Tag Archives: Vickie

How to Best a Marquess by Tina Gabrielle – a Review

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How to Best a Marquess by Tina Gabrielle – a Review

 

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Description:
Lady Ellie Swift learned at an early age that men were more trouble than they’re worth. Now she’s all grown up and is the toast of society. Only she has secret ambitions to run her brother’s infamous gambling establishment—the Raven Club. Everything is progressing as planned until the man who broke her heart, Hugh Vere, the Marquess of Deveril, wants to take over the club. Dark, dominant, and strikingly handsome, Hugh’s reputation for sin precedes him, and suddenly, her dreams—and her heart—are in jeopardy.

As rakish as Hugh appears, he has a sharp mind for business. No one stands in the way of what he wants, not even the fiery-haired beauty from his past. From the moment he sees her again sparks fly, but he knows better than to fall for the lady. According to Ellie, the battle lines have been drawn and Hugh doesn’t stand a chance. But the nearly combustible chemistry between them is hard to ignore, and soon the club is not the only prize he wants…

 

 

Review:

How to Best a Marquess begins with Lady Ellie Swift attending her brother’s infamous gambling establishment – the Raven.  Her brother is getting ready to retire and she wants to be the one to take over the running of the business.  She has already taken over the books for her sister-in-law and knows her way round the club.  She finds herself in the boxing area and is transfixed by what is happening inside the ring.  As she gets closer to the ring, she finds herself in a precarious situation:   one of the fighters, whom she knows, kisses her quickly as she walks by.  Thankfully, all women are required to be masked, so he will have no idea who she is.  A little embarrassed at her reaction to the kiss, she quickly makes her way to another part of the Raven.

Hugh Vere knows that there is only one woman who has hair that particular color:  Ellie Swift.  He has been back in town for a while now, but, hasn’t made any attempt to see her.  He knows that he broke her heart a long time ago and that she will never forgive him.  He has only one thing on his mind – buying the Raven.

A while later, Ellie makes her way to her brother’s office, only to have Hugh arrive as well.  Even though Ellie thought the club would be hers, seems her brother has other ideas.  He makes it a competition between Ellie and Hugh to see who can come up with plans to make the Raven even more prosperous and gives them a time limit.  Whomever does the best gets the Raven.  Ellie is, of course, furious at the turn of events, but lets Hugh know she has no intention to lose to him.  He very quickly informs her he feels the very same way………. Game on.

How to Best a Marquess is a smartly written story of second chance love.  Ellie isn’t your typical Lady and her ambitions are believable.  I love her loyalty to her brother and his wife, but I adored her secret endeavors when it came to helping abused women.  Hugh was well written as well, and it was a relief to read about a male character who wasn’t brooding all of the time.  This one has some different elements that drew me in immediately.  I loved the fact that this story showed women doing something other than what we usually read in historicals, namely, a woman wanting to run a place like the Raven.  I also loved that once Hugh got over his ‘I know what’s best for you’ ways, he was completely open and honest with Ellie about what he wanted………which was for her to be happy.   If you’re a fan of this genre, you’ll truly enjoy How to Best a Marquess.  The chemistry is there, along with a little mystery and a bit of danger and it will pull you in pretty quickly.  Well done, Tina Gabrielle!  Very well done!

Reviewed by Vickie

 

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A Match Made in Monaco by Shana Gray – a Review

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A Match Made in Monaco by Shana Gray – a Review

 

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Description:
When the cynic…

Fredi doesn’t believe in love. She might be a successful bridal gown designer but that’s just business. Sure, she’s watched her three best girlfriends fall head over heels with the men of their dreams but she’s certain that’s not in the cards for her. That doesn’t mean that she’s not interested in some fun with a handsome movie star––one who just happens to be her assigned date for her best friend’s wedding in Monaco.

Meets the movie star…

Zayn’s used to women falling at his feet so he’s utterly captivated by Fredi’s quick wit and her refusal to be impressed by him. Their chemistry is off the charts and their connection is something unexpected.

Sparks are about to fly…

With only a few days before Fredi disappears back to her life, Zayn is determined to convince her that she can trust him with the one thing she swore to never give anyone–her heart.

Each book in the Girls Weekend Away series is STANDALONE:
* What Happens in Vegas
* Meet Me In San Francisco
* The Nashville Bet
* A Match Made in Monaco

 

Review:

A Match Made in Monaco begins with everyone getting ready for Bonni’s wedding which is taking place in Monaco.  Fredi is, of course, one of the bridesmaids, and just happens to be a successful wedding dress designer who does NOT believe in love.  She has seen all three of her best friends fall in love, but she’s still pessimistic about the whole ‘happily ever after’ thing.   Fredi has been paired with Zayn in the wedding party, whom she has never met.  The do text during the months leading up to the wedding and kind of get to know each other.

Zayn just so happens to be a famous movie star and is tired of not knowing whether or not the women he associates with like him for himself or for his celebrity.  Fredi has been a welcomed change in all of that.  He loves that she calls him on his BS and stands her ground. 

Fredi arrives in Monaco before her girlfriends to take care of some of the wedding preparations for Bonni and is looking forward to finally meeting Zayn in person, who happened to come in early as well.  Once the two of them meet for dinner, it doesn’t take either of them long to act on the mutual attraction that simmers between them. 

Fredi has avoided any kind of relationship for years after having her heart broken years before.  Zayn knows that he wants Fredi in his life and pulls out all of the stops to convince her that they belong together.  She is slow to admit that her feelings for Zayn may be the real deal, but even slower to admit that she may actually be wrong about relationships. 

A Match Made in Monaco is a great read.  I’ve been waiting for Fredi’s story since the very beginning.  She’s an amazing character and the one whom we all knew would fall hard once she fell.  Zayn is a great character as well.  The chemistry between the two of them leaps off of the page as their ‘fling’ transpires, but when they finally both admit their true feelings for each other?  To say it sizzles is putting it mildly.  But, if I’m being honest, I expected more for Fredi’s story.  It was too short and I wanted more of their story.  It felt a little rushed and tied up too quickly, especially if this is the last of this particular series.  (I don’t officially know that this is the last, but it’s based on four best friends, so with this being the fouth, I’m guessing it’s the last.)  With that being said, this entire series has turned into one of my absolute favorites.  It’s fun, sexy and smart and something everyone can relate to:  best friends.  Well done, Shana Gray!  Very well done!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

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An Unwilling Earl by Sharon Cullen – a Review

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An Unwilling Earl by Sharon Cullen – a Review

 

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Description:
Jacob Ashland’s life has taken an unexpected turn. He’s now the Earl of Ashland and expected to marry. But he’s done that before and had his heart ripped from his chest. When Charlotte shows up at his door needing protection, he offers to marry her––in name-only.

Charlotte, an orphan, suspects her sinister cousin of terrorizing London. When her maid disappears, she fears for her own life and runs away. Lord Ashland offers marriage, and it’s the perfect solution. But it isn’t long before she finds herself falling for her new husband.

Unfortunately, he won’t allow himself to love anyone ever again. And she knows her dark secret could destroy everything.

 

 

Review:

An Unwilling Earl begins with Jacob Ashland having unexpectedly inherited an earldom and he’s not excited about it.  He likes his quiet life as a solicitor and doesn’t want to give that up.  When Lady Morris shows up unexpectedly at his home, she tells him that her ward, Charlotte, is missing and would like him to find her.  He tells her that that’s not what he does, but she is insistent.  Lady Morris leaves in a huff because she is not used to anyone telling her no.  As he’s walking, pondering how his life has changed, he sees a young boy in danger of being trampled by horses and leaps into action to save him.  Once he makes sure the lad is safe, he notices his disheveled appearance and gives him some coins to get a hot meal.  The boy leaves, but for some reason, Jacob can’t shake the encounter.

When Jacob reaches his friend, they discuss not only his new earldom, but also a series of grisly murders happening in town.  The two of them fancy themselves as amateur sleuths.   When the talk turns to his friend’s mother hosting a ball in Jacob’s honor, Jacob is not happy about it.  He leaves telling his friend they will discuss it later.

Charlotte makes her way back to her ‘home’ in the poor part of town shaken to her core at almost being trampled by the horses and intrigued by the man who saved her.  She hopes that he didn’t notice she was a she because she’s hiding from those who would be searching for her.  She tells her roommate about the encounter and knows it would be best to just let it go, but she can’t.  When Charlotte makes the decision to see if she can spot the handsome man again, little does she know how much her life is going to change.

An Unwilling Earl is a nicely written story.  Jacob’s backstory is sad and has held him back and left him grieving and lonely.  Once Charlotte appears at his home, he feels the need to protect her, as he’s guessed that Lady Morris is the reason Charlotte ran away.  He convinces Charlotte to let him help her, but he knows he will have his hands full.  While he and Charlotte become more comfortable with each other, she eventually tells him the real reason she ran away and it doesn’t take him long to know that she’s in a no-win situation when it comes to her family.  The two embark on a mission of sorts to see who is actually responsible for the grisly murders in town and it doesn’t take long for danger to knock on their door.  

An Unwilling Earl is a story of second chances and reckoning.  If you’re a fan of the genre, you’ll enjoy the read.  This is the first I’ve ready by Sharon Cullen, but look forward to the next.  Well done, Sharon Cullen!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

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In The Dog House by Traci Hall – a Review

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In The Dog House by Traci Hall – a Review

 

Amazon / Kobo

 

Description:
Ten years ago, Jackson Hardy joined the Marines, leaving behind a woman he still dreams about. When he’s called home to care for his ten-year-old nephew, no one is more shocked than he to run into Emma again. Or to still have those same feelings. But Jackson isn’t looking for love, and neither is Emma, especially not with him. His precocious nephew, though, and a retriever named Bandit, are about to change that.

So what if Emma Mercer is an overachiever? She has plans to get her doctorate in psychology and create a no-kill shelter for the EST dogs she trains. Which leaves absolutely no time for romance. She’s fine with a furry family—dogs don’t teach you to love and then rip your heart to shreds. But young Matty’s situation tugs at her heartstrings and there’s no way she can’t help him…and Jackson.

She may have hotter-than-ever chemistry with the soldier, but forgetting the past isn’t easy.

 

Review:

In the Dog House begins with Emma Mercer at a local school doing a presentation to the kids about the service dogs she trains.   The last person she ever expected to see was Jackson Hardy, her first love, who left town ten years earlier and left her heartbroken.  When one particular child shows interest in her dogs, she is taken aback by Jackson’s gruff reaction.  When she realizes the little boy is his nephew, she learns that his mom (Jackson’s sister) was in a bad accident and is in a medically induced coma to help her heal.  Which is why Jackson is on leave from the marines and in town to take care of the little guy.  To top it all off, Jackson didn’t even recognize Emma……until later.

Emma has a lot on her plate.  She wants to expand her kennel and she’s trying to get her doctorate in psychology.  When her professor calls her in, she discovers that he is not happy that she is still working on her thesis and gives her a hard deadline to get it finalized.  She then heads home and finds that someone has broken into her kennels and is trying to nab one of her dogs.  With adrenaline pumping, she approaches the masked bandit, only to discover that it is none other than Jackson’s nephew.  Emma knows that Jackson will be furious so when he arrives to pick his nephew up, she tries to ‘pad’ the truth as much as possible, without actually lying.  The nephew’s motives were honest, but he went about it the wrong way.  She and Jackson strike a deal where the little boy will work at the kennel a few days a week to make up for his  little indiscretion.  Little do any involved realize how much that little discretion will change everyone’s life

In the Dog House is a wonderfully written story of second chances, acknowledgement and acceptance.  Both Emma and Jackson were very well written.  The matters dealt with by both of them are real life issues that draw you in.  Emma’s upbringing, even though it was loving, has affected everything she’s ever done.  Jackson’s time in the military, however, is what draws you in and breaks your heart.  His PTSD is so prevalent that his ten year old nephew recognizes it right away.  As they all try to navigate new relationships and curves life keeps throwing, the way they all (human and furry) come together is just amazing.  You may shed a tear or two………. The secondary characters were engaging as well.  I love stories with animals, and the dogs in this story will melt your heart.  If you’re a fan of romance, you’ll enjoy this story.  This is the first I’ve read by this author, but hopefully not the last.  Well done, Traci Hall!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

 

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Sleight of Hand by Julie Rowe – a Review

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Sleight of Hand by Julie Rowe – a Review

 

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / iTunes / Google Play

 

Description:
CDC nurse Joy Oshiro is stressed to the breaking point. College students are dying and no one knows why. And her new partner Dr. Gunner Anderson is frustratingly annoying—and sexy, but mainly just plain annoying—and proving difficult to avoid. He spent three years with Doctors Without Borders, and disillusioned is just the tip of his issues.

They’ll need to learn to trust each other if they have a chance at figuring out who is behind the attacks. She makes him laugh, makes him forget—for a little while. But each new clue keeps them one step behind the terrorists, with buildings and evidence being destroyed just as they near.

Now they’re in a race against time to not only find a cure, but also to avoid becoming the next targets themselves.

Each book in the Outbreak Task Force series is STANDALONE:
* Viable Threat
* Smoke & Mirrors
* Sleight of Hand

 

Review:

Sleight of Hand begins with  Dr. Gunner Anderson being told that they’re pairing him with another investigator……….again.  Gunner has issues working with people whom he thinks don’t give it their all. In walks nurse Joy Oshiro.  Even though he’s stunned to see her, secretly he’s a little happy.  Even though he knows who she is and has thought of her often, he still doesn’t know if she’ll be a good partner or not.  Having suffered a devastating loss working with Doctors Without Borders has left him almost empty…….almost.

Joy doesn’t know how to feel about becoming Gunner’s new partner.  She’s heard all of the ramblings and complaints about working with him but loves her job.  He may be sexy as hell, but that doesn’t mean they’ll be able to work together.  Having been in the military has left Joy with demons of her own, but she’s willing to give it a go.

When a call comes in with mass casualties, they make the scene and are stunned by what they see.  However, it’s when the calls keep coming that they see this is an orchestrated effort to wreak as much havoc as possible.  The two of them are exhausted and still a little weary of the other, but soon figure out they’ll have to trust each other if they’re going to survive. 

Sleight of Hand is the third book in the Outbreak Task Force series, but can be read as a standalone.  I read the first book in the series a while back, but not the second, and didn’t feel that I was missing anything in the continuation of the story.  Joy and Gunner were both well written.  Gunner’s backstory more than explains his demeanor and will break your heart.  Joy’s backstory, though not as heart wrenching as Gunner’s, makes them the perfect, albeit a little dysfunctional, couple.  The two of them together makes for a fun and suspenseful read.  The secondary characters are well written as well, and I look forward to finding out a bit more about their boss, because I know she has a story to tell.  If you’re a fan of suspense and action, with a little romance thrown in, you won’t go wrong with this one.  Well done, Julie Rowe!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

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Wrong Bed, Right Roommate by Rebecca Brooks – a Review

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Wrong Bed, Right Roommate by Rebecca Brooks – a Review

 

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Description:
It’s not every day you wake up to a stranger getting into your bed.
Only, he isn’t a stranger at all, he’s my best friend’s hot older brother…and apparently my new roommate.
Having him in my space, driving me crazy, isn’t a problem at all. Nope.
All I need to do is keep control of the situation…

But that’s easier said than done.
Shawn Lassiter is the kind of distraction I don’t need.
First he accidentally gets into my bed, half-naked, the night before my first day at my new job.
Hello, muscles and tattoos!
Then he’s there, in nothing but a towel, making me coffee in the morning.
It’s more than any girl can resist. Right?
But Shawn is off-limits, even if his eyes are saying differently.

Years ago, back when I still had my crush, he destroyed friendships with his reckless playboy antics.
There’s no way I’m touching those perfectly formed abs now. I don’t care how nice and responsible he’s acting.
I don’t want a boyfriend anyway. That’s what my trusty vibrator is for.
I’m the smart girl—the glasses-wearing, book-reading workaholic. I can totally do this.
After all, it’s only for two and a half months.
I’ll be on my best behavior…even if Shawn isn’t.

 

Review:

Wrong Bed, Right Roommate begins with Jessie having finally landed her dream job, while her life-long best friend, Talia, is leaving the country for a few months to dance in London.  Jessie can’t help but worry about the rent, but Talia has assured her that she will find a tenant to take over for the few months she will be gone.  Jessie never expected that Shawn, Talia’s hot brother, who also has a bit of a sordid past, would be the tenant.  To say that Jessie and Shawn were both shocked to see each other is a bit of an understatement.  Shawn looks just like how Jessie remembers him:  muscled and hot.  Jessie definitely doesn’t look the way Shawn remembered her.  Seems she’s matured in all the right ways. 

As the two of them navigate being roommates, the attraction is there, and it’s strong, but Jessie knows that Talia would have a hissy fit if the two of them ever hooked up.  After all, Shawn did cost his sister a friend or two back in the day by messing around with them and then dropping them like a hot potato when someone else piqued his interest.  Shawn knows that Jessie is off limits due to the aforementioned ‘costing his sister her friends’, but he has acknowledged his past bad behavior and is truly trying to be a better person.   When the two of them finally hook up, they decide it can never happen again………..until it does.  After all, Talia is out of the country, so who will ever know?   Funny that………

Wrong Bed, Right Roomate is a nicely written romance, and a first I’ve read by this author.  Jessie is loyal, almost to a fault, and very driven.  Shawn had always been the polar opposite of Jessie.  When things got tough for him, he ran.  Always.  However, when he and Jessie are together, he finds himself wanting more out of life and out of himself.  He’s tired of always being a disappointment to his family, and to himself.  When Talia ends up coming back a little early and surprising them, things do not go well.  All of them, Talia included, have to figure out what’s important and look at things the way they are now, and not clouded by the past.  What transpires will make your heart smile and leave you cheering.  As I said before, this is the first I’ve read by this author, but hopefully, won’t be the last.  Well done, Rebecca Brooks!

Reviewed by Vickie

Copy provided by Publisher

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Upside Down (One Fond Embrace #2) by Crista McHugh-a review

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Upside Down (One Fond Embrace #2) by Crista McHugh-a review

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

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 11, 2018

Caz Miller. Surfing god. Arrogant Asshole.

Or at least, that’s what Kayla’s assessment of him has always been. But in a cruel twist of fate, she finds herself at his mercy. Dropped by her sponsors, homeless, and pregnant, how could she not accept his offer to crash in the apartment above his garage? It’s just until she can get back on her feet. That doesn’t mean she’ll fall for him all over again…or does it?

Kayla Gilmore. Queen of the Waves. The one he can’t forget.

By the time Caz realized how much Kayla meant to him, it was too late. He knows better than to ask for a second chance. She deserves someone better than him. The best he can hope for is to get the asshole title dropped from his name. But what starts out as an offer to earn some karmic points rekindles the fiery passion between them, and he finds himself in same precarious position as before. This time, though, he’s determined not to break her heart.

••••••••

REVIEW: Upside Down begins with Kayla Gilmore discovering that she is pregnant. She tries to tell the father but he blows her off to go surfing. She follows, and when tragedy hits, the one person she doesn’t want anything to do with is the one there to console her……..Caz Miller. He had broken her heart years ago and she had done her best to stay away from him. She finds herself not only dropped by her sponsors, but without a place to live. She accepts Caz’s offer to let her live in the empty apartment above his garage, but is still wary.

Kayla and Caz grow closer, but both are spooked by the past. Both are sending mixed signals, and both end up distrusting the other. A series of events, and some advice from trusted friends (and one not so trusted), lead the two of them to wonder if they can indeed right their world which has been turned upside down…..

Upside Down is a nice addition to the One Fond Embrace series. Kayla seemed a bit naïve at first, but I warmed up to her. Her emotions were all over the place, but understandably so. Caz, on the other hand, had me ‘at hello’. I loved his inner turmoil as he tried to figure out his life and Kayla’s place in it. Once he figures out what he has to do, and decides to stop running away when things get a little complicated, I fell for him even farther. Your heart will break for both of them and have you cheering by the end. Upside Down does deal with some heavy issues, so be prepared. If you’re a fan of second chance romance, you’ll not go wrong with this one. Well done, Crista McHugh!

Click HERE for Vickie’s review of book one BETTER TOGETHER

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Vickie K

Crista McHugh is an award-winning author of fantasy and romance who writes heroines who are smart, sexy and anything but ordinary. She currently lives in the Audi-filled suburbs of Seattle with her husband and two children, maintaining her alter ego of mild-mannered physician by day while she continues to pursue writing on nights and weekends.

She is an active member of the Romance Writers of America (including the Greater Seattle Chapter and the Seattle Eastside Chapters), and Romance Divas.

Just for laughs, here are some of the jobs she’s had in the past to pay the bills: barista, bartender, sommelier, stagehand, actress, morgue attendant, and autopsy assistant.

And she’s also a recovering LARPer. (She blames it on her crazy college days)

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

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The Darkest Captive (Lords of the Underworld 14.5 / 1001 Dark Nights) by Gena Showalter-Review & Excerpt tour

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The Darkest Captive (Lords of the Underworld 14.5/ 1001 Dark Nights) by Gena Showalter-Review and Excerpt tour

THE DARKEST CAPTIVE
Lords of the Underworld 14.5 / 1001 Dark Nights
by Gena Showalter
Release Date: December 4, 2018
Genre: adult, contemporary, paranormal, romance

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

Don’t own a Kindle? Download the FREE Amazon Kindle App for your mobile device or pc

ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 4, 2018

For centuries, Galen the Treacherous has been the most hated immortal in the Underworld. With good reason! This bad boy of bad boys has lied, stolen, cheated and killed with abandon. Possessed by the demons of Jealousy and False Hope, he has always lived for a single purpose: destroy everything.

Then he met her.

Former demon turned human femme fatale — Legion Honey — sought to kill Galen, but ended up parting with her virginity instead. Afraid of their sizzling connection, she ran away…and ended up trapped in hell, tortured and abused in the worst of ways. Now she’s free, and a shell of herself, afraid of her own shadow.

Galen’s hunger for Legion has only grown. Now the warrior with nothing to lose must help her rekindle the fire that once burned inside her. But as desires blaze white-hot, will Legion run again? Or will the unlikely pair succumb to love at long last?

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

••••••••

REVIEW: The Darkest Captive begins with love letters to Legion, aka Honey, from none other than Galen. He makes it very plain that he wants her more than he wants his next breath. When Legion reads the letters, she has to admit to herself that she’s intrigued, and if she’s being honest, the letters make her yearn for him more than she already had. What Legion doesn’t know is that a horde of demons has discovered where she is. To say she’s surprised when Galen bursts into her little cabin, injured and covered in blood, is a bit of an understatement. Galen tells her that the horde is right behind him and they have to leave now. Even though she’s torn, she puts her tentative trust in Galen and they escape………..and end up in Galen’s home. As Galen heals, Legion is left mostly alone. Once she figures out how to save him, she’s torn once again. Surely he’ll forgive her………… And, once she realizes that she does indeed love him and want to be with him, she walks into danger to not only free herself, but to eliminate a dangerous threat to Galen and the other Lords.

The Darkest Captive has been a long time coming. Legion’s story is one of torture and survival. Galen’s story is one of betrayal and redemption. My problem with this story is that I’m just not sure that the two sides fit together. Don’t get me wrong, I love that Legion is finally happy and free. I also love that Galen isn’t as bad as everyone thought. A few of the previous stores had hinted at that anyway, so I wasn’t surprised. His ‘love letters’ were so far over the top that I finally just skipped through them after the first one or two. The actual storyline was a good one, although I think more needed to be explained. Overall, The Darkest Captive was a good read, and one that needed to be told. It’s always a bonus when the Lords show up as they did, and I love the interaction between them and Galen. If you’re a LOTU fan, you’ll enjoy the read as well. Well done, Gena Showalter!

Copy supplied for review

Reviewed by Vickie K

 

He teed up Aeron’s number and texted: Just a head’s up. I’ve got my girl. She’s well thanks to me. Hades would have let her get jacked. You’re welcome.
Aeron’s response came in minutes: H told me you saved her. For that, you do have my thanks. But you’re going to have internal body bling if you don’t return her to me ASAP.
Galen: Give me a minute to find the fucks I give…
Galen: Still searching…
Galen: Sorry. Can’t find a single one.
Aeron: I love her, and I want what’s best for her, even if I must pay for her happiness w/ my life. Can you say the same?
Galen responded with a gif he’d made for situations like this. In it, he made a lewd hand gesture while the words “Look what I gave your mother last night” flashed in the center.
Then he typed: Listen, Dr. Usuc Atfilosofee. I didn’t see you braving H’s wards to help L escape that bloodthirsty army. (Drop mic.) (Pick mic back up.) She’s safe, ok. And I CAN say the same. I DID protect her with my life. So be a good daddy and let your daughter spread my wings. Over and out, mo-fo.
He returned the cell phone to the nightstand.
Legion gave a violent shake of her head and released another choking sound. “No. Please, no.”
He could imagine what images plagued her nightmares.
Uncaring about the flare of pain, he leaped off the bed to crouch in front of her chair. He lightly caressed her jaw, then lifted her hand to his face, holding her palm against his cheek. “I’m here, sugar.” His raw throat turned the words to smoke.
A few months ago, Galen had made a deal with Hades. Every time Galen completed a task for the underworld’s top dog, he earned a reward. All he’d wanted? The demons who’d hurt Legion. He’d tortured and killed every one of the bastards but Lucifer.
“No. Please, no. Don’t!” Eyes rolling behind her lids, Legion panted and groaned. Every few seconds, her fingers twitched, as if she tried to deflect a blow. “No!”
He ground his teeth. One day, one day soon, this beauty would rest in the comfort and security of his arms. Fear would lose its hold on her, and contentment would become her constant companion. I’ll make sure of it.
“I won’t let anything happen to you,” he vowed. “Not now, not ever.”
She melted into the chair, a soft sigh leaving her. Pride suffused him. For once, he’d comforted rather than frightened her.


 

 

Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of over fifty books, including the acclaimed Lords of the Underworld and Angels of the Dark series, and the White Rabbit Chronicles. She writes sizzling paranormal romance, heartwarming contemporary romance, and unputdownable young adult novels, and lives in Oklahoma City with her family and menagerie of dogs. Visit her at GenaShowalter.com.

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