Off the Rails by Jill Sorenson

Lots of action and drama make this novel fast moving and interesting. I enjoyed the south of the border setting and the way its beauty was expressed along with its challenges. While Ian was sort of a hard character with everything locked down tight, Maria was all openness and naivete. She was the light to his dark and the hope he was lacking. He was desperate for her and yet desperate to keep her safe by sending her away from him. Maria turned out to be more stubborn than he realized and determined to help him. The two of them set off across the country in an effort to save two endangered teens while dodging corrupt officials and cartels. They had a sweet passion, and both had protective natures that played out as they traveled along the dangerous migrant railway following the teens.

Maria was my favorite part of this story. Her innocence and optimism despite her traumatic past was refreshing.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

For Maggie's Sake by Lora Leigh

Though I have read a large number of Lora Leigh's books, I missed this one when it was previously published in an anthology. The gist of the storyline is that Maggie's late husband was an evil man who implicated her in his crimes. Her former lover and her late husband's best friend, Joe, is tasked with determining Maggie's true involvement and using her to find the evidence her husband hid before he died. Maggie and Joe have never stopped loving each other, but each one has felt the sting of the other's betrayal and is reluctant to trust again.

This was a fairly quick easy read with lots of the trademark Lora Leigh passion. It was definitely focused more on the tension and drama of their relationship with the action and suspense kicking in more toward the end. Honestly, I really can't think of Lora Leigh book I didn't like, and this was no exception.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Only For You by Naima Simone

This was my second book by this author, although I had not read the other two books in this series. Only For You worked well as a standalone. I quickly picked up on the main characters, and there was no real storyline carryover from the previous books for me to figure out.

Killian and Gabriella had been soulmates but had been separated for years. He felt like she had betrayed him and then deserted him. She had never stopped loving him but felt like he wanted nothing to do with her. This book was the culmination of their intensely sexy and emotionally difficult reunion.

I liked this story. It was a quickly easy read but still had a lot of emotion packed in. The hotness factor was through the roof, and I really liked the characters. Now I need to go back and read the first two books.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Hers to Heal by Vonnie Davis

 This book still had the same over the top characters as book one but was a bit more believable. The character development was a lot deeper as well. Reece was definitely my favorite character so far. He was tortured for information while in the service and conditioned himself to not to speak. That silence has carried over to his everyday life. Gina is the single mother who is his physical therapist. She makes up for his silence by talking constantly. Her adorable daughter talks even more than her and rules the ranch with her sweet smiles. Gina is attracted to Reece, but he avoids her. The attraction is mutual, but he doesn't want to admit it. Over time, Reece softens up and becomes attached to Gina and her daughter. When Reece gives his heart, he is all in. Gina, on the other hand, is hesitant once things start to get serious. When Reece becomes aware of a possible danger to the little girl he is beginning to see as his own, he pulls out all the stops and calls in the whole team, but will Gina forgive him for not involving her?

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

All the Dead Girls by Rita Herron

Beth and Ian grew up together although neither went by the names they now use. Beth used to be JJ, an unwanted foster kid. Ian used to have his step father's last name, but that was before his stepfather was convicted of kidnapping JJ and her foster sister. These two are unexpectedly thrown together when both are needed to work the same case of a mass grave uncovered by local flooding. The murder victims bear an uncanny resemblance to some of Beth's fleeting memories of her captivity. Beth is determined to recover her memories and find out what happened to her foster sister. Ian just wants to prove his step father's innocence. They seem to be at cross purposes but end up working together. It soon becomes obvious that someone wants to ensure Beth's memories remain buried, and maybe he wants to finish what he started with her years ago.

This was a really interesting romantic suspense with several twists and turns. I liked that I never knew exactly what was going to happen next, and enjoyed the protectiveness Ian displayed toward Beth.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Nico by Sarah Castille

Love, love, love! Oh my gosh, I am so in love with this book! I had never read Sarah Castille before, but she's on my favorite author list now. This story was phenomenal. I adored Nico and Mia and really all the characters. Mia was her own woman and worked hard to gain her freedom from her abusive mafia father and has severed most of her mafia connections. Her legitimate business brings her into contact with Nico. He is everything she shouldn't want. He's a capo from a rival family with a blood feud against hers. Their attraction is instant, but everyone and everything is against them. Just being seen together could be deadly for them. When an attack leaves the major crime families in disarray, life for Mia and Nico becomes even more perilous, however, in Nico's mind Mia is his, and he must risk everything to keep her.

I was hooked from page one and totally unable to put it down. Apparently the next book will be Nico's best friend Luca. I can't wait!

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

The Kill Sign by Nicole Christoff

I am always excited when a new book in this series comes out since I adore Jamie and her  intrepid action oriented ways. She goes after what is right regardless, and she is always all in. She starts out this book arriving to spend a romantic weekend with Barrett after months apart. As is typical for when this couple tries to get beyond first base, all manner of chaos erupts starting with a bomb. They manage to avoid injuries, but can't avoid the fallout. Barrett gets pulled into the official investigation while Jamie ends up investigating on her own once she discovers a connection to one of her former cases. It seems like Jamie is on her own until her favorite DEA agent shows up out of the blue. Marc wants Jamie and makes no secret of it. He also doesn't plan to let her face danger alone. With both Barrett and Marc trying to get a commitment out of her, her mentor and her best friend in danger, and her own life threatened more than once, Jamie may be in over her head.

At times I find myself rooting for Barrett and other times for Marc. I like them both, and while I want something to happen for Jamie romantically, I simply can't decide with who. I want to be loyal to Barrett, but Marc definitely seems to be more available for her. I really can't wait to see what happens.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Colton Christmas Protector by Beth Cornelison

If you like the Coltons series, then you will enjoy this book. This story continues and even ties up several storyline threads that have been woven throughout this series. I even had to root for Fowler at one point, and he has irritated me since the beginning.

Pen and Reid had known each other for a long time, but their recent relationship had been highly contentious since Pen believed Reid had killed her husband, his partner and best friend. Reid has always been attracted to Pen, but never acted on it. When she calls out of the blue needing help, he is shocked but hoping for a chance to change her mind about him. Pen is not ready to change her mind just yet, but she is willing to accept his help. Once he discovers she and her toddler son (the cutest part of the whole book) are in physical danger, he decides she is getting his protection as well.

This was a slow developing romance rather than love at first sight, and many of your favorite Coltons are briefly featured.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Make it Hurt by Jackie Ashenden

This story was every bit as sexy as the first book in this series. In fact, I liked the steamier aspects of this book even better than the first. As for the characters, Smith and Nora are both tough hard personalities. Years ago, Nora betrayed Smith, and he never let himself get over it. When a chance encounter brings them back together, he is determined to get his revenge. Nora needs his help, and he pretends to give it...with some serious strings attached. He has the perfect plan to get what he wants. Nora wants to make things right, but she doesn't plan to be bullied into anything. She agrees to Smith's plan but has no idea that things aren't at all what they seem.

I enjoy everything  Ashenden writes, and this story was no different. I did miss the action and suspense that was present in the first book where as this one was more tension and deception. Hopefully the suspense will pick back up with book three.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for a fair review.

Hard Compromise by Samanthe Beck

After starting the book, I didn't expect to end up liking Laurie. She was brash, not afraid of one night stands, and carried a huge chip on her shoulder. She was everything I tend to dislike in a character. Booker on the other hand was everything I love in a character. He was protective, bold, and sexy. I couldn't figure out what he wanted with Laurie...until I kept reading. The more I read, the more I began to understand Laurie along with her doubts, fears, and motivations. Booker was absolutely perfect for her and probably the only one who ever understood her fully. Their chemistry was electric and undeniable.

I loved the way this turned out, and now I feel the need to check out the first book in this series and anything else this author has written.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

His to Cherish by Stacey Lynn

Despite loving this series, I almost passed on this book because I was afraid the subject matter would be too hard. I'm so glad I didn't. It was truly amazing. I can't say it wasn't emotional and difficult because it really was, but it was also a realistic story of how the brokenness Aidan and Chelsea both experienced helped them understand each other and drew them together. While I loved the suspense elements of the other books in the series, this story was so compelling that I didn't notice the lack of suspense. I was completely drawn into the emotions and relationships. The Fireside series is quickly moving up to the top of my favorites list.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Explosive Forces by D.D. Ayres

Carly finds Noah unconscious inside a burning building because she hears his dog looking for help. She risks herself to save Noah and the dog, but is convinced her is the one who started the fire and consequently ruined her new store. She is more protective of the dog than him. Noah has a hard time convincing Carly of his innocence, but she eventually pairs up with him to get to the bottom of the problem. Carly is just as feisty as Noah is stubborn. The two throw off sparks everywhere. Despite not really being a pet person, Harley (the dog), is probably my favorite character. D.D. Ayres is always good at giving the animals in her stories real personalities. If you have enjoyed the other books in the series, you will like this one. If you haven't read any of her other books, this one works great as a standalone.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Runaway Colton by Karen Whiddon

Of the many different Colton books in the many different Colton series, I can't really think of one I didn't like. There are always difficult family dynamics but also a closeness between some of the siblings. In this case, Piper is close to some of the siblings, but the others suspect her of murdering her father. When the accusations fly, she leaves and decides to figure out what happened on her own. Her brother hires Cord to find her, but it's not really clear whether he is trying to help her or hurt her. Once Cord does locate Piper, he ends up helping her house in exchange for her help in locating his missing niece. The two of them are attracted from the start and make a great couple, but Piper's brother keeps stirring up trouble. Cord has no way of knowing if Piper really cares for him or if she is just as snobby as her brother and will ditch him once she's safe. Either way, he's committed to see it through to the end.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

To the Edge by Anna del Mar

This was definitely a much sexier side of this author than I've read in the couple of other books I've enjoyed by her. This was downright naughty with lots of kinky bedroom action, plenty of emotional drama, and a smidge of suspense. I tend to prefer a bit heavier hand with the suspense and a bit less in the bedroom, but I liked the characters, so I kept reading. Both Noah and Clara were strong despite their flaws. Noah's issues were severe, but he made a way to overcome them when it really counted. Clara also found her backbone at the perfect time. Overall, it was a smoking hot read for those who like a lot of dirty talk and kink in their romance.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Whole Latte by Caroline Fardig

Okay, so I've been reading this series from the beginning, and I have no idea how to describe this book without giving away too much of the story. There was a lot more drama and a lot more relationship issues. It also still had a couple of murders and plenty of action. As is typical for this series, I was never really sure who the actual bad guy/girl was until the end. It kept me guessing in many ways. As for Ryder and Jules, sparks flew, and they weren't always the good kind. I admit to not being happy about the direction Jules's love life was heading for a lot of the book, but was pretty satisfied in the end. I'm definitely interested in seeing where things go from here.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Her Enemy Protector Avery Flynn

This was my third book by a Avery Flynn, and all three have been a bit off the beaten track. I'll admit I had a hard time getting started in this book with the unusual country name and the whole queen and silver knights deal. It took me a little while to settle in to the story. Once I got into the characters though, things started moving more quickly. While this is not a suspense novel, it did have a decent amount of tension and drama. I ended up liking Lucas and Ruby more than I thought I would, especially Lucas. The chemistry between the two was combustible, and Ruby was refreshingly bold. A bit of action and danger at the end definitely added to my enjoyment and wrapped things up nicely.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.