Deadly Secret by Tara Thomas

Bea and Knox's story starts in a previous book, so I wouldn't recommend this story be read as a standalone. After a brutal attack, Bea has distanced herself from her husband, Knox. No one knows they are married, and they might not stay that way long enough to tell anyone. Bea has been warned to stay away, and the distance is the only way she knows to keep him safe. Knox is not sure what has happened to his marriage, but he still loves Bea and will do anything or be anything she needs. Neither of them knows where the danger is coming from or why they are in the crosshairs. They just have to find a way to safely work together.

This couple has good chemistry and a real love for each other. The tension was steady throughout since it carried over from the last book. Some things still remain unresolved at the end of this story, but it's not a terrible cliffhanger. In my opinion, this was the best of the series so far.

Net Galley provided an ARC for honest review.

What Are You Afraid Of? by Alexandra Ivy

Griff doesn't like Carmen and doesn't want to help her. He thinks she is trying to use him to promote herself and her book in some macabre way. Carmen has written a true crime book detailing the crimes of several serial killers.  Someone wants her to think they are recreating these crimes, but are they really? Is it a there a serial killer after her or is someone using her book as a way to cover up her murder? Once Griff realizes Carmen will chase this killer on her own, he decides he won't leave her unprotected and follows after her.

The chemistry between these two is there on a slow simmer. Griff knows the timing is not right, and Carmen is unsure what he really thinks of her. Both are attracted, but they take it slow. There are several possibilities in regard to who is taunting Carmen, and I was slightly surprised in the end.  I like not being able to completely figure things out, so I enjoyed it.

I didn't read book 1 in this series, but this one worked perfectly as a standalone.  I liked Rylan's character, so I will probably go back and read his book. Net Galley provided an ARC for honest review.

Murder Notes by Lisa Renee Jones

I was really excited to have a new Lisa Renee Jones series to start, and the awesome cover drew my eye immediately.  The heroine she creates for this series is FBI agent Lilah Love who specializes in getting inside the heads of murderers. This time, however, it almost seems like someone is trying to get inside hers.  The case takes her back to her past and the town where she grew up.  It is also the place that holds her deepest darkest secret and her deepest darkest former love, Kane. Lilah encounters resistance at every turn, and the case just gets more and more twisted. With Kane and the secret they share added to the mix, there is plenty to hold your attention. While there is some steamy attraction sizzling, Lilah doesn't plan to ever get back with Kane. The story ends on a cliffhanger with quite a few dead bodies, a note leaving stalker, and a couple of mad exes. The next installment releases in the summer, and I will be ready for another dose of the fearlessly blunt and often foul mouthed FBI agent.

I requested an ARC from Net Galley.

The Undercover Billionaire by Jackie Ashenden

I have enjoyed the Tate Brothers series and was looking forward to getting surly Wolf's story.  None of these brothers are nice guys.  They, and especially Wolf, are aggressive, bossy, and ill tempered. They are all also dealing with the fallout of their Dad's death and his final manipulations from beyond the grave and the feud between their family and Olivia's family. To be honest, I have to say that this book started out kind of slow for me, and I was about halfway in before it really hooked me. Once Wolf agreed to let Olivia start helping him through research, things picked up and the story started moving at a better pace. The ending gave a good wrap up of the series, and I loved how Olivia finally grew a backbone.

I received an ARC from Net Galley.

Protected by Elisabeth Naughton

Kelsey's past experiences have warped her view of herself and led her into an emotionally abusive relationship that took her years to escape. She fails to see her worth, but Hunt sees her value and has wanted her for years.  Despite being best friends with one of her brothers, he was going to make a move just before she ended up with her ex but didn't get the opportunity. Now is not the right time to want her because her brothers have hired him to protect Kelsey from her ex as the divorce finalizes. He risks her brothers' wrath and the possibility of being distracted and letting her get hurt. A catastrophic event brings his feelings to light and stirs up desire in Kelsey, but between her self doubt and Hunt's fear of failing, their road to each other is difficult. Thankfully, there is plenty of action and suspense mixed in with the emotional drama. The action kicks off right at the beginning and keeps the tension high. Since I've enjoyed this author in the past, I requested and received an ARC from Net Galley.

HOT Angel by Lynn Raye Harris f

Just when I think this series couldn't get any better, I get an ARC of this book, and I'm proven wrong. I absolutely adored this story. Brooke and Cade start off texting rather than talking, and that part of the story was so fun and amusing. Brooke is afraid to talk in person because of a traumatic event in her past. (I suggest you read the other books in the series before this to be completely in the loop.) She keeps things at text level until she realizes she needs his help. He answers her frantic phone call, and the rest is history. She is his from that point on as he works to protect her and learn who has killed her neighbor and is after her.  I loved how Cade called Brooke "Angel". It was so sweet and sexy.  He was so patient with her. I'm excited about more books from Cade's team, especially Hacker's story. I can always trust Lynn Raye Harris for a steamy suspenseful action packed read.

HOT Angel. By Lynn Raye Harris

Just when I think this series couldn't get any better, I get an ARC of this book, and I'm proven wrong. I absolutely adored this story. Brooke and Cade start off texting rather than talking, and that part of the story was so fun and amusing. Brooke is afraid to talk in person because of a traumatic event in her past. (I suggest you read the other books in the series before this to be completely in the loop.) She keeps things at text level until she realizes she needs his help. He answers her frantic phone call, and the rest is history. She is his from that point on as he works to protect her and learn who has killed her neighbor and is after her.  I loved how Cade called Brooke "Angel". It was so sweet and sexy.  He was so patient with her. I'm excited about more books from Cade's team, especially Hacker's story. I can always trust Lynn Raye Harris for a steamy suspenseful action packed read.

Fat Burn by Lori Foster

I've read all the books in this series, and I couldn't wait to get Sahara's story.  In my opinion this was the best cover of the series and possibly the best book. I loved the easy Brand and Sahara interacted with each other, how he adored her strength and how she found her own need to lean on him. The sexy scenes were hot, and there was plenty of action and suspense to keep me pulled in.  I also enjoyed catching up with my favorite characters from the series and the little epilogue which tied a neat little bow on this series which I hate to see end. I wouldn't mind a few more hot sexy alpha male fighters with a protective streak.

I happily requested and received an ARC from Net Galley.

Make Me Want by Katee Robert

I'm a huge fan of Katee Robert's O'Malley series, and even though romance without suspense isn't really my thing the cover and the author sold me on this book. As with all Robert's books I've read so far, the characters had a lot of depth and interesting connections. The chemistry between Lucy and Gideon was great from the start, but Lucy wasn't looking for him. She needed a husband quick, and she wanted a nice safe choice. She just wanted Gideon to help her feel capable of keeping her new husband interested in the bedroom after not having great experiences in the past. Gideon agrees but only to keep her from going to someone else...someone else who might not care about her like he does. He's tasked with finding her a husband, but will he be able to let her go?

This story had fabulous characters and moved at a fast pace with lots of chemistry. I am thankful to have had an opportunity to read an ARC from Net Galley.

Darkest Night by Tara Thomas

We met Tilly in the first book of this series, Shattered Fear, where she shares about her lost love, Keaton. She hasn't seen each other in years, and Tilly believes Keaton broke off contact on purpose. A chance meeting brings them back in touch, and it is almost like the years apart just melt away. They fall in love all over. Unfortunately a killer is hunting, and the victims become gifts left for Tilly. The message is that she's next. Keaton (along with his brothers) will not let that happen. 

This story had a lot going on from lost love renewed to a serial killer to a possible stalker to family secrets and secret loves. Keaton was definitely my favorite character. He could be playful but was still pretty decisive and also had good chemistry with Tilly. I also loved the relationships he had with his brothers who are likely to get their own stories. Snarky Kipling kept me amused. 

Net Galley provided an ARC.

Collision Point by Lora Leigh

Lora Leigh has long been a favorite of mine, and I was excited to see she had this new series. Once I started reading though I figured out this is a spin off of her Elite Ops series. I've read books from the Bound Hearts and Men of Summer series, but never the Elite Ops, so while I didn't feel left behind, I did wish I had all the prior knowledge of these characters. I especially want to know about Noah, so his Elite Ops book has already been added to my wish list.

This story was fabulous! It was crazy sexy and beyond hot. It also had plenty of sustained tension and suspense. Through circumstances beyond their control, Amara and Riordan have been separated and turned against one another. A trauma has left Amara with altered memories and the inability to trust her feelings for Riordan. Her life is in danger though, so she needs him and his protection.

I loved Riordan's super bossy sexy take over alpha ways, and I also adored the way Amara gave flak right back to him. The Malone Irish curse/blessing was a great touch as well and really caught my interest. Now I'm hooked on these characters and need to read through Elite Ops series.

Net Galley provided an ARC.