Highlander Most Wanted (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #2) by Maya Banks

Highlander Most Wanted  (The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #2) by Maya Banks

 

This is an adult historical fiction romance novel (Rated NC-17)

 

 ♥♥♥♥
(Four Bowen Hearts)
 

 

Book Summary

 

In Highlander Most Wanted, a reclusive woman content to live in the shadows shows a Highland warrior the true meaning of love.

Genevieve McInnes is locked behind the fortified walls of McHugh Keep, captive of a cruel laird who takes great pleasure in ruining her for any other man. Yet when Bowen Montgomery storms the gates on a mission of clan warfare, Genevieve finds that her spirit is bent but not broken. Still, her path toward freedom remains uncertain. Unable to bear the shame of returning to a family that believes her dead or to abandon others at the keep to an imposing new laird, Genevieve opts for the peaceful life of an abbess. But Bowen’s rugged sensuality stirs something deep inside her that longs to be awakened by his patient, gentle caress—something warm, wicked, and tempting.

Bowen seizes his enemy’s keep, unprepared for the brooding and reclusive woman who captures his heart. He’s enchanted by her fierce determination, her unusual beauty, and her quiet, unfailing strength. But wooing her will take more than a seasoned seducer’s skill. For loving Genevieve, he discovers, means giving her back the freedom that was stolen from her—even if it means losing her forever.

 

 

My Review

If you like romance and historical romances, this series is for you. I’m not always looking for a straight predictable HEA read, where everything is for sure going to end up as a happy ending. For me it takes some of the mystery out of the story. But there are occasions when I do want that.

And here we have it. Don’t get me wrong. This book isn’t straight roses, there is plenty of angst and heartache, and I really like the heroine in this story. She isn’t a hardass but she isn’t soft either. She’s been dealt a hard hand but takes the blows like a champ and keeps moving forward.

This story has heart and guts and I enjoyed it. I look forward to more in this series.

Audio Review

Kirsten Potter did an awesome job with both male and female voices and the accents too. I will definitely listen to more of her narrations.

Overall, I really liked it.

My book boyfriend Bowen.

 

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Toxic Secrets (Secrets, #1) by Jill Patten

Toxic Secrets (Secrets, #1) by Jill Patten

 

This is a New Adult contemporary romance novel (Rated R)

 

 ♥♥♥♥♥
(Five Toxic Hearts)

 

Book Summary

 

Secrets are meant to be kept, but sometimes those unspoken words can become toxic - destroying you and the ones you love.

Seventeen year old Courtney Peterson always thought her future would consist of marrying her high-school sweetheart, becoming a stay-at-home mom, and living a happily ever after. All that changes when she finds out the boy who stole her heart three years ago resorts to cheating. Ending that relationship will be harder than she could imagine, but she is determined to move on, agreeing to go on a blind date with the older and cryptic Jaxon.

Jaxon Vaughn blazes into town for a short visit, taking steps down a new path in life. After facing unexpected tragedies at a young age and turning to self-destruction, he aches to redeem himself by opening a bar in his grandmother’s hometown. It is there he meets the pure and soulful Courtney, whom awakens the guilt that dejectedly haunts him.

Distance and circumstances may separate them, but they are unable to ignore the chemistry that draws them together. Can their relationship survive, or will it be shattered by clingy exes, mysterious phantoms from the past and unforeseen misfortunes?

 

 

My Review
 

Oh what a tangled web we weave when we keep secret even though not meant to deceive. Those secrets will begin to fester and become toxic, poisoning a relationship before it even starts. This is a story of angst in the best way. There are up and there are down, but this book with keep you on your toes turning pages well into the night.

What I like most about this story is although the female lead is seventeen, the reality is, she’s falling for a guy in his early twenties. Let’s face it, it happens all the time. So what happens when a so called teen is possibly chased by a guy only a few years older but considered an adult? Well you’ll just have to pick this one up and read it.

This story is well grounded in reality. I like that the author didn’t make up some fantasy romance that only happens on Lifetime movies.

So if you enjoy mature YA or new adult romance, be sure to pick this one up.

My book boyfriend Jaxon.

 

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Bonds of Desire (Wicked Play #3) by Lynda Aicher

Bonds of Desire  (Wicked Play #3) by Lynda Aicher

 

This is an adult erotica novel (Rated NC-17)

 

♥♥♥♥

(Four Desired Hearts)

 

Book Summary

 

Book three of Wicked Play

Lawyer Allison English never planned to return to The Den—despite her naughty fantasies about being bound by owner Seth Matthews. But when club guest Tyler Wysong is injured in a scene, Seth turns to Allie for help. Aroused by both men, Allie should turn the case down. But she can't…

After his bad experience, Tyler has no interest in being with another Dom. Yet he can't deny his attraction to Master Seth. When Seth offers him a place to stay, Tyler agrees—if Allie will stay too. But what good is a chaperone who adds to his temptation?

Living with two subs brings out Seth's protective instincts, though Allie insists she's not into the lifestyle, and Tyler swears he's done with it. But the chemistry between the trio prompts them to agree to submit to him for one week, and he'll show them both the true pleasure that a Dom can provide.

The intimacy could break them all, or bind them together forever.

 

 

My Review
 

Although I haven’t read the previous two books in the series, I didn’t find a problem to read this book. It stood on its own. 

I really enjoyed this one except for the beginning where Ally got on my nerves.  Yet, this story tugged on my emotional strings a few times making me tear up.

Where I thought Seth would have been more into Allie and Tyler more into Seth. It was quite the opposite at least from my prospective. All in all I was envious of the relationship that seemed to suit all very well.

Audio Review

Emily Caldwell is a good job. Although the female voice seemed to fall flat during passion.

My book boyfriend Tyler.

 

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Heart of Venom (Elemental Assassin #9) by Jennifer Estep

Heart of Venom  (Elemental Assassin #9) by Jennifer Estep

 

This is a urban fantasy novel (Rated NC-17)

 

 ♥♥♥♥
(Four Venomous Hearts)

 

Book Summary

 

The hotly anticipated ninth novel in the hugely popular Elemental Assassin series finds Gin Blanco on a dangerous mission to rescue a friend.

When a terror from the past threatens Gin’s friend and body-disposer, Sophia, Gin will stop at nothing to protect her, even if it means walking straight into a killer’s trap. Meanwhile, the rocky romance between Gin and Owen reaches a turning point—can they reunite and rekindle their love? Or will the things Gin has been forced to do in her line of work as the deadly assassin the Spider keep them apart forever? Assuming, that is, she survives long enough to find out…

 

 

My Review

Things didn’t end off a great in the last book. So of course I was anxious to get my hands on this installment.

Things this time aren’t centered around Gin. We get history and present as it collides together for the Deveraux  sisters. We get more insight into all that happened to Sophie and even background into Sophie and Gin’s blossomed friendship.

As usual, there is a lot of action and killing. But most of all, we get Gin and Owen talking. What I’m happy the most about is that it comes up that their situation smells much like what happened with Gin and Donovan. I’ll always hold a special place in my heart for Donovan. I just think the heat between Gin and him was epic, where as the heat between her and Owen is just super hot.

Anywho, great installment.

Audio Review

Lauren Fortgang continues to do a great job with this series.  I hope she continues with this series.

Overall, if you like urban fantasy, you should check this series out. You won’t’ be disappointed.

My book boyfriend Owen.

 

 

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Waterproof by Amber Garr

Waterproof by Amber Garr

 

This is a New Adult dystopian (Rated NC-17)

 

 ♥♥♥♥
(Four Water Hearts)

 

Book Summary

 

Dying of thirst is the new reality.

Five years after the last drop of clean water disappeared, global societies collapsed and nuclear war shattered all hope of recovery. In a place now only a skeleton of its former self, survivors fight to avoid capture by the government. Forced to work in factories that produce the only drinking water available, those who go in, never come out.

Zach and Vivienne have lived as deserters since they were teenagers. Fighting amongst their own and scrounging for the necessities of life, they’ve learned to rely on each other in every way. Yet when tragedy strikes and the true objectives of the government facility are revealed, their world is ripped apart. A fate once thought to hold their demise may be the sole answer to their survival. Who can they trust? Who can they believe?

In this life, it pays to be waterproof.

Disclaimer: Waterproof is a new adult dystopian with sex, violence, and language that may not be suitable for a younger audience.

 

 

My Review

 

I really like dystopian. To me it’s like sci fi grounded in our reality. I love science fiction but I don’t read that genre often.

This book starts off running, literary. I had no idea where this story would go as I like to go in blind. Having no expectations, I was drawn into this world and the plight of the group that I was introduced to. I quickly learned not to get to curious or attached. This author had no problems taking out the competition for my attention, lol.

I really liked the drama that unfolded and how things weren’t how I expected them to be. I think I might have given it five hearts if not for a few predictable things especially the ending.

This story was intriguing and drama filled, taking me up and grounding me down in their reality. I myself felt waterproofed.

I really look forward to the next installment. I’m on pins and needles.

My book boyfriend Zach.

 

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The Iron Knight (The Iron Fey #4) by Julie Kagawa

 

The Iron Knight  (The Iron Fey #4) by Julie Kagawa

 

This is a young adult paranormal fantasy (Rated PG-13)

 

 ♥♥1/2

(Two and a half Disappointed Hearts)

 

 

Book Summary

 

My name, my True Name is Ashallayn’darkmyr Tallyn. I am the last remaining son of Mab, Queen of the Unseelie Court. And I am dead to her. My fall began, as many stories do, with a girl .

To cold faery prince Ash, love was a weakness for mortals and fools. His own love had died a horrible death, killing any gentler feelings the Winter prince might have had. Or so he thought.

Then Meghan Chase, a half human, half fey slip of a girl, smashed through his barricades, binding him to her irrevocably with his oath to be her knight. And when all of Faery nearly fell to the Iron fey, she severed their bond to save his life. Meghan is now the Iron Queen, ruler of a realm where no Winter or Summer fey can survive.

With the unwelcome company of his archrival, Summer Court prankster Puck, and the infuriating cait sith Grimalkin, Ash begins a journey he is bound to see through to its end, a quest to find a way to honor his vow to stand by Meghan's side.

To survive in the Iron Realm, Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. And along the way Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.

 

 

My Review

 

This will contain spoilers so be aware.

We end the previous book with Ash being pushed out of the Iron realm by Meghan for his safety. This book starts his quest to find a way to be with her. I should mention hat this quest reads like an Indian Jones movie of the The Mummy movie with Brendan Fraser. Anyway, Ash's quest is to become human.

This is where I have a problem. It’s not a choice he would have ever considered if not for her. Thus, he’s not doing this for himself, he’s doing it to be with her. And yes, on a basic level that sounds almost gallant. But this isn’t changing a bad attitude. This isn’t becoming a better person. This is changing one’s race.

What are we telling young adults? If your Christian and fall in love with a Jewish person, change your religion and not because you have a change of faith, but because you want to be with someone. And in Ash’s case, there isn’t take backs. Or how about one’s skin color. Find a way to change that so you can be with someone. It just suggests that if you aren’t good enough, change who you are as a person down to the cells in your body only because you wish to be with someone.

I’m sorry, it’s a dumb idea. And what did Meghan do to help find a way for them to be together? Nothing, she sat on her throne and did nothing. She doesn’t deserve him. Couldn’t they have built a castle or home in the “in-between.”

Whatever, I’m just disgusted. I won’t give away the ending but I wasn’t happy. I will not be moving on unless one of my reading friends convinces me otherwise.

My book boyfriend is and always has been Puck.

 

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Futures and Frosting (Chocolate Lovers #2) by Tara Sivec

 

Futures and Frosting  (Chocolate Lovers #2) by Tara Sivec

 

This is an adult romantic comedy novel (Rated NC-17)

 

 ♥♥♥♥

(Four Frosting Hearts)

 

 

Book Summary

 

Carter, Claire and Gavin have formed the perfect little family. Their friends are getting married and everyone is growing up, maturing and ready to face the future. Or are they?

From bachelorette party hell, porn addictions, dinner roll baseball and botched wedding proposals to finding out everyone's extended family is chock full of crazy, Carter and Claire begin to question the strength of the ties that bind them. Unfortunately, these ties have nothing to do with fuzzy handcuffs and everything to do with the mounting differences between them.

Will their friends make a mess of things with their inappropriate comments and need to know everything, or will they convince the couple that happily-ever-after sometimes really can start with beer pong?

 

 

My Review

 

The sad truth about this book is I don’t remember it well. I read nearly two months ago. Normally I can conjure up what this book was about and even with the notes I left myself, I can’t remember. It doesn’t say much towards this story other than it was un-memorable.

So, I go with my notes. I thought this book was cute and not as syrupy sweet as the last book. It’s still not as funny as people made it out to be. (I do have a strong memory of a bridal shower???)

It seems like those that found the first book really funny, didn’t find this one as funny. Or just the opposite which is in my case. I thought this book was slightly funnier as I found Claire a bit humorous in this one.

Anyway, Carter really won me over in this book. With all this said, I’m not really in a big hurry to move onto the next book although I’m slightly curious.

If audible has a $5 sale, I might be tempted to buy and listen to the next book. Otherwise, I don’t think I’ll read.

Audio Review

Romy Nordlinger as narrator was the same as the last book. She did an awesome female voice, but she didn’t really change her voice at all for the males which made it hard to know who was talking. And that’s true even if I was listening intently.

My book boyfriend Carter.

 

 

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*Disclaimer - I am not the owner of this picture. I found it on the web for causal fun use on my blog for which I receive no compensation. If this picture belongs to you (you are the copyright owner) please let me know and I will remove it.