Book One in the Elven Kingdom series

by Donna Grant

Rising Sun is the first book in the spinoff series, Elven Kingdoms. The book takes us back to Zora, the setting of the Dragon Kings series. As with most fantasy books, the beginning is a lot of details with new names, species and settings. Donna Grant brings us to a world with SEVEN species of elves, each with special magic and appearances. Our FMC (human) has a tragic and violent past which she will need to face again (against her will). Our MMC is a Sun Elf and DIA agent. Neither is happy at first to be stuck with each other on a mission, but as they face incredible hardships and danger, trust and a friendship begin to bloom. The horrors faced by many in the evil place (Shaldorn) were a lot to handle. (TW for many) We definitely want this horrible place dismantled and the evil ones to pay by the end of this very slow burn story. There is a third quarter breakup and we do get annoyed at the MMC’s idiocy for a bit. Absolutely loved the epilogue which leaves us desperate for more and gives us hope that there will be more intertwining with the previous series, as Donna is apt to do. I’m also looking forward to hearing Shane East narrating the audio version. Great start to an exciting, new series, kudos Ms. Grant!

Karla Sorenson

Only Karla Sorensen can make me actually like a slow burn…

…and a man bun!  The grumpiest of the Wilder brothers (Ian) has a soft side but it’s only apparent for his best friend (Harlow) and her spunky daughter (Sage).  This whole series is a favorite of mine and in my last review for the previous Wilder Family book, I expressed a desire to be a member of this fictional family (maybe irrational, but I stand by it) and it stands even more now. As much as I loved reading these character’s stories, I equally loved the glimpses of previous (and future) MCs. 

There is so much to unpack in this book; grief, family dynamics, time and distance separations (I’ve finally forgiven the MCs for that) friends-to-lovers, single mom, chosen family.  I love the Wilder family, and am looking forward to the rest of their stories.

Thank you for the privilege of receiving an ARC for the opportunity to review.  I’ll be downloading the audio today.

Emily Silver

Best Laid Plans is the 2nd book in the Colorado Black Diamonds series and this one is a hockey romance .  Lots of enjoyable tropes; fake dating, bad boy/ (but is he really?) good girl, brother’s teammate.  Even a lovable pup.

Cash is a hockey player who has a “bad boy” image and the team’s PR says he needs a reputation overhaul.  Piper is a PT intern and her ex is a real D-bag.  Caught him cheating with her roommate/former friend

Although Cash is in need of an major attitude overhaul, we soon find out why he’s such a grump and a lone wolf.  Piper is irresistible and as Cash begins to open up to her, barriers fall and sparks fly. (No, I’m NOT humming a TS song in my head.)

Loved checking in with Angie and Troy from book one, can’t wait for the rest of the series!  This book made my heart happy, well done.

by Kayla Chase

Book 3 of the Starry Hills Series

The more stories I read about this family from Starry Hills, the more I fall in love with them.  (I can use an Aunt Lori in my life!) This is the story of Nolan, a surprisingly shy movie star, and Katie, who is best friends with Nolan’s sister.  They’ve known each other forever, but Nolan asks her to pretend to be engaged to him to try and discourage his crazy ex from stalking him and telling the world they’re getting married.  Of course, real feelings start to develop, and Katie has to decide whether she’s cut out to be part of Nolan’s world.  LOVE the group texts (although I usually hate them in real life.) and also enjoy seeing how the previous couples from Starry Hills are faring.  Looking forward to Rafe & Abby’s story next.  Well done!

by Donna Grant

Donna Grant takes us back to the Isle of Skye with the next installment in the Skye Druids series.  As always, there’s action, mystery, intrigue and attraction.  The growing conflict amongst the Druids is becoming ever more dangerous and Willa and Jasper get dragged into the danger and deceit.  Can she trust Jasper or is he too good to be true?  Can she trust herself and her magic? I love the glimpses of characters from previous series,  especially Balladyn, Henry and Esther.  Will we see more familiar faces in the next installment?  Will the good side be victorious?  We have to wait and see.  Very much enjoyed this exciting read.

by Cassie-Ann L. Miller

Can a grown woman get adopted by a fictional family?

 Asking for a friend. Could be the Westbrooks or the Brightons, not picky. 

Seriously, though, these series keep getting better and better and I love that the families are now meshed.  Getting peeks at some of the characters from previous books is such a treat, although this book could happily be read as a stand-alone.

We originally met Nicky in some of the Wild Westbrook & The Brighton Family stories. She’s a strong FMC (my favorite) and really does not like to show vulnerability.  In previous stories we’ve seen her as driven and no-nonsense, and watching her allow herself to become vulnerable was a treat. Ronan is a character we didn’t see much of previously.  He is one of the Brighton Brothers and was off playing hockey for much of the previous stories. When we meet him, he’s a party boy but when he takes that partying bad-boy behavior too far, Nicky is hired as his assistant/babysitter.  As the story progresses we see there’s much more to Ronan than appears on the surface. 

Even though their chemistry is explosive, I equally loved the scenes where they get to know each other on a deeper level and each becomes the other’s biggest supporter. No spoilers but I love that even the angsty parts get resolved quickly since both characters know what they want, but have to work though some issues to get there.

Twin brother Nolan is next up and I can’t WAIT to revisit these families again.  Well done Cassie-Ann!

Karla Sorensen

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ even though it made me cry.

Where exactly does one sign up for a MMC that is emotionally mature, enlightened, a family man and has a deliciously dirty side?  Asking for a friend. 

Warning, unless your heart is made of stone, this book will give you THE FEELS.  Especially if you’re already invested in the Wilder family through the earlier books. (Although this wonderful book could easily be written as a stand alone.)

Cameron Wilder is my favorite male character that I have read in a while.  And I read a lot! My grandmother used to say, “Beware of he quiet ones”, and this is certainly the case with this character.  He’s been a quiet force in the background of the previous Wilder stories but what a beautifully deep character he is.  Of course, we start of liking Ivy then disliking her for her prickliness and eventually as her layers are stripped away (by her own doing, not the pushiness of the MMC) you like her for the strong yet vulnerable woman that she is. I love that she doesn’t need to change the strong, kick ass wowan that she is for the love of a man she wasn’t expecting (or needing in her life).

With all of the Wilders putting in an appearance (again, SOB!) this story really put me through it.  I’m not a reader who gravitates to angst (I have enough of that in my own life, thank you very much) but it was an inevitable outcome and beautifully handled. 

It took me days to be able to sit down and put my thoughts into words for this incredible story, and I am very much looking forward to the release of the audio version.  I’ll just be sure to make sure I’m not driving during the heavier parts.

Great banter, both between the MMC and MFC, and especially the dynamics of the incredible Wilder family.  (If they were a real family, I’d ask to be adopted into their fold.) The relationship between Cameron and Ivy got off to quite an unexpected start but as it built and as they both came and grew together it was beautiful to witness.  And the spice level was incredible.  I love that there was no wavering, no third-quarter breakup even though we weren’t quite sure how things would work out in the end.

Well done, Karla!  I will certainly reread this story and I am so looking forward to the rest of the family’s untold stories, especially Ian and Poppy’s.