Happy book birthdays!

Since the majority of my reviews deal with books not yet released, I decided it might be helpful if you had release day reminders for those books. To that end, I say Happy Book Birthday to Into the Fury by Kat Martin, Nemesis by Stefanie Ross, and Ravaged River by Lindsay Cross. These were all released this week and are well worth checking out. :-)

Ravaged River by Lindsay Cross

Oh my gosh! Holy cow! This story blew me away. I love love love this series, and I have been dying to get Hoyt's story. He has been awesome from the start, but I couldn't believe what he ended up going through. It changed him so much, but it didn't change his love for Hayden. His willingness to do whatever is necessary to keep her safe is the backbone of this story. Hoyt is changed. He is not the same man and never will be again.  Hayden doesn't care. He stood by her through the worst crisis of her life, and she trusts him more than he trusts himself.  She also still wants him, hard edges and all.

When terrorists are discovered embedded near their hometown and very close to Hayden, Hoyt isn't leaving her safety to anyone else. Hayden has her own ideas about her safety and some conflicts with the direction of the investigation. She determines to find some answers on her own and is as determined to dig as Hoyt is determined to keep her far away from everything. In the end, he will have to not only trust Hayden but also find a way to trust himself in order to save her.

This was the best book in this series yet, and that's saying a lot since I love them all. I hope wee keep getting more Men of Mercy for a long time to come!

I received an ARC from the author for review.

Dark Hearts by Sharon Sala

This is book three in the Secrets and Lies series. Since there is an underlying theme throughout the stories, I absolutely do not recommend reading this as a standalone. Since book one, we've read about the elusive Sam Jakes. In this book, he finally comes home. Unfortunately, his homecoming is marked by tragedy. His mother is dead, and he intends to do everything in his power to track down the man who killed not only his mom but also two others. It is just his luck that Lainey Pickett, the girl he sacrificed years ago in an effort to save her from his damaged mind, is the one person in town with any answers. Sam isn't the same man he was when he left Lainey, but Lainey is not the same woman he remembers either. Both have been blasted by life and deserted to live with their scars, some visible, some not. They are both used to being alone, but Sam begins to see Lainey as a much desired second chance. He risks showing her his flaws only find himself challenged by hers.

This was a very different type of love story, and I enjoyed it as much as I enjoyed the final unveiling of the killer I've been guessing at since book one. The numerous possible suspects to kept the suspense drawn out until the end. I was happy to finally have all the mysterious threads tied up.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Kidnapped by the Billionaire by Jackie Ashenden

This story is book four in the author's Nine Circles series. I read book three without having read the first two and got hooked in. This story was even better. Violet is the daughter of a very bad man only she doesn't know it. She realizes he very different, but doesn't suspect his full capabilities. Elijah, on the other hand, is intimately acquainted with all her father's dealings. When Violet's father is killed and Elijah's revenge thwarted, Elijah decides to take Violet as bait to lure an even bigger spider into his web of vengeance. He has no concern for her welfare. She is simply a means to an end. Violet, however, has no intention of being some meek compliant lure. She challenges her captor at every turn. If Elijah had feelings, he might have even been impressed by her.

As she slowly worms her way under his defenses, Elijah finds himself weighing the importance of obtaining his revenge against Violet's safety. Violet discovers Elijah's secrets and though conflicted by her building feelings for him, she begins to understand the importance of his quest. Their feeling for each other may just end up having each of them doing just the opposite of what they originally planned.

This story was deep and intensely emotional. Elijah was no good guy, but he came through when it counted. I enjoy the characters in this series and the dark undertones.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Healing Love by Abby Niles

This was my first experience with this author, but it won't be the last. I've read and enjoyed several stories set in the MMA world, some good, some not so much. This one was definitely a keeper. The characters were so realistic and also flawed. Lance didn't have a glamorous job or a prestigious past, but he was trying to work his way out of the hole he had dug for himself. In the meantime, he allowed himself to be convinced to start training fighters at his friend's gym. Ella ends up being one of his first clients, only he has no idea who she really is or even her real name.

Ella has been training for years, but it is finally time for her to overcome her most persistent fear. Lance is her ticket to accomplishing this task before her past catches up to her. Unfortunately, his past catches up to her first, and the two of them have to figure out a way to stay safe while settling old debts.

This was a tense story with lots of emotional ups and downs and believable characters. It also had a great ending.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Colton's Surprise Heir by Addison Fox

I have enjoyed reading several of the Colton books, especially The Colton's of Oklahoma series. When I spotted this Colton's of Texas series story, I really wanted to check it out. Happily, it had the same great sense of family and wonderful characters I've come to expect in the Colton books.

Ethan's father is a convicted killer. He was the one to discover his mother's murdered body as a small child and to give the testimony which convicted his father. The experience scarred him and left him unwilling to ever pass on his genetics through a family of his own. Unfortunately for him, a once long time friend and recent former fling, Lizzie, shows up pregnant with his child. Not only is she pregnant, she is also being stalked. Though he never wanted to be a father, there is no way he is going to let anyone harm his child. Lizzie trusts Ethan to protect her, but can't trust him with her heart. She has always wanted a forever with him, but forever may not be in Ethan's vocabulary.

This story had plenty of suspense and a fast moving plot. I loved Ethan's big family and the connection to the Oklahoma Colton's series.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Tattooed as Trouble by J. L. Hammer

This story is centered around Rae Storm. She is the daughter of commune living anti government parents whose lifestyle caused the death of a government agent and effectively made Rae the target of public hatred. Are does the best she can to avoid attention, but when she witnesses a murder, she has no choice but to testify. Unfortunately, even the marshals protecting her are biased against her, and she is pretty much left to deal with her experiences on her own. Bronson, one of the marshals, is attracted to her but due to his past experiences, he plans to steer clear of her. He breaks his promise to himself when Rae cracks under the strain. He tries to comfort her but crosses a line. Rae doesn't care because she has been attracted to him from the start. Bronson, on the other hand, is determined to put some distance between them. This begins his back and forth swing of advances toward Rae followed by swift retreats. He honestly made me furious at times. Rae was open about her feelings, which allowed her to be hurt. Between Bronson's wishy washy affections and two sets of people trying to kill her, she really handled things admirably well.  She was a very likable character.

The story moved along at a quick pace and had both danger and emotional suspense. It was a nice easy read.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

His Light in the Dark by L.A. Fiore

I wanted to read this book because I loved Beautifully Damaged and Beautifully Forgotten by this author. They were both deeply emotional, and this book was as well. His Light in the Dark takes the reader all the way through from the very beginning of Mia and Cole. I liked reading the characters' beginnings, what made them the adults they became. The author took plenty of time to let the characters develop. Mia is caring, loyal, and completely courageous. Cole is stoic but definitely a case of still waters running deep. They both have a strong sense of family and a determination to protect the ones they love.

Without giving away the whole storyline, I will say that from beginning to end Mia and Cole face so many challenges. Emotions run from poignant to happy to sad to angry to just plain overwhelmed. I rarely get teary when reading, but I was on the verge of both happy and sad years at times during this story. It was seriously intense with such a great sense of family, both blood and chosen. I was completely hooked in and totally invested in this story. It was amazing!

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Boiling Point by Tessa Bailey

Wow! I Emmett into this book a little iffy, because I just wasn't particularly sure I would like the idea that both the main characters were "ex" criminals. I honestly only tried it because I got an ARC from Net Galley for review and because I really like the publisher's suspense titles. It took me a few pages to get into the story, but once I did, it totally took off. I absolutely fell in love with all the characters, especially Austin. He was a total alpha, but also a submissive...don't ask, I don't know how that works, but it so does! Yummmm! Now before you hear the word submissive and tune out, let me say that this is not your standard BDSM fare that is popping up in just about every romance lately and is just thrown in as a lure rather than fitting in the story. It is also not outrageously crude or excessively graphic. It is just right and one of the sexiest books I've read in a long time. The best part is that the sexiness came not just from the actual bedroom moments, but primarily from the words spoken. This couple was intense with their connection and their need, and I couldn't get enough. The peripheral characters were also nicely rounded and drew my attention enough that I went back and purchased the first two books in this series as soon as I completed this story. I'm totally frustrated that I will have to wait a few hours before I have a free moment to get into them.  Grrrrrr...Finally, don't think I forgot about the suspense. The storyline was really intriguing and the suspense surrounding their jobs was realistic as well as the relationship suspense which was very emotional. Overall, I completely loved it and want more of these spunky ladies and super intensely possessive men!

Atone by Beth Yarnall

I started this book new to this author and new to this series. This story easily worked as a standalone with a well developed plot and interesting characters. As for categorizing this story, I couldn't even begin to decide. At times it read like a young adult book because of the characters' apparent ages and lack of typical life experiences, but the darkness of the subject matter, the language, and the intense sexual interactions suggest more maturity. It is suspenseful and had dramatic action at times, but it really felt like it was more about the emotional redemption of both Vera and Beau. They saved each other in more ways than one. This is definitely not a story for the faint of heart, but if you gravitate toward the darker side it could be the book for you. I won't say I enjoyed this story because it just isn't that style of story, but I was emotionally invested and hooked in.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Exposed by Carla Cassidy

This is a short intro to a new miniseries and just enough to get you really curious. The story gives you a lot of information, but of course, no answers yet. The series will have eight parts written by four authors. Carla Cassidy also writes the final story. 

The story is procedural style and features Lara, an FBI agent who has spent a long time undercover with a major crime organization and most recently been in a long term safe house. She is finally getting back out in the field with a new team and a new partner, but right off the bat, a media photograph blows her cover. At first glance, it seems like a fluke or coincidence, but could it be more? Is someone behind the scenes pulling strings and targeting Laura? As the team begins a murder investigation, clues begin to point back to Lara's past. Things definitely run deeper than they seem on the surface. Lara has to adjust to the new team and a new partner who wants to get to know her outside of work and investigate a murder all while trying to keep all her secrets under lock and key. This series could get really interesting.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

The Asset by Anna del Mar

Wow! What an emotional roller coaster! I had put off reading this for a while since I was unfamiliar with the author and unsure whether I would like it. Once I finally did start reading it though, I was hooked in pretty quick. Ash was pretty gruff, and Lia was pretty skittish, but once they got used to each other they made a nice partnership. I really loved both of them. I completely identified with Ash's struggles to get proper medical treatment as a veteran. Having spent years trying to gain treatment through the VA system for my dad, I found the lack of concern, unbelievable difficulty in obtaining appointments, overmedication, and the use of only whatever medical treatments were quickest and cheapest to be typical of our experiences and therefore very realistic. Though I found some people's treatment of the disabled vets in this story abhorrent, I feel sure vets have to deal with these issues daily.

As for Ash and Lia, the best part of their relationship was that without their painful and terrifying pasts, they never would have understood each other. They used their pain as fuel to protect them and propel them into the future. Ash brought in other disabled veteran friends to help protect Lia from a criminal mastermind who viewed her as property he wants returned, and I adored the quirky team. When things don't go as planned, Ash is prepared to give every part of himself to keep his promise to protect Lia.

This was a well written engrossing story that kept me riveted. I enjoyed it completely and would love to see the rest of Ash's buddies get their own stories.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

I surpassed my goal of 300 books for 2015 and ended up with 368. Yay!!! If you want to see what I read and how I rated/reviewed each book, check out my year in books on Goodreads.

Happy New Year!

https://www.goodreads.com/user/year_in_books/2015/25982408