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Terry Bolryder & Awakened #Dragon series #romance #shifters

Oct5

You might have guessed that one of my favorite authors is Terry Bolryder. Well friends, she has a new series out called Awakened Dragon series.

Verdict is in: I love all of them!

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It is hard for me to even sit still to write the review about each book because, I love them all. Every time I think about the stories, I want to reread the books. I am seriously addicted to these characters.

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Opinion
Each dragon has his power that is not really understood by the rest because dragons used to be loners before they were put to sleep. Now in modern times, they have to stick together to fight a common enemy. They understand that the oracle knows best but they do not always approve of her methods. If they find their mates, they can have full access to their powers. It should be simple, but they did not count on the women having minds of their own.

These stories are fun and creative. I love dragon shifter romances and have enjoyed this series immensely. I think it is because they have personalities that are all various ranges of the amoral scale. It is not that they are bad, but they never really had to care about humanity. They did their own thing, benefiting from their status and power, but not completely understanding how to care to make a positive impact in the world.

Then they each meet their mate, and their world changes drastically.

I cannot wait to read Aegis’ (Emerald dragon) story.

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I think he might end up being the most complex of them all. I am dancing in expectation of reading his story. At the beginning of the series, I thought I hated him. But as more of his story is revealed, I realize that he is another conflicted hero in the making.

Books in order in the series

Erin and Zach story – Onyx Dragon (Awakened Dragons Book 1)

(FYI- here is a pet cat in every story ❤ – they adopt a one legged cat Bo)

Book details
Series: Awakened Dragons Book 1
Print Length: 268 pages
Publication Date: July 25, 2016

Hallie and Luc – Sapphire dragon (Awakened Dragons Book 2)

(they adopt a cat with cancer Bastien)

Book details
Series: Awakened Dragons Book 2
Print Length: 157 pages
Publication Date: August 3, 2016

Faye and Red – Ruby dragon (Awakened Dragons Book 3)

(they adopt a cat Pumpkin scratches everybody)

Book details
Series: Awakened Dragons Book 3
Print Length: 246 pages
Publication Date: August 11, 2016

Alistar and Bridget – Diamond dragon (Awakened Dragons Book 4)

(they adopt a cat Scrangy)

Book details
Series: Awakened Dragons Book 4
Print Length: 178 pages
Publication Date: August 25, 2016

Dom and Lara – Amethyst dragon (Awakened Dragons Book 5)

–received this book free in exchange for honest review–

(they adopt a litter of kittens after the mom dies)

Book details
Series: Awakened Dragons Book 5
Print Length: 174 pages
Publication Date: September 14, 2016

 

TOW Final Word: Buy, Borrow, Pass?
BUY! BUY! BUY! Every time I finish a book, I have a little hyperventilation fit because I cannot wait for the next book in the series. And then I sometime re-read the book to stay in contact with the characters. Thankfully, Terry has not made me wait too long between books.

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Ice and Fire #theeliteforces #militaryromance @AuthorKCoopmans @hilary_storm

Sep27

I received these books in exchange for my honest opinion

ICE (The Elite Forces Series Book 1) 

FIRE (Elite Forces Series Book 2)

This story is a two books series. The first book ends in a humongous cliffhanger. Unless you want to only imagine everything turns out all right I do not recommend only buying one book. Buy both of them.

One of the things that I like to about this story was the fact Jade was an army ranger. She had to have gone through very rigorous training in order to achieve this level in the army. Although, as the story opens she is about to make a mistake that changes the course of her career.

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I thought it was crazy how they first met and even crazier that within minutes of the meeting each other they were already banging. No judging or slut shaming because you have to understand what was happening and that means you need to read the book.

Maverick was in a class by himself. I cannot even begin to describe him. There were just so many different facets of his personality that it is difficult to say what type of person he is. What I can say is that he is a pure hottie of an alpha male.

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In the second book we are delving more into Jade’s emotions and how she is dealing with the high intensity life that they have because of the dangerous nature of their chosen careers. At this point, I think the more that I got to know her, the crazier she became. It is not why you might think. She was such a control freak about her life because of past experiences. Falling in love with Maverick was not part of her plan. And when things were not in her control, she did not know how to handle it.

There were twists and turns in the plot that I did not think I could handle it all. But in the end, I was in a good place. Now I am ready to read the next book in the series.

TOW Final Word: Buy, Borrow, Pass?
BUY!!! Don’t be confused. This is not a sweet, cozy romance. This is an intense, in your face, high energy romance with so much action that you wonder what else could possibly happen.

Book details
ICE (The Elite Forces Series Book 1)
Print Length: 198 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Kathy Coopmans and Hilary Storm (March 8, 2016)
Publication Date: March 8, 2016

FIRE (Elite Forces Series Book 2)
Print Length: 285 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Hilary Storm and Kathy Coopmans (April 26, 2016)
Publication Date: April 26, 2016

 

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Review: Fire by Tiffany Flowers #dragonshifter #paranormalromance @Authortflowers

Sep9
Title: Fire
Series: A Dragon’s Novel #1
Author: Tiffany Flowers
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Dragons are not supposed to exist. They are just fairy tale creatures in stories used to get children to sleep. Now faced with a living breathing Dragon, Jade Teal has no choice but to believe. And with this newfound knowledge, danger arrives at every turn.

Alex Sparks is the leader of the Drac Dragon Clan. He doesn’t want a mate, ever. Sent out on a rescue mission to save a human female, he comes face to face with someone that he did not expect. To protect her, his world will be set on fire.

~~~TOW Review~~~

4heartWhen Alex and Jade meet, Jade finds out that everything that she heard about the legends and stories she had been told as a child was true. If that was not mind blowing enough, she also finds out that Alex thinks she should be his mate.
I think that the author did a very good job of making Jade very realistic for the situation she was in. She could not understand if it was her body’s attraction to Alex that was drawing her to him or if they really had a connection to be together.
I loved this story so much that I could not put it down. I felt like I was on a roller coaster ride and all I could do was hold on as tightly as possible. I felt for both Jade and Alex because they had aspects of their personality which they deemed themselves unlovable.
In the end, they both have to come to terms with learning how to love themselves before they could recognize the truth about love they found in each other. It was so much more than a simple connection shared between the dragon and his mate.
TOW Opinion: Should you buy, borrow or pass?
BUY!!! You will not be disappointed. The story flows well with characters that come to life.

~~I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review~~

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Review: Sleeping with the Boss #HarlequinDesire #romance

Sep5

Sleeping with the boss

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Synopsis

Eileen is helping Rick in his office while his secretary is on vacation. During this time they discover that they have explosive passion for each other between the sheets. Eileen is ready to commit only if Rick will do the same. An unplanned pregnancy should change things, but Rick has to decide if he will trust her with his heart.

Opinion
This is a predictable story line. I thought the title was misleading. Technically he was only her boss for a couple of weeks. She had her own business and could leave if she wanted. She was there to help him out because she knew his family.

Rick has his emotional issues because he has been hurt before. His parents did not love him. Poor Rich boy sob story.

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When he gets Eileen pregnant, he acts as if he can use the pregnancy to solidify the relationship without full commitment on his part. That was ironic because you would not think that someone who did not want to commit would want to be tied to another person in such a way.

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Eileen’s psychoanalyzing of Rick helped in the long run. At the same time, I thought she should have explained herself better. She understood his emotional hangups better than anyone else. Getting him to understand that she understood, was the issue in a nutshell.

It all works out in the end.

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It better. I do not buy Harlequin to have surprise tragic endings. Or major plot twist where the hero and heroine go their separate ways.

Should you buy? I recommend this book for those times when you want a light romance read for the beach or when traveling. It was entertaining  while completely predictable.

 

Book Details
Print Length: 192 pages
Publisher: Silhouette Desire (June 11, 2010)
Publication Date: June 1, 2010
Sold by: Harlequin Digital Sales Corp.

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Book Review: The lie by CL Taylor #guestpost #amreading #thriller

Aug30

Today I have a guest post by Sophia Rose.

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The Lie by CL Taylor

Rating: 4 

GoodReads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30170265-the-lie

Synopsis from GoodReads:

Haunting and compelling, this psychological thriller is perfect for fans of Gone Girl, Girl on the Train, and Daughter.

Jane Hughes has a great boyfriend, a job in an animal shelter, and a tiny cottage in rural Wales. She’s happier than she’s ever been…but her life is a lie. Jane Hughes does not really exist.

Five years earlier, Jane and her best friends set off on what was supposed to be the trip of a lifetime, but it rapidly descended into a nightmare that claimed the lives of two of her friends. Ever since, Jane has tried to put the past behind her and lead a normal life. But someone out there knows the truth about what happened-and they won’t stop until they’ve destroyed Jane and everything she loves.

Review:

I’ve been in the mood for spine-tingling chills and a complex twisty plot.  The blurb captured my attention and into it I dove hoping to be thrilled by a satisfying and intense mystery.  Eventually, the book gave me that, but it started out slow before it really got rolling.  What I think helped me connect with this book was when I realized it was actually not just a thriller, but an interesting blend of women’s fiction and thriller.

As I said, it started off slow.  There was twice the intro and set up because of the way the plot was structured which explains the pace.  This is one that flips back and forth between a past and present story line, but with the same character perspective narrating both.  The present is with Jane Hughes the quiet, put together woman with a nice cottage, lovely boyfriend, and satisfying job at the animal shelter who is now receiving messages from someone she thought was dead.  The past is with Emma (she changed her name to Jane to start over) and her three friends who go on the adventure holiday of a lifetime that turns into a nightmare.

Once in a while, I come across a book that blends some elements that make for an interesting read and take some getting used to.  In this one, the author melds women’s fiction into a thriller story.  There is definitely a suspenseful and even atmospheric thriller layer to the plot.  Danger is very present and people are terrified for their lives.  I guessed after the person and motive behind it all, but the truth was only obvious near the end when the layers were peeled back bit by bit.

Planted in the center of all this is a story of four women who claim a friendship.  They are drawn as regular people with regular people foibles.  I didn’t care for any of them when the book started and I only started warming up to some of the characters much later.

As four college friends set out on their holiday, there are certain dynamics in place.  Not ideal all around, but a decent group.  As their situation becomes drastic and beyond their previous experience, it all shifts.  Under the pressure they experience, they are all tested and it was interesting to see how it all turned out.  It reminded me of real life friendships that may or may not last.

In summary, this story took me places that I just never imagined when I picked it up and I would definitely give this author’s books another go.  I would recommend this for those who don’t mind the blending of thriller with women’s fiction.

My thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Book Details
Genre: Thriller
Publisher:  Sourcebooks Landmark
Published:  6.7.16
Pages: 400
Format: eARC
Source:  Sourcebooks Landmark
Sellers:  Amazon

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Sophia’s Bio:

Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.