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Uncaged Review – Jockeying for You by Stacy Hoff

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Jockeying for You
Stacy Hoff
Contemporary Romance

Jake Carter is on a mission—to prove his family wrong. He may have bought a troubled horse, but he’s hired Ryder Hannon, a “horse whisperer,” to get his horse back on track. She’s more than just a trainer to him, she’s the woman he’s been looking for.

Ryder Hannon, a thoroughbred horse trainer, has a big problem—fighting her fear of racing again. Her emotional scars run deeper than her physical ones. But her romantic feelings toward handsome, uber-rich, stable owner Jake Carter is a bigger problem. Is Jake truly in love with her or is he using her to get back at his smug family?

When Jake’s jockey gets injured, he wants Ryder to race. He knows deep down she wants to live up to her family’s legacy. So why does she keep fighting him—and her destiny?


Uncaged Review: Being a horse owner all my life, this book was a nice read for me. Set in the Thoroughbred racing world, Ryder is a trainer that uses unconventional methods that work wonders for horses. Jake is an owner looking for help with his “untrainable” horse, Handsome Dancer. But Ryder’s true passion is being a jockey. Her first and only time out, she was thrown and injured badly, but after Handsome’s jockey was injured, will it be up to Ryder to ride him to victory?

The plotline is a bit predictable, and the instant love between Ryder and Jake was a bit unrealistic for my tastes, with the only real obstacles in their relationship swept over pretty quickly. The author does a nice job with the horse racing background, well enough that even people without a horse background should have no difficulty understanding and enjoying. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Control by R.M. Gauthier

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To read an interview with R.M. Gauthier, please see the Uncaged Book Reviews, March 2017 edition.

Control
R.M. Gauthier
Suspense/Thriller

When Alexandria married David Shaw, she thought she had everything she always wanted. Five years later, as David climbed the corporate ladder, Alexandria felt left behind. Sitting on the board of several charities was no longer enough for her. Looking to her best friend Haley Rose for advice, she stumbles upon Haley’s secret lifestyle. When Alexandria goes to an exclusive club with Haley one night, meeting one man will turn her life on its axis.
Landon Miller is the owner of the exclusive club. He is a self-made millionaire who has guided his company, Miller Holdings, to the top of the Fortune Five Hundred by the age of 30. At 35, he has made a lifestyle choice with no plans of changing his ways, but what is hidden beneath his expensive suit remains a mystery to everyone who knows him.
When Alexandria and Landon’s eyes first meet the draw to one another is overwhelming, but with Landon’s mixed signals and Alexandria’s inexperience, getting to know one another becomes that much more difficult.
Centered within Landon’s exclusive club, Alexandria is pulled into a world of danger and a web of deceit. After one man turns up dead, and another man lurking around making his presence evident, Alexandria has no idea what to believe. When the FBI turns up on her doorstep to investigate all three men she is left being pulled into a world of crime and punishment. With a club full of domineering men, she wonders who the killer is and who is trustworthy.
With a shocking twist the end that will reveal nothing is what it seems leaving Alexandria back at square one.


Uncaged Review: 

This is marketed at a psychological thriller, BDSM, and erotic. It’s not really any of those things, and it is. It does have a great deal of mystery, and some BDSM, but the erotic is nothing more than any sex in a romance these days. And it’s infrequent. I’ll start by saying, that normally I am not a huge fan of BDSM, but the respectful way it’s portrayed here, is mesmerizing. Lexi, who is married to a lawyer who seems to be more married to his job than to her, decides on a night out with her best friend Haley. Haley talks her into going to an exclusive club, but Lexi must obey everything that Haley says and go by the rules. Lexi, trusting her BFF, goes along with it, and when they enter the club, she finds she’s in an exclusive BDSM club, with demonstrations and even playrooms. But for some reason, Lexi catches the eye of Landon, the elusive owner of the club.

I’m not giving away anything more, but the author does a fantastic job with this story, and I had a hard time putting this one down, and this is not my go-to type of story – so that’s saying a lot. I stopped at 4 stars on this one, and I would have easily given it a full 5 star rating, except for the cliffhanger ending, which sucked the life right out of me. Will I read the next installment? You bet. I don’t mind a sedge way into the next installment, but I’m not a fan of books that demand you read the next one to complete the story arc. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Savage to Savvy by Kate Rigby

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Savage to Savvy
Kate Rigby
Psychological Thriller

Psychology graduate, Heidi Harper is appointed to work with Professor Mala, pioneer of a new project to rehabilitate dog-reared feral child, Nicki. Heidi is soon asking questions and her mission takes on sinister overtones. As the truth outs, the lives of all concerned begin to unravel. Savage To Savvy is a psychological novel.


Uncaged Review: They call her the devil’s corpse child, Nikki for short. She had been found living in the wild near a derelict barn with a pack of dogs. Heidi Harper who mainly just scraped by with her psychology degree has been asked by the professor to help out on a new project, involving the rehabilitation of children with multiple deficits. Heidi fits the bill nicely and we get the feeling in the story that things aren’t as they seem and that the doctors are using Nikki as some sort of experiment that will lead to a major breakthrough in the social living of today’s children. Some parts of the story are odd as you learn of Nikki’s sexual encounter with one of the other girls living at the hotel. If you dismiss this from the actual story, it turns out to be a rather interesting read. There’s also a good background story of some of the characters and the story fits nicely, like a jigsaw – maybe a pack of dogs, no pun intended. Some major plot secrets are revealed halfway through the book and its quite fun to see the write use the actual title of the book in the book.

I would highly recommend this book as even the storyline leaves you saying wow. Reviewed by Jennifer

4 Stars

 

 

Uncaged Review – For Her Sister by Lara Sleath

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A Top Read for March

For Her Sister
Lara Sleath
Young Adult/Thriller

Eighteen-year-old Bresha blames herself for her younger sister’s death. She knew that Arlene was gullible and fragile. Yet she still let her tone-deaf sister meet with Saul Sanderstorm, a record company mogul whose charisma is as big as his temper. When Arlene is found floating in Camden Lock canal, the police call it suicide. But Bresha knows different. She knows that sleazy Saul is somehow to blame. And so does Arlene’s ghost. Why else would she fog up mirrors and trace the letter S for Saul through the condensation on the glass? Now, Bresha has to find a way to prove that Saul’s guilty. When Bresha discovers that Saul is getting a kick out of mentally breaking singers, she wonders if this happened to Arlene. The truth has to be ugly and shocking. Because why else would Saul be prepared to do anything to conceal it? Bresha faces a choice. Risk her life to unearth the facts. Or drop the case and be forever tormented by her sister’s ghost.


Uncaged Review: Bresha always look after her sister Arlene as their parents are always traveling for work. Nannies are always getting fired. So it comes as no surprise that Arlene would look to Bresha her big sister. As her go to person one little lie that Bresha tells Arlene to save her from a lot of hurt and looking foolish. Leads to deadly problems and tragedy and finds Bresha hatching a plan of vengeance.

I found this well written and the story quite interesting and Lara Sleath describes London life as a gritty place to live. A storyline set in a modern world still relevant in today’s lifestyle. The book leaves us with a clear message that people are never as nice as they seem.

A young adult psychological thriller with a creepy horror twist. I can see good things for this writer.
Reviewed by Jennifer

Uncaged Review: Ink Stains 3 – Various Authors, Horror Shorts

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Ink Stains, Vol. 3
Various
Horror Shorts

The past has a horrible habit of haunting us all.

Sometimes it surfaces in regret and a lifetime of what ifs. Sometimes, it is horrors made real in other-worldly beings hell-bent on revenge for wrong-doings.

Join authors Diane Arrelle, Marc E. Fitch, Andrea Hansell, Ann Liska, Derek Muk, Olga Munroe, Clint Orr, Terry Sanville, Kristi Petersen Schoonover, and K.W. Taylor as they explore the darkest deeds that keep us up at night, the past that cannot be undone, and the heavy chains these ghosts trap us in. This collection of literary tales gives life to ghosts, both real and imaginary, and all the sins of the past that haunt us in the present.

From grieving, betrayed lovers to guilt-born demons, those that haunt the characters in these stories crafted by our authors bring pain, heartache, stunning revelations, and a stark reminder that the past will never die.


Uncaged Review: This is a collection of different stories by authors. Some of you may know others may not. One of these stories stayed with me a long time. It is one I’d like to share with you it’s called Misplaced by Diane Arrelle.

Annemarie spent half of her life living in a institution after she hears of her mother death. She begins to move on with her life and is trying to live a quiet life. Until she gets a phone call out of the blue from a young girl claiming to be her daughter. She goes to stay in a hotel all arranged by her daughter who’s desperate to meet her. But Annemarie doesn’t have her mother around anymore to try and help her claim her missing memories anymore. When Annemarie checks into the hotel room. She realizes it isn’t as peaceful and quiet as she hopes. It’s filled with disturbing visions of blood a baby who won’t stop crying. Annemarie believes she’s slowly losing her mind once again.

This one story has loads of twists and turns and is worth buying. To read this one story itself. The others have a few moments you won’t see coming. Read with your night light on sweet dreams everyone. A perfect read for horror or dark humor fans. Reviewed by Jennifer

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Reborn by Jane Ederlyn with Excerpt

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One of the featured authors in the March edition. To read an interview with this writing team, see the issue.

A Top Read for March, and a giveaway! See how to enter below!

Reborn
Jane Ederlyn
Paranormal Romance

Marie Josette d’Orgemont, cousin to Louis XVI, watched in horror as a rogue creature took her husband’s life before turning on her. A powerful vampire swept in and spared her life, but she never suspected surviving meant immortality or the price she’d have to pay to protect her surviving son.
Centuries later, in Miami, with her family on the verge of extinction, Marie is preoccupied with the continuation of her human bloodline. When she meets sexy and persistent Odin Ulfsson, his icy-blue gaze and burning touch are hard to resist. Will a forbidden romance with the Nordic werewolf be the key to her happiness, or will it set in motion a wrath that endangers not only her last human heir but her entire existence?

 

Excerpt

Marie Josette d’Orgemont maneuvered her black Bentley out of the South Beach traffic and onto the hedge-encased driveway of the Delano Hotel. Sliding in behind a glossy red Carrera, she killed the engine and turned in her seat to study her great-granddaughter, eight generations removed. “Are you ready?”
Abby nodded, but didn’t move. “I have something to tell you.”
Marie tensed. She knew of course. She’d known for days. But she clamped down on her emotions, so Abby didn’t read disappointment on her face.
“What is it, ma chérie?”
Abby took a deep breath and blurted, “I’m not pregnant.”
“I know.”
“Yes, of course you do.” With her confession in the open, Abby’s shoulders sagged.
Marie leaned over the gearshift and cupped her chin. “You are tired. You should be home with your books and not out with me all evening.”
“But you miss me when you go out alone.”
Abby was so protective you’d think she was the vampire and not the other way around. Marie smiled and brushed a light kiss on her forehead. “True. I always miss you. Let’s go then.”
They exited the Bentley and, after tipping the valet, ascended short steps past the porch with its beckoning white sofa. Indoors, the lobby stretched from end to end, dotted with massive white columns, flickering lights, and floor-to-ceiling curtains that reminded Marie of Versailles.
The white gossamer wisps billowed like ghosts as she glided past. She closed her eyes, giving in to the pull of her childhood home, of being reprimanded for chasing her cousin Louis down empty hallways. Princesses needed to appear as if their feet never touched the ground, as if they floated rather than walked. And they never, ever, ran. That was a long time ago.
Her hand went to the jeweled, cross pendant hanging between her breasts. It had been her mother’s and against her chest, it felt like the heartbeat she didn’t have.


Uncaged Review:

The authors bring us the now classic tale of the forbidden love between werewolves and vampires in Reborn. The cast of characters are likable, and despicable (where they should be) and even though the story arc of the pack being against Odin’s love for a vampire is not all that original, the way the author brings the entire story together is.

Marie is a centuries old vampire, French and proper – and Abigail is her granddaughter, many generations removed and the last of her family line. Marie hopes that Abby will find love and happiness enough to continue the family line. Living in Florida is probably not the best place to live if you have sun issues, and one night Marie meets Odin. Odin is the son of the alpha, and also an alpha himself, although he’s never challenged his father for the role as head of the pack. His father has also “arranged” a marriage for Odin for strategic reasons for the pack, but Odin rebels and isn’t going for it.

The chemistry between Marie and Odin leaps off the page, and the fun banter between Odin and Abby will keep you smiling. Toss in Egon, and a few pack members that are loyal to Odin and the humor between them all is fun. When Odin’s father decides it’s time to take action and bring Odin back to his “responsibilities,” the book really gets moving. Although there were a few very predictable scenerios running, the authors do have a few surprises up their sleeves. My only issue with the book, was the mild cliffhanger that it ended on. The book ended in a strange spot – obviously setting up for book two, which I will be putting on my TBR pile. Reviewed by Cyrene

 


Uncaged Review – Fearless Destiny by Annette Bower

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Fearless Destiny
Annette Bower
Contemporary Romance

Tiffany George, riding high on her commission as a fresco artist, returns home for some deserved rest and relaxation.

The drive proves uneventful until she rescues Will Cleaver on the side of a highway. While savoring memories of a kiss and a well-formed butt, her future goals do not include a romance.

Once in town, she discovers the hopes and dreams of her community hinge on the development of a new resource mine and Will’s designed neighborhood. Her parents demand she give up art and resume her working partner role in the family business.

Tiffany finds herself pulled by her community roots and stretched by her newly discovered independence.

Will knows about taking charge of destiny. He models the courage she uses to become the woman she needs to be.


Uncaged Review: Tiffany is an artist, who escaped her small home town life in Apex and in her family’s plumbing business to study art. Finally hitting her stride with a large contract job. With her week off, she decides to go home for a week off before she begins the job. Outside of town, she finds a stranded motorist, and stops to help, finding the man is disabled and with the pain in his legs, he can’t get out of the car. Tiffany helps him out, and waits until the tow-truck shows before heading home. When she gets home, her father is very ill, and there is a water break in town – so Tiffany is thrust back into the family business, and when her father is hospitalized, she’s a bit stuck.

The man she helped back on the road, is Will. A man that designs community development for a large company, and Apex is the target. With a potash mine close by, bringing life back to the small town should be a win win for all involved, but it has its challenges.

This is a sweet love story, and a story with a powerful message, that if you don’t give up, you can find a way to accomplish anything. Will and Tiffany’s story is filled with humor and a nice plot. It’s not a fast paced story, but it’s an easy read that you can feel good about with interesting characters that you can rally behind. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review: On a Gamble by Rose Lange with Excerpt!

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To read an interview with Rose Lange, please see the February Issue of Uncaged Book Reviews.

 

On a Gamble
Rose Lange
Contemporary Romance

She’s at the end of her rope . . .

Charlie Anderson needs a farm hand. The moment the sexy, mysterious stranger sets foot on her grandparents’ land, inquiring about a job opening, he rattles her senses, her cage, and her equilibrium, the likes of which she’s never experienced before. She never anticipated her scandalous thoughts getting in the way. She’s terrified, but desire trumps fear, and she gives in to a sinful temptation.

He has a hidden agenda . . .

Alex McCray has a plan. A plan having nothing to do with romance. His discovery, that “Charlie” is a voluptuous, beautiful woman, leaves him shaken, and he needs to proceed with extreme caution. Working next to her, everyday, stirs up a raw hunger he desperately tries to ignore. And he should, since he has an ulterior motive. Alex should also resist her intoxicating sensuality, but he can’t, because he cannot get enough.

Excerpt

She held the check out to him, but he hesitated, and looked as if it might bite him.
“I don’t need it after all, you keep it.”
She frowned, taken aback. “What do you mean? You’ve worked hard for this. You’ve earned it.”
Ignoring him, she stepped closer, and placed it into his front shirt pocket.
“Charlie, really, it’s okay. I don’t need it.”
She scoffed, and turned away. As she gathered her tools, out of the corner of her eye, she saw him walk toward her, holding out the check.
“I don’t want this. Take it back, please.”
“And I told you, it’s yours. What the heck is your problem?”
“I don’t need it,” he shot back.
As this conversation grew more ridiculous by the minute, she collected her thoughts before she spoke. “Who would turn away a hard earned paycheck?”
She noted the way his jaw clenched and unclenched. Fists balled at his side, she sensed his anger, irritation, or both. Fine, let him be mad because this was just plain stupid, fighting over a check that rightfully belonged to him.
Charlie held her breath as he stepped closer, invading her personal space. A welcome one, she looked up into his handsome face, and didn’t move, or try to push him away. Never breaking the gaze, he held the check up, and tore it to pieces, sending them flying like confetti all over the barnyard floor. “And I told you, I didn’t want the damned check.” Authority and passion laced his voice.
He stepped even closer, until they were blessedly nose-to-nose and mouth-to-mouth. She swallowed the huge lump in her throat as his gaze burned into hers. Slowly, gently, he cradled her face within his palms of his hands, eyes lowered to her mouth. Her lips parted in anticipation, and hazy heat mixed with charged electricity.
The point of no return had arrived. And damn it, she wanted this.
An eternity passed before he finally spoke. “Charlie, may I kiss you?”
Staring brazenly at his lips, already envisioning how they’d feel against hers, she murmured, “Yes. Please.”


Uncaged Review: 

Sometimes all you need from a book is a nice romance that can take you out of your real life for a few hours. And Rose Lange delivers that with this book. Charlie lost her parents when she was very young, and was raised by her grandparents. When her grandparents needed help on the farm, Charlie moved back home. When the time comes to hire a helper on the farm, gorgeous Alex shows up and applies for the position. Charlie is immediately attracted to him – even though she’s been burned in the past. But Alex has his own mission, his father’s company wants to buy the land and dismantle the farm, and his assignment is to get on the inside of the owners and the land to report back to his father. But that was before Alex started to fall for Charlie…

This is a character and dialog driven story. There is not a lot of descriptive paragraphs in the book, but it still works. The author gives you a look at both Charlie and Alex’s feelings, instead of leaving you guessing on one or the other. The book isn’t real long, so it keeps a good pace and doesn’t drag out. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Dating Down by Alex Dunn

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Dating Down
Alex Dunn
Young Adult/Contemporary

Tammy’s got everything: wealth, designer clothes, store cards with unlimited credit, and Ralph Forrester, a drop-dead-gorgeous first-year law student who is going to take her to the end-of-term dance.

There’s only one problem: Ralph Forrester doesn’t exist. He’s only alive in the pages of the Trudy Kensington novels, and unable to face being humiliated in front of the girls she longs to be like, Tammy runs away and headfirst into trouble.

Gary’s life is spiralling out of control after Grace dies. On a mission to prove he’s nothing like his physically abusive father, he comes to Tammy’s rescue and agrees to be Ralph for just one night.

But the lie that brought them together threatens to tear them apart forever when Tammy decides to continue the deceit, and without realising it, she puts Gary’s life at risk. Determined to make things right, she sets about trying to rebuild Gary’s broken home. But has she done enough to convince him he still has a family worth living for?


Uncaged Review: This is a young adult romance story. Meet Tammy who is unhappy in life with her mother, her weight and her lack of friends. Tammy loves to read romance books and makes up one of the lead male characters as her date to the prom. Knowing her date is made up to impress a group of girls she is at a loss as what to do next. Until a stranger called Gary comes along at the right time and love blossoms.

I haven’t read any of this authors books before. This is the first now I’m hooked on this author’s books. What made this book so good to read is the loveable characters and the storyline was very believable. I highly recommend you read this book. You won’t be disappointed. Reviewed by Jennifer

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Risking the Vine by Gemma Brocato

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Risking the Vine
Gemma Brocato
Contemporary Romance

Jacqui Bishop’s dating life is dead in the water, but her professional prospects look outstanding. Promised a management position, she embarks on a team building course at a northern California winery. Shocked when her boss promotes a less qualified rival, Jac opts to chuck her job and revive the family farm.


Uncaged Review: This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and I hope it won’t be the last. In order for Jacqui to get the promotion she wanted and worked for, she has to attend a Team Building workshop. The workshop is located at a stunning vineyard, and the author describes the setting so well, you’ll be wanting to pack your bags for a getaway. Since she is the only one from her company going, she is paired up with Luke, a very gorgeous man she had met briefly at a company party.
The romance is pretty swift, and there are a few obstacles in the way – mostly their individual careers, but overall the story is well written and the romance is sweet and sexy. I think that the romance fell into place a little too fast, but the characters are likable enough and the Team Building workshop had its moments. Romance lovers that love a good smoldering sex scene, will enjoy this one. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars