Buried Secrets by Rebecca Deel

Synopsis:

Mindy Long left her painful past behind and is determined to create a new life for herself. All she wants is to grow a successful business and provide a stable, loving home for her nephew. But when she’s kidnapped, Mindy realizes she’ll have to defeat a deadly enemy from her past to be truly free. To accomplish that, she needs the help of a cop with lethal skills.

Despite more than a decade apart, Deputy Levi Montgomery never forgot the woman who stole his heart as a teenager. Now that she’s back in his life, he’ll stop at nothing to win her heart. But when a desperate adversary targets Mindy and her nephew, Levi will break every rule to protect them. His new mission: save his family by any means necessary.

My Review: 3.5 Stars

I've been wanting to get my hands on Mindy's story since she was introduced in Conspiracy. To say she's had a hard life is an extreme understatement. And to say her father and brother were absolutely horrible would be another extreme understatement. Mindy has got to be one of the strongest heroines I've read in a long time. 

Mindy and Levi were high school sweethearts. but their relationship came to an abrupt halt when her father upped and moved their family out of town without a trace. Fast forward several years, and Fate has brought them back together. Life is far from sunshine and roses for both of them. Neither of them forgot the other and now the only question is, will their past tear them apart or bring them closer than ever?

Y'all. I'm not gong to lie. I find it harder to review a favorite author's book when it was good, but not great. There were a few things that kept it from being great for me. The first would be Roman. He's only 5 years old, but the way he spoke was well beyond his years. I struggled with trying to suspend belief but I just couldn't do it. The next would be inconsistencies and grammatical errors. I really crave immersing myself into all the books I read but these kinds of errors take away from the story. They should have been caught by alpha/beta readers and/or editors. 

With that being said, I still enjoyed Mindy and Levi's story. It was fun watching their relationship develop and getting their long awaited HEA. The addition of Roman made it even better. It was also fun catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. I have to admit, I'm a bit nervous for the new team. Not sure why but I am. Haha. I'm looking forward to getting to know them better. 

Collateral Damage by Rebecca Deel

 

Synopsis:

After a second kidnapping attempt upends her life and a friend goes missing, Sage Reynolds partners with her childhood hero to unmask the culprit. When the search for clues leads to an inescapable trap, she’ll need a battle-hardened warrior to escape.

Fortress Security operative Brody Weaver is a protector to the bone. When Sage is targeted by a deadly adversary, Brody volunteers to safeguard the woman he adores. Once a web of betrayal and lies sets them on a collision course with a dangerous human trafficking ring, saving Sage becomes Brody’s only mission.

My Review: 3.5 Stars

Sage and Brody have been best friends since they were teenagers. Both have feelings for each other but were afraid to ruin their friendship if it didn't work out. But the moment danger came knocking on Sage's door, Brody decided the fear of losing her was worse than the fear of rejection. He'd do anything to have the privilege of having Sage by his side for the rest of their lives. But before they can get to their HEA, they'll have to face the danger dogging their heels head on. And no one had better stand in their way.

Y'all. I love the Texas Team! We have seen glimpses of them in other books and now we finally get to see them in action. The Texas Team is a special one. Not only do each of them have their own unique set of skills, they are also the only Fortress Security team to have never been in the military. Their background is all law enforcement. I'm excited to see what they will bring to the teams.

This was a good start to seeing into the lives of the Texas Team. Within this book you get a sneak peek into who two of Brody's teammates will be wooing. Since this book didn't really tie up all the lose ends, I'm guessing it will continue on in their books.

While I enjoyed this book, I have to admit that it was a bit predictable. To me, it seems like the same pattern is followed for every book. I guess in a way it's kind of nice to know what I'm getting into, but I would love to be caught off guard and on the edge of my seat because I don't know what's going to happen next.

Romantic suspense is one of my favorite genres to read. Sadly, there aren't very many clean authors who write what I enjoy. So whenever a book by Ms. Deel is released, my schedule is cleared and real life just ceases to exist until I get to see that HEA at the end of the book. I'm looking forward to seeing more of the Texas Team. It's been a long time coming!

As for my casting.... *dreamy sigh* Love them! What do you think?

Hunted by K.M. Shea

 

Synopsis:

Ever feel like you don’t belong?

Try being a hunter living with werewolves. I’m the definition of “doesn’t fit in”. I’m not Pack, but I’m not the enemy, either.

I struggle to survive among werewolves who are stronger and faster than me, and are competitive enough to break a bone or two for the sake of “fun.”

Greyson, their alpha, is the worst of them all.

Blatantly relentless and twice as deadly, Greyson rules the Pack and expands its territory even though it’s already the largest in the region. I just wish he’d stop interfering with my life. He’s got enough trouble of his own with his incomplete mate bond, but he’s made it his hobby to tease and test me at every opportunity.

Doesn’t my life sound fun?

When wolves from surrounding packs start mindlessly attacking the innocent humans in our city, Timber Ridge, everything changes.

Werewolves don’t turn feral without reason. Which means someone is making this happen, and they’re targeting our Pack.

I don’t like where this is going, but how am I supposed to stop a feral wolf outbreak when I’m just one hunter? Can Greyson and I set aside our differences to see the Pack through this?

My Review: 3.5 Stars

Confession. I absolutely love werewolf books! Like LOVE them! Sadly it's so hard to find good clean ones and that frustrates me. So much so, that I may or may not have asked authors in the past if they would ever consider writing one because I need werewolf books! 😂

I have a bookish friend who loves them just as much as I do! So when she reached out telling that I had to read a certain werewolf book, it was a no brainer! I had to read it!

Pip is a Hunter who was orphaned at the age of 12. When none of the other Hunter families would take her in, she was adopted into the Northern Lakes Pack. As she grew older, she didn't feel like she belonged. Not that the Pack wasn't welcoming, because they were. She just couldn't find her place.

It's no secret that Pip doesn't like Greyson. She's a bit bitter when he was brought in to replace the original Alpha who welcomed her into their Pack. While she doesn't go out of her way to be rude and disrespectful to Greyson, she has no qualms in needling him whenever she can. It was kinda funny at times. 

I’m not going to lie, I struggled getting into the book. I had the hardest time connecting to Pip. While she did grow on me, I wasn't her biggest fan. Greyson, on the other hand, I loved from the beginning. It was clear he didn't feel the same way about her that she did about him. He was always there whenever she, or any of the Pack, needed him. He was the best!

PSA for all of those who are all about the romance. I honestly wouldn't consider this a romance. Some readers may disagree with me but there was like zero romance. I may or may not be a bit bitter that we didn't get any kissing. Y'all know how much I love me some swoony kisses! I don't have any hope that there will be kisses in book 2 but I'm still going to read it anyway. Lol.

As for my casting, I'm loving these two! What do you think?

Courting Miss Lancaster by Sarah M. Eden

 

Synopsis:

Harry Windower adores blonde, green-eyes Athena Lancaster, but alas, a penniless man like himself has no hope of winning a young noblewoman's hand. To add insult to injury, Athena's brother-in-law and guardian, the Duke of Kielder, has asked Harry to assist Athena in finding a gentleman of her dreams. But the lovesick Harry is cunning as well: as the weeks pass, he introduces Athena to suitors who are horrifically boring, alarmingly attached to their mothers, downright rude, astoundingly self-absorbed, and utterly ridiculous.

Athena can't comprehend why she is having so little success meeting eligible and acceptable gentlemen. Indeed, her circle of admirers couldn't be be less admirable - nothing like the loyal, gentle friend she's found in Harry. But how long can Harry's scheme be hidden before it is discovered? And what will Athena do when she uncovers Harry's deception?

Escape into a charming regency world in this delightfully romantic comedy of manners that will entertain you to the very last word.

My Review: 3.5 Stars

While chatting with some bookish friends recently, I realized that I have not read all of the books in the Lancaster/Jonquil series. So I thought, what better way to start off 2021 than to read the series in order. Needless to say, I'm a bit excited to read them all! 

Harry! *dreamy sigh* I have loved Harry since I first met him in Seeking Persephone. He has got to be one of the best side characters ever. I couldn't wait to dive into his story. If anyone deserves a HEA, it is him!

Sadly, I had a hard time connecting with Athena at first. From Seeking Persephone, I envisioned her as a bit self centered from Artemis's letters. She was far too worried about her coming out than her family. If I'm being honest, it's always bugged me. It wasn't until she finally realized her feelings for Harry that I actually started connecting with her. I'm thinking it,s probably my mood because all my bookish friends absolutely adore this book.

I've come to the conclusion that I'm not a big fan of friends to lovers stories. Especially when the heroes in said stories are trying to hook the heroine up with someone else. Granted he was commanded to do it and he tried his best to sabotage Athena's chances with any and all suitors, but it left me feeling sad for Harry. I wished Adam would've woken up a bit and realized what his best friend was going through. 

Now, don't get me wrong, I really did enjoy this book. I just wished that the ending would've happened sooner and that we could have seen more of the courting going on. But don't worry. These little things are not going to stop me from reading the book again. 

I'm sure I'm just like everyone else when I say, Ms. Eden became an instant favorite of mine. Her books always capture me and give me that much needed break from reality. I'm looking forward to reading all her books that I haven't read yet. 

And of course I can't forget my casting! I'm loving these two! What do you think? 

Love and Second Chances by Shannon Guymon

Synopsis:

Donovan needs a distraction and Charlie needs a reason to believe in love again – will these two ever figure out that the best recipe for romance begins with two people and a little faith?

Charlie Walsh is running from her toxic past and desperate for a new start in Belfast, Maine. Following Riley's example of reaching for the stars, Charlie wants to open her own Bed & Breakfast. One problem: Riley and Mac break up, leaving Charlie holding the bag on her fixer upper. She has to figure out how to get those two back together, but in the meantime . . . Donovan Fitzpatrick is turning out to be quite the distraction!

Will Crystal break up this new love before it even has a chance to get started? Or will Charlie and Donovan let go of their pasts, and hang on to what matters most? Each other.

My Review: 3.5 Stars

All her life, Charlie Walsh has been beaten down and pushed aside. Her family had no problem letting her know that she was not wanted. After years of therapy, she finally realizes that enough is enough and it's time to take her life back. Moving to Belfast, Maine and opening up a B&B is just the change she needs.

Donovan Fitzpatrick has been in love with Crystal most of his life. She's an extremely toxic person and someone who is completely wrong for him. When his sister, Avery, tells him he needs a distraction from Crystal, he decides who better than the cute new B&B owner.

Charlie and Donovan decide to team up and help each other out. And if they happen to fall in love, all the better. But they should've known that life wouldn't be that easy. With all the odds stacked against them, they'll have to decide if a HEA is worth all the heartache they'll have to go through in order to get it.

I'm going to start out by saying I'm definitely in the minority here when it comes to Love and Second Chances. Don't get me wrong, I really did like this book. But I'm spoiled. The books I read always focus on one couple and one couple only. I'm not a fan of multiple love stories in one book. How can you really get to know a couple and their story when only 1/3 of the book is focused on them? I wanted more of Charlie and Donovan and a lot less of Riley and Mac. I won't go into detail but, Riley was not a favorite of mine.

All in all, it was cute. I loved the small town setting. I think that setting is becoming a favorite of mine. After I finish the books, I always want to pack up and move to a small town just so I can experience it.

From the moment I open one of her books, I can always count on Ms. Guymon to hold me captive, make me feel all the feels and not let me go until the very end. I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next!

As for my casting... I'm not going to lie. Donovan was SO hard to find! But Charlie was super easy. I saw her from the very beginning. What do you guys think?