Smashed Steel by M. J. Fields

Smashed Steel comes out Monday, March 1st. Come back here on Tuesday, March 2nd for a stop on the blog tour spotlighting Smashed. Get ready!

I never wished on falling stars or simply dreamed of making it into the major leagues. 

I did the work. 

I made it happen.

I never expected my last night out with my minor league crew would end up with us stepping in for a no-show stripper at a bachelorette party in the VIP section of Kingston’s.

I sure as hell didn’t expect that the hottie with the pink sash and gold lettering spelling out “Bride To Be” would have me calling dibs on a woman for the first time in my life.

Spoiler alert: she had no ring, she was no bride, and I knew that going … in.

After the hottest hour of my life with the stand-in bride, I left her with my number on a baseball card, confident I’d see her again, and then headed back to Jersey.

In the blink of an eye, everything changed.

I woke up in the hospital, not remembering anything from that night. What I did know was I had been dropped by my team and that I had a long road ahead of me in order to get back on the field. 

Then life swung hard, returned me to the game, gave me some vivid dreams, and dropped the stand-in bride back into my life.

Except, she wasn’t at all what I expected, and she brought her own issues to the field.

Nothing good in life comes without doing the work.

This would be no exception.

Batter up.

Wow. Just. Wow. This was not how I expected Amias' story to go, but oh my was it absolutely everything. Amias is a whole new level of swoon that I was so not prepared for. I love love love me some Ranger, and I'm pretty sure he's still my favorite. Maybe. Ask me again tomorrow. But Amias is, hands down, my favorite Steel man. Bar none. I didn't expect him to be sweet and mushy and so incredibly gooey. I expected a cocky (he was), jerky athlete who thought he was God's gift to mankind. And don't get me wrong, he has that Steel swagger and confidence, but he has such DEEP emotions under it as well. He was just everything. And Ellis was his anti-match in such a perfect way that she was his perfect match. I just loved them together and the way he accepted, without question, the bomb that was the twist in the story line. Swoon is really the only word to describe it.

When I had to put this book down, I was seriously thinking non-stop about when I could pick it up again. I had major low-grade anxiety any time I had to stop reading and I could not get the story out of my head, constantly wondering what was going to happen next. I was well and truly sucked in. I don't know if a book has ever made me so emotionally invested pretty much from the first page.

I received a complimentary ARC of Smashed and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

Toxic by Cole Lepley

 

Sloan Prescott is done with bad boys and bad choices. When she moves to Arizona, she's looking for a fresh start, far away from her drug dealing ex and all the complications that went with him. She doesn't have the stomach for a life of uncertainty.

Flynn Davis is the President of the Thanatos Motorcycle Club, one of the most feared and revered organizations in Arizona. As such, he's used to getting what he wants from whoever he wants whenever he wants.

When Flynn and Sloan have a chance encounter in a coffee shop, sparks fly. Sloan wants nothing to do with the arrogant man who screams trouble and reminds her of the past. But Flynn loves nothing better than a challenge, and Sloan just threw down the gauntlet.

Ok. Wow! I did not expect to like this book as much as I did. I will fervently admit to the fact that I was initially drawn to it because of the cover. It is along the lines of one of my favorite authors, MJ Fields. I love a ripped, tattooed, bad boy. But this book was SO much more than that. 

Flynn isn't your typical MC President. Sure, he's arrogant, sexy, has tattoos out the wazoo acts like he owns the joint. But there's a lot to him under the surface, including some serious mental health struggles. I really like how they were handled. They were very realistic and given the proper care and courtesy that someone who has the same struggles will feel heard and seen. 

The love story was equally as beautiful. I love when you can feel the connection between characters right away. That feeling you get when you can see them both get smacked right in the face with something they weren't expecting. And while this book was very steamy, it wasn't just raunchy sex with no substance. Sloan and Flynn had a very deep emotional aspect to their relationship. 

I go back and forth on whether or not I like MC books, but this one was so good! I'm definitely picking up the next in the series. 

I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

The Fount Box Set by Stephanie Fazio

 

Enter the world of mind-control and magically-enhanced weapons, where mortals and immortals will battle for the right to learn, love, and live in two worlds that would seek to drive them out.

The Prince’s Chosen

Addy is a farmer in upstate New York. Tol is the prince of a dying magical race. Both are trapped in lives they didn’t choose.

There is only one chance for them to get what they desperately need. For it to work, Tol and Addy must sacrifice the one thing they are both fighting to keep: their freedom.

The Forsaken’s Choice

Addy and Tol are in a race against forces that seek to tear them apart. With the Chosen people’s life-giving Source almost gone and the cruel Forsaken general closing in, Addy and Tol are running out of time. If they fail, they won’t be the only ones to bear the cost. Addy’s sister Olivia will be doomed to an eternity of misery.

The Chosen Union

What price is too great to save a life?

By offering up his life for another, Tol doomed his entire race.

Through an incredible feat of power and a magic only she can access, Olivia spared a friend and condemned herself.

As Addy watched her happiness and love bleed out on a sandy shore, her dreams turned to dust.

These books were certainly a trip! You start the opening scene thinking you know where the story is headed, and bam! You're somewhere completely different. I will admit that it took me a while to really get what the gist of the story was, but I did enjoy Ms. Fazio's writing style, so it wasn't a hardship to go on the journey with her.

I loved Tol and Addy's love story. It does, of course, have its ups and downs and struggles, but through it all, you could always feel the underlying thread that was holding them together. I enjoyed that this came as a whole set, because I do hate when a love story is broken up between books. And the nature of these cliffhangers was quite spectacular. I wasn't sure where we were heading when we found out that a pretty large assumption we were given to believe for the majority of the time, was indeed false. 

I also really enjoyed the relationship between Addy and Olivia. They seem like such stark opposites, but I loved the way their bond was portrayed. They are twins, but so different, yet they both appreciated each other in a way I found really beautiful. 

I received an ARC of these books and am voluntarily leaving a review.

The Lure of Air by Sloane Calder

 

An undercover witch. A reluctant leader. A love that could get them both killed.

Graham Lennox never wanted to be continent leader for the North American Natura. He’d much rather spend his days in the lab. But when his grandfather is murdered, he no longer has a choice. Now it’s up to him to squash a brewing rebellion and lead his people. He can’t help but wonder if now is also the time to finally tell his gorgeous lab partner how he really feels about her.

Too bad he doesn’t know her as well as he thought he did…

Astrid Byrne is on a mission. She will find out who is responsible for the disappearance of her people. Justice will be served. She’s also sure her search will lead directly to a Lennox. But the one thing she never counted on was her inconvenient attraction to their sexy and brilliant new leader. If she’s not careful, she’ll make the most deadly mistake possible.

Falling in love with a Natura.

But worst of all? The real enemy is even closer (and more dangerous) than either Graham or Astrid ever could’ve realized…

I really really really enjoyed this book. I will admit that I am definitely a "judge a book by it's cover" kind of gal, ESPECIALLY when it comes to fantasy or paranormal books. If the cover isn't colorful and exciting, then I'm not going to read it. This cover is beautiful, which is what initially drew me to the series. This is the second full-length novel in the Natura Elementals series, and there are also two novellas. I do recommend, at the very least, reading the first full-length novel, and reading the novellas is highly recommended as well. While this is a standalone, as far as the romance goes, there is a lot of world-building in the first book that is beneficial to have before you start this one.

Firstly, I absolutely love Ms. Calder's writing style. Her writing is rich and detailed, without being too flowery or simply being "too much". You feel like the world she created is real and you can see and touch every aspect of it. It very much reminds me of Tamora Pierce's Circle of Magic universe, as much of the magic is highly connected to the elements. 

Graham and Astrid are the ideal main characters. They are passionate about what they believe in, not afraid of hard work and making difficult choices, and you can truly see how they are the other half of each other. I love when I can feel the chemistry between characters right from the beginning, even if one or both of them isn't willing to acknowledge it. I also love a nerd who is forced out of their shell and required to become someone other people look up to. Graham was so endearing and I loved watching him grow in to a leader.

Overall this book is rich in world-building, the characters are fantastic, the story is intriguing and suspenseful, and the love story is both sweet and sexy.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC I received.

Off Limits by Jerica MacMillan

 

She’s my best friend’s little sister …

That alone should be enough to make me keep my hands to myself. Knowing her brother’s extra protective should seal the deal.

But after Ellie turns up on our doorstep while her brother’s not home and falls asleep on the couch after a misunderstanding with her roommate, I can’t seem to stay away.

I’m not normally the kind of guy who only wants what he can’t have, but in Ellie’s case, I seem to be making an exception.

But how can I have her brother’s back on the football field while stabbing him in it the rest of the time?

I LOVED this book! Sometimes a sports romance can be really shallow, with a mostly jerky star athlete who needs to be taken down a peg or two. That is so not the case with Off Limits. Simon is the sweetest giant left tackle you could ever meet and is actually a bit of a nerdy, quiet guy. While he is a star on the offensive line, he definitely doesn't act like the sun shines out his bum. I also loved Ellie. She feels really out of place in her world and Simon is the perfect, supportive man to help her realize who she is is perfectly awesome. 

Of course there is the underlying worry of, "Oh, crap. My brother is going to kill us if he finds out." But the way the story unfolds isn't like you expect and I love how vulnerable all of the characters are when things go south. It really gives them the opportunity for a lot of growth and I love the direction the resolution took. All in all, I very much enjoyed this book and will be diving in to Ms. MacMillan's previous works to see what else she has to offer.

Additionally, we got a tiny taste of Cal's book (Ellie's brother) at the very end. I think that one might be even better than this was.

I received an ARC of Off Limits and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Imitating a Fae Queen by Joanna Reeder

 

They say I look just like her.

They say I could save the realm if I pretend to be her.

But I’m just a human girl and can’t leave my life to save their precious Raven Court.

My boyfriend, Sterling, might be a fae, but I want nothing to do with Faerie. Luckily, he promised never to take me. But when his painfully gorgeous brother, Tien, shows up and says I look identical to their missing High Queen, I’m asked to go with him to prevent Faerie from sinking into chaos.

When I refuse, I’m kidnapped.

As I’m forced through the portal to Faerie by the brooding Tien, he promises my captivity is only temporary. If I can convince the Raven Court their beloved queen is alive and well, he’ll take me back home. But while I’m pretending to be her, dark secrets surface. I try not to care, but realize I might have the power to change an injustice that suddenly means so much to me... even as a fake queen.

Faerie is magical and cruel, full of wonder and madness. But it isn’t my home. And yet, it feels so familiar…

Torn between two different worlds, I’m forced to consider: where do I truly belong?

At first, I wasn't sure what to think of this book. When it started, it seemed like there was a first book that I had missed out on and I kept flipping back to the beginning to make sure I was really at the beginning. But, as the story progressed, we find out that there is a really good reason that the book appears to start abruptly. After that, the story picked up and took me on quite a wild ride. I loved the world-building and the character development. The introduction of Tien was my favorite part. I don't usually like a love triangle, but this one was subtle and not too angsty, so I was ok with it.

The story was unique and wasn't just a retelling of tired and overdone fae stories. Even though it was YA, and I'm less of a fan of YA, the story didn't feel young or whiny or underdeveloped. I'm really exited to see where the rest of the series goes. 

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Daughter of Secrets by Denise Daye

 

For quiet accountant Olivia Carter, the fortune she inherits from her late mother’s secret first husband is life-changing. Unaware of her mother’s ties to Romanian fast-food mogul Andrei Rusu, Olivia is baffled when she discovers the billionaire has left everything to her instead of to his own penniless sister in Romania.

Venturing to Europe to meet with the neglected branch of the Rusu family, Olivia is determined to make things right.

But from the moment Olivia arrives, her time in this romantic country of rolling hills and fairytale castles seems doomed…

★

Kind-hearted tourist guide Christian has a sick mother and four sisters to feed. But with his van one wheel away from the junkyard, business is not exactly booming. So how could he possibly say no to Elena Rusu when she offers him a nice chunk of money to drive an American heiress around? Even if every soul in town knows not to cross paths with Elena…

But when Christian is ordered to drop Olivia off for a stay at the derelict Magura Castle – the most haunted place in all of Romania – Olivia and Christian start to question every detail of her family trip.

I really wanted to like this book. It had a really intriguing plot and the summary made me feel like this would definitely be right up my alley. However, this book turned out to be more like an extended synopsis. It didn't feel like a full book, but rather the cliff notes version. None of it was bad, but there needed to be a lot more. There wasn't enough time for true character development, or to even get immersed in the scene and the characters. There also wasn't any of the creepy crawlies I was hoping to feel, based on the blurb. Again, they could have been there, if there had been more story and more description to the story we did have.

Overall, I would not be able to recommend this book, as, for me, it wasn't really a book, but a summary of a good book.

Rachel, Out of Office by Christina Hovland

Single mom Rachel Gibson seriously needs a break. Between an absent ex-husband, rowdy twin boys, and running her own work-from-home business, her candle isn't just burning at both ends, it's a full-blown puddle of wax. She's the go-to girl for other entrepreneurs, handling all the tasks they dread. Social media posts? She's got it. Website updates? She's on it. Light bookkeeping? She loves it.

Thank goodness Rachel’s about to get a reprieve, as her former in-laws plan to whisk her boys away for a summer of fun at the family lake house. But when her ex backs out at the last minute, she finds herself in a pickle. Even though she's drowning in to-dos, she's horrible at saying no—especially when it comes to providing some stability for her kids.

Once Rachel arrives at the lake house, she struggles to keep up with work and balance the demands of family, all the while fending off pesky new feelings for her ex-brother-in-law. Which makes her wonder...is falling for her ex-husband's brother just one more messy complication added to the dumpster fire of her life? Or is anything possible when she's out of office…?

This book made me LOL so many times. I've never read Christina Hovland before, but I will definitely be checking out her other books after reading this one. 

I loved how much I could relate to Rachel and her "mom struggles". It helps us remember that even the tough parts of life can be funny. There were so many times I just wanted to give her a hug and tell her it would be ok. 

I liked the interactions between the two main characters as well. I'm always dubious about a story that brings together an ex and a sibling. I just feel that it would be way too awkward, but somehow it worked in this. For me, though, it isn't one of my favorite tropes.

All in all, this was a thoroughly enjoyable book with lots and laughs and plenty of feels.

I received an ARC and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Her Last Summer by Melinda Woodhall

 

A Heartless Killer Plays a Deadly Game

When a celebrity author dies under mysterious circumstances in a small Florida town, a vulnerable young woman is the only witness, and Willow Bay’s new chief of police must begin the hunt for a ruthless serial killer who will stop at nothing to hide his true identity.

As reporter Veronica Lee investigates the breaking story, a local woman is brutally killed, exposing a disturbing connection to a dangerous con man who has eluded capture for almost a decade.

After Veronica’s efforts to uncover the killer’s motives lead to a horrifying discovery, she comes face to face with the cunning killer and must overcome her deepest fears to survive his deadly game.

This one hooked me right from the beginning. We open the story with a man and a woman and we think they might be the center of the story then....BAM. Someone is murdered. Since we're inside the killers head at this point, I really didn't expect what transpired, but it sure dragged me in and kept me invested. What was a little frustrating for me is that we had such an inept killer. He was sloppy, scared, unprofessional and made a ton of mistakes. The murder was supposedly well-thought out and had been planned to a 'T', yet he was impatient and made some rookie mistakes. 

I did, however, enjoy my first taste of Veronica Lee. She was smart and witty and I really enjoyed her personality. The cat and mouse between the killer and Veronica was enjoyable, but predictable. Overall, I enjoyed the book, but it wasn't a stand-out. I'm not sure at this point if I will continue to read any other books in the series.