Hard and Fast by Raven Scott #klover #romance #suspense

I received an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

Synopsis
Lucas works with a security firm that has been employed by a race car company. They have a new engine that they are trying to keep secure until they review it at a car race.
Alexandria (Alex) is the chief engineer and brainchild of the revolutionary motor the security company is hired to protect. When threats are made, Lucas has to protect her and her engine.

Opinion
I thought the story was OK. I cannot complain, but it was a little lackluster for me. Part of the reason is that it was hard for me to get into the story.

The mystery/conflict surrounding the attempted theft of the engine did not impact me because I could not understand the importance of it. I do not know much about racing even though my hubby is a Formula One fan. When they were trying to explain, I found myself more confused because exclamation seem very technical. Even so, bravo for the author doing her research so thoroughly (added a heart for this reason).

As for the main characters, Lucas seemed like a likable enough hero. Alex took a little more for me to warm up to her. She was so resistant to security even when it was evident that her life was in danger. I guess Lucas was so intrigued with her because she turned him down the first time they met. Other than that, there did not seem to be a lot of chemistry.

Should you buy? I am not the person to say. The story was fine but I could not get engaged. I think if you like racing themed stories, you will enjoy this greatly.

Book Details

Series: A Fortis Novel (Book 2)
Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Dafina (December 29, 2015)

Kill Without Mercy by @AlexandraIvy #klover #thriller #romance

Dec27

I received ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Kill Without Mercy

Synopsis

Annie is in the small town of Newton, Iowa looking for answers. Her father is known as a serial killer from 15 years ago. When women begin to disappear in the same town. She wonders if she can help stop a killer.

Rafe went to Iowa to clear out his deceased grandfather’s house. Upon overhearing a conversation involving Annie, he decides that he needs to help her with her investigation. When there seems to be threats to Annie’s life, he is more convinced that he is doing the right thing.

Opinion

This book is one of the best thriller/suspense romance books I have read in a long while.

There were so many twists and turns, I almost got whiplash.

I really liked Rafe’s character. He was all alpha male and a protector. Rafe cannot deny the attraction between him and Annie, but initially he was intrigued because he is a sucker for damsel in distress.

“Rafe had a full blown case of savior complex…”

Annie’s life is a hot mess. I did not warm up to her at first, but I was able to understand her. Between the gaps in her memory, the nightmares, and the notoriety of her serial killer father, she was a mystery waiting to be solved.

Once all is revealed… Let’s just say wow!

I cannot say a lot about the story without giving anything away/ One of my favorite parts of the story was the camaraderie between Rafe and his friends. The five of them are Rafe, Hauk, Teagan, Max, and Lucas. I love them all so much. I cannot wait for them to get their own stories.

Should you buy? Absolutely yes! For me all of the ARES security stories are now on my TBR list. How Alexandra Ivy will top this story is beyond me, but I am eagerly waiting to find out.

Book Details from Amazon
File Size: 517 KB
Print Length: 368 pages
Publisher: Zebra (December 29, 2015)
Publication Date: December 29, 2015
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.

Feel the Burn G.A Aiken #dragonkin #review #kLover @KensingtonBooks #TBRlist

Nov8

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Feel the Burn (Dragonkin)

Synopsis
Gaius is the Iron Dragon One-Eyed Rebel king and Kachka is a Rider, daughter of the Steppes.
Both are on a mission. Gaius is trying to find his sadistic cousin to exact revenge for her torturing his twin sister. Kachka is on a mission from the queen to put an end to the Charamnesind cult, a group of people who are disrupting peace by slaughtering priests in the temples throughout the land.

Opinion
To me, this book is not really a romance. Do not get me wrong, I thought it was great fiction with romantic elements. For the most part, I felt like it was a Game of Thrones type of book. There were all these different characters, tribes, and ruling groups that had to be explained. There were alliances between nations, provinces and obvious power struggles that had to be addressed. It was a ways into the book before the hero & heroine actually meet.

Props to the author for the elaborate world she created. This was not as simple as just dragons and non-dragons. There were people with various types of abilities and those with none at all.

Kachka was a hilarious multi-faceted character. She was a skilled hunter that was not used to just sitting around. She needed a mission or purpose to stay active. Her people, as a race of female chauvinists, looked down on males. Period. It did not matter if the male in question was stronger; he was still only good for one thing. Help her make babies. Well, two things.

As a result, she looks down on Gaius in the beginning. She is attracted to him and tells him that she will allow him to share her bed because it pleases her. Gaius should be offended at the way that Kachka talks to him (she shows no respect) but he cannot help but feel drawn in by the attraction.

I focused a lot on Kachka, because I love her character, but Gaius is just as well developed. He is a warrior and dragon, but at the same time, I could tell so much about him from the way he takes care of his sister.

There was so much action happening in this book that it is difficult for me to concentrate on one aspect. Don’t worry. It is not too convoluted that you cannot follow the story. My only regret is that I did not read some of the previous books in the series before requesting this one. I think that would have helped me to have a deeper context and understand the supporting characters better.

Should you buy? Yes! If you like strong heroines, Kachka is the one for you. She is a warrior in her own right and does not need a man to save her. Gaius and Kachka are definitely equals, even though it takes a while for her to see it that way. I am glad that they have a HEA and it is an entertaining story to see all that Gaius and Kachka experience along the way.

This story is a standalone but it you are like me, you will want to read the rest of the books in the series as well. This series is a world that you want to immerse yourself, especially when it is cold and rainy outside!

Book details
Series: Dragonkin
Mass Market Paperback: 448 pages
Publisher: Zebra (November 24, 2015)
Available on Amazon