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Uncaged Review – When a Duke Desires a Lass by Collette Cameron

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

When a Duke Desires a Lass
Collette Cameron
Historical Regency

The only thing these opposites have in common is a desire to not marry…

Tobias Forsyth, Duke of Heatherston, owes his niece a proper Come Out. But as a confirmed bachelor, he has no idea how to fulfill his commitment. Fortunately, to his astonishment and intense pleasure, the gorgeous widow he’s admired from afar for so long is willing to help. Now, if only he could convince the reluctant object of his affection to give him a chance…

Emily Grenville is bored. But that doesn’t mean she ever intends to marry again. Not with the ugly secret her husband saddled her with before his death. So, she’ll have to continue rebuffing the advances of every interested man—even the ruggedly handsome Scot who has somehow managed to occupy her every waking thought…

It’s not long before their time spent in forced proximity leads to much deeper feelings and desires. But when Emily’s secret is divulged, can the fragile romance she’s only started to enjoy with Tobias survive?

Uncaged Review: A nice sweet romance and a great addition to this series and it’s a great change as our main characters are a bit older and past the “coming out” stage. Tobias has kept himself single, putting it off as long as possible. But after taking guardianship over his orphaned niece, Avery, he had promised that he would make sure Avery got a proper coming out and season when she came of age. Unfortunately, Avery is a bit wild and Tobias is a bit clueless on how to proceed.

Emily is a widow, but with a past that could ruin her and her family, a secret she holds close. A chance run in with Tobias and his niece during a morning walk, has her offering to help get Avery ready. With her sister a Duchess, and recently wed, Emily sees it as a chance to be useful. Tobias accepts her help. As they spend more time together, you see the walls around Emily’s heart begin to crack.

This is a sweet romance that I read in one sitting, and was a proper feel good story that had a great pace, one I have grown to expect with this author. This is the 15th book in the this series, but each can easily be read as standalones. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Lost Kingdom by L.A. McGinnis

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Lost Kingdom
L.A. McGinnis
Paranormal Romance

I might be a queen,

but this isn’t a fairytale.

A ruthless king dragged me into the vampire world kicking and screaming, intending to kill me, like he had so many before. Then I took everything away from him.

His throne is mine.

His kingdom is mine.

I wear the crown of the vampire queen, and to some, it seems all my dreams came true. But victory came at a terrible cost. My mate is far beyond my reach, and trying to save him would risk a bloody battle and the lives too many innocents.

But when an ancient evil rises, the only way to survive is with Deston by my side, which means I’ll fight to get him back.

If war is coming, it might as well be on my terms.

Uncaged Review: Everything is coming at Seraphina from all sides, from the threat of losing the palace to fighting to get Deston back. Many secrets are revealed in this installment, and many I never saw coming. The main series arc continues to run, but this does not really end on a cliffhanger and all 4 books in the series is out now.

There are some major twists in this book that will put a whole new slant on the series, and it was quite the shock at the end. There are some heavy sex scenes, so if that’s not your cup of tea, this is a warning. It’s hard to describe the book without giving too much away, but this is a good vampire series that stands out in the genre and for readers that enjoy the vampires, this series is a must read. I would recommend that readers start at the beginning, as they don’t read that well as standalones. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Wrapped up in You by Claire Marti

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Wrapped Up in You
Claire Marti
Holiday Contemporary Romance

When cocky financial genius Rafael Cruz is forced to partner with his snarky office rival
Phoebe Hollingsworth to land a prestigious new client, nothing goes as planned.

At work, they ignore each other, but at the Jingle Ball, their unexpected chemistry changes the game.

Will their secret holiday hook-up ruin the deal or is it the start of a deeper connection?

One click this enemies to lovers office rivals holiday romance today!

Uncaged Review: This holiday novella is a quick read easily accomplished in one sitting. The chemistry between the main characters is sizzling, and the book really takes off at the Jingle Ball. As office rivals, Phoebe and Rafael are forced to work together to secure a new client, the sparks will fly. This is a fun, sexy read for the holiday season with a lot of fun banter.

I have not read any of the rest of this series, and I had no problems so this reads well as a standalone, but it does encourage me to go back and read the rest of the series. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Throwing Shade by Deborah Wilde

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Throwing Shade
Deborah Wilde
Humorous Fantasy

Middle-aged. Divorced. Hormonally imbalanced. Then she got magic.
Underestimate her. That’ll be fun.

It’s official. Miriam Feldman is killing it in the midlife crisis department. She’s mastered boredom, aced invisibility, and graduated Summa Cum Laude in smiling and playing nice in her post-divorce life.

Then her best friend gets tangled up with some vamps and goes missing. If that’s not scary enough, Miri snaps, and in a cold dark rage, unleashes a rare and powerful shadow magic.

Now, with only a mouthy golem and a grumpy-yet-sexy French wolf shifter to help her navigate this world of hidden magic, she’s in a race against time to rescue her friend and keep her loved ones safe from the skeletons in her past.

Sure, she’s caught in a spiderweb of supernatural power plays, but she’s a librarian, she’s over forty, and she’s definitely done with being sidelined in her own life.

She’s turning her invisibility into strength; they’ll never see her coming.

Uncaged Review: This is a book written as I expect from this author, having read the Nava Katz series, so I was completely prepared for the sense of humor and quite a few grinning moments in this one as well. I did not get as deeply involved with the book as quickly as I did the prior series, but by a bit after the midway point, it was beginning to be a really fun read and hard to put down. I personally like a bit more romance, but I guess it is steering that way, sort of.

Since Miri is just beginning to understand her powers, and is still learning, I’m sure that this series is going to take off in the future installments and I wished I’d started them sooner. But luck will have it, the series is complete, so I won’t have to wait between books. A lot of action, a lot of originality, and some good supporting characters, and a main character who is not in her 20s. Win win. Reviewed by Cyrene


4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Oranges for Miranda by Annette Bower

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Oranges for Miranda
Annette Bower
Contemporary Romance

Miranda Porter, an award-winning businesswoman, leaves home to transition into retirement. Always in control, this is her time to have fun without plans and responsibilities. Enter Renato Monteiro, a considerate Portuguese tour guide with secrets. Miranda isn’t looking for a long-term relationship. Could her senses be finding love in this unlikely place? Can a vacation romance survive the distance?

Renato Monteiro has decisions to make. Stay in his birth country where his female relatives want him to marry a young woman who can give him children. Or does he return to his second home, where he has a purpose and has built a life without children? The day Miranda and he bumped heads changes his perspective and his pursuit. Now he must decide which is most important: the family he was born into or the family he chooses.

Uncaged Review: This is a story that starts a bit slowly, the author pulls the reader in slowly and before long, it becomes a book that has the reader’s full attention without realizing when it happened. I like the idea that both of our main characters are not in their 20s, but a middle aged couple that have to navigate both a cultural difference and their families. Miranda handing over the reins of the business to her very capable adult kids and vacationing in Portugal brings more than Miranda ever hoped for.

This isn’t the first book I’ve read from this author, and she’s able to describe the places and people so well, that you feel like you’re actually there. I wouldn’t be surprised if one day someone talked about Portugal and I would know what they were talking about! I have a habit of looking at images from different countries and areas described in books that I’m reading for better being able to picture it as I go along, and with this author, it was spot on. A nice, sweet romance that will warm your soul and the title is perfect, except I’m not telling. Reviewed by Cyrene


5 Stars

Uncaged Review: Unbranded by Linda Bradley

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Unbranded
Linda Bradley
Western Romance

Threatened by the unexpected, a devoted rancher refuses to compromise her ambition or her legacy.

CHLOE MCINTYRE is determined to become the co-CEO of her grandfather’s Montana ranch, but her father isn’t ready to become partners—yet.

Jaded memories of her parents’ shotgun wedding gone wrong cloud her attraction for best friend Matt Cooper when she discovers she’s pregnant—with his baby. Chloe believes raising a child isn’t in her genes, and she doesn’t expect a marriage proposal. She keeps her condition a secret to hold her position on the ranch and continue what she does best: wrangling strays and working alongside hired hands.

After her father announces his first choice for co-CEO, a wild ride jeopardizes the pregnancy, and Chloe questions life choices. Will the cowgirl grit she has inherited from her grandmother be enough to rein in her disappointment, or will she walk away from everything that could flourish into love?

Uncaged Review: This book is the start of a spinoff
series from the Montana Bound series and picks
up with Chloe now an adult and an integral part of
the ranch working as ranch hand right alongside the
wranglers. The first chapter throws a curve ball right
away when Chloe finds out she’s pregnant. Trying to
keep it a secret long enough to get the coveted role of
co-CEO to her father for the ranch.

There were a lot of times that I didn’t like Chloe
much. She was a bit overly independent and wants
a say in everything, is quite bossy and at times a bit
rude. She was very immature and stubborn, and not
always in a good way. I did see growth from her by
the end, and she finally was someone I enjoyed reading
about. As a lifetime horse owner and rider, there
was one thing that was a bit off for me, like being in
a saddle and wrapping her hand in the mane before
going faster, something that I have never done unless
riding bareback and even then very seldom. Riding a
horse is primarily moving with balance and legs.

This ended on a good note, but I can also tell it’s not
the end of Chloe’s story, and it will be fun to read
more of her journey. You can start out reading this
book without reading the previous series, but if you
want to get the full experience of these characters,
start with Maggie’s Way. Reviewed by Cyrene

4.5 Stars

Uncaged Review: Her Undercover Cowboy by Kathleen Lawless

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Her Undercover Cowboy
Kathleen Lawless
Western Romance

Mixing business and pleasure never felt so good.

As long as Montana doesn’t find out why Steele is really at her ranch, and who hired him to be there, he can make himself indispensable to the beautiful widow and her expansion plans. 

Montana’s ambitions for her property don’t include letting her new know-it-all foreman, Steele, take the reins, even though he looks mighty capable of showing her how blissful it can be to surrender control—in and out of the bedroom. 

When her investment is threatened, Montana stands to lose everything she’s worked for, leading to the truth about why Steele is really there.  

How can he convince her he’s truly on her side and that the heat between them is more than a diversion?

Uncaged Review: This western romance jumps
pretty quickly into some steamy sex scenes, and I
know that is not in the blurb, so be warned if that’s
not your thing.

Montana is ambitious, in that she wants to get her
Black Creek Resort and Spa to be up and running
alongside the Black Creek Ranch. Montana’s ex
mother-in-law fires the latest ranch manager, and
hires Steele Hardt, unknown to Montana, he is working
undercover for the investors as Montana is already
over budget on her extravagant spa. But the
two’s chemistry is off the charts and they will have to
navigate all the hidden truths to make anything work
between them and get the resort up and running.

I thought this was a good read, with enough intrigue
to keep it moving along and I definitely would enjoy
more from this author. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review: Chocolate Raspberry Magic by Tena Stetler

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Chocolate Raspberry Magic
Tena Stetler
Fantasy Short Romance

Prim and proper Trinity Shilo is the assistant manager for Salem’s Wildlife Sanctuary. She hasn’t had much luck in the boyfriend department, but the new employee Paul is different. Deep and brooding she sees something special hidden below the surface. Besides she has secrets of her own. Paul Thorp is a wounded Special Forces veteran now working in security and computer support. He’s fought hard to keep his demons in check and for the first time feels he is ready for a real relationship. When a fire breaks out at Puffin Cove Rescue they are called in to help with the recovery and ice cream social fundraiser. Sometimes things are not what they seem, and neither are people. When magic is unleashed will what they learn bring them closer together or push them apart?

Uncaged Review: Very seldom do I find a shorter
novella style story to be such a complete and fun
story. This story centers around the animal rescue
of Puffin Cove where they reach out after a disastrous
fire breaks out and Salem and Lobster Cove
answer the call to help. After securing the animals
and assessing the damage, the ladies whom we
have met in previous books, Hidden Gypsy Magic
and A Witch’s Journey, decide that a fundraiser
is due. And if animal rescue isn’t enough, there
is a wonderful romance brewing between Trinity
and Paul. Paul is a veteran, who has episodes of
PTSD, but is making great progress at the Salem
Rescue. When they are all called out to help, they
find a way to pick up the pieces, and help out
while finding their love for each other.

Personally, I am a volunteer member of a rescue,
and when you toss in the magic of the cabin, and
the people with the animals, with a nice love
story, I’m all in. The magic in this book is subtle
and although not the focus and overbearing, but
nicely tied in to make it believable and it was fun
to come back to the characters (and the cabin)
from previous books. It felt like a warm familiar
blanket on a cold day. And let’s not forget Misfit,
Ashes and Licorice. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review: A Duke for Miss Townbridge by Sophie Barnes

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

A Duke for Miss Townbridge
Sophie Barnes
Historical Romance

She threatens to conquer his heart…

When Matthew Donovan, Duke of Brunswick, proposes to Sarah Townsbridge, she’s shocked. After all, she’s never met him before. One thing is clear though – he obviously needs help. So after turning him down, she decides to get to know him better, and finds out she’s right. But fixing a broken man is not the same as adopting a puppy. Least of all when the man in question has no desire to be saved.

Matthew has his mind set on Sarah. Kind and energetic, she’ll make an excellent mother. Best of all, her reclusiveness is sure to make her accept the sort of marriage he has in mind – one where they live apart. The only problem is, to convince her, they must spend time together. And the more they do, the more he risks falling prey to the one emotion he knows he must avoid at all cost: love.

Uncaged Review: A very nicely written romance
with Sarah and Matthew. I liked Sarah a lot more
than Matthew, but I think I would have understood
Matthew better had I more of his background and
the reasons that made him who he was. Matthew
is intent on never falling in love, and is not all that
likable in the majority of the book. I did come to
like him, but I never loved him.

This story is a nice original in the market of historical
romances. This was a bit of fun to watch these
two battle their way to their HEA, but they manage
to get there, even with a few fun moments. I would
have liked to see the character of Matthew flushed
out a bit more, but overall, this was a nice romance
and I look forward to more. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review: Seduced by a Prince by Tanya Anne Crosby

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Seduced by a Prince
Tanya Anne Crosby
Historical Romance

Merrick Welbourne never anticipated discovering a long-lost twin—particularly one who’d rob him and leave him for dead on the road. Now living his brother’s aristocratic life, he has new trials, tribulations… and temptations, not the least being Chloe Simon, a woman of rare mettle, proud heart, and unprecedented beauty. But she’s no easy mark for a perceived highwayman.

Chloe Simon knew Lord Lindale was definitely not himself. After encountering the masked highwayman Hawk left for dead, he seemed… somehow different. Maybe more approachable? Infinitely more… desirable. Entirely too irresistible. In a stolen moment of startling intimacy, he makes her feel like titled nobility. But she was only ever a doctor’s daughter, with every reason to steer clear of his very kissable lips.

Uncaged Review: This is the first book I’ve read
from this author (how is that possible?) and I’m sure
it won’t be the last. This is a charming story that reminded
me a bit of the Man in the Iron Mask, where
twin brothers are separated as infants, not for the
same reasons, but each not knowing that they have a
brother. The opening scene will give you a good look
into how Fiona had to choose, but not the why. In the
next chapter, the boys are now men and it goes from
there. This is the story of one of the twins, Merrick.
Ian’s book is the second in the series.

There is a danger, romance, and some heartwarming
moments and there is a few heated sex scenes. But
this is story of love and forgiveness and truly finding
out who your true self is. Nicely written and looking
forward to more by this author. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

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