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Caught in Make-Believe (The Caught Series Book 3) by Sharleen Scott – Review by Naomi McDonald

Caught in Make-Believe (The Caught Series Book 3)Caught in Make-Believe by Sharleen Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Caught in Make Believe is the third book in the Caught series. It can be read as a standalone. If you want to get more background info on some of the characters mentioned, to bring things together for you a bit more, I recommend reading the first two books.

I really fell in love with this book. I think it actually might be my favorite out of the three that I’ve read. I loved the complexity of Jace’s character and the resilience of Sam’s character. The overall story line was well done. A little romance, a little suspense, a little mystery, a little adventure…makes for a great getaway from reality. I was so into it that I finished it in a day!

Reviewed by @valkyrie

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Rules of Engagement: A Single Dad Romance (Platonically Complicated, #3) by Mika Jolie – Review by Naomi McDonald

Rules of EngagementRules of Engagement by Mika Jolie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rules of Engagement is the third Platonically Complicated book. It can be read as a standalone.

I really liked the way the interactions between the main characters played out. It was well written and even though the story took its time, it kept you reading. I liked Katherine’s character a lot. She’s intelligent, witty, and extremely frank. I also loved the narration from Lucas’s point of view. It was engaging and humorous in many places.

Stellar reading experience!

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CLAIMED (The Torzial Affair Book 3) by Via Mari – Review by Naomi McDonald

CLAIMED (The Torzial Affair Book 3)CLAIMED by Via Mari
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Claimed is the third book in the Torzial Affair series. This book does not end in a cliffhanger, but there are a couple of openings in the way the story is written for other characters to have their own stories. In order for this book to make complete sense, you need to read the two previous books. After getting through all three books, I’d say reading them back-to-back would probably be the best reading experience.

I like Brian better in this book than in the last one. Sasha story line *shakes head* did not see that coming, which is saying something because I can usually spot how a book is going to play out.

While the individual books had their bumpy reading moments for me, as a series it is pretty well done.

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Luke (Dark Water Security #1) by Madison Quinn – Review by Naomi McDonald

Luke (Dark Water Security #1)Luke by Madison Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Luke is the first book in the Dark Water Security series. This book can be read as a standalone. There is some subject matter that may be a trigger for some readers.

I got hooked from the beginning. Even though the story is a bit predictable, it is still entertaining; and I read it in a couple of hours because I couldn’t put it down. The characters are well written and you really find yourself empathizing with Luke’s character. After everything he goes through, he still finds a way to be the person for others that he needed when he was young.

The only thing that could have made this even better was a bit of a stronger ending.

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Infamy (Feisty Lawyers, #2) by Seelie Kay – Review by Naomi McDonald

Infamy (Feisty Lawyers, #2)Infamy by Seelie Kay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Infamy is the second book in the Feisty Lawyers series. It isn’t specifically a cliffhanger but some of the story line is left open to continue in another book. If you want to get a deeper background on the characters, read book one, although you don’t necessarily have to in order to appreciate this book.

This is not a long book, I finished it in about 2.5 hours. I felt like the story line was a little rushed, but ultimately entertaining. The first couple of chapters were great and I felt like I was actually getting into the characters, but then toward the middle they moved back to more of a superficial connection. Maybe too much speculative dialog? I’m not exactly sure what made the difference.

Overall a decent way to pass some time.

REviewed by @valkyrie

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Bound (The Torzial Affair Book 2) by Via Mari – Review by Naomi McDonald

Bound (The Torzial Affair Book 2)Bound by Via Mari
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bound is the second book in the Torzial Affair series. You should read the previous book first to get the full picture. It ends in a cliffhanger.

Where the previous book focuses more on the budding relationship between Jenny and Brian, this book focuses on the danger elements surrounding Jenny. I found this story very…busy, I guess is the best way to describe it. There is a lot going on and at times it seems like a little too much. I kept up with the story line, but it seems like there was a bunch of action crammed into a small time frame.

I also found Brian to be a bit of a jerk in this story. He talks about trust, but the way he handles some of the stuff with Jenny, well, he’s expecting a lot at certain points in the story. But it is fiction so…

Bound has plenty of action and steamy scenes. A good few hours of entertainment.

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The Light at Dawn by K.L. Montgomery – Review by Naomi McDonald

The Light at DawnThe Light at Dawn by K.L. Montgomery
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The first thing you need to know is, have the tissues close by. The subject matter of this book will have you in tears frequently. This story may be a difficult read for some people as it deals with tragic events similar to things that have happened in real life and have been high profile in the news in recent years.

Even though this book does discuss politics to some degree, I am glad that the overall story did not focus on that. The story really is focused on two people who have experienced overwhelming loss and how life brings them together. Their grief is very real, you feel it as you read.

Intensely emotional. Superbly written.

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Caught in the Spin by Sharleen Scott – Review by Naomi McDonald

Caught in the SpinCaught in the Spin by Sharleen Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Caught in the Spin is the second book in the Caught series. It can be read as a standalone.

I can’t put my finger on why exactly, but I liked this book better than the first one. I was hooked into the story from the first chapter and the story moved at a good pace. The characters were engaging and the way the story develops really gets your emotions involved.

This story is a good mix of drama, family, and romance. There were several places in the story where I teared up a bit. Overall, it was really well done! Excellent way to relax after a long day.

Reviewed by @valkyrie

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Shattered (The Torzial Affair Book 1) by Via Mari – Review by Naomi McDonald

Shattered (The Torzial Affair Book 1)Shattered by Via Mari
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Shattered is the first book in the Torzial Affair series. It ends in a cliffhanger.

While this is the first book in this particular series, not having read the previous series (Prestian series), I felt like something was missing. The author does a good job of working in elements from events I assume are present in the previous series, so it isn’t like you can’t pick up what is going on; I just feel like it would have a more complete feel if I had more of a connection to the supporting characters. For anyone new to this author, I definitely suggest reading the other series first.

Shattered contains sensitive material that may trigger some readers. The author does have a preface in the book regarding this, which is very thoughtful. I liked that the author did not downplay the affects of Jenny’s hardship experience on her mental health.

This book was a quick read for me and overall was a good escape from reality for a bit.

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Less You Know: Gripping Psychological Suspense (Ashes to Ashes #2) by Rowena Holloway – Review by Naomi McDonald

Less You Know (Ashes to Ashes #2)Less You Know by Rowena Holloway
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Less You Know is the second book in the Ashes to Ashes series. It is left open for the story to continue. I recommend reading the first book to get a solid background on the characters and the events that led up to the second book.

Less You Know is all over the place, and not in a bad way. The author has written the story in such a way that it keeps you guessing. Characters coming at you from all sides and misdirection (or is it?) keeps you hooked.

If you read the first book you will understand why I say this: at one point while reading Less You Know, I wanted to smack Charlotte and ask her what she was thinking. I mean, seriously. Oi vey! But that is part of the entertainment, watching the characters do both expected and unexpected things. After the developments in this book, I find myself liking Garner a little bit more. And Piers…what an (insert a colorful expletive here). Of course, with the way these stories are written, who knows how things will play out. I might end up changing my mind about any or all of the characters.

Intense. Suspense. Drama. Unanswered questions. Must have answers! Looking forward to the next book. (There better be a next book, lol)!

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Eight Steps to Alpha by Taylor Sullivan – Review by Naomi McDonald

Eight Steps to Alpha (Nerdy by Nature, #1)Eight Steps to Alpha by Taylor Sullivan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Eight Steps is a sweet story. There were times that I wanted to strangle both Elliot and Fe, but then that is part of life; we all make colossal relationship blunders at some point. Maybe I loved this story a bit more than most of the contemporary romance novels I’ve read because Elliot reminds me a lot of my husband, especially the whole glasses-to-contacts thing. That literally was the first thing that made me notice the man I eventually married.

I loved the way the characters were written overall, and the ease of the friendship that paved the way for romantic relationship potential. This book illustrates the need for clear communication when it comes to emotional involvement. It also illuminates the futility of mind games in relationships and trying to alter who a person is at a fundamental level.

Easy read. Entertaining. Delightfully humorous moments. And if you relate to characters empathetically, you’ll need some tissues toward the end.

Reviewed by @valkyrie

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Beneath the Surface (A Gray Ghost Series #3) by Amy McKinley – Review by Naomi McDonald

Beneath the Surface (Gray Ghost #3)Beneath the Surface by Amy McKinley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Beneath the Surface is the third book in the Gray Ghost series. It can be read as a standalone. This book didn’t hook me quite as quickly as the first two did, but it was still a good read overall. I liked that Hannah’s strength and ability was not overshadowed by Jack. I found the switches between Hannah’s past and the present well done. It was easy to follow and added depth to her character. Although I had pretty much figured out the mystery by the middle of the book, it still played out in an entertaining way.

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Nite Fire: Chain Reaction by C.L. Schneider – Review by Naomi McDonald

Chain Reaction (Nite Fire, Book 2)Chain Reaction by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nite Fire: Chain Reaction is the second book in the Nite Fire series. Even though you can pick up on the story pretty well in this book, I would still suggest reading the first book (plus, it is just freaking awesome). The overall mystery story arc is left open in this book, but the main part of the book gets wrapped up.

The Nite Fire series is a fascinating adventure. I loved this book just as much as the first one. Chain Reaction is full of action, adventure, a splash of romance, snarky humor, and a brilliantly written villain. Of course, having a strong female lead character is one of the great things about this series! I also love Evans, Coen, and Creed. Each one brings a new layer of intrigue to Dahlia’s life.

One of my favorite lines from this book is, “And friends don’t let friends get eaten by dragons.”
I cannot wait to continue this adventure in the next book!

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Caught in Cross Seas (The Caught Series #1) by Sharleen Scott – Review by Naomi McDonald

Caught in Cross SeasCaught in Cross Seas by Sharleen Scott
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Caught in Cross Seas is the first book in the Caught series. It can be read as a standalone.

It took a few chapters for me to get into the story, but once more layers started showing up, it became entertaining. At times the story is a bit predictable, but the drama keeps you reading. It is essentially the sweet-girl-with-a-past-meets-famous-person-who-can-fix-everything tale. The last third of the book is intense and probably the best part of the story. And I won’t lie, I may have needed some tissues near the end. Not a bad diversion from reality for a few hours.

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Bad Things Happen (Ashes to Ashes, #1) by Rowena Holloway – Review by Naomi McDonald

Bad Things Happen (Ashes to Ashes, #1)Bad Things Happen by Rowena Holloway
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bad Things Happen is the first book in the Ashes to Ashes series. This story is left open to pick up in book two.

I have to say, I’m not a huge fan of sports so I was a little concerned that I wouldn’t like this book, but it actually had me sucked in from the beginning. It isn’t sports heavy and focuses more on the mystery and intrigue aspects. I found the first-person story line for Joey an interesting choice considering what happens to him. One thing I found interesting is that a lot of the characters you kind of have a love/hate relationship with. They’ve all got something that makes you cringe a little bit, but also parts of them that make you love them in some way or other, at least most of them. There were a couple characters that were just…evil. I am interested to see how things play out in the next book.

Reviewed by @valkyrie

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Written in the Stars (Fallen Eagles MC Book 2) by T. Birmingham – Review by Naomi McDonald

Written in the Stars (Fallen Eagles MC Book 2)Written in the Stars by T. Birmingham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Written in the Stars is the second book in the Fallen Eagles MC series. It can be read as a standalone, however it does make references to events that happened in the first book. If you want to find out the details of those events, go back and read the previous story.

I think in some ways, I like this book better than the first one, and the first one was good. I really related to Winter’s character, the “otherness” and her particular brand of sensitivity. This book does deal with some serious events involving murder, the process the murderer uses, and other issues that may trigger some readers.

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The Lies We Tell by Brittany Butler – Review by Naomi McDonald

The Lies We TellThe Lies We Tell by Brittany Butler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Right off, I will tell you that if you are looking for a fluffy romance novel, this is not it. The Lies We Tell is full of dysfunctional characters and the sticky situations they get themselves into. Overall, the story was good, but I wasn’t really into the switching back and forth between the past and present. I would just be getting into the story and then it would change lanes, which works in some books, but I think a chronological telling would have been a smoother read.

The main character is…perpetually messed up and full of bad decisions. I really wanted to like her, but she comes across as a basket case. And the people she has in her life aren’t much better. I think this book shows just how important open and honest communication is in relationships, and just how devastating it is when people don’t have those skills.

While I wasn’t completely taken in by this book, the more down-to-earth story can be a good change of pace once in awhile.

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Alive (Sundown Series Book 3) by Courtney Konstantin – Review by Naomi McDonald

Alive (Sundown Series Book 3)Alive by Courtney Konstantin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Alive is the third book in the Sundown Series. It can be read as a standalone. There are main parts of the story that wrap up by the end, but the overall story is left open.

I’m not a huge fan of zombie apocalypse type stories, but this one was very well done. It was not over-the-top in gore and unnecessary violence. Action, adventure, and a smidge of romance made for an entertaining read. There were a few times I was so into the intense moments in the story I am surprised my grip on the Kindle didn’t crack it, lol.

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A Terrible Beauty (Fallen Eagles MC Book 1) by T. Birmingham – Review by Naomi McDonald

A Terrible Beauty (Fallen Eagles MC Book 1)A Terrible Beauty by T. Birmingham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Terrible Beauty is the first book in the Fallen Eagles MC series. It can be read as a standalone.

It took me a couple of chapters to get into the book, but once it got going, it kept up a good pace. A Terrible Beauty deals with issues that may trigger some readers. There were a few parts that made me tear up, so you might want to have some tissues nearby, just in case.

One quote from the book that stood out to me:
“Just as the road to hell was paved with good intentions, so too, sometimes, the path toward ‘beauty’ was paved with all that was ‘terrible’ and ‘ugly’ in the world.”

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Flash Point (Nite Fire, #1) by C.L. Schneider – Review by Naomi McDonald

Flash Point (Nite Fire, #1)Flash Point by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nite Fire: Flash Point is the first book in the Nite Fire series. It can be read as a standalone as the main story focus is wrapped up, however there are other pieces of the story that are left open for the next book in the series.

This story starts off at a fast pace and never slows down! I was hooked from the first chapter. The author does a fantastic job of weaving a believable story and introduces interesting and complex characters in a timely manner. Nite Fire has tons of action and adventure mixed with a splash of romance. A gripping and spectacular reading adventure!

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Paladin’s Hell: Satan’s Devils MC (Colorado Chapter) #1 by Manda Mellett – Review by Naomi McDonald

Paladin's Hell: Satan's Devils MC (Colorado Chapter) #1Paladin’s Hell: Satan’s Devils MC (Colorado Chapter) #1 by Manda Mellett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Paladin’s Hell is the first book in the Satan’s Devils Colorado Chapter series. Even though this story could be a standalone, I recommend reading books in the previous Satan’s Devils series to get more connected to the characters this book mentions. You’ll have a much better time understanding the club environment shift from Arizona to Colorado.

Even though this book didn’t grab me right away like other Satan’s Devils books I’ve read, it still turned out to be a pretty good read. It starts out a bit slow, but picks up the pace toward the middle and things get good. As with the other books I’ve read in the MC series, Paladin’s Hell deals with some heavy subject matter and may contain triggers for some people.

This book is kind of a bonus in that you get two stories in one. There is the main story of Paladin and Jay, but you also get to know the Colorado club president and his wife and how they ended up together. And for me, in some ways I felt like their story overshadowed Paladin and Jay’s a bit. It is so intense.

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The Debt Collector (An Underground Bad Boys Romance) by India Kells – Review by Naomi McDonald

The Debt Collector (An Underground Bad Boys Romance)The Debt Collector by India Kells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Debt Collector is part of The Underground Bad Boys series. It can be read as a standalone. There is one part of the story involving Gage that is left open, probably to be explored further in another book.

I read this book in just a few hours because it kept me hooked so I couldn’t put it down. The interactions between Locke and Gage…wow…I thought my Kindle was going to catch fire, lol! Definitely not a book for anyone under the age of 18.

The author has done a wonderful job of creating complex characters with interesting personal histories. Although I was actually more entertained by the dynamic between Locke and Gage, the Tessa character definitely bridged between them well by adding a compassionate strength to offset their physical presence.

Hot! Hot! Hot!

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Snatching Dianna (Feisty Lawyers, #1) by Seelie Kay – Review by Naomi McDonald

Snatching Dianna (Feisty Lawyers, #1)Snatching Dianna by Seelie Kay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Snatching Dianna is the first book in the Feisty Lawyers series. It can be read as a standalone, however the epilogue leaves things open for the series to continue.

This book is a peculiar mix of action, mystery, humor, and issues that are serious (i.e. human trafficking). Overall, it was a good read. There were a few places where it was a little bumpy, but nothing distracting enough to take away from the main story. One of the things that I wish had been a little different is the depth of the characters, it takes a little while to get into them. It does have some brief adult scenes so it is meant for readers 18 and over.

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Claiming Her Mates (Claiming Her Mates #1) by Dia Cole – Review by Naomi McDonald

Claiming Her Mates (Claiming Her Mates #1)Claiming Her Mates by Dia Cole
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Claiming Her Mates is the first book in this series. It is a cliffhanger and is left open for more of the story to develop. This is a short book and it only took me a few hours to finish it. The plot moves fairly quickly so if you like a slow burn, this probably isn’t the series for you.

I like the unconventional aspects of the Lykos origin. It leaves room for flexible mythology and story development rather than having to follow traditional Lycan myth. I also love that this is a book that has multiple partner relationships. That always spices things up. It adds dimension that the author chose varying stations of the male partners as well, so it isn’t your typical alpha male fest.

I found that Claiming Her Mates is a superb distraction when you are under a tattoo needle for three hours and need something to focus on. ?

Reviewed by @valkyrie

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The Moon in Her Eyes: A Witch’s Tale by Nikki Broadwell – Review by Naomi McDonald

The Moon in Her Eyes: a witch's taleThe Moon in Her Eyes: a witch’s tale by Nikki Broadwell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Moon In Her Eyes is the second book in the Witch series. It isn’t specifically a cliffhanger, as the main story has a conclusion, but it does leave the story open to continue.

I really wanted to love this book, but the political aspects of it were not woven into the story in a way that made it flow. It came across as a soapbox rather than a story enhancement. The time travel and paranormal aspects were overshadowed by the challenge I had weeding through the politics.

I did like the historical aspects and the weaving of the time travel piece. And there were a pretty good variety of characters to get to know.

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Eastern Shore Swingers Books 1-3 (Boxed Set) by Phoebe Alexander – Review by Naomi McDonald

Eastern Shore Swingers Books 1-3 (Boxed Set)Eastern Shore Swingers Books 1-3 by Phoebe Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This box set contains the first three books of the Eastern Shore Swingers series. One of the great things about this author is the inclusion of so many body positive and sex positive aspects into her stories. There are a lot of real-to-life struggles that keep the books relatable and engaging. Even though each story can be read as a standalone, it is great to read them back-to-back and this collection makes that easy. Side note, be sure to read the fourth book, Sailors Knot, when you finish this set! It does not disappoint.

Fisher of Men
One of the things that kept me interested is probably the fact that I can relate to the internal struggle, both regarding faith and the emotional aspect, that Leah goes through as she begins to unravel the structure she has been taught is the truth and proper way of living. It is emotionally strenuous to find out things about yourself that go against what you’ve been taught is proper. Add to that the input of outside sources and you’ve got a recipe for drama and heartache.

The Catch
The Catch has a different feel than the first book. This story is filled with suspense and a bit of mystery. It also has a different feel in the way the relationship plays out. I enjoyed the development of Paisley’s character and the contrast between the way she shaped herself as an adult and what she dealt with as a child. I also loved that this book is body positive!

Siren Call
What I love about this book is that it shows the range of strength to vulnerability that women can have. It also shows the different ways that we deal with emotional trauma and how that affects our ability to communicate and relate to other people. And, as always, the author has the ability to convey alternative lifestyles with positivity while also showing the concerns associated with it. For instance, in this book one of Jessie’s concerns is being in a relationship with someone who is bi-sexual—the fear that she might not be enough for the other person. A real fear that comes up for many people.
I think my favorite part of the whole story is Sirena’s scene with the sheriff…cracked me the heck up!

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Venganza: The Fuentes Legacy by Greta Cribbs – Review by Naomi McDonald

Venganza: The Fuentes LegacyVenganza: The Fuentes Legacy by Greta Cribbs
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Venganza: The Fuentes Legacy is the prequel to Primogenito. It can be read as a standalone.

This book was…intense, dark, fearsomely twisted, and kept up a pretty good pace. I read the whole thing in one day because I had to find out how it ended. After I finished it, I realized that this is probably one of those books that would be really great to read on a dark and stormy night. It’ll get to you on so many levels.

The author has worked paranormal elements into the story in such a way that it is very believable. It is a creative tale, and well written.

One thing I will say is that this book is not for anyone who is triggered by violence. There are some very brutal moments that may be difficult for some people to read. I would definitely say this book is not for anyone under the age of 18.

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Beachcomber Gone by Stephanie Queen – Review by Naomi McDonald

Beachcomber GoneBeachcomber Gone by Stephanie Queen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Beachcomber Gone is the ninth book in the Beachcomber Investigation series. It can be read as a standalone, although there are personal elements to the characters that are left open-ended.

This book has a little bit of everything-danger, romance, action, mystery, and drama. It is a quick and entertaining read.

When Shana is in danger unexpectedly, Dane has to figure out who to trust as he sets out to find help her. Unfortunately, saving Shana from the current peril may mean that Dane has to give her up. After everything they’ve been through, will this be the thing that finally does them in?

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The Killmores (Killmore #2) by Martha Sweeney – Review by Naomi McDonald

The Killmores (Killmore #2)The Killmores by Martha Sweeney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Killmores is the second book in the Killmore series. While you could probably get most of what is going on in this book without reading the first one, I’d suggest reading the previous book to get more of a connection to the characters and more extensive background on what lead up to the events in the second book. I read them back-to-back so it was more like one long novel rather than two separate books, and it worked out pretty well.

I like that the main female character remains strong, even though she does go through a period of devastation. Her responses to the events are intense and emotional, but she maintains her edge overall. The only thing I could have done without is the conspiracy theory conversation between Aiden and his friends/teammates. Other than that, it was a great continuation of the previous book. Even though it doesn’t end in a cliffhanger, the ending does leave things open for the possibility of the series continuing.

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Mouse Trapped: Satan’s Devils MC #9 by Manda Mellett – Review by Naomi McDonald

Mouse Trapped: Satan's Devils MC #9Mouse Trapped: Satan’s Devils MC #9 by Manda Mellett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mouse Trapped is the ninth book in the Satan’s Devils series. This is the second book I have read by this author and it was just as wonderful as the first. I love the detail she puts into the characters and story line. It makes the story feel real. Mouse Trapped, even though it is a romance, also deals with some heavy, real-life issues. Reading it, you will feel a wide range of emotions, I know I did. There were a few parts where I even teared up. There were times in the book that I wonder how in the world people can go through this kind of struggle EVERY DAY. It puts your thinking cap on for sure.

I enjoyed Mouse’s character. His cultural background gives him interesting dimension. The author has done a great job of showing the contrast of cultures when you are of mixed heritage, that feeling of not belonging to either world. I particularly loved the way that the more spiritual side of his Native American ancestry is woven in.

Overall, a superb read!

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