Hard to Forget by Incy Black

I will start by saying I received a copy of this book for review from Net Galley before I even knew what it was about. I knew nothing about this author, and there was no blurb to explain the plot. I simply requested a chance to read the book based on having previously really enjoyed books by this particular publisher.  I'm am really glad I was approved to read this story. It was full of action, very suspenseful, and ultimately alpha. The book starts out by giving the background of Jack and Lowry, particularly the cause of their contention. It then jumps forward to the present where the two of them are unexpectedly thrown together despite Lowry's very real fear of Jack. Lowry resists Jack's efforts to push into her life but ends up turning to him for help in a moment of desperation. Jack steps up but offers only protection without an ounce of compassion. The chemistry between these two is popping, but Jack is a very hard man, and Lowry is suffering from PTSD from an event in her past she has held secret and used to excuse sitting herself off from everyone...especially Jack.  Fortunately, Jack is able to get information about the PTSD event and his rage drives him to help Lowry in every way he can. Lowry alternates between desiring Jack and fearing his touch. As danger closes in, they both have decide whether they can trust each other. Their opinions on how to handle situations continually clash. Eventually, the danger catches up with them and pushes them out of their comfort zone and into the path of a killer.

This was a great read. I could barely put it down. I enjoyed the characters, and was totally invested in the storyline. It was way more deeply emotional and involved than I expected. I really loved it.

No Hero by Mallory Kane

I am so happy I discovered this author. I totally enjoyed this book. It had the perfect balance of chemistry and suspense with plenty of action and very little down time. Dev was super sexy and truly a good person at heart despite his tendency to dwell on his own failings. Reghan saw herself as a good person who exposed the evil in others. In the process of one of her reveals, she unrepentantly almost destroyed Dev's career and his life's work. Despite all this, three two have a certain chemistry they try to ignore. When a serial killer targets people connected to Dev, Reghan believes she has key evidence to help solve the case. Despite the tension between them and police resentment toward her, Reghan decides to share what she knows with Dev.  Soon, the killer's anger turns toward Reghan. Dev steps up to help despite Reghan's slightly self righteous attitude.  The connection between the two builds quickly. In the end, both have to be willing to sacrifice their lives for each other in order to beat the killer. 

I enjoyed the characters in this story, and I hope Penn gets her own book soon. I look forward to checking out other books by this author. I appreciate Net Galley providing a copy of this book for honest review.

Hush Now Baby by Cheryl Bradshaw

I have loved this series from the first book. Sloane always takes me places I'm not sure I want to go, but am glad I experienced when I get to the end. This is definitely not a light series. Sloane is a messed up broken character who can't seem to connect. She is intelligent, caring, and has a strong sense of personal morals but can't seem to find any good in herself...only guilt. She tends to focus only on her perceived failings and takes on the weight of the world. Cade is almost the polar opposite of Sloane. He is open and honest and pretty grounded in reality. I had a difficult time putting him together with Sloane in the last book because I really liked Giovanni, despite his negative affiliations. Even throughout this book, I kept wondering if he would appear and whether I really wanted him to. I don't know that Sloane's morality would ever let her be truly happy with Giovanni. Cade , on the other hand, seems to really understand Sloane. He lets her be herself...find herself. The case the two of them take on, while not physically very dangerous to Sloane, is emotionally challenging. As they search for a missing baby, Sloane can't help but be drawn back into her own painful losses. The people who care about her become concerned and push her to discover how she truly feels and what she really wants to do with her life. There are so many questions in this story. Will Sloane and Cade be able to save the baby? Who stole the baby and killed the mother? Does Sloane share Cade's feelings? Will she ever let herself release the control she holds so dear? You have to read it to find out. This book was a great addition to the series. I especially enjoyed the ending:-)

Deadly Holiday Reunion by Lenora Worth

I really love the Christmas season and especially Christmas books. While this story was mearly set near the Christmas season and had little to do with Christmas, it was still a great book. Jake and Ella were both great characters. Ella was resilient and strong and loyal. Jake was also loyal and a strong single dad. When Jake's daughter was kidnapped, clues led him to believe an old killer once presumed dead had returned. In order to save his daughter, he needed the help of his former love, Ella, the killer's only surviving victim. Ella agreed to help despite her fears. The two are left with the killer's idea of a twisted scavenger hunt as their only clues. In the midst of their search, the two end up discovering just how much they care about each other. Unfortunately, they have to risk it all for the chance to save Jake's daughter.

I have enjoyed this author for many years. Her stories are always well written with good plot lines. Her inspirational stories weave faith into the characters' daily lives in a way that feels realistic and lacks the awkwardness inherent in some inspirational books. This was a great read.

Net Galley provided a copy of this book for honest review:-)

Crossfire Christmas by Julie Miller

I totally devoured this book in one sitting. It was a both suspenseful and fun. The interactions between Nash and Teresa were full of quick wit and mutual respect. The Christmas aspects were sweet without being campy.

When Teresa stops to help at a roadside accident, she finds herself taken captive by an injured man with a bag full of weapons. Even though he threatens her, he also seems to be going out of his way to protect her. Nash is an undercover DEA agent who is searching for a mole inside his agency. He doesn't want to put anyone else in danger, but he needs Teresa and her nursing skills. When Teresa turns the table and escapes from Nash's confinement, she not only discovers his true identity but also inadvertently places herself in danger. Nash has no choice but to keep her with him and try to keep her safe. Teresa, however, is having no part of being protected. She pushes Nash to consider her a partner and challenges his notions every step of the way. In the end, it takes both of them to finally bring an end to the danger in time for Christmas.

I received a copy of this book from Net Galley for honest review:-)

Snowstorm Confessions by Rachel Lee

Due to what seems like a horrible accident, Bri is placed in the award position of needing to take her ex husband into her home and nurse him back to health. Luke came to town seeking to resolve a few remaining issues with Bri. He hates feeling so helpless from his many injuries and causing more work for Bri. As they are forced to spend day after day together, the couple begin taking about their shared past. They begin to make efforts to figure out what went wrong in their marriage and understand each other better. In the meantime, neither one realizes a stalker is watching their every moves and eavesdropping on their conversations. When a snowstorm traps the couple in Bri's house and they become closer, the stalker decides Bri will never belong to anyone again.

As per the title, this book did revolve around a series of confessions between the couple. I would describe this as a romance with a hint of suspense, primarily toward the end. 

I received a copy of this book for review from Net Galley.

The Unleash Me series by Christina Ross

I was so excited about this series because I loved the Annihilate Me series and adored all the characters, especially Tank and Lisa. As I said in my review of Annihilate me, yes, the books in this series are cliffhangers (literally ending in the middle of a situation and then immediately picking up with the next book just like turning a page), and yes, they really are short (ending between 65 and 85% completed on my kindle), but that is not what had bothered me. Thankfully, I read this series on kindle unlimited because I would be very upset if I was out money. While I still love Tank and Lisa, 80% of this series was just Annihilate Me with the names changed. One conversation in this series between Jennifer and Tootie was word for word the same from Annihilate Me. Even the sex scenes between Tank and Jennifer were remakes. They were full of the same obsession with suits and stubble and even experimented with the same new ways to play. Just as Alex is injured with a long recovery while protecting Jennifer on the street, Tank is also injured. See where I'm going with this? I didn't stress too much because, like I said, it was free for me to read, but I have too say be cautious before spending money. On the good side, the final suspense climax was really good and Blackwell was her usual fun self. This author has talent. She just needed to put more time into this series in my opinion.