The Rise of House Valdis is the first book in The House Valdis Series. It is an urban fantasy, paranormal romance with action, danger, sci-fi elements, superpowers, shifters, vampires, and aliens. The story centers around the MC of Xenobia, an alien, trying to fit in and seem normal. Xen has a heart of gold but will do anything to protect those she loves even if it means exposing her powers and who she really is. She is a character that you find yourself rooting for and feeling a connection with because of her empathy, compassion, and kindness. Make no mistake though, Xen is strong, feisty, and will fiercely protect those she loves. This book had me hooked from the first the few pages due to the author’s unique writing style and great world building. Looking forward to the next book!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tara Johnson Barneshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTara Johnson Barnes2024-02-27 13:34:542024-03-25 10:48:41The Rise of House Valdis (House Valdis Series) by Naomi Valkyrie – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes
Master Calabrea is Book 6 in the Masters of the Consulate series. Master Calabrea is a vampire with the Consulate who has been given the task of hunting down Isala, an enemy of the vampire community. Embry’s cousin, Tansia, has come for a visit and to help her out. Tansia’s arrival has an unexpected effect on Calabrea, who acts indifferent to her but feels the opposite. He has no time nor need for a mate, let alone a human one so he chooses to ignore his feelings. Tansia has no luck at all with relationships and has a terrible track record, so she has no desire to try again, especially with a vampire who clearly hates her.
Time is running out to capture Isala, so Tansia and Calabrea are teamed up and told to remain together at all times. Tansia feels this is an impossible task because Calabrea cannot stand her. She could not be more wrong. Tansia has an unexplained effect on Calabrea, and this sets a chain of events into motion between Tansia and Calabrea that neither expected.
This book could possibly be read as a standalone, but it is probably better to read the series from the beginning. Sadly, I have not read the first books in the series so I feel as though I may have missed something. This book was fast paced from the beginning with wonderful characters and a great storyline. The attraction between Calabrea and Tansia is sizzling and undeniable. The hunt for Isala is fraught with tension and danger as they try to capture her before time runs out. I enjoyed this book and know that I will be reading this series from the beginning.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tara Johnson Barneshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTara Johnson Barnes2023-02-27 17:29:062023-03-03 11:10:46Master Calabrea (Masters of the Consulate Book 6) by Sylvia Black – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes
Grace is an Artisan Cheese Maker who is determined to become the fifth generation to live on her family farm. She wants to do it alone because she trusts nobody to help her and is used to relying on herself and doing things on her own. After having recently lost her closest friend to suicide and watching her father get swindled out of land it is important for Grace to keep the family farm going to pass down to farther generations. When she learns that her mom has declining health, she is racing against the clock to come up with money to buy her parents out.
When the bank makes it difficult for her to come up with the money Grace considers selling part of the land to her neighbor Ryan. Ryan’s brother has recently committed suicide and he blames himself for his brother’s death. After years away from his family’s farm, he has only returned with the intention to sell the farm. Ryan finds himself not wanting to become attached to anyone or anything. His only passion in life is to buy a property, flip it, and move on. He surprises himself when he offers to help Grace after someone sabotage’s her purchase. Grace and Ryan both get more out of the deal than they originally bargained for.
Grace and Ryan have undeniable chemistry going on between them but first they both must learn to open their hearts and trust again. Both are headstrong, determined, and used to being independent so learning to lean on each other for help does not come easily. Grace has to first realize that asking for help does not make her a failure and Ryan needs to take down the walls around his heart. Together, they make an amazing couple, and I enjoyed watching their relationship unfold. A great read!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tara Johnson Barneshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTara Johnson Barnes2023-02-27 15:10:302023-03-03 11:08:36Grace Under Fire (The Anderson Sisters Book 2) by Jennifer Raines – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes
Ella’s sister, Chrissy, has recently died and Ella has been left to raise her young niece on her own. Ella loves Tessa as her own child and has helped to raise her since she was a baby because Chrissy was too sick to care for her on her own. Ella is still coming to terms with the death of her sister when she receives a letter summoning her to Taylor law to discuss paternity and custody of Tessa. Ella is in shock over the letter and is scared to death of losing Tessa.
When Ella arrives at the law office of Jacob Taylor, she is expecting to meet him alone but instead finds him sitting with an older gentleman. It turns out the older man is the father to the man Chrissy has stated was Tessa’s father, Drew Browning. Ella is shocked when news is revealed to her of a letter that her sister Chrissy was supposed to have written to Drew prior to her death. It seems that her sister had some secrets that she kept well hidden from Ella.
Jake has the best interests of his aunt and uncle at heart and thinks that Ella is trying to con them by saying his cousin, Drew, is Tessa’s biological father. Before they have even determined that Tessa is their granddaughter the Browning’s develop an attachment to the young girl and this concerns Jake. He thinks that Ella is lying and will do everything in his power to protect them from getting hurt and conned. Drew only wants to exploit his relationship with Tessa for his own selfish gain. As secrets are revealed and things ensue Ella and Jake are on opposite sides of a custody battle for Tessa. Both Ella and Jake want to protect Tessa but that becomes complicated by their undeniable attraction to one another.
This book had an overwhelming theme of the love of a family and never giving up. Ella loves her niece as her own child and will do anything to protect her. Jake loves his aunt and uncle and will do anything to keep them from getting hurt. Both Ella and Jake want what is best for young Tessa but Jake is conflicted between the love of his family and the love of a woman. Will he be able to make the right decision? There was a rollercoaster ride of emotions throughout as the story unfolded and secrets are revealed. I highly recommend!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tara Johnson Barneshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTara Johnson Barnes2023-02-27 14:33:042023-03-03 11:08:18Taylor’s Law (The Anderson Sisters Book 1) by Jennifer Raines – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes
Maddie met the men of her dreams when she was only nine years old but she was too young to realize it at the time. As she got older, she realized that no man she dates can ever compare to the two men, Charlie, and Cole, that she has been dreaming about for years. Maddie is desperately in love with Charlie and Cole but knows that they are only a part of a fantasy that occurs in her dreams. Even if they were real, they can never be together because she could never choose between them.
Charlie and Cole have been meeting up with Maddie at different locales in her dreams since they were twelve years old. They have had mindless relationships with other women over the years, but none compared to Maddie. Both men are hopelessly head over heels in love with Maddie but fear losing her if she only chooses one of them. Rather than risk losing her altogether they secretly love her from within their dreams.
When Maddie starts having a recurring nightmare and the men find out they fear for Maddie’s safety. Charlie and Cole need to save her but do not know if she is even real. Cole knows that he himself is real and after learning from a psychic that the three of them are soulmates with a unique bond he sets out to find Charlie. It turns out that Charlie is quite real as well, and after the two men do some sleuthing they track down Maddie and set off to rescue her.
I was intrigued by the concept of soulmates being connected through dreams without ever having to meet in person. Maddie, Charlie, and Cole had a special connection that ultimately brought them together even though they were miles apart. The bond was so strong that two men were willing to risk their lives to save the woman of their dreams without ever having met her in person. That is the ultimate sacrifice for the woman you love. When they do finally meet in person the chemistry between them is undeniable so be prepared for some hot and steamy sex scenes.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tara Johnson Barneshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTara Johnson Barnes2023-02-27 13:41:032023-03-03 11:07:43Three Made In Heaven (Made In Heaven #1) by Elena Kincaid – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes
Tamaska meets Kodiak when she hires him to work as security for an important event that she has put together where a priceless jewel is to be auctioned off. She is immediately attracted to him but refuses to allow herself to feel anything towards him. After all, not only is he staff that has been hired to work the event, but she also does not believe in one-night stands. Kodiak also feels attracted to Tamaska but tries to deny it. Not only is she a human, and he hates all humans, but he must maintain focus on the job he was hired to do.
When the priceless jewel is stolen from under their noses it is up to Kodiak to find it. He knows that it has to be the work of the vampires and sets out to get the jewel back. Tamaska blames Kodiak for the theft and wants nothing to do with him. She is determined to find the jewel and bring it back because she does not want to lose her job or her reputation. What Tamaska is unaware of is that the world she is venturing into is dangerous and that the vampires want to capture her. Kodiak must protect her, but Tamaska refuses his protection because she does not trust him.
Kodiak knows that he is the only one who can protect Tamaska from being killed by the vampires. An event that could wreak destruction and death on the world. He approaches the alpha of his pack and requests his permission but is told that he must not allow himself to be distracted by a human. Kodiak must now choose between his pack and the woman he is finding himself attracted to and feels compelled to protect.
This book was a great read with wonderful characters and a great storyline. It had action, suspense, murder, passion, vampires, wolves, and shapeshifting. I loved the shapeshifting aspect of this book and the love-hate thing that Tamaska and Kodiak had going on between them. It was obvious from the very first look between them that they were equally attracted to one another. Yet, both were allowing their pride to deny them to really act on their feelings. Tamaska is a strong-willed, stubborn, hardworking, and independent woman who is used to doing things on her own. She does not feel that she needs protection and feels that she can do everything on her own. Kodiak is not used to feeling like he should protect anyone, especially a human. He finds Tamaska bossy and pig-headed but still feels drawn to help her. Neither Tamaska nor Kodiak are used to needing another person to rely on and are used to doing things on their own, yet the attraction between them is undeniable.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Tara Johnson Barneshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngTara Johnson Barnes2023-02-27 12:46:412023-03-03 11:07:25Shadow Wolf (Protector Wolf Shifter Series Book 1) by Lilliana Rose – Review by Tara Johnson Barnes
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The Rise of House Valdis by Naomi Valkyrie
