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Uncaged Review: Revenants, Season 1, Episode 1 by Williams and Harlow

By
Cyrene Olson
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Revenants, Season 1, Episode 1
Williams & Harlow
SciFi/Dystopian

When the zombies arrived twenty-five years ago, the world didn’t end. People adapted and learned to live with them. There are two varieties of zombies. Gerries wander around slowly and aimlessly. Renals are always at an eleven. The only thing that they want is to eat and they always sprint towards that goal.

But now a new variety has surfaced: Revenants. These are zombies that retain their memories and personalities from when they were living….

Uncaged Review: Another zombie book with a twist this time the zombies are called Gerries. People learn to live with them unless there is a fast zombie, called a renal then they are dangerous and will always catch their meat. We also meet Elliot, a Revenant who is a zombie that doesn’t kill humans. We also meet a few other strange characters. This book is set up nicely for a sequel and it was a funny read, with some witty comments. I really can’t wait to get back to Elliot and the gang. Reviewed by Jennifer

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Dawn of the Infected by Eileen Cruz Coleman

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Dawn of the Infected
Eileen Cruz Coleman
Horror

Never Surrender. Not Now. Not Ever.

For twenty-three-year-old start-up tech company CEO Selena Martinez, it was just another uneventful early morning bus commute from her cottage in rural Southern Maryland to her office in Washington, D.C. But when her bus is suddenly attacked by a horde of crazed savages, Selena becomes immersed in a world of terror and confusion, where she must learn to survive on her own using smarts and skills she never dreamed she possessed….

Uncaged Review: A whole different take on a post-apocalyptic world, and this one has the zombies, but the war is about the witches and vampires wanting to snuff out the humans, with only the half angel, half vampire hybrids trying to protect the powerful half fae, half humans that are the key to winning. I think this was a good prequel to a new series, and I’d be one to enjoy reading. Selena is one of these fae hybrids, and has no idea who she is, but the hybrid who is assigned to protect her is Daniel, who saves her after her commuter bus is attacked one morning. With witch’s, infected and vampires all part of what is called The New Order and trying to kill off the fae hybrids and humans, Daniel gets Selena to a safe place. What they really need, is the pure angels to come out of hiding and help them to win the war.

There is a lot of information in a short amount of time, and this is a very fast paced novella. I hope the author continues this series, I enjoyed the originality in a sea of zombie novels. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Esther, An Easter Bride by Hildie McQueen

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Esther, An Easter Bride
Hildie McQueen
Historical Romance/Victorian

Unrealistic expectations can lead two people down a trail to despair.

After the untimely death of her husband, Esther Wilmington must choose between pauper’s life as a poor widow in Philadelphia or a marriage of convenience to her late husband’s son. However, she is presented with a third option she couldn’t have imagined: moving west as a mail order bride.

Elias Jones likes the idea of a wife but quickly discovers how complicated it is to share his home, his bed, and his life with someone. Perhaps he was hasty in marrying. But he soon realizes he cannot imagine a life without his new bride.

Uncaged Review: Another great installment in this series of mail-order brides. This one is a bit different than the others, with Esther who is a widow, and her husband didn’t leave her enough to live on, so she answers an ad to go west and marry a rancher. The author gives you a great sense of the characters and the backdrop within a novella length, and you can easily picture it in your mind as you read along.

I really enjoy this series, and it’s an easy afternoon read. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 1/2 Stars

Uncaged Review: Beside Still Waters by Ryan Jo Summers

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Beside Still Waters
Ryan Jo Summers
Contemporary Romance

Top Journalist and corporate climber McKayla Buchanan is sent to a remote California mountain camp for inner-city, at-risk teens. Accustomed to political and high-society assignments, she is suddenly a fish out of water. At Camp In As Much, she meets eight hostile and distrustful teens, assorted volunteers, rescued horses—and Clay.

Uncaged Review: A journalist for a newspaper spends a few weeks at a local camp for foster kids and injured horses. This is a lovely story even though it has some sensitive issues containing neglected kids and injured horses. It is beautifully written and is very much a romance story. This book and storyline really opened my eyes. I think this is an easy read which is quite easy to get caught up with. Reviewed by Jennifer

4 Stars

Uncaged Review: Humanity’s Protectors by David R. Bernstein

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Humanity’s Protectors
David R. Bernstein
Young Adult/Dystopian

Where will you stand at humanity’s end?
The corporate abuse of youth with the special ability to manipulate reality is at its apex. A revolution to regain society has emerged and sixteen-year-old Leeyah is thrust in the middle of the war against the corporate controlled police.

Will a growing ability put her life at risk?

Uncaged Review: This novella is the beginning to the Influence series and it starts with a bang and never slows down. In future American, corporations are using people with Push abilities as Influencers, to be able to influence the population into positive ideas for their products, even if the products are not. Grabbing 16 yr old Leeyah from her family to work as an Influencer, until she gets an assignment that she morally can’t do. When an Influencer goes awry, it’s the end game, although Leeyah doesn’t have any idea of the implications of turning down an assignment. Enter a group called Humanity’s Protectors to save her from the corporation and the corporate police that are now gunning for her.

A lot of violence in a short amount of time, and you get a taste of what some of the different abilities are of some of the people in this world. Leeyah is very young, and very whiny, but to have all this tossed at her being so young, then I have to give her a bit of a break, although I think the author made her sound younger than her 16 years. This is a fast paced futuristic story and a good origin story. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Beside the Music by BJ Knapp

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Beside the Music
BJ Knapp
Contemporary

What happens to a marriage when an 80s metal band moves in? Winner of the 2016 Human Relations Indie Book Award, Beside the Music answers the question: can you be one man’s wife and another man’s muse? Brenda and Tim are dealing with enough chaos in their marriage: a run for public office, threat of getting fired at work, and a snooty meddling mother in law. Things get even more complicated when 80s metal sensation Hydra moves into their home to record their comeback album–and soon they also have screaming fans on the front lawn to contend with. Will Brenda and Tim’s marriage survive?

 

Uncaged Review: This is a really fun, easy read with a truly relatable story. Relatable in the sense that it felt as if I was reading the true testimony (of a couple throughout their marriage). From beginning to end I couldn’t stop thinking about all those 80’s bands like Poison, White Snake, Motley Crue -and so on- and whether they’d be anything like the band in the book or not. And also, it really pleases me that this book has got a pretty strong, definitive ending. Would recommend -to as many 80’s obsessed girls as me as I can find. Rock on! Reviewed by Milady

5 Stars

Uncaged Review: The Marshal of Tallav Series by Cailin Briste

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Both books are under the Comprehensive Reviews for the month of July in Uncaged Book Reviews. See the issue for the full review.

Shane, Marshal of Tallov
Cailin Briste
SciFi/Suspense/Erotica

Shane Tiernan, the Beast of Tallavan aristocratic society, needs relief from the matriarchal rules that are destroying his life. His hope lies in a female submissive, newly graduated from a top sex school. From her resume, she seems perfect. But profile and real life collide when he arrives to collect her. He’s stunned when he spots her vaulting over a bar and snatching up an ice chipper to defend herself against the giant who is chasing her. Her combination of warrior spirit and long-limbed curves fires his Dom imagination and the desire to bind her in his rope and have her under his complete control.

 

 

Maon, Marshal of Tallov
Cailin Briste
SciFi/Suspense/Erotica

Maon Keefe has always been told he’s doomed to fail as a husband. He decides never to marry, instead focusing on living life as a player and becoming a capable marshal of Tallav. When he is shot and the most-wanted criminal he’s escorting escapes, he fears that his career, his one success in life, is doomed. Assigned to ferret out the cause of missing shipments for a VIP aristocrat, he meets Selina Shirley, CEO of the House of Shirley. He finds himself inexplicably attracted to her despite her frumpy appearance. When he meets a hooded and masked scorching-hot Domme, Lasair, at his friend’s BDSM club, he’s torn between the two women. Both fire his imagination and call to his submissive nature. Either might be the woman to change him into successful husband material.

 

 

Uncaged Review (Both books): 

Considering I don’t normally read erotica due to the flimsy plots and sex scenes which have no real purpose other than to titillate the reader, these books are totally different. They have a great plot and the scenes are woven into the plot showing who the men and women are. They may be titillating but are part of the characters. Cailin Briste, the author, transports you to a different world with different values while you get wrapped up in the cases the marshals are working and their love lives.

I give these books five stars for great writing, good editing and stories you want to read again to make sure you didn’t miss some subtle clue along the way to solving the case each marshal is involved in during their pursuit of their women. Reviewed by Barbara

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Morgan D’Arcy, A Vampyre Rhapsody with Excerpt!

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

To read an interview with Linda please see the July Issue of Uncaged Book Reviews, and check on page 30-31 to see how to enter to win a giveaway!

 

Morgan D’Arcy, A Vampyre Rhapsody
Linda Nightingale
Paranormal

The greatest enemy of a vampire is boredom. Four centuries of existence have taught Lord Morgan Gabriel D’Arcy to fear nothing and no one. Humans and their weapons have little chance against his preternatural speed and arcane powers. Vampires are viral mutations of human DNA. Still, the Vampyre code requires secrecy, and he has learned to hide his nature from the world. The lure of mortality, of a life in the sun, puts Morgan again and again at the mercy of calculating human women though they fail to consider his charm and determination into the equation. However, even grooming a future bride from infancy proves to be fraught with heartbreak. And second chances are not always what they seem unless… you are Morgan. Immortality and beauty, aren’t they grand?

Excerpt
From ‘Intermezzo’

A fingertip traced my jaw. “You guys play a bit fast and loose for me. Fix those baby blues on me, Morgan, and make me forget everything. Including you.”

I didn’t want to make Ellen forget. Finally, I’d found someone who believed that I was a different species, accepted the fact, and still cared for me. Sadness crept down my rigid spine on a chill.
“I know you can.” Tears in her eyes, she touched my mouth. “It’s what I want.”
“I received an email today from Charleston.” Lucien sounded weary, as sad as I felt and Ellen looked. “You can return to South Carolina. If that’s what you want.”

My heart leapt into my throat. Going back to Charleston, winning Isabeau was what I’d dreamed every night for six months. “Can we expect you at the wedding?”

Ellen roused to frown up at me. “What wedding?”
With the back of my hand, I caressed her cheek. “Mine.”

She made a pitiful grimace, but mischief sparkled in her eyes. “I thought my son would be born a bastard. Now, he’ll be an aristocratic bastard like his dad.”

Over her shoulder, I met Lucien’s gaze. The Chief Councilor arched a brow and simply stared at me for several heartbeats. A question burned in the depths of his black eyes. He awaited a decision I wasn’t prepared to give—even to myself. My old friend indicated Ellen with a nod of his head. She’s not pregnant. As if I didn’t know. He strode to the rail, staring at Margo’s corpse. The red heat sizzling along my skin sparkled in his aura. A brilliant halo engulfed the body. The remains of Margo St. Johns glowed, wavered like heat rising from hot tarmac and vanished in an explosion of crimson light.

I freed Ellen from my embrace. “I must help Lucien dispose of the bodies before the police arrive and ask questions difficult to answer.”

She shook her head, a fingertip caressing my lower lip. “You need to stay with me…until you make me forget.”

I bent to whisper a kiss to her lips. “Ellen, never doubt that I love you.”

A tear drizzled down her cheek. “Make me forget. It’s better that way. As I said, it’s what I want. And what you obviously need.”

Closing her eyes, she waited.

“I can manage,” Lucien called.

A night bird sang a lonely song. I rested my hand on Ellen’s forehead, easing her into a deep sleep. As she collapsed, I caught her to me. Pain welled in my heart. Twice in six months, I’d been forced to give up a woman I loved. Dum Spiro Spero. While I breathe, I hope, and hope had offered me another chance to win Isabeau.
Dreams misted my eyes as I carried Ellen to the car. She slept on the journey home. I strode up the stairs and into her bedroom with my lovely accomplice and lover. Gently, I lay her on the bed. She breathed slowly and deeply, remaining motionless as I invaded her thoughts and erased every memory of me, the existence of vampires and the catastrophe at the docks. Mission accomplished, I stood staring at her. Ellen had forgotten our intermezzo. I never would.

Isabeau, where are you tonight? Do you ever think of me?

With a mental flick of the wrist, I locked Ellen’s front door. Some of the bounce returned to my step as I descended the stairs. I refused to allow it to end this way. On the sidewalk, I halted, heedless of the mist collecting on my hair and clothes. The me I’d lost returned on a rush. I smiled, for the first time in what seemed forever, actually looking forward to tomorrow night. At sunset on a Sunday, I’d drive to Royal Oak and enjoy a few peaceful days in the country. Soon, I’d return to Charleston. Isabeau must relent and love me again. She was my destiny.

And I hers.

Uncaged Review: 

Four separate adventures in the long life of Morgan D’Arcy. These four short stories within this book read beautifully – I was enthralled with Morgan. A sensual and well written tale of a vampire, beautiful and sophisticated as much as he is brutal and deadly. From wanting to be mortal again, just to be able to love and walk in the sun – Morgan’s urges and strong desires and even in these stories, you get a good feel for the characters and the world that is built.

From the vampire wishing for his mortality and taking crazy chances in Devil’s Waltz, to the enchanting Sunrise, Sunset – this collection has me wanting to know more about Morgan, a vampire that is both one to love…and one to fear, the way vampires should be. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – A Wallflower’s Wicked Wager by Collette Cameron

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Wallflower’s Wicked Wager
Collette Cameron
Historical Romance/Regency

He loved her beyond anything and everything—precisely why he couldn’t ever marry her.

A wounded hero.
Love—sentimental drivel for insipid, weak, feckless fools.
Since an explosion ravaged Captain Morgan Le Draco’s face and cost him his commission in the Royal Dragoons, he’s fortified himself behind an impenetrable rampart of cynicism and distrust. Now destitute and shunned by the very society that once lauded his heroics, he’s put aside all thoughts of marrying and having a family. Until he risks his life to save a drowning woman. At once, Morgan knows Shona’s the balm for his tortured soul, but as a wealthy, titled noblewoman, she’s too far above his humble station and can never be his.

An intrepid wallflower.
Love—a treasured gift reserved for those beautiful of form and face.

Scorned and ridiculed most of her adult life, Shona, Lady Atterberry believes she’s utterly undesirable and is reconciled to spinsterhood. She hides her spirited temperament beneath a veneer of gauche shyness, until a strapping, scarred stranger saves her life, and she can’t deny her immediate, powerful, and sensual attraction to him. Despite how ill-suited they are and innuendos that Captain Le Draco is a fortune-hunter, she cannot escape her growing fascination.

Two damaged souls searching for love.
Others are determined to keep them apart, and Shona is goaded into placing a wicked wager. One that sets her upon a ruinous path and alienates the only man who might have ever loved her. Is true love enough to put their pasts behind them, to learn to trust, and heal their wounded hearts?

Warning: This book contains one devilish, seemingly irredeemable rogue, an on-the-shelf wallflower who dabbles in wicked wagers, an unexpected and most enticing swim in a lake, a villainess you’ll want to shove into said lake, and a cast of captivating secondary characters with their own tantalizing romantic tales.

Uncaged Review: Every time I review a book by Ms. Cameron, I always say it’s the best one yet from her. And it’s no different for this latest one. I read this is one sitting, I could not put it down. I had to find out how it all worked out. This time around, we have two wonderfully flawed, but honorable characters that come together over a week-long party of the ton. I was bouncing in my seat to see some characters from previous books sashay in to the fray, I’m one to never let go of characters I love, and one of my favorite things about this author, is she never lets me down.

A shy, low self-esteem woman comes into her own, and a scarred warrior gets his own self-worth back, and I fell in love with Shona and Morgan, and their story has charmed me. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Circle of Dreams by Jane S. Morrissey

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Circle of Dreams
Jane S. Morrissey
Fantasy Romance

 

Leader of an elite psychic team, Cole Courtland is a shape-shifting wolf with a deep connection to the power of the Earth. His investigation of a string of mysterious murders throws him into the dangerous world of the Quytel and leads him straight to Brianna Doherty’s door.

Uncaged Review: Cole and his team of special abilities are investigating a string of strange murders. Cole decides to go out alone to uncover some more clues, when he finds himself drawn to a young women called Brianna. A beauty who is also a little unique in her own personal way. Risking his life to protect her they both go on the run together as there’s some people after Brianna. Animal control takes over Cole and he finds himself falling for Brianna. This book has a lot of secrets you will become aware of as you find out more about a Cole and Brianna and a special army. Calling themselves The Quytel, don’t expect to find out everything as this is only book one. But it holds its own well and is full of action and danger. You will come to care for Brianna and Cole as you find out more of their pasts. I think you are in for a thrill of a read with this book. Reviewed by Jennifer

4 Stars

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