The problem with secrets is they create powerful monsters. And even more dangerous enemies.
He’s the keeper of all his family’s secrets, the watcher of all. He knows what I’ve done, what I’ve risked… the deadly choice I made.
The tangled vines of his mighty family tree are strangling me. There is no escape. I am locked away, captive to his twisted obsession and demands. If I run, my hell will never end. If I stay, he will devour me.
My only choice is to dare the monster to come out into the light, before his darkness destroys us both.
Yes… he is the monster in hiding. And he is the end of my beginning.
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There is something completely addictive about this book and this series. This book is dark and boundary-pushing. And while I might not 100% love it, I find myself unable to put it down…
Monsters Are Hidden is the second book in the Gods Among Men series and follows the story of Ani and Phoenix. Right off the bat, I will warn you that Phoenix is not a character you are going to like right away. In fact, for most of this book, you are going to HATE him with a fiery passion. He’s dominant, cruel, and just awful. His actions and the way he treated Ani didn’t sit right with me. He refused to listen to reason and I honestly had a hard time understanding how Ani could fall in love with him. Yes, Ani was tough and had endured a lot with her previous relationship. And yes, Phoenix did open her eyes to a different kind of sex that she had never experienced before. But, I had a really hard time buying the romance. Phoenix was obsessed and possessive of Ani and there were some moments where he would be human and show a softer side, but for the most part, he was a cruel monster. Honestly, I felt like their “romance” was more of a case of Stockholm Syndrome than anything else.
In the end, this is a book you’re either going to love or hate. The plot is intriguing and as I previously stated, there is something wholly addictive about this story and despite my reservations, I couldn’t stop reading.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
Meet Alta
Alta Hensley is a USA TODAY bestselling author of hot, dark and dirty romance. She is also an Amazon Top 100 bestselling author. Being a multi-published author in the romance genre, Alta is known for her dark, gritty alpha heroes, sometimes sweet love stories, hot eroticism, and engaging tales of the constant struggle between dominance and submission.
She lives in a log cabin in the woods with her husband, two daughters, and an Australian Shepherd. When she isn’t battling the bats, and watching the deer, she is writing about villains who always get their love story and happily ever after.
A remote back-to-basics mountaintop retreat in the French Alps turns deadly as an Oxford fellow finds herself in the crosshairs of her late husband’s dangerous secrets.
The Chalet des Anglais should be the ideal locale for recently-widowed Oxford don Emily to begin cutting through the fog of her grief. With no electricity, running water, or access by car, the rustic chalet nestled at the foot of the verdant, snow-topped Alps should afford Emily both time and space to heal. Joining her will be a collection of friends from the university, as well as other fellows, graduates, and undergraduates.
Something feels off, though—heightening Emily’s existing grief-induced anxiety. Before even making it to the airport, she’s unnerved by a break-in at her home. Once at the chalet, tension amongst the guests is palpable. Her friends and colleagues are behaving oddly, and competition for a newly opened position has introduced a streak of meanness into the otherwise relaxing getaway. As hostilities grow, Emily begins to wonder if the chalet’s dark history has cast a shadow over the retreat. In the salon, a curious grandfather clock looms, the only piece of furniture to survive a deadly blaze a century ago. As its discordant bell begins to invade everyone’s dreams, someone very real has been searching through Emily’s things and attempting to hack into her computer.
When a student disappears, Emily realizes that she’d better separate friend from foe, and real from imagined—or the next disappearance may be her own.
A remote back-to-basics mountaintop retreat in the French Alps turns deadly as an Oxford fellow finds herself in the crosshairs of her late husband’s dangerous secrets. With a line like that, how can one not be intrigued?
Bright and Deadly Things is quite the departure from my normal reads and I couldn’t have been happier to check this book out. When we first meet up with Emily, she is recently widowed and is trying to find her way through her grief. Desperately needing time and space to heal, she finds herself at a retreat in the French Alps with a collection of friends from the university. Almost immediately, something feels off. A series of events fills her with anxiety and leaves her with a ton of burning questions. But, when a student disappears, Email realizes you must separate friend from foe and she might be next…
Overall, I thought this book was a really interesting read. I was intrigued from the moment I picked this book up and couldn’t wait to read more. I thought the plot was clever and enjoyed the odd characters. I thought the author did a great job weaving a web of mystery and suspense, keeping readers on their toes. My only issue with this story was the pacing. Pacing can be a bit of a double-edged sword for me personally. I don’t necessarily mind a slower pace, but the pacing in this story was a bit off for me, and I definitely found it to be a distraction.
All in all, Bright and Deadly Things is an interesting mystery that I couldn’t wait to uncover. Lexie Elliott is a new author to me and I look forward to discovering more from her in the future.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via the publisher & NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Lexie Elliott grew up in Scotland, at the foot of the Highlands. She graduated from Oxford University, where she obtained a doctorate in theoretical physics. A keen sportswoman, she works in fund management in London, where she lives with her husband and two sons. The rest of her time is spent writing, or thinking about writing, and juggling family life and sport. Learn more at www.lexieelliott.com.
From the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of 44 Chapters About 4 Men (inspiration for the Netflix Original series Sex/Life) comes a dark mafia romance steeped in Irish folklore.
I can’t remember anymore if my grandfather’s eyes were blue or green, but I’ll never forget the way they wrinkled at the corners when he laughed at one of his own jokes. Or the way they sparkled with mischief when he told me tales about the magical creatures that dwelled in the forest behind his humble Irish sheep farm—shy fairies who liked to eat tea biscuits, cruel witches who liked to eat children, a moody lake spirit with a taste for expensive gifts.
As a child, I believed every fantastical word. But when he warned me about the mute boy who also lurked in those woods, the one the priest had declared to be the spawn of Satan himself, I refused to listen. Kellen wasn’t evil. He was kind, and beautiful, and special, and hurting. He was my friend. And with every summer I spent stolen away with him in those enchanted woods, he grew to become so much more.
But when I return to Glenshire as an adult, grieving and engaged to someone else, all those legends quickly morph into nightmares.
My grandfather had been right about everything, especially the boy.
If only I had listened.
WARNING: If you are a sensitive reader or find certain topics to be emotionally triggering, please exercise self-care and select a different book. Devil of Dublin is intended for mature audiences who enjoy dark subject matter, tortured anti-heroes, explicit adult content, graphic violence, heart-pounding suspense, fairy-tale worthy love, and gorgeous Irish scenery. If that sounds like you, then welcome to Glenshire!
Special edition hardbacks and paperbacks are also available with an alternate cover designed by Emily Wittig and eight full-page, B&W photos of the gorgeous Irish locations mentioned in the book!
Also available in audio!
Narrated by: Elizabeth Klett and Eric Nolan
(an Irish actor seen on Game of Thrones, Vikings, Vikings Valhalla, & The Witcher)
MY REVIEW
When I first heard about Devil of Dublin, I knew I had to get my hands on this book. Devil of Dublin is a dark and intriguing story filled with Irish scenery and folklore, violence, and enough suspense to keep you on your toes.
Darby and Kellan’s story spanned many years and left me captivated from their first encounter. Darby and Kellan had an instant connection and bond. Their lives are on different paths and no matter how hard he tries, Kellan can’t escape the demons and trauma of his past. Kellan is so damaged and the only thing that keeps the darkness away is Darby. Together these two will go on a dark and intriguing journey. The road to happily ever after isn’t an easy one for these two and it will definitely keep readers on their toes.
Overall I thought this book was an ok read. I loved the setting and the folklore that accompanied it. I will say that while I did find some aspects of this story to be dark, it wasn’t as dark or intense as I was hoping it would be, and that might just be me, which is ok. I loved Darby and Kellan together. They were two lost souls that couldn’t be more perfect for one another.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
Meet BB Easton
Wall Street Journal bestselling author BB Easton lives in the suburbs of Atlanta with her long-suffering husband, Ken, and two adorable children. A few years ago, she quit her job as a school psychologist to write books about her punk rock past and deviant sexual history full-time. Ken wasn’t super excited about that, but now that he’s appeared in three of her books and inspired a TV show character, he’s incredibly supportive.
BB’s debut memoir, 44 Chapters About 4 Men, went on to inspire the Netflix original series, Sex/Life, which was viewed by 67 million households worldwide within the first month making it the 3rd most-watched Netflix original series of all time. Because she had so much fun writing 44 Chapters, BB went on to publish four more wickedly funny, shockingly steamy, and heartwarmingly autobiographical books, one for each man in her memoir—Skin, Speed, Star, and Suit.
The Rain Trilogy—a dark, immersive, end-of-the-world romance—was BB’s first work of fiction. Or at least, that’s what she thought when she wrote it in 2019. Then, 2020 hit, and all of her dystopian plot points started coming true. Hoping to fix everything, BB returned with a fun, feel-good romantic comedy called Group Therapy, but alas, the world is still on fire … and so is BB’s desire to write intense, us-against-the-world romances. Her next release,Devil of Dublin, isa dark Irish mafia romance steeped in folklore and family secrets.
You can find BB procrastinating in all of the following places:
In the latest Argeneau novel from New York Times bestselling author Lynsay Sands, an immortal and her mortal pilot are on the run from hungry vampires…and discover they’re life mates along the way.
Jet Lassiter likes being a pilot for Argeneau Inc. Perks included travelling to exotic locations and meeting interesting people, even if they are the blood-sucking kind. He’s living the good life, until his plane goes down in the mountains and four of his passengers are gravely injured. They need blood to heal… and Jet is the only source.
Quinn Peters never wanted to be immortal. Once a renowned heart surgeon, she was turned against her will and now she has to drink blood to survive. Before she can ask how her “life” can get any worse, she’s in a plane crash. One of the few survivors, Quinn is desperate to get the mortal pilot to safety before her fellow immortals succumb to their blood lust and drain Jet dry.
But hungry vampires are the least of their worries—the crash wasn’t an accident, and someone is trying to kill Quinn. Will she and Jet find their happily ever after as life mates, or will her assassin find her first?
Jet Lassiter is living his best life. He loves his job and doesn’t even mind that his passengers are vampires. It’s everything he could dream of until his plane goes down and four of his passengers are seriously injured, with only his blood to cure them….Quinn Peters never asked to be an immortal and was turned against her will. She hates the direction her life has taken and just when she thinks it can’t get any worse, it does….
Overall, I thought this book was a quick and easy read. This story hits the ground running and never looks back. I found this story to be fresh and interesting. I haven’t read many books by this author, but was still able to enjoy this read without feeling lost. When it comes to Quinn and Jet’s romance, it definitely is a case of insta-love. Their story was filled with drama, lots of exciting moments, and an overall enjoyable romance.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
Running the Spark House, a hotel/event space that has been in her family for years, has been Avery Spark’s lifelong dream. After years of working hard and making personal sacrifices, Avery and her two younger sisters have turned the Spark House into the premier destination in Colorado Springs. Avery is living her best life—she works with her sisters and loves every minute of it, she has a great group of friends, and she lives in a fantastic condo with her best friend Declan. She might not have any love in her life, but she’s happy.
But everything comes to a screeching halt when Avery is in a car accident, leaving her immobile for weeks. After nearly losing Avery, Declan insists that he will be the one to take care of her while she recovers. However, as Declan becomes Avery’s caretaker, lines begin to blur.
Avery and Declan have been best friends since college and always had an attraction to one another, but when she ended up dating his best friend, Sam, they successfully stamped down any feelings they may have ever had for one another. Now, as Declan and Avery spend more time together, they each begin to wonder what would’ve happened if she’d dated him instead of Sam. What starts as a friend helping out another friend turns into foreplay and, before they realize it, they recognize how deeply they care for one another. But when things get serious their past threatens to destroy everything they have built.
Avery Spark’s lifelong dream is to run the Spark House. After years of hard work and sacrifice, Avery and and her two sisters have turned the Spark House into a premier destination. Avery might not have love, but she’s living her best life. That is until an accident brings everything to a screeching halt. With Avery immobile, Declan becomes her caregiver and lines begin to blur. Best friends since college, the attraction they feel for one another is undeniable. The more time they spend together, the lines begin to blur. As things get serious, their past threatens to destroy everything….
I thought this book was a cute read. It was a little slow in the beginning, but once I got in to it, I couldn’t put it down. I adored the friends to lovers romance with Declan and Avery. I loved watching the two of them grow and try to navigate their way through their feelings for one another. That being said, the road to happily ever after wasn’t an easy one for these two. Their story was filled with romance, family drama, and misunderstandings. I was curious to see where this story would go and how it would all come together in the end.
When Sparks Fall is a sweet friends to lovers romance. While I had an issue with the pacing in the beginning, I think this book is a solid and enjoyable read.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
One of the most notorious cowboys in Cold River, Jensen Kittredge always has willing women with sweet smiles vying for a place in his bed. So when the prissy high school librarian sidles up to him in the most disreputable bar in town with a scowl on her face, he has no idea what to make of it. Much less the attraction he feels toward the bespectacled creature who wants something from him… but not that. Yet.
Someone gets burned…
Harriett Barnett doesn’t care for dens of iniquity– or the insolent cowboy she certainly shouldn’t find attractive. But one of her students needs her help, and if she needs to corral the infamous Jensen to save him, she will. Trouble is, the town’s favorite Kittredge brother is a lot more than she bargained for. Harriett’s happy little life is orderly and neat, just how she likes it–until Jensen blows it all apart with his particular brand of addictive passion. Can a modern-day schoolmarm really tame the wildest cowboy in town? Or is Harriet headed for a terrible fall?
All Night Long with a Cowboy follows the story of Harriett and Jensen. Harriett is your stereotypical schoolmarm librarian. The complete and total opposite of Jensen. Jensen is the kind of guy that should send Harriett running for the hills. He is a notorious playboy, who could have any woman at the drop of a hat. These two shouldn’t even be on each other’s radar’s. But, fate has other plans. When a troubled student challenges Harriett, she has no choice but to try and reach them and bring in the one person she thinks can help. But, when it comes to Jensen, he is a lot more than what Harriett bargained for…
I thought this book was an ok read. I could tell right away that Harriett was going to have her hands full with a guy like Jensen. These two couldn’t be more opposite if they tried, but somehow found themselves drawn to one another. I do think their story had a bit of a slow start, but I was intrigued enough to see where their story would go.
The road to happily ever after for Harriett and Jensen wasn’t without some bumps along the way. Both of them had pasts that they felt defined them and needed to overcome the hurdles of their past. There was definitely more to these characters than meets the eye and I enjoyed getting to know the two of them.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via the publisher & NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*
In a modern and twisty retelling of Jane Eyre, a young woman must question everything she thinks she knows about love, loyalty, and murder.
Jane has lost everything: job, mother, relationship, even her home. A friend calls to offer an unusual deal—a cottage above the crashing surf of Big Sur on the estate of his employer, Evan Rochester. In return, Jane will tutor his teenage daughter. She accepts.
But nothing is quite as it seems at the Rochester estate. Though he’s been accused of murdering his glamorous and troubled wife, Evan Rochester insists she drowned herself. Jane is skeptical, but she still finds herself falling for the brilliant and secretive entrepreneur and growing close to his daughter.
And yet her deepening feelings for Evan can’t disguise dark suspicions aroused when a ghostly presence repeatedly appears in the night’s mist and fog. Jane embarks on an intense search for answers and uncovers evidence that soon puts Evan’s innocence into question. She’s determined to discover what really happened that fateful night, but what will the truth cost her?
A Jane Eyre re-telling?! Sign me up please! Those were my first thoughts when I came across this book. Mrs. Rochester’s Ghost is a unique modern re-telling of Jane Erye that is creepy, yet intriguing at the same time. I was captivated from the first page and couldn’t wait to see how this author’s version of the story would play out.
What makes this re-telling truly unique is that we get chapters of the past from Mrs. Rochester’s point of view. I think those were my favorite part of this story. They really made you think and left me wondering if Mrs. Rochester was giving us a true account of her fate or was she truly crazy and brought it upon herself. I personally thought this added a lot to the mystery of the story.
Overall, I thought this book was a really interesting and unique read. I enjoyed getting to know Jane and the mystery surrounding Evan. I have some mixed feelings about Evan and Jane as a couple. I didn’t LOVE them together, but I didn’t HATE them together, either.
Mrs. Rochester’s Ghost is one of those stories that I think will be a hit for some and a miss for others. I’d love to know where you stand on this re-telling…
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
Jane Eyre for the Modern Age with Lindsay Marcott
What is it about Jane Eyre that has made it a blockbuster for over a hundred and seventy years? The breathtaking writing, yes. The gripping plot: part Gothic romance, part coming-of-age story. The swooning romance between a rich man and a poor orphan, and the shock of the mad wife secreted in an attic.
But I think most of all it’s the voice of Jane herself: a young woman with an extraordinary sense of her own worth and independence. A voice that was revolutionary in 1847 when Charlotte Brontë published it. At the time, women had little say outside family and home. Their career opportunities outside of marriage were limited to underpaid servants and schoolteachers. Female characters in early Victorian novels were usually portrayed as either sugary too-good-to-be-true angels or fallen women seeking repentance.
Jane is neither. She’s constricted by the society she lives in–she needs to keep a stifling job as a governess or else starve to death—but she makes it clear she’d rather starve than sacrifice her will or stifle her intelligence. As a child, she has a temper and a will, even though she’s punished harshly for it. Later, when her employer, Mr. Rochester, grills her, she responds with strong opinions and engages in spirited debates. And when he tempts her to go live in sin with him in Europe, she escapes through the only means available to her—by running off to the surrounding moors, though it probably means she will die in those wilds. And she will not return to him until she learns he has fundamentally changed, and she can now love him passionately and physically without compromising her true self.
I believe it’s this will and independence of Jane’s that keep modern readers coming back for more (not to mention that throbbing romance!), and these are the same elements that inspire continual adaptations of the story. I had long dreamed of creating modern versions of these characters, because they so thrilled and delighted me and taught me life lessons over many years of my rereading the book. A nervy dream, yes. But also one that presented huge challenges: there are so many elements of the book that just won’t fly in an updated story.
For example: a current-day Jane would not be able to keep her curiosity under wraps about all the strange and spooky things going on in Mr. Rochester’s house. She wouldn’t just accept vague explanations or agree to his request to simply not ask about them. She would be itching to find out more.
Also a sexual relationship outside of marriage is no longer a taboo for most women of today. Jane wouldn’t have to flee that temptation. And of course a modern Mr. Rochester would be able to divorce a mad wife, though no doubt having to pay a heavy alimony for her future care. So that’s no longer even an obstacle.
But lies are always a problem in a relationship. Especially big lies.
A secret bigamist is a pretty big lie.
Being a secret murderer would be an even bigger one.
It was thinking about this that gave me the idea of adapting the book as a modern thriller. One in which Rochester does not have a stashed-away wife—instead he’s suspected of murdering a famous wife who has now disappeared. Jane would have to surreptitiously seek out the truth about him–guilty or not?–before she could give in to falling in love. And when spooky things happened, she would need to confront those as well. She would be risking an enormous amount. Losing the love of her life. And maybe also losing her life.
And so I set about writing a thriller, adding startling new twists, putting in jumps and shivers. The result is Mrs. Rochester’s Ghost. It was a joy to write, and I certainly hope it’s an equal joy to read.
Mrs. Rochester’s Ghost Excerpt
The fog streamed in white scarves and pennants, with a bright half moon playing hide-and-seek among them. I walked briskly down the asphalt drive, Pilot racing figure eights around me. We cut across switchbacks toward the highway. I kept to the gravel shoulder as the grade descended.
A pair of headlights glowered in the mist, then swept swiftly by.
The highway continued to dip. Pilot romped ahead and disappeared from my sight around a curve.
“Pilot!” I heard him barking but couldn’t see him. I quickened my steps.
I found myself in the middle of a dense cloud. Fog gathered in the depression in the road.
“Pilot?” I yelled again. “Where are you?”
Excited yapping. But he was a ghost dog.
The roar of a motorcycle echoed from around the far side of the bend. Through the blanketing cloud, I caught a glimpse of the poodle trotting onto the road.
“Pilot, get back here!” I screamed.
The motorcycle’s headlamp glowed dimly as it appeared on the near side of the bend. Pilot barked with sudden frenzy. The headlamp veered crazily. Pilot darted off the road into the underbrush. A sickening sound of tires skidding out of control on gravel. A shout.
With horror, I watched motorcycle and rider slam down onto the gravel shoulder.
I ran toward the rider. He was sprawled crookedly next to the bike, but his limbs, encased in black leather and jeans, were moving stiffly. Alive, at least. With a groan, he hoisted himself up onto his elbows.
“Are you okay?” I shined my flashlight on him. He whipped his head. “What the hell are you?”
“Just a person,” I said quickly.
He yanked his goggles down. “For Chrissake. I meant who are you? What are you doing here?”
“Taking a walk.”
“What kind of lunatic goes out for a walk in this kind of fog?”
“Maybe the same kind of lunatic who drives way too fast in it.”
“You call that fast? Christ.” He gingerly gathered himself into a sitting position, then flexed his feet in the heavy boots experimentally. He took off his helmet and shook out a head of rough black curls. A week’s tangle of rough salt-and-pepper beard nearly obscured a wide mouth. The prominent nose might be called stately on a more good-natured face. “What the hell was that creature in the middle of the road?”
“A dog.”
“A dog?”
“A standard poodle. Unclipped.”
He put the helmet back on, then pulled a cell phone from his jacket and squinted at the screen. “Nothing,” he muttered.
“The reception’s kind of iffy around here.”
He flung out an arm. “Help me up, okay?”
I approached him tentatively. He was over six feet and powerfully built. About twice my weight, I guessed. “I’m not sure I can pull you.”
“Yeah, you probably can’t. Stoop down a little.”
God, he’s rude. I did, and he draped his arm around my shoulder, transferring his weight. My knees buckled a little but didn’t give. He began to stand, crumpled slightly, then got his balance and pulled himself up straight.
I suddenly became aware of his intense physicality. The power of his arm and shoulder against my body, the taut spring of the muscles in his chest. As if he sensed what I was feeling, he shook off my support and stood on his own feet.
“At least you can put weight on your feet,” I said. “That’s a good sign.”
“Are you a medical professional?”
“No.”
“Then your opinion doesn’t count for much at the moment.”
Go to hell, was on the tip of my tongue. But the fog’s chill was making me sniffle. It seemed absurd to attempt a stinging retort with a dripping nose. I swiped it surreptitiously with the sleeve of my jacket.
He walked, limping slightly, to the Harley. “This thing’s supposed to take a corner. That’s the main reason I bought it!” He gave the seat a savage kick. Then he hopped on his nonkicking boot and shook a fist as if in defiance of some bully of a god who particularly had it in for him.
I laughed.
He whirled on me. My laughter froze. The look of fury on his face sent a thrill of alarm through me. I edged backward; I felt at that moment he could murder me without compunction and leave my corpse to be devoured by coyotes and bobcats.
But then, to my astonishment, he grinned. “You’re right. I look like an ass.”
Pilot suddenly came crashing out of the underbrush.
“Is that your mutt?”
“Yes. Though, actually, not mine. He’s a recent addition at the place I’m staying.”
He stared at me, a thought dawning. I forced myself to stare back: deep-set eyes, dark as ink. I was about to introduce myself, but he yanked the goggles back over his eyes and stooped to the handlebar of the bike. “Help me get this up. Grab the other bar. You pull and I’ll push.”
“It’s too heavy.”
“I’ll do the heavy lifting. Just do what you can.”
Obstinately, I didn’t move.
“Please,” he added. He made the word sound like an obscenity.
I took a grudging step forward and grabbed hold of the handlebar with both hands. I tugged it toward me as he lifted his side with a grunt. The bike slowly rose upright.
“Hold it steady,” he said.
It felt like it weighed several tons—it took every ounce of my strength to keep my side up as he straddled the seat. He grasped both bars. Engaged the clutch, cursing in pain as he stomped on the pedal. He glanced at me briefly.
And then, sending up a heavy spray of gravel, the Harley roared off into the enveloping fog.
“You’re welcome, Mr. Rochester!” I shouted into the deepening gloom.
About the Author
Lindsay Marcott is the author of The Producer’s Daughter and six previous novels written as Lindsay Maracotta. Her books have been translated into eleven languages and adapted for cable. She also wrote for the Emmy-nominated HBO series The Hitchhiker and co-produced a number of films. She lives on the coast of California. You can contact the author on her website at https://www.lindsaymarcott.com/.
New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh returns to a world devastated by change in her award-winning Psy-Changeling Trinity series, where two people defined by their aloneness hold the fate of the Psy in their hands…
Termed merciless by some, and a robotic sociopath by others, Payal Rao is the perfect Psy: cardinal telekinetic, CEO of a major conglomerate, beautiful—and emotionless.
For Canto Mercant, family and loyalty are everything. A cardinal telepath deemed “imperfect” by his race due to a spinal injury, Canto cares for the opinions of very few—and ruthlessly protects those he claims as his own. Head of intel of the influential Mercant family, he prefers to remain a shadow in the Net, unknown and unseen. But Canto is also an Anchor, part of a secretive designation whose task it is to stabilize the PsyNet. Now that critical psychic network is dying, threatening to collapse and kill the entire Psy race with it.
To save those he loves, Canto needs the help of a woman bound to him by a dark past neither has been able to forget. A woman who is the most powerful Anchor of them all: Payal Rao. Neither is ready for the violent inferno about to ignite in the PsyNet…or the passionate madness that threatens to destroy them both.
Last Guard is the 5th book in the Psy-Changeling Trinity Series and it follows the story of Canto and Payal. Overall, I thought this book was an ok read. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either. Last Guard hits the ground running and never looks back. This book had a lot going on and didn’t hold back. From an intriguing plot-line to characters you can’t help but root for, this reader couldn’t help but fly through this story.
Canto and Payal are really intriguing characters. I enjoyed getting to know them and their story. I really liked the two of them together and looked forward to seeing how their story would play out. I will say, because this book is heavily plot-driven, the romance isn’t as much as a star as I’d like it to be. Yes, the romance was there and I enjoyed Canto and Payal together, but I was left feeling disappointed because I didn’t connect with them as much as I was hoping for and wasn’t left with the feels and emotions I had anticipated.
My other issue or concern with the Last Guard was the amount of information being thrown at the reader. OMG was there a lot going on in this book! Now, don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with a plot-driven book, but sometimes when there is so much going on, it makes it hard to keep up with/keep track of and it becomes overwhelming.
While a really interesting read, the Last Guard is one of those books that will be a hit for some and a miss for others. I really wanted to love this book, but in the end this book was just an ok read for this reader. Even though this story wasn’t a 100% hit for me, I’m still glad to have given it a try.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via the publisher & NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*
A down-on-her-luck city girl searches for new purpose among the shelves of a failing bookstore in the quaint town of Pine Ridge, New York–until a forbidden love tempts her to go off-book.
When life sets fire to your happily ever after, you ditch your cheating boyfriend, trade in the city life for the off-the-grid seclusion of your mother’s bookstore in the mountains…and try to resist your attraction to the brooding town mechanic you accidentally got into a fender bender with outside the local bar. Sydney Walsh might be falling head over heels for the romance novels she’s stocking up to rebuild The Loving Page, but she has no delusions about actually starring in one. That chapter has closed.
Beneath Sam Kirkland’s gruff mountain-man exterior lies a gentle heart and a burning desire for the woman he knows he can’t have. He’s made promises that anchor him to the past, making romance off-limits. And he accepted that–until Sydney came crashing into his life.
Sam can’t do a relationship right now. Sydney doesn’t have the wherewithal to believe in one. But when you meet the right person, the wrong circumstances don’t matter. Even when the world seems to be doing its best to keep them apart, their real, one-of-a-kind love is worth fighting for.
Wild Love is the debut novel for author Lauren Accardo and follows the story of Sydney and Sam. When Sydney’s life gets turned upside down, she decides to trade her city life for the mountains. Seclusion is just what the doctor ordered. But, what Sydney didn’t plan on was Sam. At first glance, Sam is broody with a gruff exterior. But, once you get past all that, you’ll see that he truly has a heart of gold. Falling in love is the last thing these two characters expected, but sometimes, fate has to intervene and put you on a path you never saw coming.
Overall, I thought this book was an ok read. I enjoyed the idea of the story and was sucked in right away. I really liked the small-town vibe and how everyone looked out for one another. I appreciated that even though Sydney’s life was a mess, she stepped up and tried to help save her mom’s failing business. I thought Sydney and Sam had great chemistry and I loved that they were both flawed and imperfect. I enjoyed their banter. and looked forward to their next encounter. They totally rocked the enemies to lovers vibe and I lived for those will they/won’t they moments.
However, I did have a couple of issues with this book. I do feel like as the story progressed it lost some of its spark. At times, I didn’t feel as engaged as I did at the beginning of the story. Also, I felt like the story ended quite abruptly. After everything these characters went through, I was left wanting and needing more from them.
In the end, I think this is one of those reads that will work for some, but be a total miss for others. For me, it was just an ok read. That being said, this book is a debut novel for this author, so I do see the potiental there. So while this wasn’t a 100% hit for me, I’m glad to have checked it out and would be open to checking out more from this author in the future.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book via the publisher and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lauren Accardo writes steamy contemporary romance featuring strong women and the men who love them. Originally from Western New York, Lauren now lives in Queens with her stand-up-comic husband. She loves karaoke, cake, and the Adirondack Mountains, where her series takes place.
Not anymore. That was twenty years ago. I hardly think of Nick now. Seriously. I’m too busy training horses and trying to keep a roof over my head. Now they say I never met a horse, or a man, I couldn’t ride, which is a little catty but mostly true.
Until I do.
When Napoleon, a rangy gelding with a bad reputation, tosses me to the ground, my life literally flashes before my eyes. I swear the tangled knot of regrets and missed opportunities go parading past me like thoroughbreds at auction. When I come to, I’m shocked to discover I’m dressed in a fancy riding habit, and a corset, and I’m eighteen—again. But when Lord Nicholas Stanhope walks in the room looking like my Nick, dressed and sounding like he just stepped out of a Jane Austen novel… I’m on a mission.
I don’t care if this is a dream, or painkillers, or-or reincarnation. I won’t give up on this second chance. I won’t stop until…he loves me.
I’m just going to keep this review short and sweet. Overall, I thought this book was an ok read. I really liked the concept of it, mixing modern times with the past, and the whole time-travel factor. I thought it was unique and interesting. I enjoyed the characters and how well our leading lady adapted to what happened to her. I thought the characters had some good chemistry and loved the idea of rediscovering a lost love.
However, I did have some issues with this story. As much as I enjoyed the idea and concept of the book, I had a lot of issues with the writing. I found the writing to be very rough and in need of some work. That factor was definitley distracting for me. I also felt like there were still some unanswered questions plotwise after I finished the book.
So, while this book wasn’t a 100% hit for me, I do think this author has some great potential and that’s why I bumped my rating up to 3 stars. I’m happy to have given this book a chance and would be open to checking out another book from this author in the future.
*I was provided an ARC copy of this book, in exchange for an honest review*
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