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.