Turquoise Guardian

Turquoise Guardian by Jenna Kernan

Publisher: Harlequin

January 2017

ISBN: 978-1-335-72073-3

Pages: 248

Contemporary Romantic Suspense

Arizona

Carter Bear Den is an Apache on the Turquoise Canyon Reservation and is proud of that fact. He is also a former US Marine that works to protect his people and their land as a member of the Turquoise Guardians. Carter’s one thought after discovering a grisly mass shooting at the Lilac Copper Mine is to find Amber Kitcheyan.

Amber found work at the mine after she relinquished her membership with the reservation and breaking her engagement to Carter. She is the sole survivor of the shooting. At the best she is a witness at worst she is a suspect. Carter is determined to protect the only woman he has ever loved. Even if by protecting her he loses everything else.

This is a great start to a spin off series. The characters are interesting and the overall story arc is proving to be fascinating. Readers will be interested in seeing where this series takes them and how it gets there. It isn’t necessary to read the first series before this one but it will make this series ever more enjoyable to read. If the rest of the series is similar to this book this is will be another series for the keeper shelf. The action starts at the beginning and doesn’t stop until the very end of the story. It also takes some great twists and turns that keep readers guessing just who is doing what. It also brings another way of life to vivid life for the reader. This is definitely worth reading.

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

Tribal Law

Tribal Law by Jenna Kernan

Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue

May 2016

ISBN: 978-0-373-69906-3

Pages: 218

Contemporary Romantic Suspense

Black Mountain Apache Reservation

Gabe Cosen is a tribal police chief that would do anything to protect both his people and their reservation. It is this dedication to the law that cost him his fiancée. When he sent Selena Dosela’s father to prison she never forgave him. Gabe has vowed to keep her safe with trouble back on her doorstep.

The only thing that would allow Selena to accept Gabe’s help is extreme fear for her family. Selena knows she can trust him with the lives of those she loves despite all they have been through. Gabe as a lawman would never break his word. He might break her heart again if she isn’t careful though.

This is proving to be an amazing series that keeps the twists and turns coming in the overall story arc between the books. It will also have readers eagerly reaching for the last book in the series to see how it all ends. The characters are wonderfully written and really come to life for the reader with each word read. While each book can be read as a standalone readers will get a much richer story experience by reading them in order. This is definitely a series for the keeper shelf.

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

Override

Override by SJD Peterson

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

August 2016

ISBN: 978-1-63477-240-2

Pages: 212

Contemporary BDSM Romance m/m

Never judge a book by its cover…

Donavan Gregory is an auto worker that is over six feet with a body he has honed in the gym so he is used to people assuming he is a dominant top. They are wrong, unfortunately and it makes Donovan’s desire to explore his submissive side go unfulfilled.

Dr. Seth Manning is smaller and older than Donavan and doesn’t look like a typical Dominant. When the two meet at Pride, Donavan feels Seth just might be his perfect counterpart. Donavan doesn’t have as much experience with the BDSM world as he would like which might be a problem. He doesn’t see what a man like Seth, who is educated, handsome and confident, might see in Donavan. Seth knows that they will fit together just fine, despite the differences on the surface, when it comes to kinky fun and discovery he must convince Donavan there is no problem.

This is a quick read that starts a series that looks like it will be very interesting and complex. The characters are complex and move the story along very well. The story will also have readers wishing it is a longer story as they won’t want to leave the characters. This book will also have readers looking at other books by this author.

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

Twisted

Twisted by Cynthia Eden

Publisher: Avon

May 2015

ISBN: 978-0-06-234964-4

Pages: 363

Contemporary Romantic Suspense

New Orleans

Dean Bannon is in New Orleans for the sole purpose of tracking down a sixteen-year-old girl that is missing. At least that was the reason until he meets a con artist that is drop-dead gorgeous and makes him want to lose his control that is legendary.

Emma Castille doesn’t claim to be psychic especially with her past. She is very good at noticing things that other people miss. Things like the pain in an ex-FBI agent’s heart or the fear in a runaway’s eyes. Emma follows her passion not someone else’s orders especially when it comes to the blistering chemistry she shares with Dean.

After a madman breaks into and leaves a twisted message of You’re Next in Emma’s home, Dean refuses to let her out of his sight. At least until he pries every last secret from her full, sexy lips. Suddenly Emma is aching to give him everything he wants.

This is another book in a series that just gets better with each one. The reader is taken on a trip to the dark side as this story unfolds into an engrossing suspenseful story that leaves the reader wanting even more in this series. The characters are complex, flawed and completely relatable. The action doesn’t stop until the very end. It has some mind boggling twists and turns that has readers turning the pages just to see what will happen next and if everything will work out for both Dean and Emma. It will be interesting to see just where this series will take the reader as they read each book.

I give this one 5 red roses

LRH

Hunter Moon

Hunter Moon by Jenna Kernan

Publisher: Harlequin

January 2016

ISBN: 978-0-373-69882-0

Pages: 217

Contemporary Romantic Suspense

Black Mountain Reservation, Arizona

Clay Cosen would like nothing more than to put his dark past behind him. His work of impounding free-roaming cattle is creating new enemies though. Isabel Nosie is a rancher that has her own reason for mistrusting him. She has never forgiven him for her fiancé’s death even though she loved Clay once. It is a death she thinks Clay could have prevented. She soon has no choice but to turn to him as he is the best tracker on the reservation and can hopefully find who is killing her cattle.

Clay is soon a target and a suspect when he attempts to protect Izzie when she is in danger and even as he works to clear her name. Clay is at risk of losing everything: the woman he has never stopped loving and the respect of his family and his tribe.

This is proving to be an amazing series that gives a glimpse into another life. It is full of action and while each book can be read as a standalone readers will get more enjoyment if they read them in order. The characters are complex and intriguing and make for a series that will have readers eagerly reaching for the next book to see what will happen next in the series and to the family. This is also a series that will end up on a lot of keeper shelves.

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

The Terms of Release

The Terms of Release The Release Series Book One by BA Tortuga

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

March 2014

ISBN: 978-1-62798-614-4

Pages: 240

Contemporary Romance m/m

Texas

Some say a man can always come home. Sage Redding, after doing hard time, heads to his family’s northeast Texas ranch to help his ailing daddy with the cutting horses.

Adam “Win” Winchester is the cousin of one of the men that was killed in the incident that sent Sage to prison for almost a decade. He is also a county deputy. Win’s uncles, Jim and Teddy are determined to make the entire Redding family and Sage pay for their loss. Win sees it differently in that he figures Sage paid his dues and could just maybe use a friend. Maybe more than a friend. Win is counting on that in fact.

No one is denying that Sage is an ex-con that went to prison for manslaughter. He knows that returning will likely make things go badly for him regardless of the love he has for his father. Maybe a man can always come home but he just might not be able to stay.

This is a very interesting start to a series that if the other books are written like this one should be very good. This one takes readers on an emotional roller coaster that has some major ups and downs but proves to be a book very much worth reading. The characters are intense and complex and they move the story at a fast pace. This is definitely worth checking out and will have readers looking at other books by this author.

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

Relentless

Relentless by Cheyenne Meadows

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

February 2016

ISBN: 978-1-63476-872-6

Pages: 260

Contemporary Paranormal Romance m/m

Jag is a sniper extraordinaire besides being a jaguar shifter. He is also tasked with his most dangerous and difficult mission to date. He needs to take out the man that is responsible for the death of his husband’s, who was also his spotter, violent death. Again.

Sonar is assigned as the new spotter to the scowling, surly feline alpha. Sonar is also an ocelot shifter. He sees more beneath the surface even as he is impressed with Jag’s skills. He sees a man that is furious and grief-stricken and that is on a trail of vengeance.

Jag and Sonar together face both challenges and perils that test their resolve, skills and the budding feelings they have for each other. The heat between them rises at the same time as the death tolls. The longings they have for each other might give them the strength they need to persevere but it could also force them to succumb and sacrifice everything. The only thing that is certain is that someone won’t be making it back alive.

This is a fast paced book that starts out with a lot of action and doesn’t stop until the very end. It reads more like a short story than a full sized book and proves to be hard to put down. It will also take readers on an emotional roller coaster that keeps going until the end. It would be interesting to see this made into a series as there are so many different characters that make for a very interesting world. This is also one for the keeper shelves.

I give this one 5 red roses

LRH

Moon Called

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

Publisher: ACE

February 2006

ISBN: 0-441-01381-3

Pages: 288

Contemporary Paranormal Romantic Elements

Tri-Cities Washington, Montana

Mercy Thompson knows werewolves can be dangerous if you get in their way but if you are careful they will leave you alone. She also isn’t human and knows just how good they are at hiding their natures from the human population. They know her when they meet and she knows them too.

Mercy also has a werewolf who is both sexy and her next-door neighbor.

At her mechanic shop she is tinkering with a VW bus that is owned by a vampire.

It is a good thing she isn’t exactly normal because with her connection to the world of things that go bump in the night it is about to get her into a whole lot of trouble.

With this book it shows just why this is such a popular series. While there are times the characters are a little frustrating it actually works well in the overall story line and is a book that proves to be hard to put down. It also proves to be different than other books in this genre and should prove to be a series that takes readers on an amazing ride. It will be interesting to see how things progress between all the characters.

I give this one 4-1/2 red roses

LRH

Fight or Flight

Fight or Flight by Dirk Greyson

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

August 2016

ISBN: 978-1-63477-731-5

Pages: 192

Contemporary Romance m/m

Hartwick County, South Dakota

Mackenzie “Mack” Redford didn’t find life in the big city to be what he expected it to be. He is now home in Hartwick County, South Dakota and he serves as its sheriff.

Brantley Calderone left New York to start a new life by buying a ranch. He is getting used to living at a different pace and settling in when he finds a dead woman on his porch and himself the prime suspect in her murder.

Both Mack and Brantley quickly realized that someone is trying to frame Brantley and he is not safe on his ranch alone. Not to mention the attraction that is developing between them, an attraction that increases when Mack offers to let Brantley stay with him in his home. The killer escalates even as the romance between them does the same. They have to figure out who wants Brantley dead and stay one step ahead or it might end up being too late. Only then can they have the life they are both seeking - together.

This is book that is full of suspense that keeps building until the explosive end. The characters are very interesting and keep the story moving quickly. Just as the reader thinks they have it figured out who is behind everything another twist is thrown in that will have them seconding guessing if they actually do know what is happening and why. It will also have readers hoping there will be more books to go with this one. It will also pull at readers heartstrings and makes for an unforgettable read.

I give this one 5 red roses

LRH

Shadow Wolf

Shadow Wolf Apache Protector series by Jenna Kernan

Publisher: Harlequin Intrigue

December 2015

ISBN: 978-0-373-69876-9

Pages: 220

Contemporary Romantic Suspense

Arizona

Kino Cosen is an elite tracker that is hunting for the drug lord that murdered his father. He has finally gotten the Viprer in his sights after a decade of searching, until a woman gets in the way. Kino now has a new lead. Lea Atlaha is an aid worker that has seen the Viper face-to-face and managed to live.

Lea is now a target. Kino thinks he is just protecting her because she can help him get justice for his father but he soon realizes that she is not just another witness. Kino has to choose between his need for vengeance, the woman he has come to love, and the traditions of his tribe as the Viper moves in for the kill.

This is the first book in a series that is a great way to start a series. It has plenty of action and is full of twists and turns that don’t stop until the very end. It also gives readers an interesting view of Native Americans and what life is like on the rez. This should prove to be an interesting series and will have readers wanting to read more about this family and the life they lead.

I give this one 5 red roses

LRH

Blood & Thunder

Blood & Thunder THIRDS Book 2 by Charlie Cochet

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

August 2014

ISBN: 978-1-63216-178-9

Pages: 240

Contemporary Paranormal Romance m/m

New York City

Peace seems unattainable when a series of bombs go off in a Therian youth center that injures members of THIRDS Team Destructive Delta and also causes a rift between agents Dexter J. Daley and Sloane Brodie. The Order of Adrasteia is a new and frightening group that always seems to be a step ahead. Hostility is growing daily between Humans and Therians with panic and intolerance spreading with the Order’s propaganda being littered in the streets. Dex and Sloane are determined to settle a personal score, restore peace and take down the Order with the rest of their team’s help. As the team investigates deeper into the bombings the more it looks like there is a more sinister motive behind everything than just a desire to shed blood and spread chaos.

Sloane is forced to confront secrets from his past that he thought he had left behind for good with the discovery of the frightful truth behind the Order’s intent. It is also a past that could destroy his career, him and the reputation of the organization that made him all that he is today. Dex and Sloane need each other more than ever now along with trust and the strength of their bond that could mean the difference between justice and all-out war.

This is a series that could prove very addictive for readers. The action never stops and with all that is happening in the story it makes for a book that readers won’t want to put down until the find out how it ends. It will also have them reading the rest of the series to see how the overall story arc ends and what happens to all the different characters that make for an unforgettable book.  With just the first two books in the series it really stands out in this genre and will have readers wanting to see what else the author has written.

I give this one 5 red roses

LRH

Hell & High Water

Hell & High Water A THIRDS novel by Charlie Cochet

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

July 2014

ISBN: 978-1-63216-012-6

Pages: 296

Contemporary Paranormal m/m

New York City

Dexter J. Daley is a homicide detective that suddenly finds himself sans, boyfriend and friends when his testimony helps send his partner away for murder. He is lucky to still have his teeth after an unpleasant encounter in a parking garage after the trial, which shows him the consequences and media frenzy aren’t far behind. Dex fears he will be transferred from the Human Police Force’s Sixth Precinct or even worse be dismissed. Instead after a few strings being pulled by his adoptive father, who is a sergeant at the Therian-Human Intelligence Recon Defense Squadron that is known as the THIRDS, Dex is recruited as a Defense Agent.

Dex is eager to start his new job and get his life back on track. When he first meets with Team Leader Sloane Brodie, who is also his new jaguar Therian partner it is a disaster. Dex soon learns that getting his partner and the rest of the tight knit team to accept him will be harder than catching the killer they are investigating for the murders of three HumaniTherian activists. It might also be just as dangerous.

This is an amazing opening book to a series that should prove to be fantastic if the rest of the books live up to this one. The characters are complex and interesting and make for a story that is very hard to put down. It is a very different story that makes it really stand out in this genre. It is action packed and fast paced and it reads more like a novella than a novel. Just as the reader thinks they knew where this is headed it takes another turn that will have them working to figure out just who is behind what is happening and what will happen next.

I give this one 5 red roses

LRH