The Last Time I Saw Her by Karen Robards

This is the final book in the Charlie Stone series and definitely not a standalone. I have read this series with both hope and trepidation having no idea how a HEA could ever be possible, especially a HEA that made sense, worked with the story, and didn't feel contrived. Even fearing how this was all going to end, I couldn't make myself stop reading. I have really loved this series!

This story begins right after the last book ended with Charlie still grieving for Michael who was ripped away right before her eyes after saving her life. Even though Tony (Mr. FBI) it's in love with her and is actually alive, nothing blunts the grief Charlie feels for Michael's loss and the fear she is experiencing as she worries (with good cause) about where he was taken..is he stuck in Spookville or somewhere much worse? Charlie receives the shock of her life when Michael shows up out of the blue and fully alive, only something is off, and this guy who looks like Michael isn't. He looks like Michael, but he is actually seeking Charlie out in order to get access to her files about Michael. Charlie is legally bound to comply with the request, but before she can, total chaos ensues at the prison, and the inmates of death row escape. Charlie's life is on the line along with several others, but Michael is no longer with her to protect our help her...or is he?

I don't want to give up any more details of the story because it would spoil it, but let's just say I completely loved it. When I hesitantly started reading this series I never really though I could ever get into a relationship between a woman and a ghost. I mean how's that actually going to work, and where would the chemistry and passion come from? I just couldn't picture it, but Karen Robards obviously could. Honestly, the passion and romance in this series is breathtaking, some of the best I've read. Michael with his super gruff nature is is one of my favorite overall book love interests. I was both thrilled and also petrified when at around ninety percent finished with the story, I still had no idea how it would end. By the time I reached one hundred percent, I had decided the author was a genius in the way she brought things to a close. It totally made my heart happy.

I received an ARC for review from Net Galley.

Revealed to Him by Jen Frederick

This is the third book in this series, but while I think reading the previous two prior to reading this one would be helpful, it is definitely not necessary in order to enjoy this story.  While many of my favorite characters from books one and two made small appearances, this book primarily focused on Jake. After having lost his left foot and hand while serving in the Army, Jake has built up his own security and investigations company. A famous pro football player hires Jake to find out who is harassing his cousin, a young lady who is confined to her apartment by her overwhelming fears. Jake begins communicating with the young lady, Natalie, through text and quickly finds himself attracted to her quirky humor and angered by the events that have predicated her fear. He is determined to make things better for her in any way he can, and finds himself drawn closer and closer to her. Even though Natalie can't even bring herself to let Jake in her home at first, it doesn't keep this story from being extremely sexy. Let's just say they get really creative until they finally get together physically, that's when the sparks really begin to fly. Unfortunately, whoever is targeting Natalie is covering tracks very well. When the truth comes out and all the betrayals are revealed, it may be the ultimate setback which keeps Natalie locked away forever.

I've enjoyed all three books in the series. I hope there are more to come, especially the story of Sabrina and Kaga!

I received an ARC for review from Net Galley.

Bad to the Bone by Wendy Byrne

Sammie was raised by her uncle after her parents allowed themselves to bee overcome by drug issues, so when that same uncle is accused of dealing drugs, she knows it cannot possibly be true. She immediately relocates temporarily to Florida to help keep his business afloat and found a way to clear his name. Enrique is a sexy bad boy customer at her uncle's bar. Sammie does her best to avoid both the man and her attraction to him knowing that bad boys are her typical MO and that she needs to break the habit. Enrique is having none of it and is determined to worm his way under Sammie's defenses and into her investigation. When he proves his ability to help and protect her, Sammie lets Enrique in not knowing that his secrets could destroy her. Enrique is actually an undercover DEA agent, the one who arrested her uncle and wants to make his arrest stick. The more Enrique investigates with Sammie, the more he begins to doubt her had the whole story. He wants to help Sammie even as he knows that once his duplicity is revealed he will lose her forever.

The story had plenty of mystery and action mixed with the emotion of a good romance. I really enjoyed it.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

The Skeleton in the Closet by Annie Fox

Verity and her ghostly sidekick, Frankie, are at it again. Book two of this series finds Verity and Ellis still in the beginning stages of their relationship and still keeping it undercover. Verity continues to struggle making ends meet and dealing with the way Ellis's mother vilified her to the community after she left Ellis's brother at the alter. In fact, things actually get even worse between Verity and her infamous not quite mother in law when her ex, Beau, lands back in town and resumes his pursuit of Verity. As if that wasn't enough, a murder occurs at the town library, and Verity's sister becomes the prime suspect. When Verity's investigation to clear her sister threatens to not only rewrite town history but to also turn Ellis's family on its ear, Verity's life gets dangerous.

Frankie continues to keep Verity searching for a way to underground his ashes, and several new ghosts end up helping Ellis and Verity get to the bottom of the secrets and lies their town has been built upon. To my supreme happiness, the relationship between Ellis and Verity continues to build. I really do love Ellis!

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Wrong Number, Right Guy by Elle Casey

This is the first book in a new series called The Bourbon Street Boys. I don't recall ever reading anything by this author, and honestly, I decided to try this book because I thought the cover was really striking and sexy. I hate naked and even half naked covers. I prefer to imagine for myself, and this cover lends itself to plenty of imagining. 😁 Right of the bat, this book had me giggling out loud over a hilarious text conversation. The amusement continued throughout the story and totally complimented the suspense. The basic gist of the story is May, a gifted photographer with a sort of cutesy girl next door image, receives an SOS text from what she believes is her sister's new phone. She braves a sketchy biker bar in her efforts to rescue her sister only to find herself in danger and being rescued by what might be the sketchiest guy in the place, Ozzie. When the sketchy guy turns out to be the opposite of what she thinks and offers her not only protection but the chance at a job much more exciting than her current occupation, her life not only gets more exciting, but also much more complicated. She may even have to decide which she wants more, her job or her boss.

I really enjoyed the story. The characters were great, and the author did a wonderful job of building important relationships between them. May was hilarious, and I loved being first person inside her head. I will not be missing any of the future books in the series.

I received an ARC for review from Net Galley.

Escaping Reality by Lisa Renee Jones

If you like your books passionate, deeply emotional, and intriguingly mysterious, this is the book for you. It had tons of twists and turns and had me completely questioning what reality truly was. Amy's life had me mystified and dying to find out what happened to her in the past and who is manipulating her in the present. Liam is only slightly less of a mystery. He shows up at an opportune moment out of the blue and inserts himself right into the middle of Amy's messed up life and refuses to let he go. I really liked the two of them together, but I was also curious about Jared and where he fits in all the craziness. Although the book ends in a bit of a cliffhanger with nothing resolved, I didn't mind since books two and three are already out. I will absolutely be grabbing book 2 as soon as I finish this review.

I received an ARC from Net Galley for review.

Lone Wolf Lawman by Delores Fossen

I enjoyed this author's Sweetwater Ranch series, so when I found this book on Net Galley, I immediately requested a copy for review. The story focuses around Addie who has not only discovered recently that she is the biological daughter of a serial killer but had also found out she is pregnant by the man who seduced get for there glorious nights then left her without even his real name. With the help of her family, she is making the best of it until Wes, her former lover, shows up out of the blue with the news that her biological father wants to kill her. He reveals his real name and his position with the Texas Rangers then shares his plan to use get as bait to draw her father out. The only problem is that he has no idea she carries his child. When the danger picks up and you throw in a few of Addie's overprotective law enforcement type brothers, things get pretty interesting. The story had plenty of action, suspense, and twists. While the couple from this story gets a resolution, a few loose threads are left dangling to continue the series. I really enjoyed Addie's brothers and can't wait to read their stories.