"I watched you for four months and fell head over heels. You're perfect, and I can die knowing I found love, even if it was short. Thank you for that."

Vampire by Rebecca Zanetti

Standalone - Dark Protectors #12.5
Release - April 13, 2021
Genre - Paranormal Romance
Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat Level - 3 out of 5/it's there but not frequent or terribly descriptive - it's a novella so...
Format/Source - eARC provided by the author through InkSlinger PR
Length - 108 pages
Publisher - 1001 Dark Nights Press

Dr. Mariana Lopez has finally stopped bailing friends out of difficult situations. Well, except for substituting as the leader for another anger management group, pitching in as a campaign strategist for a prospective sheriff, and babysitting three dogs. Even with such a full life, she can feel the danger around her—a sense that something isn’t right. Nightmares harass her, until the real thing comes to life, and only the dark and sexy male sitting in her group can save her. However, with safety comes a price she might not be willing to pay.

Raine Maxwell is one of the Maxwells out of Montana, which means he's not only one of the most deadly vampires alive, but his path is set and his mate has been chosen for him. To save him—to continue his line. Unfortunately, his mate is an enhanced human female who has no idea of her abilities, of his species, or of her future. He’d like to lead her gently into this new world, but his people aren’t the only ones who’ve found her, which puts her into more danger than she can imagine. Plus, in order to follow his laws, he only has one week to convince her that immortality with him is what she wants—and needs.

Find your copy of Vampire here:
Amazon CA * Amazon US * Amazon UK * Amazon AU

Any time I can get my hands on a book from the Dark Protectors series, I'm here for it. After the glimpse I got in Vixen of what would be the story of Raine and Mariana, I knew I needed to know more.

Raine Maxwell is from a long line of cursed males. After centuries, if they don't find their mate, they die. Raine has found his mate and while it's love at first sight for him, he's not mating her. He knows he's dying, but he's honorable and doesn't want to drag an innocent female, no matter that she's enhanced, into the dangers of his world. So what happens when those dangers make their way to her despite his noble intentions?

Raine was über Alpha and a bit old fashioned and quickly won me over. I was invested in his mission to keep Mariana safe and silently pushed him to save his own life! I kept wanting to push him closer to her, to get him to accept his destiny, however, I also respected the author's reasons for him being hesitant to mate. Zanetti sure knows how to create amazing heroes.

I made a list of things I enjoyed about this story, such as:
🧛 Raine of course. For most of the story, I found Mariana to be rude and ignorant, incredibly abrasive, and not worth my time. However, Raine made every moment something I needed to experience, so her nonsense didn't bother me as much as it could have. Raine was just that awesome!
🧛 Tabi and Evan were there! I was so glad to see the spunky demoness and her sweet lover. It was fun to see him getting used to his new powers and that Raine considered him a friend.
🧛 BENNY!!! I freaking love this male and getting some of him here, knowing that his story is soooo close to my fingertips... such a great bonus. Oh yeah, there's also peeks from Faith and Mercy :D

The Dark Protectors series is one of my absolute favorite PNR stories of all time and I can always be counted on to buy and review. How can anyone resist hot alphas, fierce heroines, intriguing plots and twists, the danger element, the familial dynamics, the love... the everything??? If you're a fan of the series, this a neat treat to hold us over until the next book. If you're new to this series, what an amazing introduction!

Rebecca Zanetti is the author of over forty romantic suspense, dark paranormals, and contemporary romances, and her books have appeared multiple times on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. She lives in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest with her own Alpha hero, two kids, a couple of dogs, a crazy cat…and a huge extended family. She believes strongly in luck, karma, and working her butt off…and she thinks one of the best things about being an author, unlike the lawyer she used to be, is that she can let the crazy out. Upcoming series are: The Blood Brothers, The Realm Enforcers and The Scorpius Syndrome.

A Battle of Blood and Stone by Sawyer Bennett

Book 4 - Chronicles of the Stone Veil
Release - April 13, 2021
Genre - Urban Fantasy
Dual POV - Finley/1st and Carrick/3rd
Heat Level - 2.5/spoken about but not descriptive
Format/Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - 239 pages
Publisher - Big Dog Books, LLC

Another day, another step closer to Hell on Earth being unleashed.

With every piece that falls into place for the queen of the Underworld, Kymaris gains strength and power that will make it more difficult to defeat her when the time comes. It feels as if we’re in a desperate race to get just one step ahead of her, but my demise feels closer than it ever has before with still so much to do.

The first order of business is to unlock the angelic powers with which I was gifted at birth, and Carrick insists on getting help from my archnemesis to do so. Yes, I have to save the world, but my priority has now become rescuing my sister from the Underworld. While there are many questions still to be answered about my long-lost twin, I know I will not win this battle without her by my side.

In the midst of all the doom and gloom, Carrick has become my beacon of shining light. Our connection unimaginable, my heart recognizes his as the other half of its whole. Inexplicable and deeper than one could ever imagine, the love I hold for him is forged by destiny, however ill-fated it may turn out to be.

And those are the feelings I must hold close…to keep me going. Because a painful lesson is on the horizon—betrayal never comes from your enemies.

Find your copy of A Battle of Blood and Stone here:
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3t1HZDF
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/39Taz2z
iBooks: http://apple.co/3oSs3Ro
Nook: https://bit.ly/3pSgGud
Kobo: http://bit.ly/3iWcPtr

Saying that this book was full of surprises would be a gross understatement. At the end of The Evolution of Fae and Gods, I was left at a loss. What was Carrick's fate? After his information dump, I expected him and Finley to grow closer. I wanted them to. I wished for them to. Did I get all that I had hoped for?

Well, when this was said...


I honestly didn't think I was going to get what I was looking for. How could I when Finley was once again being so annoying? I felt like I was back to the beginning. Where was the growth? Where was the girl I was starting to care for? And then it all changed and I was caught up in a story that was more than I could ask for.

A Battle of Blood and Stone has magic, murky alliances, family, love, hope, and a surprising betrayal, all of which make it such an enchanting read. I'm in love with the epic romance that is steadily building between Carrick and Finley. I'm not sure if it's because I'm a hopeless romantic or if I just can't get enough of the demigod. With one powerful, intense, unreal mindboggling cliffhanger, I'm left on edge until I can get The Rise of Fortune and Fury in my hands. Will Finley finally truly connect with her twin? Will there be a trip to the Underworld in my future? And will Finley actually survive the prophecy, Rune's curse, and get a happy ending with Carrick? I'm telling you now... Carrick better get everything he deserves. The male has been put through enough and needs to be freaking happy!!


New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone.

A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer is a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full-time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs.

If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).

Jailbait (Souls Chapel Revenants MC Book 3) by Lani Lynn Vale is LIVE!!

The first time I saw her was across the room at a bar. I had no idea at the time that she was only sixteen. All I knew was that she was beautiful, she was sending me do-me vibes from across the room, and I was fresh off a deployment where there’d been nobody but men for nine of the longest months of my life.

The second time that I saw her was at a court hearing that would decide how long I’d be sent to prison for. She was a cute little curly-haired blonde with wide, expressive eyes, a banging body, and the reason that I’d gone to prison in the first place.

The third time I saw her was through a glass divider of the prison visitation room as she waited for her stepfather, my lawyer, to tell me how sorry he was that he lost my case. Especially when I’d been the one to kill the man that was about to kill his daughter.

The last time, the time that I decided enough was enough, was when I saw her at my bar eight weeks after I’d been set free.

Unlucky for her, I’d stopped being a good guy about two seconds after those bars closed behind me twelve years ago. Now all that was left was a shell of a man that didn’t see the good in anything. Anything except for her.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3gRSe8t
Apple: http://apple.co/3oYGILj
Nook: http://bit.ly/3gRloEC
Kobo: http://bit.ly/3npzH63

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2IUQi2p

Find my review HERE:

Lani Lynn Vale is a Wall Street Journal & USA Today Bestselling Author of over thirty titles. She is married with three children, two dogs, two cats, a donkey, and a couple (a couple also meaning over twenty) chickens.

When she’s not writing, you can find her curled up in her favorite chair reading.
Lani is married with three children and lives in the Great State of Texas.

Website: http://www.lanilynnvale.com/
Facebook: https://bit.ly/LLV-fb
Instagram: https://bit.ly/LLV-IG
Twitter: https://bit.ly/LLV-twitter
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/LLVgoodreads
BookBub: http://bit.ly/LLVbb

Unspoken

Preorder: Amazon US | Amazon INTL

The Unspoken One has been banished for many years, his very existence erased. Ameera must find his true name and summon him if she has any hope of saving her kingdom from war, and herself from marriage to a ruthless king. The Kingdom of Nur has been suffering for years under Ameera’s father’s rule. She’s bid her time, carefully keeping her secret hidden and waiting to become queen so she can repair what her father has broken. Then an unwanted marriage to the brutal king of Nur’s enemy threatens everything she’s worked towards. With her wedding drawing near and the future of her kingdom in peril, she finds the forbidden name. She knows The Unspoken One is her last chance to save Nur, but she risks much in summoning him. His magic is not understood, the crime he was banished for is unknown, and speaking his name carries an unbearable punishment. For Nur, for herself, she must risk it all. Or lose everything she holds dear. She speaks the name too many have paid a painful price for uttering. Nothing, not the kingdom, their lives, or her heart, will ever be the same.

Jailbait by Lani Lynn Vale

Standalone - Souls Chapel Revenants MC #3
Release - April 6, 2021
Genre - Contemporary Romance
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 4 out of 5/a couple of scenes
Format/Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - 213 pages
Publisher - Indie

The first time I saw her was across the room at a bar. I had no idea at the time that she was only sixteen. All I knew was that she was beautiful, she was sending me do-me vibes from across the room, and I was fresh off a deployment where there’d been nobody but men for nine of the longest months of my life.

The second time that I saw her was at a court hearing that would decide how long I’d be sent to prison for. She was a cute little curly-haired blonde with wide, expressive eyes, a banging body, and the reason that I’d gone to prison in the first place.

The third time I saw her was through a glass divider of the prison visitation room as she waited for her stepfather, my lawyer, to tell me how sorry he was that he lost my case. Especially when I’d been the one to kill the man that was about to kill his daughter.

The last time, the time that I decided enough was enough, was when I saw her at my bar eight weeks after I’d been set free.

Unlucky for her, I’d stopped being a good guy about two seconds after those bars closed behind me twelve years ago. Now all that was left was a shell of a man that didn’t see the good in anything. Anything except for her.

The beginning of Trick and Swayze's story broke my heart into a million pieces. The middle did its best to mend it, although some parts still shattered me a bit more. And the end... pure sweetness.

From the moment they met, Trick knew his life wouldn't be the same. He just couldn't foresee how much his life would change because of Swayze. In an instant, they clicked and then things went horribly wrong. Twelve years they were separated. Twelve years of their lives virtually lost. Twelve years to allow their feelings to fester. No wonder they were so explosive when they finally met again.


Lani Lynn Vale didn't pull back. This story has pain and heartache, really bad people, and so much love. I'm hopelessly falling more in love with this series and these characters and I can't wait to see how much more LLV can make me feel.

My only issue was that there wasn't much in the way of character background. There were many reveals, but they were only partially given and not enough to give me a clear picture. For example, Swayze stated that she believed her parents were murdered. Then nothing. Trick's mom is mentioned with allusions to her bad parenting... and nothing. Don't even get me started on the bad guys. They weren't fleshed out AT ALL! Other than the odds and ends method of delivery, I was happy with the story I got.

You can find your copy of Jailbait by Lani Lynn Vale at the following retailers:
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/3wm9YjK
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3dqxfIH
iBooks: http://apple.co/3oYGILj
Nook: http://bit.ly/3gRloEC
Kobo: http://bit.ly/3npzH63

Lani Lynn Vale is married to the love of her life that she met in high school. She fell in love with him because he was wearing baseball pants. Ten years later they have three perfectly crazy children and a cat named Demon who likes to wake her up at ungodly times in the night. They live in the greatest state in the world, Texas. She writes contemporary and romantic suspense, and has a love for all things romance. You can find Lani in front of her computer writing away in her fictional characters world...that is until her husband and kids demand sustenance in the form of food and drink.

Still Beating by Jennifer Hartmann

Standalone
Release - December 30, 2020
Genre - Dark Romance
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 3 out of 5/a few scenes
Format/Source - borrowed through KU program
Length - 459 pages
Publisher - Indie

When Cora attends her sister’s birthday party, she expects at most a hangover or a walk of shame. She doesn’t anticipate a stolen wallet, leaving her stranded and dependent on Dean—her arch nemesis and ultimate thorn in her side.

And she really doesn’t anticipate waking up in shackles in a madman’s basement.

To make matters worse, Dean shares the space in his own set of chains.

After fifteen years of teasing, insults, and practical jokes, the ultimate joke seems to be on them. The two people who always thought they’d end up killing each other must now work together if they want to survive.

But Cora and Dean have no idea their abductor has a plan for them. A plan that will alter the course of their relationship, blur the line between hate and love, and shackle them together with far more than just chains.

WARNING: This is a dark romance. This book contains subject matter that may be sensitive for some readers, including rape, as well as strong language and explicit sex. 18+ only. Please read responsibly.

Find your copy of Still Beating on Amazon — FREE with KU

The other day, I saw this book making the rounds in a few of my Facebook groups and since it came so highly recommended, I knew I had to give it a try. After reading Still Beating, I can definitely see why people were making so much noise about it. To me it read more like a contemporary romance with dark elements. The beginning was extremely dark while the rest was full of angst. Who doesn't love a bit of horror and heartbreak with their romance?

For fifteen years, Dean and Cora had been frenemies. Between moments of witty comebacks and elaborate pranks, they had a routine. When they're both kidnapped, chained to pipes in a serial killer's basement, and at his mercy, they are forced to face some hard truths — maybe all of that hate was hiding a whole lotta love.


I loved how the author tried to make their trauma in the aftermath as authentic as possible. There was no just getting over what they had gone through. It was messy. It was ugly. It was absolutely miserable. The author's writing made their ordeal, their journey, their fight to get to the other side, so very beautiful. I enjoyed the writing, which is always a sure way for a new-to-me author to keep me coming back for more and I will be back. I'm looking forward to Oliver Lynch's story in Lotus.

My issues with this story were:
⭐ I could have done without Dean dating Cora's sister for 15 years and on the brink of marrying her before the kidnapping. I get that it was to add angst to any future relationship between them, but it was gross.
⭐ Cora was too wishy washy and timid for me. And for a girl who got around more than the hero did, why was she given a prudish attitude??? It was freaking absurd. I would have liked her to be more honest with him and herself.
⭐ I would have liked if more time was spent on these characters as a couple as opposed to the back and forth and bed buddy behavior. It would have helped me believe in their happy ending more.

Jennifer Hartmann resides in northern Illinois with her devoted husband and three hooligans. When she is not writing angsty love stories, she is likely thinking about writing them. She enjoys sunsets (because mornings are hard), bike riding, traveling, binging Buffy the Vampire Slayer reruns, and that time of day when coffee gets replaced by wine. Jennifer is a wedding photographer with her husband. She is also excellent at making puns and finding inappropriate humor in mundane situations. She loves tacos. She also really, really wants to pet your dog.