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Dragon Kissed /Dragon Charmed (The Sentries) by AE Jones-reviews

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Dragon Kissed /Dragon Charmed (The Sentries) by AE Jones-reviews

DRAGON KISSED
The Sentries 1
by AE Jones
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, paranormal romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date November 13, 2022

Megan Campbell has a plan. Finish her master’s degree – check. Land the museum internship of her dreams – check. Let her hair down for just one night to celebrate with an amazing man – check, check, CHECK.

Not part of her plan? Having him ghost her after their night together – uncheck. Finding out she’s pregnant two months later – nope, nope, NOPE.

Time for a new plan. So Megan goes looking for Baby Daddy to tell him the truth. Until she sees him sprout wings, that is! Because, plan or no plan, she never expected to raise a half-dragon baby. Or to fall for Eric, her baby’s father.

Especially when the dragon clan is threatened and she is caught in the crossfire. Now Megan and Eric are working together to find out who wants to destroy them.

Can they stop the attacks and protect the clan and their baby’s future? And can she trust her heart to lead her down the right path, or will she end up getting burned?

•••••

REVIEW: I read previous books from this author and loved them (Wedding Planner Series 👍🏻 and a real favourite of mine Mind Sweeper series 👌)

I wasn’t going to read this book, I was just going to dive into book two. But the author advises that it can be read on its own ok, but there is an ongoing story. So I’ll start with this one….

This author weaves a spell so enticing, that you don’t want to come out….

Getting pregnant wasn’t on Megan’s plan just yet! And certainly not by some random guy! But she’s staring at a test that states otherwise! What’s a girl to do? Does she inform the guy? Or does she raise it on her own?

Eric doesn’t remember the human who now informs he’s going to be a daddy? (We do find out in the book as to why he forgot her!) But it’s not a great start!!!

I did like how adaptable Megan became. I loved her lists that she mentally drew up for herself.

Eric took a little more time to warm up to. He wasn’t looking for a mate or a baby! (But when he finally comes round 😉

His character is a loyal dragon and he’s a good tactician (which he’s going to need)

Best friend Tessa was a riot! So funny. Her one liners had me laughing at all the wrong moments (train ride/bus journey) Eric’s sister Sienna was a great character too. And don’t forget the Dragon clan 😜

So will this pair take on raising a family together? Or will the dragon war pull them apart? Is it even possible for them to be together? (Does the world know about dragons?)

As I said at the start, the series is made up of standalone books, but it’s advisable to read in order. And I can totally see why. There is the story that starts here, and I’m sure it’s going to continue for a few more books.

The story flows well and we aren’t bombarded with useless information (or page filling! *pet peeve 😜) We even have a character that may or may not be a villain 😉 but to find out your going to have to read the book.

I can’t wait to read the next story in this new series.

Own a copy

Reviewed by Julie B🦋

__________

Dragon Charmed
The Sentries 2
by AE Jones
Genre: adult, contemporary, erotic, paranormal, romance

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / Amazon.uk / Amazon.au /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date October 14, 2024

Tessa Stuart is all about protecting her best friend. But her BFF Megan is married now. She should be able to drop her protective instincts, right? Except Megan’s husband is a dragon shifter. Yep, dragons. Apparently, dragons are losing their powers because of a curse set in motion by evil witches. Yep, witches. So much for taking a step back… Instead, Tessa jumps in with both designer clad feet. With a few white lies, she convinces the private investigator looking into the curse to let her help.

A great plan until she realizes he isn’t who or what he says he is.

Ben Wells doesn’t remember anything about his past. Even his name is made up. The only clue he has is a bag full of money and two names on a piece of paper. Setting out to find the truth, he doesn’t expect to have a gorgeous and determined woman mistake him for a private investigator. Who is he to correct her, especially if working with her can lead him to the truth about his past?

A great plan until he realizes she isn’t who he expected her to be.

As their lies unravel, they both must face the truth, even if it’s ugly. Is Ben ready to embrace his past if he hates what he discovers? And instead of protecting her friend, the dragon clan, and her heart, did Tessa accidentally invite the enemy closer?

•••

REVIEW: Book two of this new series, and we catch up with Megan’s best friend Tessa. (Megan was in book one Dragon Kissed) Tessa was a great friend and character, so I was excited to find out she was in this book too.

If you’ve read the blurb then you’ll discover not only dragons in this book, but witches too! They play a pivotal role in the series, luckily we get a quick catch up in this book, (but I’d recommend reading the first book before grabbing this one.)

Tessa is fun loving, go getting and a fierce protector of anyone she loves. She’s also tired of men making the wrong assumptions about her (yes, she might have been a model, but she’s got brains and integrity, not a pushover!) In her role of protector, she becomes aware of a few things, so she turns detective in order to get her best friend and new family. Coming to terms with the knowledge that Dragons and witches exist, was a little daunting at first, but seeing Megan and Eric together has made up for any lingering doubts Tessa had.

Ben was found wandering…. covered in 🩸 and having no memory of who he is/was/might have been!

It’s been over a year since he was taken in and cared for, and Ben still has no recollection of who he is! (His rescuer named him Ben!)

But Walter has a secret, and it’s going to change Ben’s life…. for the better? Who knows! But armed with an address and a name, Ben is going to hopefully get the answers he needs!

Twists and turns keep this book flowing. No page fillers, no unnecessary information to keep you from a gripping story. In fact I couldn’t put it down until I was done!

The pair find themselves working together (and maybe a little confusing on who they actually are!?) and along they way they discover themselves and what they could mean to one another.

But can the secrets that Ben and Tessa reveal keep the couple together? Or will fate hand them another twist that will cause more heartbreak?

There is an OMG moment (or two 😉) there is one liners that you will be desperate to say 😜 and intense moments that will have you gripping your kindle.

We also get (possible) information on the next book 🤞and where the story will go next.

We get to catch up with Eric and Megan. Spend time with Sienna (Eric’s sister) and ponder on Marcus 🤔

If you want to know more about these characters and the situation that they find themselves in, grab it and immerse yourself in a story filled with paranormal beings, a curse and one or two HEA’s 😜

Copy supplied for review

reviewed by Julie B🦋

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Mating Season by Kitty Thomas-review & giveaway tour

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Mating Season by Kitty Thomas-review & giveaway tour

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Google Play / Apple / Smashwords /

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date July 17, 2024

Pop Quiz: You’re a woman alone in the forest… would you rather run into a man or a bear?

I’m lost out in the woods when I cross paths with a strange man. He offers to take me back to his campsite, feed me, get me warm, but every instinct in me screams NO!

He is an opportunistic predator, and I am his prey.

I run. He chases. And just before I’m traumatized for life, I hear a loud roar as a seven hundred pound Grizzly bear rips the man off me and mauls him to death.

So…. Team Bear?

If only it were so simple. This isn’t just any normal bear. He’s a bear shifter, and he’s convinced I’m his fated mate.

I appreciate the life saving and all, but I have goals and dreams, and I won’t allow fate to play matchmaker for me, no matter how otherwise appealing the shifter in question may be.

•••••

REVIEW:Not read this author before, but I do love a fated mate/shifter romance. Apparently this author is known for her darker reads. It has a little element of dark, enough for a trigger warning, but I’d say it’s grey rather than dark (my personal opinion.)

It’s a short read, easily read in an afternoon. But that’s not to say it’s not detailed and well thought out.

Rosalie thought that hiking out in the woods in the day was ok. Then it wasn’t…. Getting lost, then watching as the sun disappeared has Rosalie worried! Things escalate quickly, almost being attacked by a man offering help (hmm, that sounded dodgy before he turns nasty!) luckily (but not for the assailant) she’s rescued? by a bear! Rosalie faints…..

And then the bear takes her to a cave and cuddles her!! (Me. I’d be freaking out!!) falling asleep, she just hopes that when she wakes up the bear doesn’t attack her! (I did wonder why she didn’t try to escape! But if he has her in his arms, then maybe she can’t! 🤔)

Cooper is minding his own business, when he comes across a man attacking a woman, but before he can shift and rescue the woman, his bear has other ideas! Mauling the male quietens the beast, and the Cooper makes the discovery….. the female is his mate! And that’s why his bear attacked! And taking her back to his cave seemed like the logical thing to do….

Trying to convince Rosalie that she is his mate (fated mate to be precise) has Cooper frustrated! But if he’s careful and patient, then his reward will be a mate. But Rosalie tests his patience a lot! 😆 She doesn’t believe him, she doesn’t want a husband either! She’s got a life plan and that doesn’t include him! But whilst she can’t walk (and leave) he has a chance to convince her.

But Rosalie is stubborn, she finds a way to escape….

And every time Cooper finds her.

But her last escape attempt could be her last!!

Vampires are always on the lookout for humans who haven’t finished the mating bond (it’s a long story, you’ll have to read to find out more) and if captured they are drained or kept as “pets”! And that’s the situation Rosalie finds herself in now!!

It does have elements of danger. But it’s got funny moments too.

I liked how Rosalie is introduced to the shifter world. I laughed as she constantly refused to believe Cooper. He even threw in the fact he’s a rich bear! But the fact she doesn’t want/need or require a mate is a refreshing change. So many characters just accept it story ended,. Cooper has the patience of a saint! But after seeing his brother literally pine away after his mate rejected him, Cooper has one choice, convince Rosalie they are meant to be together.

So can Cooper really convince Rosalie that they are meant to be together? Or will he have to accept that she doesn’t want him or the life he can give her? Will he let her walk away? Can he let her walk away, or will his bear take matters into its own hands (or paws?)

I love how authors find their inspiration. And this one was done about a debate from social media.

So, are you team bear or not?

Me….. #teambearalltheway 😜

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Julie B 🦋

NOTE: The excerpt contains strong language that may not be suitable for anyone under 18 years of age.

I start to move off the dance floor when someone comes up behind me. A male someone. My first instinct is to have an embarrassing freak out… but he smells… wow he really smells good. What is that?
It’s strong yet subtle at the same time. Warm, musky. But also mossy. But somehow in a good way. I’m not sure I’m describing it right. I’m not sure mere words could convey it.
And the solid warmth of him pressed up against my back feels… comforting somehow. His hands skim my sides to land on my hips as he urges me to move with him. His erection grinds shamelessly against my backside as his arm wraps around my waist, urging me to press harder against his length.
It’s a heady cocktail of that powerful scent, pure masculine strength, sensuous movements, and stark primal possession.
He hasn’t spoken a word to me, and given recent traumatic events, I should be panicked, but all I feel is calm—and other things I’m going to ignore. Dark animal things.
I’m hit with a bolt of such overwhelming lust that suddenly I want this man more than anything I’ve ever wanted. I want him to hike up my skirt and fuck me right here in the middle of the dance floor. I want him to put me on my hands and knees and drive into me from behind in front of all these people—sweaty, writhing hot bodies that could never compete with the inferno building between us. I feel hot and cold all at once and the arousal between my legs thumps heavy with the beat of the music. The pornographic images flitting through my mind only grow stronger the longer we dance.
If you could call this dancing.
One of his hands has moved up to grip the front of my throat, holding me in place against him as he brings us impossibly closer. His other hand starts to slide up my thigh, under my dress, between my legs, his fingers barely brushing against the heat and wetness of my panties.
And then my fear starts to edge out my lust. No! I can’t let this happen.
Forgive me if I don’t want to just jump back out there and let a man touch me after… the woods. It’s normal to feel a bit of disgust toward all men when one tries to hurt you like that. It almost feels shameful to let any man touch you ever again.
So why the fuck am I letting this stranger so close? Why am I rewarding any man for the bad behavior of his kind? Bad behavior I have personally suffered. I don’t know him. He could be a fucking serial killer.
I come back to my senses and pull away. He grabs me and pulls me back to him, and instead of more fear, I feel a kind of rage I’ve never felt before. I stomp down HARD on his foot with my heel. He lets out a yelp, and releases me.
“Rosalie, wait!”
I shouldn’t be able to hear him over the noise of the club, but I do. I turn around, and there’s Cooper. I shouldn’t be surprised. Didn’t some small part of me subconsciously just know? It’s why I didn’t look back at him—just let him be a stranger, because the stakes are far too high with him as he really is.
He’s wearing jeans and a black T-shirt that pulls tight over his muscles. His tattoos wind down his arms, ending just above his hands. Those warm brown eyes… that closely shaven beard… No. Absolutely not. His agenda might not look as bad on the surface as the guy from the woods, but it still involves his fucking boner… and controlling me. No. I’m not his mate. I’m not dealing with this alpha bro You belong to me, bullshit. I’m not going to just swoon into his arms because he’s pretty and saved me, as though a man doing the decent thing somehow now obligates me to give all my freedom away to him.
Men really are just living on an entirely different planet.
And he doesn’t get to just decide any of this.
I fight to get through the crowd on the dance floor, but his hand is around my wrist before I can get away.
“Let GO of me!”
A few people start to notice the conflict and back away, and I see a bouncer eyeing us. I’m pretty sure even as large as the bouncer is, that Cooper could take him.
He holds his hands up in surrender and takes a step back. “Just talk to me. I just need to talk to you.”


 

KITTY THOMAS writes dark stories that play with power and have unconventional HEAs. She began publishing in early 2010 with her bestselling COMFORT FOOD and is considered one of the original authors of the dark romance subgenre.

To find out FIRST when a new book comes out, subscribe to Kitty’s New Release List: KITTYTHOMAS.COM

Author links:

Website / Instagram/ Goodreads/ Facebook/ Amazon Author Page/

 

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Etched in Honor (Aspen Pack 1) by Carrie Ann Ryan-Review tour

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Etched in Honor (Aspen Pack 1) by Carrie Ann Ryan-Review tour

 

Amazon.com / Amazon.ca / B&N / KOBO / Chapters Indigo / Google Play /Apple/

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date

The betrayal that had nearly taken out the Aspen Pack has passed, but the ramifications of starting with a new hierarchy are taking their toll on Audrey Porter. Once traitor to the former leaders for trying to save their people, she’s now the Beta of the Pack and must try to hold their shattered remains together. Only she never expected the man from her past to awaken memories long since buried.

Gavin Powers is the new Tracker for the Aspen, yet it feels as though he’s always been part of the Pack, rather than a newcomer trying to heal a people long since thought forgotten. There are secrets within the den that could alter how the world sees shifters, and if Gavin isn’t careful, his attraction to Audrey could ruin everything.

There is a mysterious new enemy on the horizon, one long since vanquished into myth. As the darkness surrounding the Packs is unveiled, it will take a wolf and a lioness to unbury the past and fight for their future—or risk losing everything before it begins.

•••••••

REVIEW:Etched In Honor is the first book in a new shifter series by Carrie Ann Ryan, and what a treat it is. Aspen Pack book one is a story of messed up fate and redemption, plus no one does a shifter romance like C.A.R.

Audrey and Gavin start their relationship off rocky, their past littered with complications and mystery. Audrey has taken on the role as Beta for the pack, and Gavin follows as tracker, both trying to find their way and save their people. While this story does focus on the pair, you really get to see how the Aspen Pack is rebuilding after the loss they suffered and I think that has a lot to do with the struggle of both Audrey and Gavin and how much the new pack means to them.

Audrey wants to be strong for her Pack, and Gavin is trying to find a home, together they want to build something that will last. All the while they are trying to build something new with a sturdy foundation, they also have to deal with the most completed history I have read in a shifter book. I loved the vulnerability of Audrey and how much she comes to value Gavin and his insight on their new bond. As that bond grows, we get the spicy bits and who doesn’t love those.

-Laughs-

Through thick and thin, Gavin and Audrey learn to trust and love one another, but when that trust is tested by an unknown enemy after their Pack, who knows what will happen. This was such a kicker when you finally get the low-down of what the big bad is and dang, I didn’t see that coming. Here is hoping that we get more with the next books in the series.

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Sarah

 

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Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, paranormal, and young adult romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Fractured Connections, and Elements of Five series, which have sold over 3.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over seventy-five novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not losing herself in her emotional and action-packed worlds, she’s reading as much as she can while wrangling her clowder of cats who have more followers than she does.

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