Hot Alphas by Lora Leigh, Laurelin McGee, Shiloh Walker, and Kate Douglas

This book is a set of 4 novellas. Personally, I enjoy this type of compilation because it is a very inexpensive way to try out authors with which I am unfamiliar. I liked that these were complete stories rather than excerpts from other books. Some of the stories were suspenseful and some were more romance. Shiloh Walker is a favorite author of mine anyway, so obviously her story was my favorite. If you like alpha heroes and trying out various authors, you should give this book a try.

Blind Ambition by Gwen Hernandez

Blind Ambition is the second book in the Men of Steele series. I read and really enjoyed book one, but I don't think anyone would be lost if they read this as a standalone. The series is based around a protection/black ops/mercenary type agency. Dan is assigned to rescue a kidnap victim, Alexa, with whom he had a brief but meaningful affair years ago. Alexa had never forgotten Dan. If she ever saw herself as capable of being loved, she would want it to be him.  Alexa had allowed years of difficult experiences to warp her view of her own worth and purpose. She can't believe it when Dan rescues her in just the nick of time. Unfortunately, the rescue is just the start of their troubles. They spend the next several days fighting to save several children from a rebel leader and fighting their strong attraction to each other.

I thought Dan was perfect for Alexa. He was firm but patient and willing to take a risk and wait for Alexa to realize they were meant to be together. The story was fast paced and full of action. I can't wait to read book three. Thanks to Net Galley for providing a copy for review.

Colton Cowboy Protector by Beth Cornelison

I'm going to start off with my least favorite aspects. I really didn't like the cover, and I thought the title was cheesy. These two things almost kept me from trying the book, but the preview sounded good so I grabbed it anyway. I'm glad I did, because the writing was so much better than the title or cover would indicate. I enjoyed the big family of one sister with several brothers. Obviously, many of these will get their own book later since a few threads were left unraveled at the end of this story. Jack and Tracy were the focus of this book. Tracy has come to town months after the death of her abusive husband and the death of her cousin. Tracy's cousin left a son who Tracy is desperate to know. Seth is the little boy, and Jack is his highly suspicious and prickly father. Jack's family accepts Tracy before he does. A string of mishaps convinces Jack that trouble has followed Tracy to town. She has no idea why anyone would be after her but doesn't want to put the family, especially Seth, in harm's way. Though she tries to leave, Jack won't hear of it. In the end, it takes both of them working together to keep each other safe.

I really liked the cowboy type ranch setting and the easygoing close family. Seth was adorable. I'm interested in reading more of the series to find out what else is going on behind the scenes with this family.

Net Galley provided a copy of this book for review.

The Guardian by Cindi Myers

Abby and Michael are both veterans trying to find themselves in new professions. Michael is working in law enforcement while Abby is trying to complete work on a grant to study the medicinal properties of plants. In her plant hunting expeditions, Abby meets someone she shouldn't have and ends up stumbling upon a body. Through the process of reporting the murder, she ends up reconnecting with Michael. As the pararescueman who saved her life in Afghanistan, he remembers her, but she doesn't remember him at all. Michael has carried a torch for Abby for years. He is determined not to let danger touch her if he can help it. If it also gives him a chance to get closer to her, he doesn't mind. Abby is scarred both emotionally and physically from her time in the military. She resists Michael's efforts to help her but can't help being attracted to him. In the meantime, something dangerous is happening on federal land, and it is up to these two to figure out what and stop it.

This was a nice afternoon read, and I enjoyed it. Net Galley provided a copy for review.

Kansas City Cover-up by Julie Miller

Although I haven't read any of the other books in this cold case series, I had no trouble following this story. Olivia is a detective on the cold case squad. She comes from a long family tradition of law enforcement and had recently transferred into the cold case squad after as messy breakup with her former partner. Gabe is a highly opinionated reporter who has made it his business to publicly bash the police after Olivia's father failed to solve the murder of the woman he was engaged to years before. When a new murder links back to the cold murder case, Olivia and her partner are called in, and Gabe does everything he can to insinuate himself into the investigation.

Danger follows Olivia and Gabe every step of the way. Someone else is also following Olivia and spying on her. She suspects her former partner but keeps her suspicions to herself.  As the Gabe and Olivia get closer to finding the killer, they found themselves growing closer to each other. Gabe's opinion of the police force begins to change as does their opinion of him. The unlikely pairing has police and reporter working side by side to finally solve the cold case.

I enjoyed the story and the characters.

Mermen by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Wow....I really have no idea what to say about what I just experienced. I read and loved this author's King's series, so I knew whatever she did next would likely have awesomely suspenseful super cliffhangers and be completely outside the realm of "normal" thinking. Honestly, when I first read about her Mermen concept I was pretty turned off. I couldn't imagine how I was going to get into a story about guys with tails. I debated even requesting the review copy I was given by Net Galley. I was just that much on the fence about it. Although I was totally right about the out of the box cliffhanger, I could never have imagined how the actual story would play out.

First of all, the mermen were sexy massively built men with no tails or scales in sight. Secondly, they are savage, brutal, and should be avoided at all cost unless you have a total death wish. While I'd love to explain this in much more detail, I enjoyed all the little shocks to my system and warps to my brain along the path of this story and refuse to deny the rest of you the pleasure of being thrown for a complete loop along with me.

I will say that Roen is drool worthy in that bad boy/good guy kind of way. He is not soft; he is not nice; he is not your typical hero. Liv is brave, resourceful, and intuitive. The two of them are not a pair you would normally put together, but somehow, through the pull of a very mysterious island, the two come together in a massive display of chemical sparks. The problem is that Roen isn't the only one who wants Liv. Some want her dead, some want her captive, and others just want her in their bed. What is so special about Liv? Maybe we will find out in book two...or maybe not.

If you enjoyed the King's series, I think you will love Mermen. Personally, my brain will probably still be trying to figure this one out when book two is released and throws me way off base again. It was everything I expect and enjoy from Mimi Jean Pamfiloff.

A Wedding to Die For by Adrianne Lee

This author was a new one for me, but I am interested in checking out more of her work. The basis for this story is two friends, Daryl Anne and Meg, leaving their big city lives to come home to Weddingville for Meg's very private celebrity wedding. As the maid of honor, Daryl Anne is working overtime to protect her friend from wedding stress, but her job becomes impossible when the mother who deserted Meg years ago shows up and sets the whole town into an uproar. It doesn't take long after that for a dead body to turn up. Not one to be easily dissuaded from what she sees as her duties, Daryl Anne decides to help out the police and make sure things don't disrupt the wedding. In the meantime, the groom is rarely to be found and acting like a jerk, the wedding venue is vandalized, and Daryl Anne is threatened. Seth, the wedding photographer and Daryl Anne's old crush, agrees to help. Chemistry sparks immediately between the two, but Daryl Anne resists. As the situations surrounding the wedding grow more mysterious and more violent, the couple grows closer and closer.

I enjoyed the storyline of this book. There was a good bit of action and mystery though much of the action was surrounding the main characters rather that involving them. Overall, the romance was sweet, the mystery had a nice plot, and the action kept the pace moving along.

Net Galley provided a copy for review.

No Woman Left Behind by Julie Moffett

This story was book 6 in the Lexi Carmichael series. I have loved the series from the beginning and recommended it to several friends. I was beyond thrilled when Net Galley provided me with an early copy for review. After reading the story, I'd have to say it was my favorite so far. Book 6 features the cyber terrorist who managed to escape in book 5. He is out for revenge, and although Lexi isn't his only target, she is his main focus. Having learned a good bit about Lexi's personality and skills, he has designed a macabre game for her to play in order to protect those she loves.

Lexi's relationship with Slash undergoes some emotional ups and downs, but their chemistry never wanes. Slash is the ultimate sexy mystery man with the ultimate accent as an added benefit. Lexi grows and changes a lot in this book. Don't get me wrong, she's still the hilariously geeky, klutzy, and completely literal girl she always was, but she gains more depth and connections. The storyline was full of suspense, action, and definitely humor. My whole family was laughing at me as I couldn't help laughing out loud at Lexi's misadventures with a certain " handle". It really was too funny! I can't wait to see what kind of craziness Lexi might stumble into next. I love that she is such a totally out of the normal suspense heroine box character. She makes this series stand out among all the other series I read. This was a great addition to a great series.

Breaking Her Rules by Katie Reus

As a part of the Red Stone Security series, a favorite of mine, this book was an absolute read for me. I enjoyed it as much as I have the other stories. This book focuses on Iris and Wyatt. Iris works security for Red Stone. Wyatt is a wealthy business tycoon who is in love with Iris. She dodges his attempts to connect with her until his life is threatened. He sees hiring her as his bodyguard as a win win for him. He gets a great bodyguard, and he gets Iris in his sights 24/7. Iris is tough and capable, but as the danger escalates, Wyatt finds himself wanting to protect her rather than let her do her job and protect him. In the end, they end up protecting each other while Wyatt tries to take advantage of the time together to win Iris over to his plans for their future.

This was one of my favorites in this series. If you have read other books in the series or just like good fast paced romantic suspense, this is the book for you. Thanks to Net Galley for providing a copy for review.

Against the Tide by Kat Martin

I read and enjoyed the first book in this series. When the opportunity to get a copy of this third book from Net Galley, I requested it despite not having read book two. I really like the three brothers this series is based around and the interesting characters included in the stories. Though all three brothers are included in this book, it focuses on Rafe who is the owner of several charter boats. Rafe has had his eye on Olivia, the local diner owner, for a while but had made a move. When one of Rafe's crew is killed, a tie to Olivia's diner brings the two together in an effort to help find the killer. Even though helping out could expose a dangerous secret from Olivia's past, she can't leave it alone. As the situation heats up, it becomes hard for her to determine whether the danger is coming from her old enemies or new ones. The chemistry between Rafe and Olivia sparks quick and grows. Rafe knows early on that he wants her, but Olivia is opposed to making connections when she might have to run at any moment. Unfortunately for her, Rafe is difficult to resist.

The Alaskan setting makes this series interesting. In my opinion, this third book was every bit as good as the first book. Now I am certain I need to go back and read book two.

Fighting for Keeps by Seleste deLaney

This is the third book in a series which I must admit I have not read. It certainly didn't hinder my enjoyment of the book since I didn't even notice that it was book 3 until after I finished it. I liked this story of two prickly characters haunted by past decisions who are thrown together suddenly and then tasked with a near impossible job. Both Finn and Jodi were moody and difficult to partner with. They were attracted to each other, but more sparks were flying due to their tempers than their chemistry at first. The longer they worked together the more their barriers against each other started to come down. Finn realized his feelings toward Jodi before she was willing to admit her own. The story had plenty of suspense and action and bedroom adventures. I did feel like the ending was a bit too cut and dried and abrupt for my taste. It seemed to leave out some of the details behind why and how this person committed the crimes he/she did. Since it is a series, I figure it is likely more will come out about the plot later. Overall, it was an enjoyable read.

Net Galley provided a copy for review.

A Deep and Dark December by Beth Yarnall

This was a new author for me, and I really didn't know what to expect. I was still a little uncertain after the first chapter, but then the story really picked up. Both Erin and Graham grew up in a very small town where everybody knows everybody and gossip runs rampant. Graham was the town golden boy who left for the big city but had come back to take over the sheriff position from his sick father. Erin comes from a family of outcasts known to have strange abilities. When one of Graham's old friends kills himself after possibly murdering his wife, Erin is a witness. She and Graham end up working together to find the answers after Graham discovers the truth about Erin's special ability. Soon, it begins to seem like everything in this peaceful little town has gone crazy. The murderer uses his own ability to convince people to do things they wouldn't ordinarily, and crime becomes rampant. As Graham and Erin grow closer, the killer works harder art keeping them apart. Eventually, Erin makes a decision which brings everything to a head and puts her life in peril. Everything comes down to Erin, Graham, and the killer.

I enjoyed the story and the paranormal aspects. Graham and Erin had great chemistry, and I was close to the end before I could be certain who the killer was and how he was operating. I thought it was an interesting story. I appreciate Net Galley providing a copy for review.