Reviews // Duntroon, Hot Enough to Burn, and Yes Justin

Duntroon by Aaron L. Speer

Blurb from Goodreads:

Alicia Hetherington had been promised the world by who turned out to be nothing more than a liar and scum, Wilson Slade. Leaving her high and dry after sleeping with her, and now needing to get back home and forget this experience ever happened.

But fate had other plans.

Not only would she never forget this experience, getting home would not be as easy as it would seem. Sinister forces that craved the opportunity to hunt a young girl for her blood had picked up her scent and were on the hunt, determined to find her before she crossed the border. And they were closing in.

Out of the shadows from where they came, also came something else. A dark guardian. One who even killers like this had labelled "the devil who walks". The question was not only who would find her first, but who would make it out alive come morning?

Rating: ★★★★★

This was written perfectly! I felt immediately ensconced in the Undeadly Secrets world once again. Seeing this prequel featuring Alicia and a mysterious hunter absolutely made my day. There was killing and no small amount of fear and curiosity (mostly mine) and I'm way too excited over here to get my hands on more.

Hot Enough to Burn by Cynthia Eden

Blurb from Goodreads:

Do you believe in monsters? You should, they walk among humans every single day. Reporter Eve Bradley has known the truth about paranormals for a while, and her latest story has taken her inside the mysterious Genesis facility. It’s at Genesis that Eve first meets Subject Thirteen, Cain O’Connor. Big, gorgeous, and truly, truly HOT.

Cain is a phoenix shifter. Every time that he dies, he rises from the ashes…stronger, deadlier, and another step closer to losing his control. And what happens when a phoenix loses control? Welcome to hell on Earth.

Cain feels an instant connection with Eve, a woman who swears she wants to help him. The attraction between them burns hotter than his flames, and soon, Eve is the only link to sanity that Cain has as the world turns to fire around him.

Eve isn’t human, despite the cover she’s used for years, and she is more than capable of withstanding a little heat. But as their enemies plot to trap them, Eve and Cain will be forced to trust each other completely. Be forced to surrender to a desire that cannot be controlled, and soon, if they are not careful, it’s a desire that might just have the power to destroy them both.

If you want something too badly, if you want someone too much…you will never even see the fire coming, not until it’s too late. Be careful. You don’t want to get burned…

Rating: ★★★

I enjoyed the premise of this story, but I failed to connect to the characters. Not my first experience with a phoenix shifter, but I really liked how Cain was characterized. His mannerisms, triggers and powers were very unique. He would die and fire would bring him back to life, a little less sane each time. I was more intrigued by the vampire side character, Ryder, than anything else so I hope there's a story for him out there.

Yes, Justin by Michele Zurlo

Blurb from Goodreads:

After fifteen years and two kids, the romance has fled from Trish’s marriage. She’s a different woman now, and she wants different things. When she stumbles upon an emailed ad from Oasis, an adult fantasy fulfillment service, she seizes the opportunity to spend a weekend having her body and soul mastered by a man who is completely focused on her.

Justin is shocked when he finds out his wife is planning to cheat on him. Willing to do anything to keep the woman he loves, he arranges with Oasis to become the Dom she wants. He’ll carry out her kidnap fantasy, fulfill her desire to be dominated, and force her to confront the reasons she wanted to be there in the first place.

Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find anal play/intercourse, BDSM theme and elements including/not limited bondage, D/s, spanking, etc.)

Rating: ★★★

I really like how the author broached the topic of distance that is sure to come in most long-term relationships. It's true that we learn to take our significant other for granted sometimes. I like that the pressures of parenthood were added as well. The fact that the husband took initiative to learn what his wife needed and became the Dom to her Sub was hot. The scenes were tasteful and the love shared between them was unmistakeable.

Frozen In Ice by Cynthia Eden

Is he a drop dead gorgeous…killer?

Delilah “Lila” Darrow doesn’t belong in the world of the rich and famous, but for one night, she’s going to wear the fanciest dress she can find and pretend that she does. Her plan—get close to reclusive billionaire Archer Radcliffe and find out…is he a murderer?

She knows exactly what Archer likes. She knows how to slip beneath his guard. She knows how to make him fall for her. With the right tools, Delilah believes she can finally make Archer pay for the crime he committed so long ago.

Payback is calling…and she’s wearing a dress made for sin.

Delilah is part of a group of crime solvers called the Ice Breakers—an online team made up of individuals who have the goal of solving cold cases. Five years ago, Delilah’s sister disappeared without a trace. Since then, Delilah has made it her mission to close as many unsolved cases as possible. Archer Radcliffe will be the latest target in her quest.

Except…Archer turns the tables on her. He sees through her lies. Tries to seduce her. And, he also swears his innocence.

Can she trust him? Or is he playing her?

Now that he has Delilah at his side, Archer can finally get the justice—the vengeance—he has craved. The only problem? The beautiful Delilah will be in danger. But Archer intends to stick close to her. So close that the world will believe they are completely in love. So close that a deadly enemy will want to strike. So close that just maybe—if he’s not careful—Archer might begin to fall for the woman he intends to use…

Rating: ★★★

I love this author's writing, but I found this story to be a bit too absurd. Delilah was an agressive investigative reporter who tried too hard to prove that she was more than she was. She irked me and I'm not sure if it was all her or my intense dislike of reporters. Maybe I should avoid stories with reporters as main characters because of my bias.

Archer was supposed to be this cold, commanding and in control man who was accused of murder, but I didn't buy it. He was constantly losing control because of Delilah (spare me) and I found it all to be a bit overdone. Again, it could be because of my personal feelings so please take this review with a grain of salt.

I did really enjoy getting to the reveal of the big bad and finding out the motives and punishment. It did make this read worthwhile.