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Uncaged Review – A Demon Bound by Debra Dunbar

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

A Demon Bound
Debra Dunbar
Dark Fantasy

I never wanted to save the world… or these damned werewolves.

Life was pretty sweet until my hellhound bit one of them. Then I accidentally killed him—the werewolf, not my hellhound. Now I need to help the local alpha track down and destroy a rogue angel or I’ll lose everything that’s important to me, like my Corvette, and my awesome house with a pool.

I might wind up dead. I might wind up back in Hel. Or I might just pull something impish and manage to wiggle my way out of the whole mess.

Uncaged Review: I’m not real sure I ever really
liked the main character, at least in the first half
of the book, I was still on the fence with the book
as a whole for the full first half. This was such a
slow starter for me. As for Sam, I know she’s a
demon and the author does a good job keeping her
a demon and not letting her get “too humanized”
by her time in their world. But the background and
the world building is very lackluster, so it was hard
to get a good focus. I set this book down several
times before I finally finished it. When Gregory
shows up, the storyline is oxygenated to life. I
even started liking Sam more.

There are a lot of unanswered questions lying
around and I know this is a longer series so some
of the answers will keep coming, I’m sure. If the
world would have been better established, it may
have held me better in the first half. All in all, I’m
glad I muscled through as the back half was pretty
good, and I plan on moving to book two to see
where this story goes, but I can’t commit to more
than that at this point. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Dead Case in Deadwood by Ann Charles

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Dead Case in Deadwood
Ann Charles
Paranormal Mystery

“Nothing good ever happens at the butt-crack of dawn. No doubt, the headless corpse on the autopsy table in front of me would agree.”—Violet Parker

Real estate agent, Violet “Spooky” Parker stumbles upon a body-part theft ring at the local funeral parlor and suspects her caustic coworker has a hand in it—or maybe a foot. Can Violet discover what’s in the crates the crooks are sneaking out of the mortuary in the dark of night? Or will she end up in one of
them herself … in pieces?

Uncaged Review: In book three, the paranormal is
increasing, and this book amps up even more danger,
laughs and some chills. The mystery is never really
over for Violet, she’s always getting her nose into
somewhere she shouldn’t be. This time, she thinks
she’s stumbled on a body parts ring, but she is also
close to losing her job – if she doesn’t close the sale
on the Old Prospect’s Hotel, she may be out of a job.
And the place is haunted, of course. So Violet will do
some off the wall things to get the sale. And she drags
Doc with her.

This book is not only a good mystery, but the author’s
way of throwing in the humor and how Violet sort of
stumbles through life takes the book to a new level. I
normally am not a mystery lover, but these books are
changing my mind. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review: Optical Delusions in Deadwood

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Optical Delusions in Deadwood
Ann Charles
Paranormal Mystery Romance

Someone is spreading rumors around Deadwood that Violet Parker likes to chat with dead folks.

With her reputation endangered, her bank account on the verge of extinction, and her career at risk of going up in flames, Violet is desperate. When the opportunity to sell another vintage home materializes, she grabs it, even though this “haunted” house was recently the stage for a two-act, murder-suicide tragedy.

Ghost or no ghost, Violet knows this can’t be as bad as the last house of horrors she tried to sell, but sexy Doc Nyce has serious doubts. Her only hope of hanging on to her job is to prove that the so-called, ghostly sightings are merely the eccentric owner’s optical delusions.

But someone—or something—in the house wants Violet stopped…dead.

Uncaged Review: When a book has me trying to force myself to stay awake to read just “one more page,” and finally giving up to sleep because I can’t comprehend what I’m reading any longer – then that’s a sign of a fantastic read. And they don’t come along that often. But this book did it. I read the first one a few months back, and I really liked it, but this one knocked it out of the park for me. There are more than a few laugh out loud moments like this one between Violet and Doc:

“Tiffany said she was glad you were back together again.”

“Natalie heard that? Where was she, under the car?”

I barked out a laugh and was stared at by the three dachshunds that sleep in my bed when their heads popped up out of a deep sleep. Oh well, dogs don’t understand human craziness as long as I feed them.
The mystery was really well done, even stumped me for the whole intertwined mess it turned into, in a good way. The romance is spot on, but Violet really needs to let Doc completely in and quit hiding. The paranormal part of this is mild and has to do with ghosts, but it’s well played in this book and there wasn’t much I didn’t like. Taking some real history about some haunted places in Deadwood. I will say when I hit the last quarter of the book, there was nothing going to stop me from reading to the end. A mystery series with a little more fun. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review: Earl of Baxter by Tammy Andresen

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Earl of Baxter
Tammy Andresen
Historical Regency

He’s known as the Earl of Bastards…

If society thinks the nickname is an insult, they are sorely mistaken. Mason, the Earl of Baxter, has grown up knowing he’s the illegitimate son of the Duke of Devonshire, otherwise known as the Demon Duke. He’ll join his father in hell before he bows before any man or woman of the peerage.

She’s an orphan with a dark secret…

Most think Clarissa is a saint. She’s tended wounded soldiers and helped raise forgotten children. But she is not all that she appears and there are dark secrets in her past that threaten her tenuous opportunities for the future. No one can know how she managed to escape…except one man already does…the Earl of Baxter.

And what he’ll do with that information is anyone’s guess.

She can’t control him anymore that she can the loud thrumming of her heart anytime the man walks into the room. But when specters from her past begin to circle closer she must make a choice. Does she trust the Earl of Bastards? And if she does, will she lose her heart?

Uncaged Review: This book is a very cleverly written story, it hits on two series that are running. First off, it’s in the Wicked Earls Club – a series that has many books with contributions from several authors and it hits on the Lords of Scandal series. In this book, we get the story of Mason and Clarissa. Mason is known as the Earl of Bastards, his title gifted to him from his brother Bash, a Duke. He is the result of an affair of his father’s, and was hated by him. When he goes off to war and is badly wounded, a young girl helps to nurse him back to health and he vows to find her one day and help her.

This book jumps in right after the happenings of the last book in the series, Earl of Gold. When Mason sees Clarissa at the wedding of Logan and Penny, he knows it’s the same girl who gave him a reason to live all those years ago. But both of these characters will need to heal from a childhood and maybe, just maybe they can heal each other.

This is a nice addition to both of the series, and the book moves along nicely. I was already invested before I picked up the book, as this is one of my favorite series from this author, but the book stands on its own as a good story and a great page turner. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review: The Ice Duchess by Tracy Sumner

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Ice Duchess
Tracy Sumner
Historical Romance

A scandalous countess plays matchmaker…for a man she once longed to take for herself.

Georgiana Whitcomb, Countess Winterbourne, is known as the Ice Countess for her rebellious ways and refusal to marry again. But a scandalous Christmas wager fashioned by Georgiana’s childhood obsession changes everything.

The demanding duke needs a bride…

Dexter Munro, mere days from becoming the Duke of Markham, made a promise to his dying father to find a wife by the Twelfth Night. Except the only woman he’s ever desired has vowed never to marry again. Not even to become his duchess.

Georgiana and Dex share a sizzling attraction and a wicked past…but is their scorching passion enough to melt the Ice Countess’ heart?

Uncaged Review: A second chance to get it right….Georgiana is a widow, having married in an arranged marriage to an older man to save her family’s monetary issues. After her husband passes away, she vows never to marry again, and sets up The Duchess Society, teaching young women how to get more respect in a marriage and to get a good match, and earning the nickname, The Ice Duchess. Dexter, returns home to his dying father and promises him he will marry and take over the dukedom. As kids, Dexter, Georgie and her now deceased brother, Anthony were inseparable and when she finally sees Dexter again, she finds that easy connection is still there…

This is a nice romance that finds that a second chance to find love is heartwarming and I was drawn into the book pretty quickly. This book introduces The Duchess Society series, and the secondary characters are just as likable as the main. The epilogue was the perfect touch on this one.
Reviewed by Cyrene


5 Stars

Uncaged Review: How to Survive an Undead Honeymoon by Hailey Edwards

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

How to Survive an Undead Honeymoon
Hailey Edwards
Urban Fantasy

The Epilogues: Part II

Nothing says romance like spending a long weekend at a haunted inn famed for sending its guests to the ER with scratches, bites, and fractures. Or so Linus thinks when he books a trip for Grier and himself to Oliphant House. As far as honeymoons go, the choice is nontraditional, but then, so is his bride.

Haunted history is one of Grier’s great loves, and she’s thrilled to discover Linus has given her a mystery to solve. Forget walks on moonlit beaches and sipping fruity drinks, Grier would much rather unravel the curse that’s plagued the Oliphant family for generations than pick sand from between her toes.

The resident spooks, however, aren’t happy with the newlyweds sticking their noses where they don’t belong. Between the missing persons, the dead bodies, and the secrets lurking in the basement, Linus and Grier start to wonder if they’ll survive their honeymoon.

Uncaged Review: When this series was finished, the author added 3 longer novellas as “epilogues” to the ending. Each of these have a story within and just adds to the whole story of Grier and Linus. This time they are going on their honeymoon, of sorts, more of a long weekend away and Linus has chosen a haunted inn because of Grier’s love off all the things that go bump in the night, thinking solving a mystery would be a fun getaway. Well, this haunted fun turns deadly…of course.

I enjoyed the extra time with this group, but I have the same feelings as Linus, I wanted to be selfish and see more time with just Linus and Grier. But it was still a fun time with enough of the twists and turns this series is known for. I’ve put these books off reading for a while, drawing the series out longer. I really am bummed that there is one book left in the epilogues. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review: Lone Survivor by Nikki Landis

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Lone Survivor
Nikki Landis
Dystopian/Horror

Zombies!

The world has gone to ***, and the zombie apocalypse is now responsible for wiping out humanity. One girl believes she’s all alone and the world’s last hope for survival . . . but is she the key, a threat, or something else entirely?

Sawyer is a Marine.
His loyalty, purpose, and mission are the only objective until he meets the feisty girl who changes everything. What will it take to survive among the dead? Is humanity doomed or is there hope in a world plunged into total chaos?

From the series –
A GROUP OF SURVIVORS …must find a way to live together when a terrible virus turns deadly. Two different strands determine what type of zombie is unleashed upon those lucky enough to escape the initial outbreak. Survival is the only objective until the mutations begin to change and humanity becomes the scariest monster of all.

Leave it to this author to make me fall for a zombie book, and one way she did it is by throwing in romance, not too many of the zombie books will venture into that area. In this world, the zombie virus was man-made, trying to get the best soldier, the best weapon, then trying to wipe out low income areas by putting the virus in the water bottles. But it all went to hell. Bailee has been surviving on her own for the last year, and doesn’t believe there are any other survivors until she meets a group of marines, who are actually looking for her. Bailee is the niece of a scientist and it’s believed that her blood may hold the key to a cure – since her Uncle shot her up with a drug before he died.

Sawyer, the leader of the survivor group, begins to have feelings for Bailee after finding and saving her and bringing her into the group, a bad idea in a zombie apocalypse. In this world, there are zombie runners. These are the ones that are just newly turned, with speed, some intelligence and strength, so the author turns the notch on scary.

There is some gore, graphic violence, language and sex – so if any of those things bother you, this may not be a great read for you. For me? After that ending – I am gladly running on to book 2.
Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review: Earl of Gold by Tammy Andresen

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Earl of Gold
Tammy Andresen
Historical Regency

Why did he need love if he had gold?

The Earl of Goldthwaite had spent his entire adult life accumulating wealth. It was his life’s goal to never end up as his father had, penniless and rotting in some debtor’s prison. He has no time for such silly notions as love or romance. When he eventually marries, he’ll find a nice heiress to increase his holdings. But when Miss Penny Walters waltzes into his life, he knows she’s all wrong for him. As poor as her name implies, she’s nothing that he wanted. Just another woman attempting to part him from his gold. So why can’t he look away?

Who needed gold when her heart was rich with love?

Penny’s life had been charmed, at least she’d always believed so until the age of twelve. Though her parents had little assets, they’d had enough to be comfortable and their home had been rich with affection. After their death, she’s determined to live the rest of her life the way they taught her. With her whole heart. Her first task was to open an orphanage in a poor London neighborhood. One that would give back to the community. The problem? She needed a loan to make her dream come true. And the one man she might be able to ask for such a sum was…

The miserly Earl of Gold.

It filled her with sick dread but what choice did she have? What she never expected was to find herself drawn to such a man. He’s nothing that she ever wanted and everything she wished to stand against. But the longer she knows him, the more she wonders: is there a soft heart under that hard-shiny veneer of gold?

Uncaged Review: The 7th book in the Lords of Scandal series, and this is my favorite so far. This book yanked me in right away and had me wanting to get back to it whenever I put it down. When an author can take a character that is as unlikeable as Logan, and turn him into a character you love and root for, then the author has done a great job. Penny is the perfect foil for him, to give him back his heart, and Penny’s cause of saving orphans is a winner. The author even manages to weave the Wicked Earl’s Club and connects that world and characters to this one. The nice thing about this series, is you do normally meet past characters in the books, or even characters that will have their own story in the near future. And I really enjoyed the epilogue in this one.

And at the end, you know there is a story with Clarissa coming – with the Earl of Baxter. I’m looking forward to it. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Undead Men Tell No Tales by Corrine O’Flynn

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Undead Men Tell No Tales
Corrine O’Flynn
Historical Fantasy

Even the craftiest pirate can’t outrun the curse of the sea witch.

Known on the high seas as the Fog Queen, Morianna Swift never imagined her life as a pirate. But after her father and brother’s deaths, she has no choice; she’ll be damned if she’ll stand by and watch as the family fortune is taken by the murderous thieves at the East India Company. While fleeing her previous life as a high-born lady, Morianna is cursed with a powerful hex that imprisons her forever upon the waves.

Unable to master the magic to free herself, Morianna seeks the one being powerful enough to remedy her curse. Everyone knows that a deal with the sea witch seals your fate as sure as succumbing to the siren’s song, but Morianna rolls the bones anyway and puts her fate in the hands of the sorceress. Locked in an unbreakable promise that threatens not only her soul, but the souls of those she loves, Morianna refuses to accept that there’s no way out.

All of this while the East India Company continues their quest to dominate the ports, the city, and the sea—at all costs. Caught in the current of two opposing forces, Morianna finds herself in the middle of a maelstrom that threatens to destroy everything she’s fought so hard to protect.

She’s never relied on fair winds or following seas; the Fog Queen makes her own luck.

Uncaged Review: I’ve always been a huge fan of pirates and books on the seas, and when you combine that with my first love of fantasy, then it of course grabs my attention. This book did that, and more. Morianna’s husband, brother and father were all killed on the seas and the family’s company being stolen by the East India Company, who sells goods at prices few can afford. Morianna takes over, raiding the ships and selling the goods at reasonable costs. When a witch puts a hex on Morianna, she’ll need to bargain with the powerful Sea Witch to get rid of the hex, but bargaining with her is dangerous…

This book has a lot going for it. Plenty of action and the world building is original and fast paced. A few twists and a group of characters that I look forward to getting to know more. The book did not end on a hard cliffhanger, the overall arc is still ongoing, but the last part of the book actually surprised me, which is not that easy to do. Looking forward to the next book in the series. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – A Queen to Come by Frances Ellen

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

A Queen to Come
Frances Ellen
YA Fantasy

The five Asters, brothers and sisters in magic, battle an unknown Dark King to ensure their new Queen ascends to the throne, in this debut YA fantasy prequel series. Together with Affinites, who have no magic but unique affinities for specific skills, the Asters have been protecting humans from the Dark Kings’ reigns of terror for generations; even since their first and, until now, only Queen bestowed six Affinites each with one of her own magic powers 500 years ago. The one unique magic that the original Queen didn’t pass on would only return if there was a dire need of it: to bring balance back into the world. Now, 500 years later, her reincarnation predicts a threat to the peaceful existence that generations of Asters had created and protected.Up until her eighteenth birthday the new Queen was brought up as human in a secret location, with no knowledge of the crown she will be expected to wear or the rare magic she possesses. She will join the Asters, and she will become the most powerful creature to ever live. But a Dark King knows of her upcoming accession, and will do whatever it takes to stop it. He starts abducting Affinites in the hopes that one of them might know the Queen’s secret location. He wants to steal her magic before she learns how to use it against him. It is up to the five Asters to make sure that he doesn’t.SKY can fly and shimmer to anywhere in the world.NATHAN can control the nature around him.SOPHIE can heal the worst of injuries.MATU can break through the most solid of walls.LIAN can shut out any feeling of pain until his dying breath.It is the greatest challenge of their lives. And up against a King they know nothing about, time is not on their side.

Uncaged Review: This is the first book in a trilogy of what the author is calling, “prequel novellas.” It is the length of a longer novella, but I’m not sure what the prequel part is, unless there is a full-fledged series coming in after these prequels are completed. Time will tell.

In this book, the Asters are the magic keepers and warriors. Each warrior has a special magic and skill set. The Asters protect the human population from the Dark Kings of the Underworld. The Asters haven’t had a Queen in 500 years – but she’s been reborn and scheduled to return to the hidden and protected lands where the Asters are.

Some of this is a bit hard to explain, but the author does a pretty good job with it so the reader is in the loop the whole time. There is plenty of action and the fight sequences are pretty good. I’d like to see more world building, as you only get a taste of it here. The ending was a trip, but I won’t give anything away. This is a good start but I would also make sure it’s cautioned against very young teens as the fight scenes can be quite graphic.
Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

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