California Moon (The Natural Alpha Series Book 1) Kindle Edition by S.I. Hayes

Book Excerpt:

"Danny Johnston is a young bounty hunter, who for three years to hone her craft has lived and loved as a man. In pursuit of leading to her family’s killers, Danny is thrown from her horse and attacked by something she cannot identify.

Jake Dorsey is a man traveling on his own while trying to leave his demons behind. When he finds Danny’s horse and returns it, he is awestruck, aware of the bounty hunter’s reputation.
They decide to travel together if only to ease the burdens of traveling alone. Secrets and complicated situations compound as Jake believes Danny to be a man, while Danny believes Jake to be a Human.
When the truth is finally discovered, will starting an affair prove simple, or will Danny be left to make the hard choice? Can she forgo vengeance for love, or will the desire to keep her blood oaths prove stronger?"

*Trigger Warning: Violence
* *Erotic Elements
 

Title: California Moon
Author: S.I. Hayes
Publisher: S.I.H.
Series: The Natural Alpha Series Book 1
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"California Moon" by S. I. Hayes

My Speculation:

'California Moon' was quite an interesting erotic, romantic, western, dystopian, futuristic, fantasy, shifters, adventure, travel, Alpha, fights, and paranormal read. This story will keep you turning the pages for the next POV with a different first-person character of interest changes as each chapter continues till the end. My favorite character was Danielle, aka Danny [bounty hunter], who was not only one strong, confident, tough exterior woman but got the job done that she needed to do. I enjoyed these well-developed and defined characters of this old western world with its storyline. If you are looking for an entertaining read with a great plot full of action and adventure, you have come to the right one where 'California Moon' will give it all to you.

His Love Made Me Do It Kindle Edition by Pebbles Starr

Book Synopsis:

"She was the only one that could cut through his crazy.

As a comic book creator living in the heart of Brooklyn, New York, Noelle spends her days lost in the exploits of her beloved fictional heroes. However, the reality is far more daunting, and Noelle constantly struggles to keep her head above water while trying to make a name for herself in the competitive comic book industry.

Never in her wildest dreams did Noelle think that her routine would be interrupted by a real-life villain, freshly awoken from a seven-year cryosleep following a bloodthirsty rampage through the city that took the life of Noelle’s teenage brother—a fact unknown by Noelle and long since erased from the memory of Emmanuel aka “Man”.

Upon meeting Noelle, Man falls madly in love with her and is determined to banish her pure nature and bring her over to the dark side.

When it appears that she’s the only one who has any chance of taming Man, Noelle knows she has to give it her all for the sake of her fellow citizens. However, it’s easier said than done as Man’s insanity seems to run dark and deep."

Title:  His Love Made Me Do It

Author:  Pebbles Starr

Publisher:   Jaded Publications                  

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Four

Review:

"His Love Made Me Do It" by Pebbles Starr

My Rationalization:

This is definitely one of those supernatural fantasy paranormal hood read that will keep you turning the pages to see what was coming next. All of the main characters from Noelle, Man, Brandon, Beverly, to Snow were some real complexed people where each one will have you shaking your head and wondering why or what the heck? Was Man having a change of heart as he tells all to Noelle?  Well, to get it all you will have to pick up "His Love Made Me Do It" to find out what has gone down.  There was certainly more than one villain in this story and I guess we will have to wait and get the second part to get the rest of the story. Yes, its a cliffhanger!!!!

Radiance By: Grace Draven

Book Description....

"~THE PRINCE OF NO VALUE~

Brishen Khaskem, prince of the Kai, has lived content as the nonessential spare heir to a throne secured many times over. A trade and political alliance between the human kingdom of Gaur and the Kai kingdom of Bast-Haradis requires that he marry a Gauri woman to seal the treaty. Always a dutiful son, Brishen agrees to the marriage and discovers his bride is as ugly as he expected and more beautiful than he could have imagined.

~THE NOBLEWOMAN OF NO IMPORTANCE~

Ildiko, niece of the Gauri king, has always known her only worth to the royal family lay in a strategic marriage. Resigned to her fate, she is horrified to learn that her intended groom isn’t just a foreign aristocrat but the younger prince of a people neither familiar nor human. Bound to her new husband, Ildiko will leave behind all she’s known to embrace a man shrouded in darkness but with a soul forged by light.

Two people brought together by the trappings of duty and politics will discover they are destined for each other, even as the powers of a hostile kingdom scheme to tear them apart."
-------------------------------------------------------
Author's note: this tale contains scenes of graphic intimacy.  

Title:  Radiance

Author:  Grace Draven

Publisher:  G. D.

Series:  Wraith Kings Book 1

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Radiance" by Grace Draven

My Synopsis...

What a riveting, good series, fantastic delivered fantasy/paranormal read, amazing beautiful love story, wonderful unique romance, magical, well told story, definitely can be compared to 'The Beauty & the Beast kind of story,' arranged marriage, and in the end one awesomeness entertaining well written read that you will find hard to put down.  So, to get it all you will have to pick up the good read to see for yourself how well this author presents it so well to her readers.

I will say this author Grace Draven knows how to give her readers delicious stories being so very exquisite almost with a deft of magic.

"An arranged marriage.
An alliance between two kingdoms.

Arranged marriages were the fate of nearly all aristocratic Gauri women, each one made for power, for trade, for good of country.

Ildiko.
A young Gauri royal member set of to become a wife to a KAI prince. She's become a duchess, a Kai hercegese. BUT her position as a spare will remain the same.

Brishen
A KAI Prince, a younger son.

He never imagined an arranged marriage with a human woman to seal a war and trade alliance between Bast-Hardis and Gaur.

what started off as an obligation - where both parties find the other hideous and ugly,

The physical differences between human and Kai were obvious and in some ways, extreme...her acceptance helped her look beyond his startling appearance to the man himself. She'd held tight to that philosophy: see past the surface to the tides below."

The characters are simply off the chain...well developed, defined, portrayed and so very believable that will draw the audience in as these two main characters learn to see the beauty in one another day by day.  Now, even those this is somewhat a romantic read but be prepared because there is so much going on [from a little bit of it all...'with the fantasy elements being so unique and intriguing, sensual love scenes, romance, action political intrigueness [machinations, assassination attempts, ancient magics], strange food[from both sides] and let me not leave out that evil person' that will have you shaking your head] so,  you will have to keep up with it all.  I loved how this author presented scenes showing their physical and cultural differences.  I must say I enjoyed the two main characters [Brishen & Ildiko] bantering...with some of it was so very funny that it had me laughing out loud!

example....

"You find me ugly, don't you?"
"Hideous. A hag of a woman. And you? You don't think me a handsome man?"
"Had you crawled out from under my bed when I was a child, I would have bludgeoned you to death with my father's mace."

*falls over laughing*

And also so lovingly....

“Woman of the day,” he said slowly. ” You mean everything to me.”

Oh Breshin.

So, if you are looking for a wonderful unique fantasy phenomenal romance with a little bit of magic with quarreling kingdoms also with a little bit of a cliffhanger that will take the reader into the next series "Eidolon: Wraith Kings, Book 2" then I would definitely recommend "Radiance" to you as a excellent read.

Unexpected Eden By: Rhenna Morgan

Book Description...

"Paradise, love, power…and a prophecy with a price.

Most people believe Eden no longer exists. Lexi Merrill’s about to learn they’re wrong. A hard-working bartender with a self-sufficient backbone and a wary nature, she knows pickup lines like a second language. So, when Eryx Shantos barges into her world with too-smooth words and a body to back it up, she locks up her libido and vows to keep her distance.

Eryx has other ideas. As king of the Myren race, Eryx is duty-bound to enforce the laws preventing exposure of their existence to humans. Yet The Fates have led him through his dreams to Lexi, a temptation he doesn’t want to resist. The question--is she Myren, or human, which makes her forbidden fruit?

When Eryx’s nemesis tags Lexi as his next target, Eryx insists on taking her home where he can keep her safe. Lexi had no idea “home” would mean the one-and-only land of creation…or that she’d trigger a prophecy that could doom her newfound race."

Title:  Unexpected Eden

Author:  Rhenna Morgan

Publisher:  Lyrical Press Inc.

Series:  Eden # 1

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"Unexpected Eden" by Rhenna Morgan

My Thoughts....

What a excellent read for any urban fantasy/paranormal lover where the plot of this series will keep you turning the pages to the end.  To live in Eden and to be a Malran or Fireann...wow what a fun read with such magical elements of this world that this author gives the reader.  Be ready to read about a 'sexy hero [Eryx]with a strong heroine' [Alexis]with a big heart in this neat fantasy world where you will get a fast paced read with lots of action.

Has Eryx find his soulmate?

“Ten years he’d searched, dreamed and waited. And here he was, his soul perched on the edge of an emotional cliff.”

I found the secondary characters [Galena, Ramsay & Ludan] to name a few are all interesting intriguing people that will  definitely have you wanting to know more about their special abilities[and you will from the other three Eden series].

What about that mating ceremony?   Well, this is the time I say you must pick this read up and see for yourself how well this author presents all to her readers.  So, if you are into the dramatic supernatural magical world that take on quite a steamy ride that is unique and mystical, twist and turns with  'a prophecy and scheming villain' then this read is for you. This was definitely a excellent beginning to this 'Eden' sequel.  I loved the ending where the author gives the reader a glossary from Asshur to Zurun that were used in the novel.

I received this read from NOR in exchange for an honest review.

Hungry Moon: Quicksilver By: Claudy Conn

Book Description...

"Ravena MacAllister doesn’t want to admit what she is. She wants to continue pretending she’s just human … only human, like her mother, like her friends.

But she isn’t human.

Heartbreak and betrayal send her off rushing to Scotland, to a familiar haven where she has spent so many summers with her father, but she soon discovers that everything has changed.

From the moment she meets Quinn MacValdane, shock waves travel through him to her and back again, wrapping them in a tide of passion she had never dreamt possible. But if they are to have a future together, she must confront who and what she is, for she will need to call on the powers within her as she becomes embroiled in an adventure that will alter her life forever.

The time for pretending is over."

Title:  Hungry Moon:  Quicksilver

Author:  Claudy Conn

Publisher:  C.C.

Series:  Hungry Moon #1

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review:

"Hungry Moon:  Quicksilver" by Claudy Conn

My Thoughts...

What a beautiful magical world that this author gives us with some amazing characters [Ravina, Quinn, Arthur] that will keep you attention to the end. The two main characters will take you on one wild ride where there will be 'lots of action along with passion and romance. Be ready for a ride with 'werewolves, fae, druids, demons, prophecies, wizards,dark magic,  shape-shifters and lykens.'  I loved the HEA ending as the reader will see there will be other series.  So, if you re into a paranormal reads with lots of action with lots of twist and turns you have come to the right place for a good read
that I would recommend to you.

I received a copy via Insta-Freebie for an honest review.

The Christmas Knot: A Slightly Gothic Regency Mystery Romance Novella By: Barbara Monajem

Book Description...

"Widowed and destitute, Edwina White takes a position as governess in a remote village in the north of England—in a haunted house. She’s so desperate that she’ll take anything, and besides, she doesn’t believe in ghosts. Little does she know that her new employer is the seducer who lied and deceived her many years ago.

Sir Richard Ballister inherited an estate with a ghost and a curse, and every governess he hires leaves within a week. Finally, a woman desperate enough to stay arrives on his doorstep—but she’s the seductress who dropped him many years earlier for a richer man.

The last thing Richard and Edwina want is to work together, but they have no choice. Can they overcome the bitterness of the past in time to unravel a centuries-old knot and end the Christmas curse?

This novella was originally published in the boxed set, Captivated By His Kiss."

Title:  The Christmas Knot

Author:  Barbara Monajem 

Publisher:  B. M.

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"The Christmas Knot: A Slightly Gothic Regency Mystery Romance Novella"  by Barbara Monajem

My Thoughts...

A historical 'Gothic' romance with a ghost story that had a little bit of romance, curse, mystery, murder, suspense and forgiveness.  Add to that lovable children[Lizzie and John] during this wonderful Christmas time  and the reader gets a good read.  Will this widowed lady that had lost her inheritance, now a governess in a haunted house be able to work for this Lord who just happened to be her former lover?  What was up with this treasure [necklace] that was hunted?  Why was this necklace [mysterious jewels] so important in this read in this Ballister curse on the first born son?   Will Edwina be able to solve this mystery with all of its twists?

Be ready for some ghost as one will see how the house was haunted.  I liked how these former lovers [two main characters... Edwina and Richard] who had separated due to a misunderstanding [deceit] and years later comes together again giving the reader as quite a interesting heart warming read. Will they be able to rediscover their lost love?  To get all of these questions answered and more the reader will have to pick up this good read to see how well this author will bring out this enjoyable read.  

Would I recommend this Christmas novella?  Yes!

The Red Church [Sheriff Frank Littlefield # 1] By: Scott Nicholson

Book Description....

"The church was constructed in the 1860s under the guidance
of Reverend Wendell McFall. His sermons declared the existence of God s Second Son- whose mission is to undo all of Jesus work on Earth. McFall had the church painted red to summon the First Son to defeat the Second. But when he sacrificed a child to support his rantings, his congregation hung him from the rafters of his own sanctuary...

For twenty years, the red church has stood empty. Crumbling to ruin, it has become a site for Halloween pranks and the setting for ghost stories- including one about the thing that lives in the bell tower, a creature being blamed for a brutal murder that occurred in the church s graveyard...

Now, Archer McFall has purchased the church to house his Temple of the Two Sons, whose zealous worshippers will stop at nothing to see the Second Son return to his rightful glory..."

Title:  The Red Church 

Author:  Scott Nicholson

Publisher: Smashwords Edition

Series:  Sheriff Frank Littlefield # 1]

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Four

Review:

"The Red Church" by Scott Nicholson

My Thoughts.... 

I will say this isn't my favorite genre but I took it on and after a few chapters I will say this was a interesting horror story with some deep fantasy /paranormal and  some suspenseful mystery.  I was even kept reading because it seemed like a compelling story in this small town that will definitely keep your attention all the way till the end following who had been murdered and what was going to happen next.  Be ready for a disturbing read, filled with the story of evil that is on loose in 'Whispering Pines,' scary to creepy.  Along with all of that their were some very interesting characters that will give the reader some read.  So, if you are looking for a novel of mystery, suspense along with a lot of scary things going on...then you have come to the right place because this author will give it to you and more.  

Through His Heart By Deborah Camp

Book Description....

“Sending you an SOS.”

"When psychic Trudy Tucker hears this plaintive cry in her mind and then connects psychically with a little girl’s kidnapper, she is drawn to a small town in Missouri where everyone is suspect – including herself and her lover, celebrated psychic detective Levi Wolfe. As she and Levi work together to sort through whom and what to trust, an innocent life hangs in the balance."

Title:  Through His Heart
Author:  Deborah Camp
Publisher: D.C.
Series:  Mind's Eye # 3
Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review

"Through His Heart" by Deborah Camp

What I liked about this novel....

I loved this series of 'The Mind's Eye Series.'  The two main characters...Levi and Trudy were some very interesting individuals with all of their passion and yet being their for each other as they worked on this new a psychic mystery as this case will hit home for Levi as his past will come back to haunt him in this well written storyline.  This author really works her magic as Levi and Trudy do a amazing job as they solve this suspenseful emotional ride as Trudy gets a SOS from a missing child who just happens to be Levi's stepsister [whom Levi has never met]. I indeed enjoyed the smoothness that this author paced her story....along with the hot steamy sex scenes....as the reader will see how devoted this couple were to each other as they deepen their relationship.

I loved this excerpt of how Truly really felt about Levi.......to me this says it all!

"You make me feel pretty and sexy and you love me as I am.  You give me the courage to explore my abilities.  You know how scared you were of Becky? Well, most of my life, I've been that scared about being psychic.  It's always made me feel out of control and just shy of being insane. Quintara helped me gain some control over it, but you've shown me how to live with it, how to be at peace with it.  Believe me, what we have is a symbiotic relationship."

Be ready for a suspenseful thriller ride as the reader will find out more about Levi's past, Trudy's working her psychic powers, their physical chemistry, kidnappers, their families, threats and twist and turns that will keep you turning the pages to get all of this good read.

"Through His Heart" can be read as a standalone, however, I would suggest you get the other two series and read them altogether giving you a much better understanding of these two characters. So, if you like reading about the psychic phenomena with a lots of suspense with two sexy detectives then you will enjoy reading "Through His Heart."  Will this be the last of the Mind's Eye series?... I guess we will just have to wait and see.

To the author...Thank you for such a awesome well written Mind's Eye series!

The Griffin's Secret By: Cate Masters

Book Description....

"In this contemporary re-telling of Grimm’s classic fairy tale The Griffin, two people must risk everything to free themselves from the invisible prisons that keep them from love…

Jackson Grant had it all—the girl he loved, his Harley, and his guitar. Until a tragic accident stole it all away. Now, more than scars and a tattoo remain. Jackson has a secret. Cursed by his dead girlfriend’s mother, he can never fall in love again or his beloved will die. With his heart on lock down, he keeps to himself—until a roadie gig with Malcontent, the world’s most popular band, entwines his fate with sweet, wounded Layla’s…

Music is what Layla lives for. She has no choice. She’s bound by magic to serve Malcontent, cursed to propel them to stardom with her musical powers. Then Jackson appears and gives her hope that he’s the hero who will save her. A reluctant hero, yet one she can’t resist. But freedom will come at price—and who will pay…?"

Title:  The Griffin's Secret

Author Cate Master

Publisher:  Lyritical Press

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating: Five

Review:

"The Griffin's Secret" by Cate Master....

What I liked about this novel...

I will say I am not particularly a lover of fantasy/paranormal reads but I will say I loved this one!  I liked how this author was able to present this well written story  to the reader that was a  're-telling of Grimm's classic fairy tale.'  You will be hooked into this read from the very start...as Jackson has a motorcycle wreck to meeting Grundy....getting a tattoo...then he is off to the West Coast  to being a roadie for a rock band...Malcontent where he meets  Layla who was off limits to him.  Now, why was that?  Truly fitting this Grimm's Tale  into a rock music world was very well done by this author.  I found the characters for the most part were all well developed, defined and believable giving the reader a well told and captivating story. I will say some of the characters I liked definitely...Jackson and Layla but their was one ....well, you will just have to pick up this good read to see just who that was and also getting the rest of the story!  Questions will be answered as to ...why was Jackson Grant cursed and what will it take to break this curse that had been given to him?   Be prepared for a lots of twist and turns, suspense as well as to be intrigued from this well told story.   I did enjoy the conclusion of this story.  No cliffhangers here!

Ever After By: Jude Deveraue

Book Description..

Jude Deveraux, the New York Times bestselling contemporary romance author known for her incredible storytelling, spirited heroines, and sexy heroes, returns with her most enchanting novel yet: a love story set on Nantucket, featuring the Montgomerys and the Taggarts and filled with secrets and surprises.

Title: Ever After   Author:  Jude Deveraux  

Publisher:  Ballantine Books

Series:  A Nantucket Brides Trilogy # 3

Reviewed By:  Arlena Dean

Rating:  Five

Review

"Ever Ever" by Jude Deveraux

What I enjoyed from this read....

I liked this well written story that kept my attention from the start all the way to the end of this good story which happens to be  the third in this Nantucket Brides Trilogy.  This was quite a interesting story of how a family member can betray you.  I am not sure I wouldn't have taken the road at the end that this heroine took concerning here step sister  but I guess it turned out for the best.  It was a blessing for Hallie to have met Jaime in Nantucket and what a mess he had been through but with Hallie's help will something come of this connection?    

This will be quite a interesting read about that step sister of Hallie's [what a messed up person she was] and  those hunky Taggert  and Montgomery men!   Indeed from all of the characters that are presented in this story were simply off the chart...well developed, defined, portrayed and so very believable. Some  of the characters you will like while others well...you will have to pick up this read to see for yourself who they are.   

I loved how this author was able to bring in those 'meddling ghosts' that  will  surely keep your attention  just waiting for them to show up.  And let's not leave out those beautiful weddings that took place.  Now to get it all  from what happens to Hallie  that gets her in , her crazy acting sister, Branden, meeting Jaime and much more you will have to pick up "Ever After" and see for yourself how well this author brings it all out for the reader.