Audiobook Review: A Sudden Crush by Camilla Isley

Series:	Malone Bros. #1
Pub. Date:	June 23, 2016
Publisher:	Pink Bloom Press
Narrator:	Tami Leah Lacy
Length:	7 hrs 25 min
Source:	Author

This is a cute, somewhat clean romance that requires you to suspend your belief and just roll with it for entertainment purposes. The narrator, Tami Leah Lacy did a good job with the narration performance. Her character voices were distinct and gender appropriate. She did read a little slow for me so I sped the timing up to 1.3x or so.

Kindle Unlimited Review: Take the Money and Run by Samantha A. Cole

Series:	Malone Bros. #1
Pub. Date:	June 9, 2016
Publisher:	Self-Pub
Length:	199 pages
Source:	Kindle Unlimited

Take the Money and Run is a new romantic suspense series by Samantha A. Cole, whom you may know from the steamy Trident Security series. This new series is not quite so erotic, it lacks the BDSM elements, so may appeal more to mainstream romance readers.

ARC Review: Woodwalker by Emily B. Martin

Pub. Date:	May 17, 2016
Publisher:	Harper Voyager
Length:	336 pages
Source:	Edelweiss

This fantasy is my first read from Emily B. Martin. I'm not sure why this story is being classified as a fantasy because there are not really any fantastical elements. There are separate kingdoms, each having a different commodity (silver, pearls, lumber, etc). There is war between the kingdoms, prophecies and their own form of religion known as The Light. But there are no magical characteristics or special powers or anything like that. There was a little bit of action and some political intrigue, but for the most part it was a meandering quest through the woods.

Audiobook Review: The Soldier by Grace Burrowes

Series:	Windham #2
Pub. Date:	June 7, 2016
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Narrator:	James Langton
Length:	11 hrs 6 min
Source:	Tantor Audio

The Soldier is the second installment of the Windham series, and features my favorite son of the Duke of Windham - Devlin St. Just. The Windhams are a unique family having taken in and raised the Duke's two illegitimate children that he sired prior to his marriage. They are also an extremely affectionate family - often hugging one another and talking about feelings and even crying (I'm speaking of the males here).  So that is unique in the historical romance genre for me. 

ARC Review: Once a Soldier by Mary Jo Putney

Series:	Rogues Redeemed #1
Pub. Date:	June 28, 2016
Publisher:	Kensington/Zebra
Length:	343 pages
Source:	NetGalley

Mary Jo Putney is back with a new series that spins off from her original Lost Lords series. Where the Lost Lords all attended Westerfield Academy together, this new Rogues Redeemed series will focus on a group of spies who found themselves facing death together during England's fight with Old Boney.

Stackin' the Shelves #37 and Weekly Recap

Hosted by Tynga's Book Reviews

Welcome back bambinas!

This is Stackin' the Shelves, the weekly feature where I showcase all the books I have accepted for review, one-clicked, won or borrowed from the library. I have been MIA for a few weeks. I had to say goodbye to my beloved furbabies, which was a very sad time for me. Lucky and Dopey spent 16 long years by my side, and I miss them everyday.  Then I had to travel for work, and had houseguests... and got very behind on my reading schedule.

Audiobook Review: Wildest Dreams by Kristen Ashley

Series:	Fantasyland #1
Pub. Date:	June 21, 2016
Publisher:	Audible Studios
Narrator:	Tillie Hooper
Length:	18 hrs 49 min
Source:	Audible

I am so excited that Kristen's books are being released in audio. I think this is the third or fourth time I have read this book, but the first in audio. Kristen picked a great narrator. Tillie Hooper helps bring the characters to life by conveying that wide range of emotions present in every KA book. Her performance was spot on for both characters, and she does male voices just as well as female. Oh yes... and talking animals as well!

ARC Review: A Gentleman Never Tells by Eloisa James

Series:	Essex Sisters #4.5
Pub. Date:	June 28, 2016
Publisher:	Avon
Length:	112 pages
Source:	Edelweiss

Seriously, I have got to read more Eloisa James. I still have a backlog for her, but the stories I have read have been awesome quality and solid entertainment. Plus - I met her at the RT Convention this year and she was super nice! It's always great to fangirl over appreciative authors, and I had a great time talking to her at the Viva La Historical event.

ARC Review: Paper and Fire by Rachel Caine

Series:	The Great Library #2
Pub. Date:	July 5, 2016
Publisher:	Berkley Publishing
Length:	368 pages
Source:	NetGalley

The Great Library saga continues with this second installment, which is even more dangerous and action-packed than the first.

ARC Review: From Kiss to Queen by Janet Chapman

Pub. Date:	July 5, 2016
Publisher:	Berkley/Jove
Length:	416 pages
Source:	NetGalley

It's been a long while since I've read anything by Janet Chapman, and I am so happy to have rectified that situation. From Kiss to Queen was a super fun and light read, a bit of a rags-to-riches romance featuring a royal prince and an orphan.

ARC Review: Into the Blue by Chanel Cleeton

Series:	Wild Aces #2
Pub. Date:	July 5, 2016
Publisher:	Berkley Publishing
Length:	320 pages
Source:	NetGalley

With this second installment of the Wild Aces series,  I do believe Chanel Cleeton has made her way onto my auto-buy list. Having suffered from burn out in the contemporary romance genre this year, I'm so happy to have found another author whose stories pull emotion from the reader with engaging plots, realistic situations and captivating characters. And can I get an amen for mature heroines?!? We need more over-30 heroines in the romance genre these days... the new adult trend is giving me a complex!

ARC Review: And I Darken by Kiersten White

Series:	Conqueror's Saga #1
Pub. Date:	June 28, 2016
Publisher:	Delacorte Press
Length:	484 pages
Source:	NetGalley

This was an unexpected and fascinating retelling of the legend of the Draculesti family, particularly the two youngest children of Vlad II. I'm not sure why its being classified in the fantasy genre so much on Goodreads... I would put it more in the historical fiction category.

Freebie Friday Review: Hot as Hell by Julie Ann Walker

Series:	Deep Six #1
Pub. Date:	June 1, 2016
Publisher:	Sourcebooks Casablanca
Length:	139 pages
Freebie Date:	June 1, 2016

This prequel is a quick intro to the series - a very quick intro. The story is only about 35% of the Kindle file and the rest is a sneak peak into Devil and the Deep. So this is a perfect story to read over your lunch break or anywhere you have a short wait.

ARC Review: Shadow Rider by Christine Feehan

Series:	Shadow #1
Pub. Date:	June 28, 2016
Publisher:	Berkley
Length:	480 pages
Source:	Publisher

Christine Feehan has created a captivating new series featuring a huge tight-knit Italian family with the supernatural ability to ride shadows. I am so glad I'm getting in on this new series from the front end because I STILL have not managed to catch up with the Carpathians.

ARC Review and Giveaway: Addicted by Elle Kennedy

Series:	Outlaws #2
Pub. Date:	June 28, 2016
Publisher:	Berkley
Length:	368 pages
Source:	Publisher

Elle Kennedy's post-apocalyptic series continues to steam up our e-readers with this second installment featuring a friends-to-lovers trope with hero, Lennox and his best friend and gal pal, Jamie. 

Series Saturday Audiobook Review: The Heir by Grace Burrowes

Series:	Windham #1
Pub. Date:	May 19, 2016
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Narrator:	James Langton
Length:	12 hrs 22 min
Source:	Hoopla

The Windham series kicks off with what appears to be a rags to riches story between the ducal heir and his housekeeper. Having myself started with the series prequel, I was a bit surprised to discover the hero of this first installment was not the first-born son.  

ARC Review: Dirty Sexy Cuffed by Carly Phillips & Erika Wilde

Series:	Dirty Sexy #3
Pub. Date:	June 21, 2016
Publisher:	Self-Pub
Length:	230 pages
Source:	Rockstar PR

This is the third installment of Carly Phillips' and Erika Wilde's Dirty Sexy series, which has followed the romantic pairing of each of three brothers, all tortured heroes that you want to snatch up and smother with love. Each brother is different... the caretaker, the bad boy, and the good guy - but they are all undeniably hot hot hot.

Guest Review: The Omega Team: Assisting Aimee by Susan Stoker

Series:	Delta Force #1.5
Pub. Date:	Feb. 16, 2016
Publisher:	Kindle Worlds
Length:	87 pages

Tony is ex-Special Forces currently working as first year, 1st grade teacher and Aimee is a gym teacher at the same school. Aimee inadvertently rescues Tony from an uncomfortable situation in the teachers lounge with, well, I think of the harassing teacher as the Venus Fly Trap but anyway...