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Uncaged Review: War Hammer by Shayne Silvers

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

War Hammer
Shayne Silvers
Urban Fantasy

Two old dudes want to kill me. Oh, and one of them is my ancestor…

And after centuries of practice, they’re pretty good at the whole murder thing. But at least they want to kill each other just as badly.

Now, I’ve taken down a Greek Goddess, worn a Horseman’s Mask, and I ride a homicidal unicorn who hates rainbows with a passion. Some might say sending two senior citizens to a permanent retirement home should be a breeze.

It ain’t.

Because that’s not my biggest concern. One of my friends is in danger, or possibly dying, and I need to get her back before her fiancé kills me. But finding her introduces me to new worlds of pain. The biggest of these being my own past—which has been a blatant lie—and a parting gift from my parents—which might have just been the coin toss for the Apocalypse Olympics.

I’m beginning to realize that none of the old Gods, Legends, or Monsters have been idle the last few centuries. They’ve been waiting, picking sides, and scheming schemes.

Of course, maybe one of those two old dudes will punch my ticket and save me the headache. A wizard can Hope, right? Because either way, I’m about to have a very bad series of days…

Uncaged Review: The stage is set to return to the Land of Fae, to save Ashley and Pan. But to go back there, is risky, many people are wanting Nate’s head. But many new secrets are revealed that are shocking and even more questions are haunting both Nate and the reader. Some of the characters will come into their own in this one. This book is action packed and not as heavy as the last book, it continues to progress and stay fresh and exciting. I really hope Nate gets some down time soon, he needs to sleep for about a week straight.

I like that Callie came back briefly, which is (hopefully) setting the base for a relationship with Nate in the future. She’s a thousand times better choice for Nate than Indie was. This series also has a couple of different spin-offs now, and it’s a universe that keeps on giving. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review: Woke by Peggy Jaeger

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Woke
Peggy Jaeger
Contemporary Romance

Waking up each day is a gift….

On her 21st birthday, someone slipped a potent drug combination into socialite Aurora Brightwell’s champagne putting her in a coma for the next ten years. It’s been a long road back, and it’s time to reclaim the life she lost and find out exactly what happened on that fateful night.

Financier Kincade Enright has his own reason for helping Aurora discover who poisoned her, but for the time being he’s keeping that – and his true identity – to himself. What he can’t keep hidden though, are his growing feelings for the one-time paparazzi darling and party-girl.

When this prince of finance joins forces with the former sleeping beauty, nothing can stop them from finding the answers they seek…or prevent the powerful emotions developing between them as they search for the truth.

Uncaged Review: When it comes to contemporary romance, it normally takes something pretty special for me to go all in. But this author has a way of accomplishing that and this story is suspenseful, honest and enchanting, all in one. Taken as a modern day Sleeping Beauty, this book hit most of the spots for me. A charming story that I could easily put back on my to-be-read-again shelf. We meet Aurora on the night of her 21st birthday, a rich socialite that is continually in the society pages and in the rag newspapers about her party life, until her party is upended with her being drugged and sent into a 10 year coma. The book then picks up 15 years later, when Aurora has worked hard to get her life back after 10 years in a coma. Slowly the pieces of her life, and the night she almost died comes together, and the author does it an unhurried and organic way that will keep you up late reading.

There is one typo that repeats quite often, about retired detective Nick Ramon, which spells his last name “Roman” a few times, but it’s easy to discard. Along with a nice mystery, there is a wonderful love story and also a story of loyal friends. Easily recommended. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review: Psi-Wars Anthology

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Psi-Wars
Various
Scifi/Horror Anthology

From Atlantis to the Third Reich and beyond, these thirteen original cerebral tales of science fiction and horror explore the evils that abound when humanity wields extraordinary minds as weapons, whether to wage war or prevent it. Steeped in psychic savagery, telekinetic combat, and extrasensory espionage, PSI-WARS imagines corrupt governments and daring operatives, gods and soldiers and hackers and spies. The authors don’t flinch when they peer around the darkest, most violent corners of the human psyche. Will you?

Uncaged Review: This anthology was an unexpected read for me. I’ve read a lot of scifi in my reading life, but I’ve never been huge on anthologies, but this is a good one. This bases around wars, and the psychic abilities, some steeped into true historical times. From the first story of Simon helping the Nazis to beat the Americans in WWII with his voice, and the horror of not being able to stop. A standout for me is THE VISIONS OF PERRY GODWIN by Dean Wyant – where Perry has visions of people’s deaths, but it becomes a very useful talent during the WWII.

There is not a bad story in the bunch of these 13 short stories. I had picked it up planning on reading a couple of the stories at a time, and ended up finishing the whole book. A well done anthology that is a worthy read. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 1/2 Stars

Uncaged Review: Midnight Temptation by Shari Nichols

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Midnight Temptation
Shari Nichols
Paranormal Romance

When tarot card reader Gillian Howe hosts a supernatural speed dating event, she’s hopeful to discover her chance at love.

Making the perfect match is her passion. Too bad she can’t find one for herself.

A chance encounter with a wealthy vampire soon finds her plunged into a secret society of trancing, blood bonds, and human escort rings. She’ll need help to survive, but the vampire detective is the last person she wants…even if he is scorching hot.

Garrett Mulroney has dealt with his share of the supernatural. His sire tried to force him into a life of debauchery, but he chose to uphold the law.

The fact that the one woman he can’t seem to get out of his lust-filled dreams is at the center of his investigation doesn’t bode well. It’s a good thing she hates his guts, because it helps douse his growing desire for her and focus on the case.

But when Gillian’s cousin is kidnapped into the Du Sang Brotherhood, she becomes the prime witness.

Now they’re forced to put their differences aside and go undercover by pretending to be a couple. The more time they spend together, the more Garrett wants her in his life—and in his bed.

Will they be able to develop the love and trust needed to take down the Brotherhood or become its next victim?

Uncaged Review: The featured characters in the 2nd book of the series, we met in book one. Alex and Willow are engaged, and we do see them pop up in this book, but they do not take any major roles in this book. This time, Gillian hosts a supernatural speed dating event with her cousin Brooke, and an event partner in Kurt Lawrence, a vampire with many high connections. When invited up to the penthouse afterward for an exclusive party – they find a human trafficking ring and Brooke is kidnapped. Garrett, a vampire on the police force has to keep Gillian safe, since she’s been targeted. And that’s not going to be easy, since Garrett and Gillian have had their issues in the past.

This is a good book, with plenty of action, danger and romance. If you take the supernatural out of this, is plays out like a good episode of Law and Order. Heat level is higher. I think my only issue with it is toward the end with Garrett, but it’s not a huge deal. Looking forward to the next book.
Reviewed by Cyrene

4 1/2 Stars

Uncaged Review: Chosen by Adam Dark & Matthew Thrush

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Chosen
Adam Dark & Matthew Thrush
Urban Fantasy

A haunting past. A book of secrets. A demon looking for revenge.

Eleven years ago, Ben Robinson burned down a house with a demon inside, only to watch his best friend die in the fire. Now he’s haunted by nightmares of his dead friend warning him of impending doom. 

So when Ben’s closest living friend discovers a mysterious ancient book that can open the barrier to the demon realm to reach Ben’s dead best friend for answers, Ben can’t help but take the risk. 

Soon after, a mysterious girl with a strange power turns up at the location of their friend’s murder, claiming to be able to see fragmented pieces of the future. But can she be trusted…or is she nothing more than a demon in disguise?

To save the day, Ben must accept responsibility for the evil he’s unknowingly unleashed in the world, but dark and deadly things have already been set into motion, and time to abate the damage is running out.

Uncaged Review: This story was pretty good, after you get past the 50% mark. It started a tad slow for me, it had one good action sequence in the beginning, and then sorta stalled out, although I won’t get to critical as it’s the first in a series – so we are getting to know the world. The three main characters, or maybe I should say four, but that would give too much away, Ben, Pete and April sort of fall into this demon hunting thing. When Ben and Pete were kids, they witnessed 4 of their friends murdered in a haunted house, barely escaping. For years, doctors thought Ben was crazy, hearing voices, having realistic nightmares. Finally learning to cover it up, he got out from under doctors and made it to college. But then the voices start again…Ben and April attend a frat party that has a demon possessing a guy’s body, and lights the house on fire – with Ben doing his best to the voice in his head trying to help – by getting the drunk kids out. When he tells Pete he’s hearing voices again and having dreams that their friend Ian is still alive, they decide they need to go back to that house.

There is some good action once it gets moving, and some good dialog with enough humor to break up the horror of the demons and to keep it interesting. I think it’s a good start to a series and a good introduction to this world and characters. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review: Shadow City by Anna Mocikat

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Shadow City
Anna Mocikat
SciFi/Dystopian

Los Angeles is an apocalyptic wasteland.

Without orientation, Colton stumbles through the vast, deserted city. He doesn’t remember who he is and where he came from. Scavengers save his life from mutants and bring him to the only remaining inhabited area and safe Zone in former Hollywood.

There he learns that after a devastating catastrophe called The Glitch, reality shifted, allowing nightmarish creatures from another dimension to enter our world. These co-called Dark Ones feed on suffering and violence, wanting nothing less than the complete annihilation of humanity.

Colton discovers that he has extraordinary abilities and joins a league of unusual defenders: ex-cop Eric, female cyborg Bombshell and Vincent, a mighty entity from another world, disguised as a human soldier.

But the Dark Ones are evil beyond imagination and with their ice-cold enforcer, the traitor Eurydice, they are a threat nearly impossible to overcome. Cunning and ruthless, Eurydice sets a ploy in action, which leads to the destruction of the Zone’s defenses weakening the tiny community from within. It’s up to Colton and his friends to take a desperate stand against the superior enemy and save what is left of humanity from extinction.

Uncaged Review: Most of the time when I read a dystopian future novel, we have a good idea what happened to the Earth to become that way, whether it be human fault, a virus, a meteor, aliens, etc. There always seems to be a “plausible” explanation that turns the world into a “Walking Dead” or “Mad Max” scenario. The world that is created here is a little more vague, which is one of the negatives for me. Although the world is crafted in detail, the events leading to it (The Glitch) wants us to suspend belief and try to wrap our heads around a rift in a parallel dimension or world. Out of this rift, comes the Dark Ones and monsters of human hungry proportions. Set in the city of Los Angeles, the only thing protecting what’s left of humanity in this city is in the Zone, protected by the Force. Vampires in this book are protectors of humans, since the extinction of humans would be the end of their long lives.

Many characters are multi-faceted and will be interesting to see who they are in upcoming books. Vincent – is definitely not human and taken over a body for a mission. Eurydice is a rogue vampire who is an enforcer for the Dark Ones and is taken with Vincent – and who gets prominent attention on the cover of the book, although at this point, she is no hero. Colton, who has no memory of who or what he is, is also an interesting mystery along with Bombshell, a female Robocop of sorts.

This book is dark, and well described, and borderlines on horror. But it’s well worth the read if you are looking for a dystopian book that is not all about zombies, although those seem to make their way into this series as well, just a bit different than most. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review: Jinn’s Dominion by Shannon Mayer

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Jinn’s Dominion
Shannon Mayer
Urban Fantasy

There was nothing that could have prepared me for Dragon’s Ground. And I thought that nothing could be worse than what I faced there.

Just my black cat bad luck, the world is set to prove me wrong.

South lies the Jinn’s Dominion and within it the members of my Pride who need my help. The further south we go, the more danger comes not only from outside our group but from within.

Ishtar’s new hunters.
Marsurm leader of the Jinn.
And the Emperor himself.

All three want something from me. All three claim they can give me the world on a silver platter, to give me my deepest desires.

Color me cautious, but I think all three are lying. Or so it seems until I reach the Jinn’s Dominion and discover the truth…

About who I really am.
And what that means for my fate and the fate of those I love.

Uncaged Review: The action and the plot is ramping up for Zam and her group. As they begin to make their way to Jinn’s Dominion, Marsum takes over Maks mind, and he seems lost to Zamira, but his few moments of clarity prove that Maks is still there, and she will need to break free without him. We find out more about both Zamira and Maks, and their pasts – some of it a bit surprising, some I sorta guessed, but still huge revelations. And Zamira needs to rescue her pack from Marsum, and she will add to her pack as she goes and receives aid from unexpected places…

This book is nonstop and there is some heartbreaking moments that I hope will resolve in future books – a highly recommended series. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review: Fall of the Lyon by Chasity Bowlin

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Fall of the Lyon
Chasity Bowlin
Historical Victorian

Enter the world of the most notorious gambling den in London, where matches are made… unusually. Welcome to the world of THE LYON’S DEN: The Black Widow of Whitehall Connected World, where the underground of Regency London thrives… and loves.

Faced with the devastating and impending loss of her stepfather and the all too real threat of unscrupulous relatives who would have her inheritance at any cost, Miss Margaret Upshaw flees to London. Her stepfather has tasked her to make her way to the Lyon’s Den to seek the assistance of Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon, the most scandalous matchmaker in all of London. Her matches aren’t made in the ballrooms of Mayfair, but over the faro tables and a notorious betting book in the gaming hell she rules with an iron fist in a velvet glove.

Leander Thurston-Hunter, Viscount Amberley, or Leo as he prefers, is a man with a very particular problem that can only be solved with money. And as a nobleman, there’s only one way to get a lot of cash and get it quickly—you have to marry it. When Mrs. Dove-Lyon informs him that she’s made the perfect match for him, he’s not exactly thrilled, but certainly willing to do his duty to preserve his family’s standing. But then he meets Meg Upshaw. Beautiful, vulnerable, terribly alone… and she makes him question for the first time whether a marriage born out of duty and necessity has to be an unhappy one.

But there’s one terrible catch… Meg’s family, the relatives who would have her fortune by any means, are the very ones responsible for the brutal events that nearly ended his life and left him permanently scarred. But that isn’t the only secret they’re keeping, and those secrets are worth dying for and worth killing for. Leo and his new bride find themselves in danger of far more than simply falling inconveniently in love.

Uncaged Review: This is the first book I’ve read from this author, and it definitely won’t be my last. The book is part of a connected world of the Lyon’s Den, and the matchmaker Mrs. Bessie Dove-Lyon, who is a notorious matchmaker from a gaming hell in London – and is the connection to all the books in the series from different authors. In this book, describing words can be danger, deceit, suspense, villians, loyalty and love. When Meg is pushed to marry Leo, a Viscount who needs a wealthy match, by her ailing stepfather, Meg travels to the gaming hell to meet with the matchmaker.

This book has horrible villians – and as the mystery unravels, and they are exposed – all will come crashing down in a hurry. The characters were easy to connect with and worth cheering on. This is a standalone book in this series with a HEA and a nice epilogue to wrap it up. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review: A Laird to Remember by Tammy Andresen

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

A Laird to Remember
Tammy Andresen
Scottish Historical

She’s picked the perfect husband…

Lady Daisy Morningstar knows exactly who she wants, Lord Price. The problem? A burly laird goes out of his way to ruin her reunion with Price. She should hate the Scot. He’s strong and willful and forever inserting himself in her business. But he’s also… well frankly he’s simply… unforgettable.

He’s trying to prove himself…

Laird Blake Abbot was never his father’s first choice to take over the lairdship but he’s in the position now and determined to do better than anyone ever gave him credit for. Except for a little blonde minx keeps dancing into his thoughts and stealing his concentration. He should forget her entirely and continue with his life.

One kiss will change everything…

But as the sparks fly between them, they might both be forced to admit that they’d both picked the wrong path. Can they change course now or are they doomed to just be a memory?

Uncaged Review: Out of this series, I think this was my favorite. This story brings us to Daisy, the youngest and the spitfire of the group. Lord Price is coming to Scotland, and Daisy is positive he is the one for her after one meeting several years ago. But a Laird also coming over to do business with Colin seems to be getting in the way. First his horse knocks her into the mud and bruises her shoulder, and now she can’t get him off her mind.

This shorter story has a lot going for it, two people need to get past what happened to them long ago, and move on and learn to trust, and to see that some people aren’t who they appear. This was a sweet story that I actually had wished was longer. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review: A Scot to Keep by Tammy Andresen

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

A Scot to Keep
Tammy Andresen
Scottish Historical

She’s sworn never to marry…

Lady Lily Morningstar has learned the hard way that men often let a woman down. She’ll make her own future, thank you very much. She’s trained to be a midwife, a career that will allow her to provide for herself. Except for when Lily is travelling on the road late one night after attending a patient, she is attacked by thieves. When a lone man rescues her, she begins to question the validity of her plan to brave life alone. Are there good men out there after all? Or is she only thinking that because her rescuer is tall, dark, and dangerously handsome?

He needs a bride…

Ewan McDonald is a new laird and a man who has clawed his way from crofter to landowner. His every move is methodically plotted to place him at the best advantage possible. Ewan’s planned for the perfect bride and Lily Morningstar is not that woman. So why can’t he stop thinking about her? Picturing the delicate beauty so desperate for his protection?

Uncaged Review: Lily is practicing as a healer – never wanting to be in the position that she can’t take care of herself in the future because of what happened to her and her sisters. When she’s walking home from aiding a birth, she’s attacked on the dark road, and Ewan, a Laird to the adjoining land, rescues her and suffers and injury. Colin arrives and gets him back home where Lily continues to oversee his recovery.

This is a nice shorter read, and falls in line with the series nicely. Lily is determined not to marry, and Ewan is smitten with her. This book was a tad too short, and the HEA comes a bit too fast, but it’s still an easy read that was endearing. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars
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