Audiobook Review: Sweet Dreams by Kristen Ashley

Series:	Colorado Mountain #2
Pub. Date:	June 24, 2014
Publisher:	Hachette Audio
Narrator:	Emma Taylor
Length:	25 hrs 6 min
Source:	Audible

Last week I had to go to Denver for work, and decided that I would take the scenic route through Utah and the Rockies. I thought for sure that I would be lucky enough to get lost (and found) in Carnal, Colorado. Sadly, that didn't happen. (Though I did visit Evergreen - which was supposedly the inspirational setting for Gnaw Bone!)  Anywho, driving through the beautiful mountains made me nostalgic for the Colorado Mountains series, and I popped in Sweet Dreams so that Tatum Jackson could keep me company on the drive.

Sweet Dreams is the second book in the Colorado Mountains series, but it can be read as a standalone if you have not read the first book, The Gamble. Though I encourage you to read them all... you will probably be ready to pack up and move to a small Colorado mountain town at that point.

Audiobook Review: Barbarian Mine by Ruby Dixon

Series:	Ice Planet Barbarians #4
Pub. Date:	April 24, 2018
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Narrators:	Mason Lloyd Hollie Jackson
Length:	5 hrs 36 min
Source:	Publisher

Barbarian Mine is the fourth book in the Ice Planet Barbarians series, and takes place somewhat consecutively with the last book, Barbarian Lover. While we have previously met our heroine, Harlow, our hero is a new and unexpected addition to the series. This series has a fairly linear and chronological storyline, so I recommend that you read the books in order. 

If you recall from Barbarian Lover, our flame-haired and freckled Harlow was bonked over the head while she was out trying to piece together a travoy for one of the wounded aliens. We didn't hear from her the rest of the story. Though when she realizes that she has been abducted by an unknown big blue guy, Harlow takes everything in stride and doesn't get overly freaked out. That may have something to do with the constant purring in her chest that tells her she and the totally naked alien will be compatible... in all ways. I liked Harlow quite a bit. She was patient and understanding with our hero, and was able to teach him quite a few things to make survival more pleasant.

ARC Review: Order of Protection by Lexi Blake

Series:	Courting Justice #1
Pub. Date:	June 5, 2018
Publisher:	Berkley
Length:	336 pages
Source:	NetGalley

Order of Protection is the first installment of the new Courting Justice series by Lexi Blake. This series ties into Lexi's other series involving the Lawless family and the McKay-Taggert guys. It seems that this series will follow some of the attorneys that we met in the Lawless series, and heavily features Noah Lawless, who has joined the firm. I am interested to see how these stories play out and entwines with the other two series.

ARC Review: Shadow Keeper by Christine Feehan

Series:	Shadow #3
Pub. Date:	May 29, 2018
Publisher:	Berkley Romance
Length:	400 pages
Source:	NetGalley

Oooh lawd. Christine Feehan has me over here fantasizing about shadows! Did that one just move? The Shadow series and the uber yummy Ferraro Brothers, will have you looking a little harder the next time you see a shadow move across your field of vision. Shadow Keeper is the third installment of the Shadow series, and I would encourage you to read them in order. While each story has its own arc, it will benefit you to have some of the back story from earlier books. Plus, the whole series has been great so you won't regret investing the time.

ARC Review: The One You Can't Forget by Roni Loren

Series:	The Ones Who Got Away #2
Pub. Date:	June 5, 2018
Publisher:	Sourcebooks Casablana
Length:	416 pages
Source:	NetGalley

This is only my second read from Roni Loren, and I'm jumping into a series already in progress. The One You Can't Forget is the second installment of The Ones Who Got Away. I haven't read the first book, and I felt like this one worked okay as a standalone. The series focuses on a group of heroines (and the hero of the first book), who are survivors of a mass shooting at Long Acre High School. The stories take place 10-15 years later, and our heroines are a close group of professional women living in Texas.

Audiobook Review: Half-Blood Dragon by K.N. Lee

Series:	Dragon Born #1
Pub. Date:	April 24, 2018
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Narrator:	Mary Sarah
Length:	3 hrs 35 min
Source:	Publisher

Pirates and dragons and mermaids, oh my! How could I resist such a fantastic tale? This was my first read by K.N. Lee, and I like where she is going with the premise of this series.

Our heroine, Rowan, is a half-blood dragon. Not enough dragon blood to have scales or transform, but enough to have some strength and magical ability. Though I was confused on whether the magical ability came from her human side or her dragon side - that was a bit murky. As a half-blood, our heroine feels the sting of prejudice from everyone around her, and people easily believe the worst when she is accused of killing the crown prince.   

ARC Review: Too Wilde to Wed by Eloisa James

Series:	Wildes of Lindow Castle #2
Pub. Date:	May 29, 2018
Publisher:	Avon
Length:	384 pages
Source:	Edelweiss

Too Wilde to Wed is the second installment of Eloisa James' Wildes of Lindow Castle series, featuring the very large and entertaining Wilde family. I have read the earlier book, Wilde in Love, but I think you can get by reading this one as a standalone if absolutely necessary (though you will miss some of the backstory). 

Our hero in this story is Lord Roland Northbridge Wilde (a/k/a North), heir to the dukedom. After being jilted by his fiance and coming to an incorrect assumption, North enlisted in the royal army and went off to fight the Revolutionary War in the Colonies. In the first book, North had turned himself into a ridiculous dandy wearing saffron pantaloons and coats embroidered with cherries, all to gain the attention of a woman. But North has returned from the war and different, and less pretentious man. I really liked him as a hero. He was patient and understanding, and had a touch of vulnerability in dealing with his time in the war. He treated our heroine exceedingly well, but he wasn't the "nice guy that finishes last." North could steam up the sheets and steamroll his way when the situation really warranted it.

ARC Review: How to Forget a Duke by Vivienne Lorret

Series:	Misadventures in Matchmaking #1
Pub. Date:	May 29, 2018
Publisher:	Avon
Length:	384 pages
Source:	Publisher

How to Forget a Duke is the first installment of Vivienne Lorret's new series, Misadventure in Matchmaking. The series focuses around three sisters and their indulgent uncle, who allows the girls to run the Bourne Matrimonial Agency. Just take a gander at that beautiful cover - it totally sucked me right in and had me wanting to read this story.

Our hero of this first installment is Crispin Montague, fifth Duke of Rydstrom. First of all - that is a GREAT name. I just loved it. Unfortunately, Crispin is broke and in need of an heiress whose funds he may use to repair the ducal estate, Whitcrest. Though he is not interested in a love match - he needs an uninterested wife who will not want to live with him at Whitcrest and discover his secrets. I liked Crispin. He was no-nonsense, responsible, and honorable. He was also engaging in some self-condemnation for his guilt over his parent's death and his sisters future prospects. I would have liked to know more about him, though most of the story was focused on the heroine.

Audiobook Review: At Grave's End by Jeaniene Frost

Series:	Night Huntress #3
Pub. Date:	Nov. 11, 2010
Publisher:	Blackstone Audio
Narrator::	Tavia Gilbert
Length:	9 hrs 28 min
Source:	Hoopla

The series binge continues with the third book, At Grave's End. The focus of this book shied away from further relationship development for Cat and Bones, and instead focused on the action and drama. Secondary characters played a huge role in this installment, to the extent that this was really more their story.

Audiobook Review: Barbarian Lover by Ruby Dixon

Series:	Ice Planet Barbarians #3
Pub. Date:	April 10, 2018
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Narrators::	Mason Lloyd Hollie Jackson
Length:	5 hrs 47 min
Source:	Hoopla

Barbarian Alien is the third book in the Ice Planet Barbarians series, and the series is progressing right along with each book advancing the timeline chronologically. The aliens and humans are settling into the caves and becoming comfortable with one another, and waiting to see who will resonate or get knocked up next.

ARC Review: You Never Forget Your First Earl by Ella Quinn

Series:	Worthingtons #5
Pub. Date:	May 29, 2018
Publisher:	Kensington
Length:	304 pgs
Source:	NetGalley

I have been enjoying the tight-knit family in the Worthingtons series, even though it seems I have missed a book along the way. It's not necessary to read these in order, particularly if you are starting with You Never Forget Your First Earl. In this book, we have exhausted our Worthingtons, and it seems and we are going with a friend of the family instead of one of the Worthington brood.

ARC Review: All the Ever Afters: The Untold Story of Cinderella's Stepmother by Danielle Teller

Pub. Date:	May 22, 2018
Publisher:	William Morrow
Length:	384 pages
Source:	Edelweiss

All the Ever Afters: The Untold Story of Cinderella's Stepmother is Danielle Teller's fiction debut*, and she certainly starts off with a unique premise and interesting tale. Teller is a former doctor with some impressive institutions on her curriculum vitae, and I am a sucker for a brainiac fiction author. So this was a book that I was highly anticipating once William Morrow brought it to my attention.

As you can tell from the title, this is the story of Agnes, the well-known evil stepmother to beloved princess and cinder girl, Cinderella. But All the Ever Afters provides an alternate view, and I enjoyed the reimagining of the story through Agnes' eyes. This is not a romance, nor is it a story I would recommend for children. It tackles some serious subject matter, adult situations, and I think will be appreciated by more mature fantasy and fairytale fans.

ARC Review: The Prince by Katharine Ashe

Series:	Devil's Dukes #4
Pub. Date:	May 29, 2018
Publisher:	Avon
Length:	384 pages
Source:	Edelweiss

The Prince is the fourth installment of the Devil's Dukes series, and one that I was anticipating after meeting our hero, Ziyaeddin, in The Duke. The Devil's Dukes are a spinoff of Ashe's Falcon Club series, which I have not read. I don't feel like you need to read the earlier books before embarking with The Prince, but if you want to read his introductory book, check out The Duke.

Audiobook Review: The Unseelie King by Heather Killough-Walden

Series:	The Kings #6
Pub. Date:	March 20, 2018
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Narrator:	Antony Ferguson
Length:	6 hrs 51 min
Source:	Publisher

Man, it's been four or five years since I've read the earlier books in this series and I couldn't for the life of me remember what happened in those books. I probably should have went back and re-read at least the last book, but I was being optimistic. Luckily, I was still entertained even though my memory failed me.

Review: The Duke by Katharine Ashe

Series:	Devil's Dukes #3
Pub. Date:	Sept. 26, 2017
Publisher:	Avon
Length:	395 pgs

The Devil's Dukes series is a spinoff of Katharine Ashe's Falcon Club series. I have not read the Falcon Club series yet, and I tried to start the Devil's Dukes last year with The Rogue, and I felt too lost to finish the book. When Avon sent along the fourth book in the series, The Prince, I decided to give this one another shot. I wanted to try The Duke, because I am a sucker for a broody dark duke, particularly a Scot.

ARC Review: The Bride Takes a Groom by Lisa Berne

Series:	Penhallow Dynasty #3
Pub. Date:	April 24, 2018
Publisher:	Avon
Length:	384 pgs
Source:	Edelweiss

The Bride Takes a Groom is the third book in the Penhallow Dynasty series, and my first read by this author. Penhallow is an esteemed and revered name in London society, and the family bucks tradition by marrying for love and maintaining close relationships throughout the family lines. I really liked everyone in the family, even Aunt Henrietta, who is a reformed stuffy matron sort.

Captain Hugo Penhallow has been in America fighting a war for the past 10 years or so, and has returned home after being shot and breaking his leg. He rushes back home to see his mother and siblings, and finds all the love he missed while he was away. Unfortunately he also quickly realizes their dire financial situation, and he sets out to remedy their lack of resources right away. I liked that Hugo was an amiable and easy-going fellow - nothing ever seemed to ruffle his feathers. His dedication to his family and even his bratty bride was admirable. I would have liked to spend more time in Hugo's head, and wished that his character had been developed more once the story was established.

Audiobook Review: One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Series:	Night Huntress #2
Pub. Date:	Oct. 20, 2010
Publisher:	Blackstone Audio
Narrator::	Tavia Gilbert
Length:	9 hrs 47 min
Source:	Hoopla

My binge of the Night Huntress series continued right through my 3-day road trip, and I of course couldn't skip probably the most infamous book of the series. Having met Jeaniene a few times at signings now, I have heard her speak about this book more than once. Whenever Chapter 32 gets brought up, I can't help but chuckle at her story. She really is one of the most down-to-earth, humble and funny authors that I have met.

Note: This review may contain spoilers for prior books in the series.

Audiobook Review: The Queens of Innis Lear by Tessa Gratton

Pub. Date:	March 27, 2018
Publisher:	Macmillan Audio
Narrators::	Kate Reading
Length:	26 hrs 21 min
Source:	Publisher

Plot, plot, where is the plot? I've given The Queens of Innis Lear more than 11 hours of my life. Unfortunately, I don't think I can give it more. This audiobook is a monster at nearly 26.5 hours long, and I made it to just about 43%. I kept sallying forth waiting for something to happen... but I have grown too impatient to continue.

I really wanted to like this story. The story is a retelling of Shakespeare's King Lear supposedly told in a Game of Thrones style drama and battle. Sounds interesting, right? It could have been, but nothing ever happens and it became tiresome and boring.

ARC Review: The Crooked Staircase by Dean Koontz

Series:	Jane Hawk #3
Pub. Date:	May 8, 2018
Publisher:	Bantam
Length:	512 pgs
Source:	NetGalley

I have really been enjoying this gripping page-turner series featuring former FBI agent, Jane Hawk. This third installment of the series may be the most action-packed and devastating yet, and it sure to keep you turn the pages until late in the night.

To recap the series so far - Jane is on the run seeking justice for her husband who was murdered with the use of nanotechnology. During her investigation, she uncovered a huge conspiracy to enslave and eliminate a large section of society. The players are so powerful and dangerous that Jane had to hide away her son and go underground. The method for world domination employed by the villains is truly frightening - the implantation of nanotechnology which takes away free will. Forget "it's a tumor" a la Schwarzenneger, the next time you get a headache, your mind will immediately jump to spiders laying eggs in your brain. (((Shudder)))

ARC Review: The Whispering Room by Dean Koontz

Series:	Jane Hawk #2
Pub. Date:	Nov. 21, 2017
Publisher:	Bantam
Length:	512 pgs
Source:	NetGalley

I've been a bad blogger and this is another book from my blogger shame pile. I don't have a good excuse for being so late with this review, other than sometimes its hard reading to a calendar. When you come up to a certain book on the schedule, sometimes you just aren't in the mood for that story or genre or trope. I think that is what happened here. I'm a long time Koontz fan, and I really enjoyed the last book in this series, so it has nothing to do with the writing or author or even the book itself. It's just me being moody, and I need to get better at that.

So the Jane Hawk series started with a bang in The Silent Corner, and the writing seemed to be classic Koontz. Dynamic suspense and chock full of action and conspiracy theories - the things that I loved most about his writing style. I am happy to report that the momentum was carried through with this next installment, The Whispering Room.