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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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Killmore (Killmore #1) by Martha Sweeney – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Killmore (Killmore #1)Killmore by Martha Sweeney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Killmore is the first book of the Killmore series.

I love that this story has a strong female character who doesn’t lose her edge. The premise of the story is excellent as is the overall story line. The only thing that might be a sticking point for some people is that it slows down a bit toward the middle of the book with most of the action happening at the beginning and well toward the end. That being said, the characters are well-written so that helps. I love the snarky and suggestive humor, it helps keep the book from getting overly dark.

I am looking forward to reading the next part of the story in the second book.

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Nathaniel (Dragon Hearts #1) by Carole Mortimer – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Nathaniel (Dragon Hearts #1)Nathaniel by Carole Mortimer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nathaniel is the first book in the Dragon Hearts series. It can be read as a standalone.

It took me a little bit to get into this book, but once I was able to connect to the characters it was a good experience. It is a quick read, only took me a few hours. This story has a decently strong female character so that was refreshing. She is also a bit snarky, which makes the story a bit amusing as well.

While vacationing in Wales, Chloe makes an interesting discovery. Of course, the journalist in her won’t let it go so she finds herself alone facing an intimidating man. Between her insatiable curiosity, and her smart mouth, she lands herself in a world she never knew existed. Can she trust this mysterious Nathaniel, or is he simply lulling her into a false sense of security? Can anything she sees or hears actually be real? And if it is, is she willing to accept it? One innocent misstep and she finds that her very life may depend on just that…acceptance.

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Deadly Alliance: A Fortis/Purgatory Crossover Novel by Maddie Wade and India Kells – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Deadly Alliance: A Fortis/Purgatory Crossover NovelDeadly Alliance: A Fortis/Purgatory Crossover Novel by Maddie Wade
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Deadly Alliance is a Fortis/Purgatory crossover novel. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this collaboration as this is my first experience with the Purgatory novels, but this story is fabulous. The story line keeps things moving and it is easy to connect to the characters. I love that there are a lot of strong females working alongside the alpha males.

In this story, Emme and Shane have to go undercover to help catch a killer who is targeting women that look like Bea, the leader of the Purgatory team. As they get closer to uncovering who the killer is, Emme’s life is in danger. Shane would like to believe that the angst he feels is fallout from losing his best friend’s sister to this maniac, but he knows he is lying to himself. He seems to have developed feelings for Emme, which is distracting him from the mission. If he wants to keep Emme safe, he needs to hold it together. After a horrible tragedy, Shane knows what he has to do, even if it breaks Emme’s heart.

Deadly Alliance starts out a little on the slower side, but it picks up a few chapters in. It becomes an intense tale that will have you on the edge of your seat wondering how it will all turn out.

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Never Let Me Fall (Fatal Dreams, #3) by Abbie Roads – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Never Let Me Fall (Fatal Dreams, #3)Never Let Me Fall by Abbie Roads
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Never Let Me Fall is the third book in the Fatal Dreams series. I love this series; every book has been fabulous and this one is no exception. While it does mention characters from the previous books, it can be read as a standalone. Seriously though, the other books warrant a read, so why not add them to your TBR list!!!

The author has superbly blended romance with suspense and danger in this dark and intriguing story of healing the wounds of the past though love and acceptance. The main characters have deep and complex issues stemming from the pain of past events. Due to the nature of the subject matter, there may be triggers for some individuals.

Get it. Read it!!!! You will not be disappointed.

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Ring Tru (Thick as Theives Book 1) by Janice M. Whiteaker – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Ring Tru (Thick as Theives Book 1)Ring Tru by Janice M. Whiteaker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ring Tru is the first book in the Thick as Thieves series. The ending is not a cliffhanger, but it does seem to have an abrupt conclusion. After everything they went through in the main part of the story, I expected a more well-rounded ending.

Tru is ready to be done with her life of crime. She’s doing one last job that will have her set for life. Things get complicated when her ex-husband shows up unexpectedly. Her patience is running thin and he has just added a new hurdle for her to jump. He took everything from her when he left, she won’t let him take her future from her too.

After five years, Will never expected to see Tru, especially on a job. He’d left her and tried to move on. When she appears on the scene, Will’s attention is split between finishing his mission and trying to keep Tru safe. He can’t afford to be distracted, but she is everything he still wants. Can Tru forgive him? As things heat up, can they work together to avoid getting burned?

Romance, suspense, and danger will keep you turning the pages!

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Born to Fight (Can’t Resist You, #1) by Brittany Anne – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Born to Fight (Can't Resist You, #1)Born to Fight by Brittany Anne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Born to Fight is the first book in the Can’t Resist You series. The main story can be read as a standalone. The epilogue leaves things open for subsequent stories.

A resistance fighter and a woman on the run, what could possibly go wrong? Everything. When Hunter is faced with death, he is saved by a stranger. He has lived his life fighting and relationships have been low to non-existent on his priority list, but the woman who saved him stirs up emotions he didn’t know he could still feel. At a crucial time in the Resistance movement, Hunter is losing focus.

Rain has been in solitude for two years, thankful to be alive. She takes a big risk when she finds a man near death and decides to help him. When she learns about who he is, she wants to be honest with him about who she is, but she doesn’t want to risk being sent back to her past life. She’d do anything to avoid that, including lie to the man she is falling in love with. Her lies may destroy everything Hunter has sacrificed everything for.

The only thing about this story that was a bit vague is what the motivation for the Fall is. The story starts after it has already happened, but it isn’t clear on what the catalyst was that initiated the conflict. I’m guessing this may be talked about more in the stories that follow.

Born to Fight has secrets, danger, love, betrayal, adventure, and a happy (but ill-timed) surprise around Chapter 13. As mentioned in the synopsis, this book is definitely intended for adult readers. If you are triggered by violence against women, this might not be the book for you; otherwise, get a cup of tea and settle in!

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An Agreement (Summer in New York, #3) by Lindsay Marie Miller – Review by Naomi McDonald

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An Agreement (Summer in New York, #3)An Agreement by Lindsay Marie Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An Agreement is the third book in the Summer in New York series. It can be read as a standalone.

An Agreement is an emotional story and I found myself tearing up several times. The romance part of it is not graphic in nature and it seemed to me that the focus was on the challenging parts of relationships. I think that is what made the story more real. An Agreement really puts emphasis on the way that the things we’ve experienced in our life can influence the way we interpret and respond to different aspects of relationships. Even though the synopsis of the book clearly states a HEA, there are several times when reading the story that you still wonder if they will make it.

This book was an easy read and I finished in one day. One suggestion I would make is not to read it in public if you are sensitive, because you might cry. Try explaining that to the people sitting around you in the coffee shop, lol. I almost had to. Also, this book does deal with some sensitive subject matter, although not in explicit detail.

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Bound by Blood (Crescent City Wolf Pack, #3) by Carrie Pulkinen – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Bound by Blood (Crescent City Wolf Pack, #3)Bound by Blood by Carrie Pulkinen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bound by Blood is the third book in the Crescent City Wolf Pack series. This book can be read as a standalone, but the previous books are spectacular reads so I recommend reading them as well. Once again, the author has created an engaging story. There is not a bad book in this series and Bound by Blood has added a great dimension to the Crescent City world. One of the things that really grabs you in these books is the expertly written villains and the way the heroes/heroines handle them.

I loved that this book has a female lead character, and a strong one at that. As the story progresses she maintains that strength, but also learns how to accept support from others. I like that the author kept Alexis a strong female figure and didn’t turn her into a passive princess.

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Jesse (Glass City Hearts Book 3) by Desiree Lafawn – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Jesse (Glass City Hearts Book 3)Jesse by Desiree Lafawn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jesse is the third book in the Glass City Hearts series. It can be read as a standalone. This book does reference events that happened to the other characters, and now I want to go back and read the previous books because they sound like great stories, lol.

I had no idea what to expect from this book when I chose to read it, but it proved to be an entertaining read. It has a great mix of humor, sarcasm, mystery, danger, romance, and family drama. The characters were easy to connect to and the story hooks you in right away.

Also note that there are a couple of places in the story that get you in the feels, so have some tissues nearby.

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Sailors Knot (Eastern Shore Swingers Book 4) by Phoebe Alexander – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Sailors Knot (Eastern Shore Swingers Book 4)Sailors Knot by Phoebe Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sailors Knot is the fourth book in the Eastern Shore Swingers series. I suggest reading the previous books so you can form a connection to the other characters, but you can probably pick this up and catch on without reading them. Sailors Knot is absolutely my favorite book in this series thus far.

I enjoyed reading about Casey’s unconventional relationship adventures. Unlike some books that switch back and forth between past and present, the transitions were seamless and woven together well. I also loved that the author has addressed some of the challenges of polyamory in this book. I was so into this story that I read the entire book in one day!

Sailors Knot will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions. Keep the tissues close, because you’re going to need them.

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Alterations Trilogy: Alterations, Game Changer, Primal Will by Jane Suen – Review by Naomi McDonald

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ALTERATIONS TRILOGY: Alterations, Game Changer, Primal WillALTERATIONS TRILOGY: Alterations, Game Changer, Primal Will by Jane Suen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am glad that these books came in a set. They are definitely not meant to be read as standalones. The Alterations stories are imaginative and unusual. While I did find the premise of the trilogy intriguing, I had a challenge connecting with some of the characters. There were also some parts of the story that were a bit fuzzy and left me with questions. I think I enjoyed Ellen’s part of the story the most, and the latter part of Gigi’s story. Lilly was by far the main character that I couldn’t seem to get into. Overall, a good read.

Alterations-introduces you to the main characters (Gigi, Ellen, Lilly, Dr. Kite) and sets the foundation for the other two books.

Game Changer-After a disaster, Dr. Kite’s life takes an unexpected turn. The women are getting on with their lives as best they can.

Primal Will-Revelations and decisions are made that will have lasting effects on everyone.

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Siren Call (Eastern Shore Swingers #3) by Phoebe Alexander – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Siren CallSiren Call by Phoebe Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Siren Call is the third book in the Eastern Shore Swingers series. It can be read as a standalone. While good, out of the three books I have read in this series, this is not my favorite. It felt like the mystery around Sirena went on a little too long, BUT, overall it was a good read. I feel like if I could have connected to the characters more, it would have been superb. And that could just be on me, maybe it was not the right time for me to read the book…that happens sometimes, and then I pick it up later and love it.

What I did love about the 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! And you’ll have to read the book to find out what I’m talking about. ?

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The Catch (Eastern Shore Swingers #2) by Phoebe Alexander – Review by Naomi McDonald

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The CatchThe Catch by Phoebe Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Catch is the second book in the Eastern Shore Swingers series. It can be read as a standalone. It does reference characters from the first book, so if you want to know more about them I recommend going back and reading the first book as well.

The Catch has a different feel than the first book (which is also good). 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!

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Joker’s Fool (Satan’s Devils MC #8) by Manda Mellett – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Joker's Fool (Satan's Devils MC #8)Joker’s Fool by Manda Mellett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Joker’s Fool is the eighth book in the Satan’s Devils MC series. It can be read as a standalone.

I am in love with this book!!!!! Why am I in love with this book? So, so many reasons, but I will only list a few so as not to be long winded. First, I have a penchant for books where the subject matter is divergent from the mainstream of society. Second, I also have an open heart for the underdog, the people who struggle and persevere through challenging circumstances. Third, but the most important, in this book the author does a superb job of putting you into the story-letting you feel the pain and heartache of the characters, especially Joker. God, what he went through, the struggle and the self-hatred, it will tear you up! I was so into the story that I read it all in one day. I’m kind of wishing I had paced myself because coming down from an intense read like that is rough, lol. My heart is still in the story.

Get it. Read it. Be prepared to have your heart torn out, put back together, torn out again…..keep the Kleenex handy. In between all of the action and drama there is a lot of emotion. I have nothing but love for this story.

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Fisher of Men (Eastern Shore Swingers #1) by Phoebe Alexander – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Fisher of MenFisher of Men by Phoebe Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fisher of Men is the first book in the Eastern Shore Swingers series. It can be read as a standalone.

The first few chapters of the book seemed like they were taking forever to get through. The pace seemed slow and drawn out. BUT, when things start progressing with Leah and Cap, the story picked up and had me hooked. I had a marathon reading session and finished the book in a day.

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. Rewriting your belief system is not for the faint of heart. And not everyone has the strength to do it. Does Leah have what it takes to go after what she truly wants? Ride this emotional roller coaster with her and find out!

Even though I had a rocky start with this book, it turned out to be a spectacular read. I am glad that I gave it a chance and stuck with it.

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Blind Magic (The Sanctuary Chronicles #2) by India Kells – Review by Naomi McDonald

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Blind Magic (The Sanctuary Chronicles #2)Blind Magic by India Kells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blind Magic is the second book in The Sanctuary Chronicles. This book can be read as a standalone. I loved this story. The only thing I would like to have wrapped up is what happened to Hunter and Patricia???? Outside of those two loose ends, it was excellent. Even though this book is about Ian and Sera, I’m really ready for the next book because I liked Finn’s character and I want to see how his story continues. This book has a little of everything…action, sadness, drama, mystery, and of course, romance.
Stellar read!
(Also know that if you really bond with the characters, you might tear up a little toward the end).

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