed the story but I do admit to being increasingly annoyed with Jemma and the way she used sex to play the guys in the story - I just hope in later books in the series she gets to treat them a little better. Well written it was enjoyable and easy to understand.

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Review: Reyes's Raina by Dale Mayer 4 of 5 stars

Reyes's Raina by Dale Mayer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Reyes Drere's family ran a business around gardening and plants however he had avoided going back after he picked the wrong woman - he had no intention of seeing his ex-fiance. He had been a Navy SEAL for 8 years and since leaving had joined Legendary Securities however when Ice wants to buy plants from them on a large scale he returns home with her to help. However, things start to escalate when the sister he should have picked is nothing more than a friend and the one he had picked turns up dead. Rainareels from seeing the only man she has ever loved turn up at her work one day with his new boss Ice in tow. However when her twin sister turns up dead and the only person with a motive is Reyes things get very interesting. Can he escape the murder charge the cops are determined to hand him, investigate what happened to find the real killer as well as find time to explore what could have happened if he had picked the right sister?

This was a lovely story of how it takes time to sort out your true feelings and who easy it can be to be pulled into something that is not right for you. I loved the ending and that finally everything was fixed to be right. There was a nice twist to the killer's identity and the reason for it. It was great to see another former SEAL working for Legendary find his HEA. Well written and very enjoyable.

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Review: The Defector: A Bridge & Sword Prequel #0.3 by JC Andrijeski 5 of 5 stars

The Defector: A Bridge & Sword Prequel #0.3 by JC Andrijeski
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Revik used to be a Rook and even though he has defected the shadow hangs over him. He has been hidden away in monastic caves he has no idea who he is anymore let alone what his life means. So he was surprised when an Adhipan delegation arrives asking for his help. His initial instinct is to say no to the holy warriors but when he hears that Kali needs his help he feels he has to help - especially as she helped him by rescuing him from his former dark existence when no one else would. So he agrees to fly in order to face off against his old Rook friends and as part of that, he sees his ex-partner Terian who definitely holds a grudge about his defection. As they come after him (to kill or bring him back to them) he has to face new temptations and old demons. It all comes down to how much is he willing to give up to become the man he wants to be? He might think he has nothing left to lose by he is wrong about that.

This was definitely a great story that filled in lots of blanks in the main series as well as giving another viewpoint of some of the events in the Terian prequel. It was great to understand more about some of the relationships that Revik was involved in which gave me new insight into some of the events in the main series, and so I know I'll need to go and reread some of it in order to experience this new perspective. Well written and very enjoyable, I could feel and appreciate the thoughts and emotions of the characters in this story.

*** Please note this story includes the suggestion of M/M sexual action.

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