Wrong Place, Right Time, by Elle Casey

This book was so funny! I totally loved book one, but I'm pretty sure I liked this one even better. I was seriously laughing out loud, and that is rare. The best thing is that not only was it completely amusing, but it also had a sweet plot with great characters. I got hooked on the Bourbon Street Boys immediately in book one. They were all so different, but I liked them all, even surly Toni. Dev played a big part in book one training May. He gets his own story here with May's sister, Jenny. Both Dev and Jenny are single parents with quirky personalities and an innate self doubt that keeps them unsure about relationships. They falter their way through several awkward encounters sprinkled with some super sweet moments. Jenny is going through a very tumultuous time in her life, and Dev quickly becomes an anchor for her. Starting a new job with the The Bourbon Street Boys also makes her life more interesting though uncomfortably unpredictable.

I enjoyed watching this relationship unfold and also learning more about Lucky. Being inside Jenny's head was a hilarious riot. I absolutely cannot wait to check out the next book. In addition, I think the covers are perfect for this series. I hope the next story is Lucky.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

His to Protect by Stacey Lynn

Declan waits in the back alley of his bar and grill hoping to catch the young vandals who have been pillaging in his dumpster. He is floored when he finds not kids but a well dressed woman trying to find food for her dog. She is obviously skittish and in trouble, and Declan decides to help her.

Trina is running from an abusive relationship. She comes from money, but she can't use it and doesn't want it. She takes the shifts Declan offers her at Fireside and ends up taking him up on his first room as well. Declan gives her space but enlists the help of a law enforcement friend to find out what Trina is running from and keep her safe.  He is more and more attracted to her every day, but she also reminds him of his ex wife who liked the things money could buy more than she did him.. He wants Trina but he doubts she'll stay. Trina enjoys working with Declan and using her marketing skills tho help him. She knows she's on borrowed time, and when danger comes, it may take her sacrifice to save the the man who saved her first.

Even though this is book two in the series, it is the first one I've read.  I will definitely be checking out more by this author, starting with Fireside book one.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Risk of Exposure by Emmy Curtis

This story takes place near the Russian border. Mal has been assigned to covert surveillance and guard duty over his boss's daughter who is an international aid worker. Mal is bored out of his mind and frozen solid. All he wants is to get away from the assignment and his boring little mark. Thinking a face to face "accidental" encounter might speed things up, he gets more than he bargained for when Abby takes him on a night he will never forget then just leaves. Normally sarcastic and surly at best, he had enjoyed himself with Abby. Abby, on the other hand, can't afford any real connections even though Mal was tempting. Her real job is bigger than just foreign aid worker and could be critical to preventing war. Their one time encounter makes Mal curious. No longer dying to get home, he sets out to find out just what Abby is really doing and ends up in the middle of one of the most dangerous missions of his life.

Abby was a great character. She was so fun and courageous and fierce too when she needed to be. She was exactly what Mal needed, someone who could kick butt and take names right beside him. Mal was another sexy alpha guy in a series full of them. Most of the military/ black ops style books I've read recently were set in the middle east. The frozen Russian border was an interesting change. As usual, I enjoyed this author's work.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

The Purest Hook by Scarlett Cole

While I think this book could be okay as a standalone, the background from the first two books is really helpful. Both books are great, so I recommend checking them out first. I was excited to finally get Pixie's story, and what a story it is. She and Dred have been dancing around each other for months. He wants her badly, but she doesn't feel right letting him in because she can never let him see her true self. She has way too many dangerous secrets in her past. Dred just won't give up though. Unfortunately shortly after he finally convinces Pixie to give him a chance, his own past blows up into his future. It becomes an all out roller coaster with both of them distracted and not being open with each other.  In the end, it will take both of their unconventional families' help to survive.

I adore this series, and I hope not only the rest of the characters from the tattoo shop get their own story, but Dred's brothers as well.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

The Trouble With Temptation by Shiloh Walker

Can I just say how much I really enjoy this author ? I have read many of her books, and I just keep coming back. She has a real flair for merging romance and suspense. As far as this book goes, I believe it could be read as a standalone, but it is much better when you have the background of the first book to help you. There are several family relationships which are much easier understood after reading book one. But one was excellent as well, so why skip it?

 The beginning of this book finds Hannah in the hospital and pregnant but with no memory. The father of her baby, Brannon, is anxiously waiting by her side. Unfortunately, she has no idea that he recently broke things off with her. Once she is awake and aware, he tries to talk to her and let her know that they have been experiencing some problems. He leaves a lot of important details out in fear that she won't forgive him and take him back. Brannon makes Hannah feel safe, so she is willing to overlook any past problems. In a world that seems very unfamiliar, he feels like an anchor. As it quickly becomes apparent that Hannah's accident was not an accident at all, Brannon is determined to protect Hannah and his child at all cost. It suddenly becomes apparent to him that he wants to keep the girl he threw away.

 Hannah's memories return slowly, and as they do, doubts began to surface. It doesn't help that her only remaining family member can't stand the sight of Brandon. She feels torn between people trying to bring them together and others trying to protect her by pulling them apart. In addition, her life is in danger and she can't remember why. The question is will Brannon have a chance to prove his love before Hannah remembers exactly what he did or before a killer gets the chance to wipe her memories for good.

I thought this story was fast paced with great characters I already loved from book one. It wasn't a cliche amnesia book but rather was very believable. I cannot wait for book three to see what happens with one of my other favorite couples!

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Mug Shot by Caroline Fardig

While I enjoyed the first book in this series, this one was so much better in my opinion. It moved faster and was less focused on background information. I do want to say that I wouldn't consider this a standalone. Read book one.  I found Juliet to be funny in a snarky sort of way in book one, but she kicks it up a notch here. When the story begins, Juliet is still single after her breakup with Ryder, and Pete still has his snooty girlfriend. Life is just rocking along until Juliet stumbles onto the scene of Pete's girlfriend's murder. Juliet determines not to get herself in trouble again by trying to "help" the investigation, but when Pete is arrested as the prime suspect, she can't help getting involved. Both Pete and Ryder try to appeal to her sense of logic and need for safety, but emotions win out, and Juliet jumps in with both feet. Ryder refuses to leave her unprotected, and that leads to a renewed relationship. Juliet also has strong feelings for Pete and has been going out with someone else. Not only does the story keep you guessing about the killer's identity but also about who will end up with Juliet's heart.

This one had more romantic elements than the last, and leaned more toward the guy I favor. I'm interested to see where things go from here.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Serial Love by Maryann Jordan

I had never read this author before, but I was looking for something to try on Kindle Unlimited and found this book in my recommendations. I do tend to like the private security contractor type series, so I figured this was a pretty safe bet. I was right. This was a great start to what seems like an interesting series. Jack is the owner of Saints Protection and Investigation. He has a team of seven other men who work for him, and each of them are introduced and included in this story. Just as Jack and the team start investigating a serial murder case, he meets Bethany through a very tense accident. His attraction to her is instant, and he admires her spunky fighter spirit. Believing his life and work to be not conducive to relationships, he ignores the attraction until his team convinces him to give it a chance. Bethany is sweetly open and honest yet doesn't let Jake get away with wishy washy behavior. 

As their relationship progresses, so does the slow moving investigation into the killer. The Saints team is moving in, but will they discover the killer's identity before he targets someone close to them?

I really enjoyed the characters in the Saints team and have already downloaded book two!

For All to See by Megan Mitcham

Madelyn had built a simple life for herself in the British Virgin Islands. She lives off the grid and spends her days teaching the local kids. She doesn't have many friends, but she treasures the few relationships she's built. When her best friend disappears after a girl's night out, Madelyn is immediately concerned. When an FBI agent, Nathan, shows up hunting for a serial killer, her concern quickly ramps up to panic even though she doesn't want to believe her friend could be dead. The situation becomes even more dire when Nathan reveals that the killer hunts in pairs, and he believes Madelyn could be the next victim. Not one to shrink back, Madelyn goes on the offensive and decides to help Nathan find the killer before he finds her. In the meantime, she is also trying to fight her attraction to Nathan. She doesn't want to want him or trust him, yet she does. None of that will matter though if Nathan can't keep her from becoming the Field Dresser's next victim.

Having read a few of this author's Base Branch series books, I was pretty sure I would enjoy this story. I actually ended up liking it much better than the Base Branch books. I found the characters easy to connect with, and the suspense carried through the whole novel. I will definitely be reading the next book in this series.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.