REVIEW - An Unexpected Distraction (Richter #3) by Catherine Bybee

The Book

Release Date: 30 November 2021

Goodreads Link

Family secrets and fresh romance collide in this heart-pounding Richter series installment by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee.

Jacqueline “Jax” Simon knows how to expose she’s a skilled operative with MacBain Security and Solutions. When Jax hears her parents are divorcing, she races to London to find out why. She’s determined to learn the truth, especially when her investigation uncovers why her parents sent her to Richter, the German military school that made her a fighter.

Andrew Craig collects Jax at Heathrow Airport as a favor. He’s heard she’s a handful, but he didn’t know she’s dangerously gorgeous too. His instant attraction could change his life…or end it.

Jax doesn’t want to fall for Andrew, but soon he’s worming his way into her life. Together, they infiltrate Richter to discover if it has returned to its covert training children to be spies and assassins and blackmailing parents to look the other way. As the attraction between the two intensifies, so do the secrets exploding all around them. How deadly are those secrets—and who will survive?

My Review    4 STARS

**My thanks to NetGalley and Montlake Romance, for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

In this book Jax Simon is called home by her brother as there is a family emergency.  Her brother never calls so she flys straight over to find that her brother has sent someone to pick her up.

Andrew is one of Harry's friends and is surprised by Harry's sister, she's not much like her brother described and he is instantly taken with her, even though she mistakes him for the hired help.

JAx is soon pulled into the family drama and why things are coming out now, just as there is news from Richter that things may be heading in the wrong direction again.

Andrew helps JAx where he can, the MacBain security family get involved with both family and Richter issues, finding a connection between them.  

I enjoyed the chemistry between the pair, the continued family of MacBain and the close friendship Jax has with Claire.  I loved that JAx was able to get close to some of her family members at last.

I enjoyed this book and liked that there was an ending that could lend to further books being written in the future.

Changing the Rules (Richter #1) by Catherine Bybee

The Book

Release Date: 23 March 2021

Goodreads Link

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee comes the steamy first novel in her new adrenaline-fueled Richter series.

As an employee of MacBain Security and Solutions, Claire Kelly can certainly hold her own. Armed with an impressive set of covert skills, she’s more than prepared to tackle any job that comes her way…except one involving Cooper Lockman.

Cooper and Claire used to work together before his feelings for her sent him packing to Europe for six long years. But now he’s back and determined to ignore the still-smoldering heat that lingers between them.

Their current mission: go undercover together at a California high school to root out the mastermind behind a prostitution ring targeting young girls. The closer they get to the truth and the closer they get to each other, however, the deadlier their task becomes. As Claire and Cooper risk their lives to bring down their target, will their hearts be the final casualties?

My Review    4 STARS

**My thanks to NetGalley and Montlake Romance, for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This is the first book in the series and as with many of the Books of this author the characters are in multiple series, such as Neil McBain and his ops team.

In this book we have Claire, who we met in Sacha's story who is working for Neil now.  On a routine job a former member comes back to the team in the UK.  Here however he is back for an ops which means Claire needs to do an undercover job at a High school along with her friend Jay.  Cooper is slightly older so is going in undercover as a teacher.

There is a lot of action, a lot of setting up the story and finding out who the dirty players are along with Claire finding herself within an adoptive family that take care of their own.

I enjoyed the way this story was put together, how well researched and the authors clever way of slotting all the pieces together.  I do really like this authors books and it has taken me a while to get back into them.

I have already read the next book in the series, so now i'm looking forward to book three :) 

REVIEW - Fated Mated Mine (Amsterdamage #1) by Becky Wicks

The Book

Release Date: 19 May 2025

Goodreads Link

From HarperCollins and Harlequin author Becky Wicks...

Instinct says I should run.
Our connection commands me to stay.
My soaked panties make the decision for me.

Lukas van der Meer is a monster in a man’s skin—a shifter built for blood, designed for violence, sculpted for the hunt. Then I stumble into his world and every primal part of him decides I’m his fated mate.

Now I’m pinned to the wall of a crumbling Dutch windmill while his claws shred my reality and his mouth ruins me for anyone else.

I came to Amsterdam to renovate a house. I didn’t plan to get marked, mated, and devoured by an alpha wolf who splits me open on every surface I own.

He tells me he’s too dangerous to love. That he should set me free before the darkness in him swallows us whole.

But even with the pack on his back and the Helhonden out for our blood, we both know he’d bring this world to its knees before he lets me go.

Publisher’s A slow burn, spicy fated mates shifter romance set in the city of Amsterdam. Perfect for fans of steamy alpha paranormal romance, monster erotica, possessive alpha werewolves, and supernatural love stories with bite. While this book ends with a HEA, overarching storylines will run throughout the entirety of the series.

This book contains mature content (lots of spicy scenes!) and themes that may not be suitable for younger readers. If frequent use of profanity offends you, you might want to skip this before you Amsterdamage your eyeballs.

My Review     4 STARS

**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

Saoirse has moved to Amsterdam from Dublin after the death of her aunt Wilhamina, she is currently renovating the property to sell, however a neighbour, Lukas van den Meer is annoying her.

But after finding something in her Aunts house she finds their paths are entwined and she must follow the path predicted for her or evil will take over.

This book moves fast, there is certainly spice for those of you that like a spicy read and there is action, fighting, love and stepping up to your destiny.

I really enjoyed this book, even the fast pace and look forward to the next two books in the series.

The Book

Release Date: 21 April 2025

Goodreads Link

The NHL’s grumpiest goalie just met his biggest weakness—his sunshine-y, totally off-limits yoga instructor…

After clawing my way back from a rough few years, I’m finally getting my second chance in the league. The only thing standing between me and a legendary comeback? My own cantankerous attitude—and the blood pressure to match.

Enter Stephanie Love—yoga guru, human ray of sunshine, and the last woman I should be thinking about kissing. She’s here to help me chill the hell out before training camp.

Instead, she’s making it impossible to keep my cool.

One downward dog, and I’m done for. It’s the way she moves, the way she laughs, the way she sees right through my broody bullshit.

I can’t afford distractions, especially not a big-hearted woman who deserves better than a broken goalie with a bad reputation.

But the more I fight it, the clearer it becomes—this game was rigged from the start.

She’s my new dream, now…and I’m about to break every rule to make her mine.

My Review     5 STARS

**My thanks to the author for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

It's been a while since we had anything from this series and I do like a good Hockey romance.  These bad boys have a sweet heart and love for the woman they find and the woman are also strong characters.

Stephanie is the team Yoga instructor and it has been recommended that Theodore 'Tank" LiBassi has personal sessions to help with not only his blood pressure but the soreness in his muscles.

His first meeting with Stephanie goes well and there is certainly an instant connection.  Tank certainly does not intend to like Yoga or the instructor quite so much, but they can't help themselves.

I really like these books and hope that we get more for this series.

REVIEW - The Games Gods Play (The Crucible #1) by Abigail Owen

The Book

Release Date: 3 September 2024

Goodreads Link

The gods love to toy with us mere mortals. And every hundred years, we let them…

I have never been favored by the gods. Far from it, thanks to Zeus.

Living as a cursed office clerk for the Order of Thieves, I just keep my head down and hope the capricious beings who rule from Olympus won’t notice me. Not an easy feat, given San Francisco is Zeus’ patron city, but I make do. I survive. Until the night I tangle with a different god.

The worst god. Hades.

For the first time ever, the ruthless, mercurial King of the Underworld has entered the Crucible—the deadly contest the gods hold to determine a new ruler to sit on the throne of Olympus. But instead of fighting their own battles, the gods name mortals to compete in their stead.

So why in the Underworld did Hades choose me—a sarcastic nobody with a curse on her shoulders—as his champion? And why does my heart trip every time he says I’m his?

I don’t know if I’m a pawn, bait, or something else entirely to this dangerously tempting god. How can I, when he has more secrets than stars in the sky?

Because Hades is playing by his own rules…and Death will win at any cost.

My Review     5 STARS

I have been wanting to read this one since it came out, but it's still not come out in Kindle book in the UK yet and I can't justify over £20 for a book at present, hence I have gone down the audio route with this one.

I do love the books by this author and have read many series by her and I am always thrilled with what I have read.  This book is no exception.

There is romance, intrigue, challenge, trials and a strong female who stands up for herself and for others, even if they are not nice to her.

Hades is a complicated character and to be honest we do not get to see enough of him as to know why he acts like he does even if we get some reasons.

I certainly had a few moments where the book had me crying, especially with Boon and really like how we got the background relationship between them and how he boosted her up.

I can't wait until the kindle version can come out and the paperback becomes more affordable.  I shall certainly buy them when I can.  Until then, I eagerly anticipate book two!

REVIEW - Daydreamer (Daydreamer #1) by Susie Tate

The Book

Release Date: 27 June 2024

Goodreads Link

As a scruffy, disorganised daydreamer, Lucy Mayweather is like a fish out of water at the high-powered offices of her brother’s billionaire best friend. When she agreed to work for Felix, she had no idea quite how cut-throat his world – or he – would be. She just wanted to escape her reclusive life and be close to her childhood crush, hoping he might notice her.

But Lucy’s lonelier in London than she’s even been in her tiny village back home. The boy she grew up with has been replaced by a powerful, ruthless, extremely attractive man who doesn’t tolerate incompetence and who no longer seems to find Lucy’s quirks cute. Instead, he lectures her almost daily on her general crapness, and seems blind to the bullying she endures from his colleagues.

For Felix, agreeing to employ Lucy was a mistake. This shy bookworm with her head in the clouds, who wears tattered jumpers, carries multiple pens in her hair and has an obvious crush on him must be by far the worst assistant in London. But he’s always had a soft spot for the quirky little girl who lived in her own world and told the best stories. Well, now that little girl is all grown up… and he can’t stop thinking about her.

After Felix gives in to his bone-deep longing for his best friend’s little sister, he starts to feel more than he has in years. But Lucy has secrets, and Felix has trust issues. When his inability to trust her leads to a terrible betrayal and places Lucy in danger, Felix is faced with losing her forever. Because the new, hardened, traumatised Lucy is nothing like the daydreaming pushover she once was…

This is a full length, brother's best friend, grumpy billionaire boss romance.

Trigger warning for workplace harassment and assault. 

Warning – there is swearing throughout this book.

My Review      3 STARS

This is the first time that I have read this author and I really liked this authors writing.  It is very much British English and the book is also set in England.  Being british myself I loved seeing phrases and words that I don't see getting used in many of the American written books.

Lucy is the quite shy type who has had a crush on her brothers friend Felix since she was a child.  She often goes into her own head when thinking of stories and her family and Felix are used to this.

However She is currently in London and Felix is doing her mother a favour and has given her a job as an assistant, however she is not doing very well at it.  Her head goes into the clouds, she has temperature issues so needs more clothes than others and she is not good at making friends.  Felix gets exasperated quickly with her.

However, it is not long before Felix is being heavy handed, making her get new clothes, stepping in if something or someone upsets her, being bossy, but not listening to what she is actually good at.  He just makes assumptions.

Its a good strong where the grumpy man eventually has to grovel and make up for the fact that he has been a stupid idiot, especially when something traumatic happens to her.

I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the next book in the series.

REVIEW - Daughters of the Morrigan 1-4 by Nina Croft

The Book

Release Date: 1 January 2010

Goodreads Link

Whoever sacrifices the virgin, Raven Cole, on her twenty-first birthday will achieve a great victory in the war between good and evil.

That’s bad news for Raven. Half-vampire, half witch, and cursed from the moment she was born, Raven has been a prisoner of the fire-demons for the last seven years. Now, as her twenty-first birthday approaches, time is running out.

Kael Hunter believed he would do anything to stop the fire-demons from winning. Until he saw her. Now, rather than kill the alluring vampire himself, Kael has another plan: to prevent the prophecy by taking Raven's virginity.

But Raven is prepared for death not seduction. Can Kael use their one night of passion to convince her she has a future - and that he should be a part of it?

The Book

Release Date: 17 September 2010

Goodreads Link

All magic has a price. And now the balance is overdue. 
A witch with the power to see the future, Gina led a sheltered existence until the vampire, Darius Cole, crashed into her life, abducting her, seducing her, forging an emotional bond between them. Then circumstances tore them apart and the bond faded--until twenty one years later they are drawn together to save their daughter. 
While their passion is rekindled, Gina can offer Darius nothing, and she feels his bitterness and the Darkness within him, threatening to take control. Only she has the power to draw him back, but will this be the last time they make love for eternity?

The Book

Release Date: 15 April 2019

Goodreads Link

A witch and a werewolf—a match made in hell.
Regan is about to play a leading role in someone’s plans for world domination. And all they need to do to ensure her cooperation is bite her. 
Regan doesn’t do scared. It’s not who she is. But right now, she’s panicking. Being a werewolf is dangerous and one wrong step could mean the End of Days. And the only person who can help is the stunningly gorgeous, embittered son of the werewolf who bit her. 
Caleb Stone wants an ordinary life. After a horrendous childhood, he fled the pack and now does a pretty good job of pretending he’s human. Self-delusion at its best. The last woman he wants to get involved with is a witch turned werewolf. However explosive the chemistry between them. 
But soon it becomes clear that Regan and Caleb need each other, and together they’re going to uncover secrets that will turn both their lives to chaos.

The Book

Release Date: 25 January 2020

Goodreads Link

Christmas is a time to spend with family, but Lola’s don’t seem to want her back. Instead, she’s stuck in the wilds of Scotland under the protection of Lachlan MacNair, a blood-sucking monster, who’s determined to make sure she has the sorriest Christmas ever. Things go from bad to much, much worse when Lola sees a vision of herself kissing Lachlan, under the mistletoe. 
Lola is a powerful witch and her visions of the future always come true. Until now. Because this one… Never. Going. To. Happen.

My Review    3 STARS

This is a good series and is not quite like the first series I read.

There is a under laying story that runs through the books so you have to read them in order or you lose the thread of what is going on.

The main characters are strong, especially the men, its the women that are mostly damaged and need love, help and support due to the abandonment of their mother although they are also strong in their own rights.

It was a fast read/listen to series, more novellas than anything and I managed to listen to two in a day.

I like this author, just wish that the book were a little more fleshed out.

REVIEW - Sisters of the Moon 1-3 by Nina Croft

The Book

Release Date: 24 August 2010

Goodreads Link

Waking up after a brutal werewolf attack, telepath Tasha Grant finds herself a prisoner of The Facility, an organization carrying out illegal research into the paranormal. She dreams of freedom, a normal life, and going home, but after eight long years, she believes it will never happen. Her life changes with the arrival of the stunningly gorgeous Jack, the latest unwilling guest of The Facility. Passion flares between them, but Jack refuses to share his body or his mind.

Jack must fight his burning desire for Tasha; he has a job to do—destroying The Facility—plus a very good reason for keeping his distance from for the young werewolf. Only when they escape their prison, does he admit his feelings and accept the possibility of a future together. However, Tasha yearns for a normal life, and Jack is a vampire…

As the past unravels and they uncover the secrets behind Tasha’s attack, she realizes that ‘home’ is farther away than ever. Now, she must decide if that matters when the alternative is an place at Jack’s side…

The Book

Release Date: 16 May 2011

Goodreads Link

Anya, a powerful telepath, has always believed she worked for the good guys–the organization that created her, trained her, and turned her into the ultimate weapon. Her most recent assignment: assassinate the head of a group of mercenaries. The very man she believes is responsible for the death of her sister.

Investigating the disappearance of three pack members, Alpha werewolf, Sebastian Quinn, finds himself under the scrutiny of a deadly group, The Agency. Targeted by their assassin, he must now fight to save his own life.

Captured and held by the charismatic werewolf, Anya feels the stirrings of passion. For the first time, there is something beyond duty. Now she is faced with a choice — complete her assigned mission or risk everything she has ever known for a chance at love.

The Book

Release Date: * December 2012

Goodreads Link

Novella ~ approx. 33000 words

Six years ago, an attack by a rogue werewolf plunged Doctor Connor McNair’s perfect life into nightmare. Now the mere scent of blood awakens the beast within him. He’s teetering on the brink of self-destruction when an intriguing rumor leads him to the desolation of Rannoch Moor and the one woman who might call him back from the darkness.

Part of a telepathic experiment that went dangerously wrong, Keira’s mind will destroy anyone who gets too close. Unable to control her powers, she has cut herself off from all human contact and found a measure of peace hiding on the moors with only the wild animals for company. Until Connor arrives, awakening hopes and desires buried deep inside her.

Connor is determined to save her, but some wounds are beyond the powers of a doctor to heal and time is running out, because Keira’s mind holds secrets that certain people would kill to keep hidden…

Contains adult content

My Review 4 STARS

This is a quick novella series that focuses on three sisters and who they find their mates, whether they be shape-shifters, were wolves or vampires.

We get an underlying story running through the books and the story runs quite fast.

I enjoyed these little nuggets and plowed through them very quickly.

REVIEW - Taken by the Dragon Prince (Dragon Lords #4) by Kiersten Fay

The Book

Release Date: 31 August 2022

Goodreads Link

Prince Khalstorm Belmont lost everything the day his kingdom was destroyed. Imprisoned for a crime he never committed, he dreams of exacting his revenge against the witch responsible, a treacherous beauty who once tempted him beyond reason, only to betray him in the end. When Khalstorm captures her, he discovers his feelings for her are as strong as ever, leading him torn between his hunger for vengeance and his hunger for her.

Celeste Songbird both feared and longed for the day Khalstorm found her. No longer resembling the man she once loved, he is filled with rage and regret…and on a mission for her blood. Temporarily stripped of her powers, her life is at his mercy. Can she break through his ice-cold heart before all is lost?

My Review     4 STARS

**My thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing, for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This is the fourth book in the series and can be read as a stand alone.  I have not read the rest of the series since 2021 and still had enough info in this book to continue the series.

I like this authors writing.  It flows well, grips you in the story and lets the characters work out their mistakes and come together in harmony.

I really enjoyed this book, and even though it seems over fairly quickly would very happily pick up this author again.

REVIEW - Legal Wolf's Mate (Their Furever Mates #1) by Eve Langlais

The Book

Release Date: 4 October 2016

Goodreads Link

In Legal Wolf's Mate, taking on a pro bono murder case isn't a problem for a lawyer who enjoys a challenge. Discovering that his new client is his mate? A tad more complicated. Gavin has no intention of settling down, especially not with a woman accused of murder, but once he sets eyes on Megan, his fate is sealed.

My Review    4 STARS

**My thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press, for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This was a fairly quick read where our FMMC is not quite as she seems and Gavin shows his background fairly quickly.

Its a very fast moving book and our characters get together very quickly once they have been introduced.

Gavins world gets all but turned upside down when he meets Megan, but he knows who she is to him almost immediately and does what he can for her.

I enjoyed this book and love reading this author.

REVIEW - Turbulent Waters (Billionaire Aviators #3 Turbulent W) by Melody Anne

The Book

Release Date: 7 January 2017

Goodreads Link

A daring pilot finds himself in danger of losing his heart.

Coast Guard pilot Nick Armstrong savors the taste of danger. But after his helicopter crashes into the ocean during a mission, shattering his knee, he encounters a whole different type of thrill when he meets his new physical therapist. Maybe being grounded isn’t so bad after all.

Smart, sexy, and deeply guarded, Chloe Reynolds is the type of woman who drives Nick crazy for all the right reasons. But as she tries to help him heal, Chloe struggles to keep her heart—and secrets—safe.

For years, she has been told that Nick is responsible for her brother’s death, a “fact” that she slowly learns may not contain the entire truth.

But can Chloe’s growing feelings for Nick, and their undeniable chemistry, really overcome a years-long family feud? Or will the past ultimately destroy the future they both desperately want?

My Review     3 STARS

**My thanks to NetGalley and Montlake Romance, for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

I normally really like the book by this author, but this one was just meh.

Nick is a coast guard and flies the helicopter, unfortunately he has just been in an accident that cost the lives of his crew, and very nearly his as well.

Chloe is a physical therapist. Nicks uncle has brought her in to help rehabilitate Nick, but she has her own secrets.

Nick likes Chloe from the start, but she keeps a barrier between them, that he must push at no matter how much she says no.

Its a little slow to start, lots of self doubt, secrets and the chemistry between the two just doesn't;t sit right. He comes over more pushy over what HE wants, rather than respecting what she is saying.

It's an ok book, can be read as a stand alone even though it is part of a series.

REVIEW - In the Company of Wolves (SWAT: Special Wolf Alpha Team #3) by Paige Tyler

The Book

Release Date: 1 December 2015

Goodreads Link

He opened his mouth to order her to drop the MP5 she had aimed at him, but nothing would come out. It was like she’d robbed him of the ability to speak. Shooting her wasn’t an option, though. And the idea of arresting her didn’t make him feel any better.

There's a new gang of criminals in town who are organized and ruthless in the extreme. When Eric Becker, along with the rest of the Dallas SWAT team, ends up in the middle of a shootout, he immediately senses werewolves — a lot of them. Turns out, the new bad guys are a pack of wolf shifters.

In a spray of gunfire, Becker comes face-to-face with the most gorgeous woman he's ever seen. Becker does the logical thing. He hides her and leaves the scene with the rest of his team.

Jayna Winston has no idea why that SWAT guy helped her, but she's glad he did. Ever since she and her pack mates got mixed up with those Eastern European mobsters, everything had pretty much fallen apart.

So what's a street-savvy thief like Jayna going to do with a hot alpha-male wolf who's a police officer?

My Review    4 STARS

**My thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca, for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

In this third book of the series, which can be read as a stand alone we have young Eric Becker finding his soul mate in Jayna Winston.  They meet when he is on a job and she is there on charge of Omegas.

It turns out that both packs have a lot to learn about each other, however things will never be that simple.  Jayna is in league with the Albanians thanks to her current pack leader and Eric decides to go undercover to help get her and her packmates out.

Jaynas pack trust her to make the right decisions and look up to her to steer them to safety, while Eric shows them how a true alpha cares for his pack mates.

They have a good group of friends around them and neither are afraid to get hurt if they can help each other.

Each book does seem to be getting better and better.

REVIEW - Wolf Trouble (SWAT: Special Wolf Alpha Team #2) by Paige Tyler

The Book

Release Date: 4 August 2015

Goodreads Link

He's in trouble with a capital T...

There's never been a female on the Dallas SWAT team and Senior Corporal Xander Riggs prefers it that way. The elite pack of alpha male wolfshifters is no place for a woman. But Khaki Blake is no ordinary woman.

When Khaki walks through the door attractive as hell and smelling like heaven, Xander doesn't know what the heck to do. Worse, she's put under his command and Xander's protective instincts go on high alert. When things start heating up both on and off the clock, it's almost impossible to keep their heads in the game and their hands off each other...

My Review    4 STARS

**My thanks to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca, for providing me with a free copy for an honest review**

This is the second book in the series and could well be read as a stand alone.  This book is also much better than the previous book.

We have Khaki, a police office with a problem ex who makes her job so much harder when she breaks up with him.

Xander we met in the previous book and he is one of the SWAT team leaders led under Gage Dixon.  

A soon as Khaki is pulled into the SWAT team, both are drawn to each other, but Xander does not handle it as well as his female counterpart.

The pair traverse getting to know each other, hiding the relationship from their teammates along with Khaki learning the SWAT rules and techniques and growing in a part of her new team.  We also get problems with her ex thrown in too.

A much better book than book one and I look forward to book three.