Book Review: ‘Wyvern’s Prince’ by Deborah Cooke

Title: Wyvern’s Prince (The Dragons of Incendium Book 3)

Published: 20^th September 2016

Author: Deborah Cooke

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorDeborahCookeFanPage

Twitter: @cooke_delacroix

 

Synopsis:

Once, in the Kingdom of Incendium, there were twelve princesses of the realm, each a dragon shifter. Each fiery and passionate. Each possessed of an appetite for pleasure that only her destined mate can satisfy. Twelve men are expected in Incendium, each with special powers of his own, each with the gift to claim one dragon princess’s heart forever.

Engaged to Prince Urbanus of Regalia, Gemma knows that her fiancé ordered the assassination of her best friend—but has been told that he’s her HeartKeeper. Caught between her destiny and her moral duty, she decides to take vengeance upon Urbanus after the wedding night. Gemma’s not counting on more dark revelations about Urbanus, much less his beguiling charm. Alone in his palace, Gemma can only rely upon herself to ensure her survival—or can she trust the mysterious stranger who pledges to aid her, for reasons unknown?

 

Review:

Goes down as another off my 2018 Bookworm Bingo Challenge – A book set on another planet. You have Regalia and its sister planet Incendium where the dragons rule. Well it’s time to see how Gemma’s plan of revenge for her murdered friend Arista plays out. She might have a plan but Urbanus is a sneak and has a few of his own, ones she won’t see coming. Good job she gets a helping hand from a friendly toad then isn’t it? One only we know the true name and nature of – Venero.

It seems years ago an astrologer told Gemma that she would marry the future King of Regalia and he would not only be the carrier of the seed but also her HeartKeeper. She might have been concerned when her sister Drakina was set to marry Cantos, the first-born son of Queen Arcana, but well we all know how that turned out. The second in line was Urbanus but from knowing what he had done with the assassination of her best friend you can’t believe it to be true. It seems not everything is as it seems though but somehow everything played out just as it was meant to. With a little hop along the way.

So Gemma’s plan is simple enough. Thinking that the astrologer can’t be wrong she means to marry Urbanus, let him get her pregnant, as he is meant to be the carrier of the seed, and then kill him in his sleep. Leaving before anyone is the wiser. Helps that he had a honeymoon home of sorts built away from prying eyes. The stories of magic that Regalia holds and how Queen Arcana is meant to have passed gifts to each of her sons doesn’t cause too much concern at the start but it seems she should have held more faith in it as it could be her undoing.

Venero has a plan to be returned back to human. That plan is to get the help of who he perceives to be the airhead of a bride that has married his twin Urbanus. He can think of no other reason why someone of sound mind would do so, even if her King asked her to. His opinion isn’t changed when he sees her for the first time as she comes giddily into the room he’s hiding in. That is until she is alone and her whole persona changes in a second. He can tell with one look that she is different and has the overwhelming need to help and warn her of what his brother is really capable of. Well it seems she knows he’s not someone to be trusted but doesn’t know much about magic and spells. So it’s not good when Urbanus does a slight of the hand to cast one on her. Seems Venero needs to lend a hand, or more precisely hop, to help her out this time. Crashing into a few things so his brother is knocked out for the moment seems to work but he still needs to get Gemma to safety. Yes he wants to use her for his own reasons but feels a need to protect her more, something that unsettles him.

Escape is what’s needed for Gemma, her palver cat like creature and hop along friend, one who doesn’t give her a name to start with. Spells and trouble follow if they don’t run fast enough. Gemma is still a little confused by it all and can’t shake the feeling that her heartbreaker and carrier of the seed are closer than she thinks. Seems her dragon can sense him but because of the spell is trapped from fighting. Not good when that’s what she was looking for.

Seems Gemma and Venero need each other to get their end goal but could there be more that binds them together? The secret of why he was cursed being aired might shed some light and also see forth to have the future told correct. If a princess kisses a frog her prince shall arise but what of kissing a toad? Not much from what Gemma thinks but then could that be the answer to all she really seeks?

Mystery and intrigue with many vying for different outcomes with what they seek. Got to love these dragon princesses, as they are a force to be reckoned with. You do not want to get in their way and certainly want them on your side. Something Venero is learning and starting to like. I liked the funny friendship that came with the two of them and the passion you know will follow, something else these dragons are known for. Well they do have fire so can get very heated. Liked the flow of this one right from the start and keeps you hooked till the end.

5 out of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book from the author for my honest review.

Advertisements

Release Blitz and Book Review: ‘Two Tickets to Bearadise’ by Chasity Bowlin

Title: Two Tickets to Bearadise (Bearadise Lodge Book 1)

Published: 28^th February 2018

Author: Chasity Bowlin

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChasityBowlinAuthor

Twitter: @AuthorChasity

Instagram: www.instagram.com/chasitybowlin

 

Synopsis:

A Curvy Beauty Looking To Get Away From It All

Zoe Hawkins has a successful career as a romance writer… except she’s not feeling very into romance and a deadline is looming. When her best friend and fellow author, India, bails on her at the last minute, Zoe does what she’s gotten painfully good at—flying solo. Headed into the mountains for a solitary writing retreat, the city girl is ill equipped to deal with the large and terrifying bear that she encounters as she struggles to get into her rented cabin.

A Sexy Shifter Who Knows What He Wants

Logan might be the youngest of the Arthur brothers, but he’s always known precisely what he wanted. From the moment he sets eyes on the luscious curves of Zoe, city girl or not, he knows she’s the one for him. She’s his mate. Destiny put her in his path and he doesn’t plan to let her get away. Of course, the fact that she’s now terrified of bears and consoling herself with every form of liquor in the minibar doesn’t help.

Happily Ever After?

If Zoe can survive the humiliation of her drunken attempts to seduce him and the hangover that came after, and if Logan can convince her that bears can be cuddly too, they might just have a chance to write a love story of their own.

Two Tickets To Bearadise is the first in a series, but each of the subsequent books can be read as a standalone.

 

Purchase Links:

Amazon – UK / US / CA / AU

Add to Goodreads

 

Review:

Goes down as another off my 2018 Bookworm Bingo Challenge – A book about shifters. Bear shifters to be precise and these are some fine looking ones to boot. Might need to book a retreat to a mountainside cabin soon.

So Zoe might want to thank her friend India for standing her up on her little week writing retreat when she starts to appreciate the welcome she got. She is a city girl through and through but knows she needs to go somewhere quiet to work so a mountainside cabin seem as good a place as any. She has a deadline from her publisher that is looming and must finish her book ASAP if she wants to get the advance for the next one. Small problem is that she has no ideas flowing. She’s a romance author and has been lacking in that department for a while. How can she write about being ravished by some hot man when she almost can’t remember what it feels like? A week away to get the mind juices flowing is what’s needed. It’s just the nature that’s making her a bit nervous. Well that and the big bear at the cabin door pawing at her snacks. Playing dead is her first thought but when said bear licks her neck she goes in that direction by passing flat out. Seems this is no ordinary bear.

Logan has a big furry secret. One he’s never thought about revealing before. But that all changes when he gets a whiff of a sweet honey scent. Well bears and honey do go hand in hand. So after scaring her enough to pass out Logan knows he needs to get her inside the cabin so she is safe. He knows not all bears in the area are shifters; some really might bite. Thing with shifting back to human though is that he is naked, and from the moment she is in his arms, very happy to see her. He can’t explain the reaction right away but knows he can’t stay away from her for long. She wakes in his arms and while he tries to keep her from looking she gets one hell of an eye full when he leaves. Enough of one to give her hormones a boost in a very hot direction and only getting hotter to closer she is to Logan. A man with muscles on top of muscles and an appendage none would forget in a hurry. Not that Zoe wants to. She has other plans in mind.

The connection is felt from the first moment and its not long before the pull for each other grants them another chance encounter. Well not so much chance as wishful thinking on Zoe’s part when coming to the mountainside cabins small shop. She’s looking for supplies but gets more than she bargained for. Talk about getting a spark to ignite into a full-blown fire. Seems one taste isn’t enough for either of them. The craving they have for each other is just getting stronger. Hot and heavy from the get go but with Logan’s secret looming over them can this fling turn into something real or will she run for the hills? Though you know it might just give her a push in the right direction for her next book. Writing what she experiences perhaps?

Logan’s brothers, bears too, Sam and Barrett were definitely chalk and cheese, even more so with him. All stems from their childhoods and having one person calling them monsters were enough to make them wary of strangers. Their stories should be fun as each is going to need very different women. Great start to a new series and should be interesting to see where it goes from here. Light, shifter fun read to chill out with on a lazy afternoon.

5 out of 5 stars

I received this ARC from the author for my honest review.

Book Review: ‘Frost-Bitten’ by Lori King

Title: Frost-Bitten

Published: 17^th October 2017

Author: Lori King

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LoriKingBooks

Twitter: @LoriKingBooks

 

Synopsis:

Dr. Quinn Jameson has secured his future by immersing himself in his career, but no amount of money in the world can ease his loneliness. Polar bear shifters aren’t pack creatures, but his soul craves more out of life. When a feisty, female tiger shifter begs him for help, he’s unable to resist and finds himself embroiled in a dangerous situation.

Aubrey Celine is in a bad spot. Pregnant and on the run, she’s out of options until she wakes up in the hospital under the care of a delicious-looking Doctor. Can she trust another man after what her ex has put her through? Or has her heart frozen solid?

In the midst of an epic blizzard, these two strangers must rely on each other to stay alive, but every time they’re alone, the heat between them could melt the ice caps. How far will they go to avoid getting frost bite?

 

Review:

Well who is up for some shifter fun on a winter night? Aubrey may be on the run but it seems romance might still be on the cards. Well Quinn’s hoping anyway after one sniff of her delectable scent.

Aubrey, a tiger shifter, is on the run from her psycho ex Alex, a lion shifter, who has held her captive ever since he found out she was pregnant. At the first glimpse of freedom, she was taking it. Even if it meant heading out into a storm with no direction in mind other than to get as far away as possible. She may have gotten further but a car accident causes her to go off road and end up in hospital. But everything has a silver lining it seems as fate put her into the path of a rather dishy doctor.

Quinn, a polar bear shifter, always seemed to prefer to stay in his research lab to being on call. That is until a patient falls into his care that he feels compelled to help and protect. Well the protecting part comes easily to handle, what he can’t seem to get his head around is how he can also be so turned on in her presence. Especially with her being very pregnant – almost ready to pop. With danger on their tails though he needs to get her some place safe. Once she is he can address the pull of attraction they both feel. Being a shifter helps with sensing when the other is turned on but they do need to keep their heads in the game as it looks like Alex isn’t going to give her up without a fight. Good job he’s a kick-ass polar bear then isn’t it!

4 out of 5 stars

Book Review: ‘120 Proof Honey’ by Becca Fanning

Title: 120 Proof Honey (Books 1-5, BBW Bear Shifter Moonshiner Romance)

Published: 16^th November 2016

Author: Becca Fanning

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AuthorBecca

 

Synopsis:

The Complete 120 Proof Honey Series here just for you! Contains the following stories:

Daxton: Blair Mason was a woman with a one-track mind, and that track was work. From sunrise to sun down, all she thought about was how to keep her small town grocery store open. That meant hard decisions, the type Blair was in the midst of making when she was rudely interrupted by a tall man. A tall handsome man. Oh, there were things other than work after all!

Daxton Holt thought getting his honey on Mason’s shelves would be simple. Walk in, flash a smile and fill out some paperwork. But this owner was something else. She saw right through his charms, pushing him to really sell his product. He liked that, and he liked her. A feisty little minx is sweeter than any honey his bees made…

Knox: Jasmine has always known that life wasn’t fair. It wasn’t fair that all her hard work keeping a home wasn’t appreciated. It wasn’t fair that none of that time counted as “experience,” but she was desperate so she had to take whatever there was. Stepping off the bus, she reminded herself that life didn’t have to be fair, but it did have to be survived. As soon as she laid eyes on the handsome man who answered the door, she remembered something she’d suppressed for a long time: life had it’s sunny moments as well.

Knox Ryker didn’t really like this whole idea of getting a housekeeper. Yes, five guys living together could take it’s toll on a place. Yes, Dax’s new girlfriend had a point: it was a pigsty. But having a stranger come over to root through your things just didn’t feel right. But once he laid eyes on Jasmine, he had feelings of a totally different sort.

Amir: Just get in, get the scoop, and get out. Kora Lane stepped out of her air conditioned car and into the blazing heat of this muggy Ozark valley. Her boss had sent her down here to sniff out a story: a local honey harvester was producing illicit moonshine on the side. The tip came in from an anonymous source, but she never passed up a juicy tip. Now she just had to get past this gorgeous mountain of a man that answered the door…

Amir Thorne was a man with a secret. No matter how low key he tried to play it, there was always a type of woman who could sense it. Usually they took his disinterest as a clear signal to move on. But every now and then, you’d get one that just wouldn’t let go. As soon as he saw Kora, he knew what type she was…

Beck: Don’t put that in your mouth. Don’t push your brother. Please stop crying. Harmony just needed to get through this day of nannying. The little boogers in her charge were turning their trip to the county fair into a competition of who could cause a migraine the fastest. She spotted a honey stand and thought a few sweet treats might win her a moment’s respite. She spotted the owner of the stand and thought about something other than honey…

It wasn’t that Beck hated kids: he just wasn’t used to them. All the crying, the erratic behavior and the tantrums were just too much. He had a feeling his reluctance on the topic of children was why he and his girlfriend of four years had to call it quits. There are some things you just can’t compromise on, no matter what.

Slade: Veronica Harper was ready to let bygones be bygones. She’d spent enough years fighting tooth and claw to know that nobody won in a drag out brawl. It was better for all parties to come to the peace table. But being the leader of a Bear Shifter Clan meant many things, the most important of which was to be the kind of leader that the rest of the Clan would follow. That meant never losing face. Even if the person you’re staring down is a handsome hunk with more charm than he realizes.

Slade Walker knew things were tense. This Clan rivalry was close to spilling into a war, and he didn’t know how many casualties would be on each side. Too many, surely. But these women just wouldn’t leave his Clan alone.

 

Review:

Goes down as another off my 2017 Bookworm Bingo Challenge – A book with food or drink in the title. Short and sweet like the honey these bear of men sell. Who doesn’t love a good bear shifter romance? This happens to be a 5 in 1 deal. Seems shifters are known about but not many people believe the stories. Seems a few women are about to learn fantasy is reality when this clan shake things up.

Daxton: A bear selling honey products, sounds perfect right, I mean they sure know their stuff. Now if they could just find somewhere to sell it they’d be laughing. Blair’s store is in trouble with a new shop opening in town selling products cheaper. She needs to find a new hook to get the sales rolling back into her direction. Could smooth talking Daxton and his ideas be the solution? A business meeting soon turns to a dinner date – well with the chemistry bouncing around you can see why. Things soon get heated, though for a very different reason. They sure are hot and heavy very quickly. A spicy couple getting sweeter the longer they are together.

Knox: The clan is in need of a cleaner for five very messy bears – how hard could that be? Jasmine is about to find out. Good job ones caught her eye, as she has his, as trouble is brewing with her ex Darius. No matter what Knox says it seems bees aren’t always friend to all. They might be good for honey but not so much when they are drowsy and feel like stinging. Jasmine is timid to begin with around the men, with good reason, but it doesn’t take Knox long to put her at ease. Jasmine is safe and cared for in every way with this loveable guy who takes his time to please his lady. You get to see all the other guys too, which was good.

Amir: Kora’s boss wants a good story about illegal moonshine from a tip they’ve had but it looks like she’s going to get something a whole lot wilder. Amir seems like such a sweetheart. A loveable giant who is only too happy to answer any and all of Kora’s questions – well within reason. She’s good at finding secrets but he’s better at keeping them. Though this time I feel he wants to let someone know. He has seen his other two clan mates find love and now he wants that too. Here’s hoping Kora’s ready cause he’s looking her way. Why if she doesn’t let slip their secret that is. Wildest couple in the sack so far. Seems the rival clan is getting bolder with trying to sabotage them. Lets see what they do next.

Beck: A chance meeting at a fair while babysitting three little terrors sees Harmony try to distract them with honey sticks. The honey might be distracting the boys but it’s the man selling them that’s distracting her. A spark of chemistry soon turns into a date. Well when Beck eventually makes the first move that is. Seems he’s been out of the dating game a while so is nervous and doesn’t want to mess it up. Super sweet but nothing is ever smooth sailing with these bears. He’s keeping his secret and it seems Harmony is keeping one of her own, her son Logan. They both have fears to overcome to get what they want but once they do you know it will be good.

Slade: Slade and his clan have had about enough of the all female rival clan that has been causing them none stop trouble since they moved in two and a half years ago. Things are escalating so something needs to give. When he and Knox go to scout out their property he gets a shock when he spots the alpha. One look and its all he can do not to charge her, and so not for a negative reason. He wants her and is only just starting to see the benefits to a shifter-shifter relationship. Would be fine to start something if the rest of her clan wasn’t causing problems. Seems there’s a lot of tension in their camp with Veronica’s alpha status being questioned. She needs to step up and take charge to get what she wants. The same goes for how to handle Slade – not that he minds. You know they will be wild together, two alphas dominating to see who gets on top, but fighting is on the cards first it seems between the clans. Can they work together or will they tear each other apart?

Fun short wild reads to chill out with. These bears are loveable beasts just looking for their other halves. Doesn’t take them long to find them. Some insta-love connections seemed a bit fast but its all good in the end. Whose up for some sweet honey products? I know a place to go.

4 out of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book from the author for my honest review.

Book Review: ‘Bear for Christmas’ by Amy Lamont

Title: Bear for Christmas: Kodiak Den #4 (Alaskan Den Men Book 15)

Published: 13^th December 2016

Publisher: Productive Ink Media

Author: Amy Lamont

Facebook: www.facebook.com/AmyLamontAuthor

Twitter: @Amy_Lamont

www.alaskandenmen.com

Synopsis:

Shy and introverted Ivy Quinn has psychic abilities she’s only beginning to understand. Sheltered by her father most of her life, she never questioned his use of her skills to further his business interests. But when she finally realizes exactly how he wants to exploit her abilities, she has no choice but to run.

Out from under her father’s thumb, Ivy’s self-confidence grows along with her psychic gifts. She uses them to stay one step ahead of everyone her father sends to hunt her—everyone except the sexy bear shifter who is relentless in his pursuit. But now that she knows the truth about her father’s plans, the last thing she wants to do is go home for the holidays. No matter how hot the werebear tracking her might be, she’s determined to evade him. Even if the rugged shifter is making her wish for something she can never have.

Bounty hunter Cole Jackson is a legendary predator, even among werebears. His talents make him the perfect choice to head up the bond enforcement division of Ursus Security Solutions. But when Ivy’s file lands on his desk, he takes one look at her and thinks Christmas just came early. She might just be the fugitive he wants to capture and keep for himself. Can Cole keep Ivy safe and help all her Christmas wishes come true?

SURPRISE! During the holiday season only, when you download Bear for Christmas, you get Christmas with the Billionaire (Holiday Encounters Book 1) included as my gift to you!

Review:

Goes down as the first off my 2017 Bookworm Bingo Challenge – A book with a bear on the cover. Though really it’s the man behind the bear that you really want to be looking at.

Ivy has been on the run from her father – and the men he’s sent after her – for a month. Since a child she has had premonitions and thought her father only kept her sheltered out of love and to protect her from harm. When a new gift started to appear she got a wake up call to what her life was really like and what her father’s plans for her really were. She now has the ability to go into someone’s mind and read the thoughts and emotions within. Taking a look into her fathers didn’t turn out the way she’d hoped. It appears that from the moment he found put she had the gift of premonition he has been using her as a science experiment he could make money from. The government would see her as a highly sort after commodity, one that would create a lot of money for her father. Not wanting to be there a moment longer she ran. She may be able to outsmart the men he sent after her with her gifts but when the man from her dreams appears within a premonition she has to wonder if she really wants to outrun him.

Cole is a bear shifter, one hired to track her down for her father. His company has been used as a last resort due to the lack of results from the others searching for her. At first he can’t see a reason to take the case on himself and plans to pass it along to a colleague. That all changes after he takes a look at the picture of the woman who is missing. One look and his bear charges right to the surface, to the point of causing a shift. Seems his bear and him are agreement that she’s their mate. He knows that he’s the only person who will find her – tracking is his thing. Something about the file on her doesn’t quite fit for him though. After she gives him a bit of a run around he comes home to regroup. Seems fate likes to play a hand in this little cat and mouse game as who just happens to be sitting at his local dinner, none other than Ivy. Perhaps if he figures out what is really going on he can keep her, something his bear is dying to do.

Ivy senses him before she sees him and for but a moment wants to believe in knights and fairytales and live in the moment with her dream man. At a loss as to where to stay, no hotels close by, he offers his place due to the snow coming in fast. With heavy snow they will be blocked in but it also means the others after her can’t get close either. Seems she likes that he is giving her a few firsts. First date, first bear shifter she’s met and if she plays her cards right first kiss. It just takes one to kick start a fun lot of firsts (then first seconds, thirds and so on) but when a premonition kicks in and shows her a future she wishes were false her romantic bubble might just burst. She must never forget that danger from her father is just a step away. Well that is unless Cole can get is furry butt in order and get her out of it.

Two books in one which was cool but I would have liked it to be a bit longer and for Cole to ‘bear out’ protecting Ivy in some way or another. Didn’t feel too much like a shifter read more just a heated snowed in romance. They sure found some fun ways to warm up while it was cold outside.

4 out of 5 stars

I received this ARC from Give Me Books for my honest review.