*Book source ~ A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Years ago the Kahlotah helped a group of people from the Nazahpas defect to their lands where they now call themselves Anonlah. They live peacefully in Kahlotah lands even though many of the Kahlotah people resent the sacrifice of their men in battle when they helped the Anaonlah defect. Many years have passed and Gideon and his Band of Brothers have come under the attention of Nemmin, the Kahlotah Chief Captain. He has a job offer for Gideon and his Brothers, to guard the Princess Aliya when the King travels to Nazahpas lands to negotiate another treaty. However, when Gideon and Aliya meet there is something more going on that neither understand. The Whisperings tell Gideon she’s the One and Aliya is doing her best to avoid touching him despite the overwhelming urge to do so. Both are unsure what their gifts are trying to tell them and those who know aren’t talking. Will they figure it all out in time to prevent tragedy?

It took me a bit to figure out the world in this YA Fantasy, but once I did I fell into it only to surface occasionally when the characters uttered current slang which sounded wrong for this richly detailed world. Gideon is a wonderful hero. I love him. Aliya is a snobbish rich beyotch and I could not stand her for most of the book. I could and yet I couldn’t understand her loyalty to her dumbass boyfriend, Zaeron. Wow. What a douchebag that guy is and yet Aliya puts up with him. I find it hard to believe a Princess would allow a lowly guard treat her the way he does. Anyway, there’s also some mysterious goings on behind the scenes to pique my interest, but then there’s a cliffhanger. Grrr! Overall though this is a lovely clean romance set in a fantasy world.

*Book source ~ A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Tomas Dyrease, the new Earl of Irvaine shows up in Wisenvale to claim his new bride and the widowed women for his men. After the battle that ended the war and put him on the throne, King Mendel has rewarded his most faithful followers with land, titles and brides. Luckily for the women of Wisenvale, Tomas is a fair man who tolerates no abuse. Lady Brielle Solarius, daughter of the former Lord of Wisenvale, is to be the new Earl’s bride. But she is surprised when Tomas gives her a choice to say no. In a leap of faith she says yes and in that moment her whole life changes.

The fantasy world of Rhynan is very similar to medieval England or Scotland and I do love that time period. The world is beautifully detailed and the characters are well-fleshed. From the moment this tale began the action kept me on my toes.  Tomas and Brielle are barely married when things start going to hell in a hand basket. Problem after problem crops up and has to be dealt with all while they are trying to get to know each other and make their marriage work. I kept thinking, “This poor couple. Give them a break already!” lol The pacing did seem to drag a bit in a few places, but overall this is a wonderful, clean, historical-type romance. Lose yourself in Rhynan. You won’t regret it.

*Book source ~ A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Jameson “Jamie” Llewellyn is a strong capable woman, a tough Marine and apparently a werewolf. Hell of a thing to discover about yourself in an Afghanistan cave. When General Solomon Aleph discovers her he claims her for his unit and explains all about werewolves. However, Jamie has been raised as a human and she is seriously lacking in werewolf skills and protocol. But before she can be educated, she’s captured and then she finds out how very special her DNA is and what the Big Plan for her is supposed be. However, Jamie has no intention of cooperating. Let the games begin.

Now, this is an interesting take on the supernatural/paranormal world. Written with plenty of detail I had no problem picturing this world and characters, the humor adds relief from the suspense and the plotting of the villains is sufficiently malevolent to give chills. However, I had a few issues that kept me from thoroughly immersing myself in the story. Solomon and the little world he has created for his region are too perfect. Too much. Too everything. Too convenient. And for being a big badass Alpha it seemed as if he cried at the drop of a hat. I got a bit tired of his tears. The ending is also a cliffhanger. Not a huge whopping one, but one all the same. Finally, the whole story needs a final polishing with an editor. I stumbled across more mistakes than I would normally let slide. All-in-all though an enjoyable action-packed were-filled read.

*Book source ~ A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

Commander Thane “Ghost” Austen is a Navy SEAL in charge of Coronado Amphibious Base in San Diego. Even though he’s done more than enough years out in the field and could take a promotion and the desk job to go with it, he still leads his Team out on the most dangerous missions. Married to his job and his country, duty means everything to him. Until Canadian Kayla Banks is hired to be the tactical specialist in the Command Center of his base. Now he’s feeling things he’s never felt before and he’s pretty sure that isn't a good thing especially when a serial killer named the Blood Shark turns his attention on Kayla. Kayla is a tough woman, but she has secrets that haunt her and now she’s a target. Ghost may be off-balance for the first time in his life, but he’s intent on protecting her from the Shark and even from herself. Is he up for the job?

This is a fast-paced military suspense with sexual tension thrown in. For the most part, it’s a decent story. However, I had some issues with it. Let me start with what I enjoyed. The plot is pretty good, the military parts are excellent, most of the characters are wonderful, the sexual tension is scrumptious and, for the most part, it’s fast-paced.

Now, what I didn’t enjoy was the sometimes uneven pacing of the story. There seemed to be some scenes that could have been shortened or even left out entirely to tighten the flow. The ending is a whopping cliffhanger, a particular pet peeve of mine. But my biggest complaint is Ghost himself. He exhausted me with his emotional swings. He was like a woman constantly PMSing. Not to mention for ¾ of the book I disliked him so intensely I would have gladly seen him killed either by the Shark or on a mission. He was a self-centered asshole. Everything was all about him. He did not think for a single moment about Kayla. He saw, he wanted, he would have thrown her away when he was done. His grabby hands (and lips) whenever she was within touching distance totally turned me off because again, it was all about him and never about her. Honorable my ass. He was far from honorable when it came to Kayla. It wasn’t until he pulled his head out of his ass and starting viewing her as an actual person and not a pussy to fuck and leave behind that I started to revise my opinion of him. But then the book ended leaving me still slightly pissed at him and not convinced he was ready to commit 100% to her. I also did not buy into their insta-love. For most of the book Ghost proves he only loves his country, his duty and himself, in that order. Kayla has major issues stemming from her past and says more than once she’s dead inside, so I don’t buy her insta-love either. Attraction and lust, for sure, but love? Nope.

Now, having said all that, I would definitely continue with book 2 if only to see if Ghost has indeed changed, if Kayla can be saved and who the hell the Blood Shark is and whether he is exterminated with extreme prejudice.