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Uncaged Review – Silver Hills Christmas Miracle by Ava Gray

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Silver Hills Christmas Miracle
Ava Gray
Contemporary Romance

She’s the Mayor’s daughter.
And I’m about to give her more than just protection!

I’m an ex-soldier with a job to do.
Romance was never part of the mission.
Until that snowy Silver Hills night,
When I fell for her rebellious spirit and hidden fire.
It was supposed to be strictly professional,
Now every day is a struggle to keep my hands off her.
She’s as irresistible as ever but keeping secrets.
I sense she’s hiding something big.

Looks like this Christmas, we’re both in for a miracle!

Uncaged Review: Set in a small town, Kitty is the mayor’s daughter and is protesting against a huge highway expansion that will cut down the forests and ruin the business for the people in the town, but the mayor won’t listen and Kitty will go to some hard length’s to help the protesters. Rook, is an ex-military man who is hired by the mayor to be Kitty’s bodyguard. The attraction between Kitty and Rook is undeniable, and it doesn’t take that for them to realize it. This is a good hot romance with danger with a few good twists. The small town setting is full of characters that add a nice dimension.

Set near Christmas and a Christmas Yuletide party this is a good read, although I thought a bit of it dragged on a bit too long, but I would definitely read another by this author. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Knight of Havoc by Sherry Ewing

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Knight of Havoc
Sherry Ewing
Medieval Romance

One lone knight. One strongminded maiden. When duty wars with love at first sight, which will win?

Long ago, Reynard Norwood loved deeply, but the lady died, and he vowed never to love again. On a mission for the Empress Matilda, he finds a lady worthy of love. She is barely surviving. How can he leave her? But how can he break his vow to the dead? Torn between loyalty to a ghost and following his heart, he must still make certain that the living lady is safe and secure.

The life of Lady Elysande Thorburn of Blackmore has been in turmoil since King Stephen and his men laid siege to her home. With few resources, she must care for an ailing grandfather and meet her responsibilities to those loyal to the household. Her options for survival are running out. One of Empress Matilda’s knights arrives at her weakest moment. He’s determined she must leave with him, but she’s just as determined to stay.

Nothing about their relationship is simple, least of all the attraction each has for the other. As havoc and conflicting demands surround them, is love even possible?

Uncaged Review: This book is the third installment of the series. Sir Reynard Norwood’s main goal is to serve the Empress Matilda because his one true love, Lady Joanna, is dead. Still, on the days and nights when there is nothing to do, Reynard’s feelings of despair drive him to dwell on her. When Reynard comes upon Blackmore and the beauteous Lady Elysande Thorburn, she attempts to be the best host despite not having anything to eat herself. Reynard knows Elysande doesn’t have much, and his plan is to take her to the Empress because maybe she might be able to help her. Of course, convincing Elysande to accompany him isn’t going to be an easy feat either. Finally, Reynard is able to talk Elysande into going, but the journey is fraught with danger. Reynard has even fallen for Elysande, but the Empress decides to make it into a tournament. Reynard realizes that even though this is supposed to be a game, he is playing to win Elysande’s hand or die trying.

This historical romance book is definitely a roller coaster of action and adventure from beginning to end! It’s amazing that each successive story is filled with so much that it really is a complete page turner and very hard to put down. Sure, at times I was screaming in frustration because I thought the tale should have just ended after both the hero and heroine finally get together, but, no, there are more plot twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat in wide-eyed anticipation. Reynard almost seems to heal at an extremely fast rate too. While Elysande’s attachment to him is alarmingly quick. It does work and carries the book along wonderfully! I think for me those unexpected curves caused a tiny bit of dragging, yet it kept my attention throughout and the villain was just awful, but isn’t that the point? I think it was more my issue than anything else. I do look forward to Richard’s story next and hope the rest of the knights, including Constantine, get a novel too. Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – How to Love a Dangerous Rogue by Scarlett Scott

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

How to Love a Dangerous Rogue
Scarlett Scott
Gilded Age Historical

Lady Tansy Francis has been a loyal lady-in-waiting for most of her life. In the eyes of the ton, she has come to London for the formal betrothal announcement of the princess who is like a sister to her. But secretly, Tansy has become caught up in the plans for a revolution in her homeland. She finds herself with no choice but to join forces with the last person she should ever trust, a coldhearted man who is feared by many: the king to whom the princess is about to announce her betrothal.

King Maximilian of Varros has a reputation that precedes him as a brutal, callous ruler who has stopped at nothing to claim his throne. After many long years of war, he has forged peace in his kingdom. But that peace is being threatened, and he’ll burn everything and everyone to the ground to save it. Only a few obstacles are standing in his path, and one of them happens to be a fearless lady-in-waiting he can’t stop wanting.

Tansy’s allegiance is to the princess, but King Maximilian has no qualms about seizing whatever he desires, consequences be damned. With the fires of revolution lit and chaos swirling around them, their passion is forbidden and yet impossible to resist. Trapped between old loyalties and new longings, Tansy has to make the most difficult choice of all—risk her heart for a dangerous rogue…or watch as he marries her best friend.

Uncaged Review: Princess Anastasia is betrothed to a King of Varros, a match her horrible uncle has made for an alliance with the country and is sent to London to meet up with her match, taking her lady-in-waiting, Tansy, with her. But the uncle is crude, and has exiled the true heir to the throne, the princess’s brother, who has not been found, so Princess Anastasia sneaks out through a window, and is working to find her brother to overthrow her uncle from the throne. During this time, King Maximilian tries to visit with the Princess, but only is able to see Tansy, who is covering for the princess. Feelings develop between the two in the times they spend together, even though Tansy knows he’s betrothed to the princess.

A lot of hot romance, intrique, action and danger, and forbidden passion is within the pages of this story. I was intrigued from the start and even though Max is a bit too alpha at times, I still loved all the characters, especially Nando, who is the subject of book 2 of this series and already on my kindle. Reviewed by Cyrene

4.5 Stars

Uncaged Review – The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Rest Falls Away
Colleen Gleason
Historical Paranormal

Beneath the glitter of dazzling 19th century London Society lurks a bloodthirsty evil…
Just as Lady Victoria Gardella is preparing for her debut into London Society, she learns the shocking and impossible truth about her family legacy: she is one of the very few who has the power–and responsibility–to hunt and slay the evil vampires that infest the city.

With infinite questions (where will she hide her stake? how will she know a vampire when she encounters one? how will she sneak out at night?), Victoria agrees to shoulder the responsibility and carry the stake–despite the societal restrictions and expectations of her as a female.

But as she moves between the crush of ballrooms and dangerous moonlit streets, juggling the expectations of her mother and the requirements of her obligations, Victoria’s heart is torn between London’s most eligible bachelor, the Marquess of Rockley, and her dark, dangerous duty.

And when she comes face-to-face with the most powerful vampire in history, Victoria must ultimately make a choice between duty and love.

Uncaged Review: The author has deftly combined the historical London society with the paranormal world of vampires and the people that hunt them. In this book, the vampires are not romanticized, they are truly creatures that kill and are unknown to most of society. There are a few people that are either born into, or become Venators, the ones that are gifted with special abilities, such as strength, speed and being able to find the vampires. Victoria was born a Venator, as a legacy of her family. Even though she’s making her debut in Society, she is trained and learns to be a Venator from her aged aunt and another Venator, named Max – who although was not born into the legacy, earned his way to being a Venator. Along the way, Victoria is courted by a Marquess, and even though she’s warned about being in a marriage when the spouse cannot know about her activities is not a good idea, she falls in love with Phillip, and believes she can do both.

This has a lot of intrigue, and action along with a bit of heartbreak and angst – and Victoria will come to realize her worth and her strengths. Being part of the vampire slayer world and part of Society will have it’s advantages and disadvantages, and eventually, Victoria will need to choose. A very good start to a nice original historical.
Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Marked by Ash by Cadence Connor

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Marked by Ash
Cadence Connor
Romantic Fantasy

A princess destined for a loveless marriage. A disgraced royal soldier. A dangerous journey they must risk together.

All Cord wants is to complete this final punishment so his position in the royal army can be reinstated. An impossible task when the princess he’s escorting is determined to undermine his every move. His mission changes when magic wielders ambush them in the forest, dumping him and the princess in the middle of dangerous enemy territory.

Both blame the other for their current predicament, yet they must find a way to work together to survive strange beasts, ruthless cutthroats, and mysterious wielders determined to hunt them down. As they venture further into enemy lands, it becomes clear that Cord is not the only one keeping deadly secrets and they must learn to trust each other to survive. Their enemies are relentless but so is his resolve to clear his name, no matter the deadly cost.

Marked by Ash is the first book in the Ruin of Ash fantasy series, perfect for lovers of fast-paced romantasy with a twist.

Uncaged Review: In this story, we jump from reading about two different scenarios and 2 sets of characters. There are two different factions in this world that are at war, Velotians and Muratians. Isla is a Velotian princess being escorted to a marriage that will bring an strong alliance to her kingdom. A marriage she has no say in. A soldier is assigned to her to be her guard, a disgraced guard given trying to get his honor back. The second part of the story is about Mira in the Muratian mines, digging for firestone, a mineral that helps block the powers of the wielders.

It took me forever to get into this book. The book did do better at the halfway point, and really picked up at the end, but it was the mind-blowing ending that saved the whole thing. This was a twist I never saw coming, and even though I thought these two different scenarios would merge at some point, I never expected what happened. So many answers, but so many new questions. Unfortunately, the next book doesn’t come out for a year, so the minor cliffhanger will not get answered for a while. Reviewed by Cyrene


4 Stars

Uncaged Review – House of Fire and Magic by Sherrilyn Kenyon

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

House of Fire and Magic
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Fantasy

TAKE BACK YOUR KINGDOM

Unicorns and Dragons never mix. For centuries, they’ve been bitter enemies and their kingdoms at war. But desperate times call for desperate measures. Tanis’s beloved older brother and heir to their throne has been slain by a human who continues to flaunt her brother’s death.

To restore her family’s honor, she’s willing to make a deal with a Unicorn shapeshifter so that she can infiltrate the human kingdom and recapture what was so cruelly taken.

But Dash Coeur de Noir isn’t just any Unicorn, as the High King he’s the most hated and feared of his breed and he’s on his own mission when the Dragon, Tanis, crosses his path– to reclaim his sister’s horn that was brutally taken. In the wrong hands, that horn could destroy the fragile peace that has kept the Thirteen Kingdoms from destroying each other.

In a world built on magic, blood, and betrayal no one can trust anyone. With a bounty on their heads and assassins and enemies out to claim them both, they must somehow learn to trust each other or watch their kingdoms burn.

Uncaged Review: Sherrilyn Kenyon has built a new world in this start of a series that has me pretty excited. I’ve read a lot of the Dark-Hunters and some of the League and Nick series, but this one is completely different from what she’s done before. Tanis (a princess dragon) has vowed revenge on the ones that cut off her brother’s head, even though she’s going against the rest of the family. She sets a trap and catches a unicorn in a net, hoping he’ll transform her with his powers to a human, so she can track and get her brother’s head back for a proper burial. Unknown to her, she catches the High King, Dash, one of the most powerful unicorns in existence and known for his cruelty. Dash is on his own mission to find the killer of his sister – who also stole her horn – a rare horn that could actually kill him. Making a bargain with him is a price she’s willing to pay.

There are so many layers to this story, with intrigue, all types of magical beings, and plenty of action and romance. After the halfway point, I had a hard time putting this one down. Dash and Tanis will find a forbidden love, and will have to navigate that and get past both of their tortured pasts to find their way. The secondary characters are fantastic and I can’t wait to read more in this world.
Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – The Girl Who Belonged to the Sea by Katherine Quinn

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Girl Who Belonged to the Sea
Katherine Quinn
Fantasy

One woman chosen by the God of the Sea. A king hellbent on saving his mysterious island home. And a forbidden romance that could destroy them all.

Forced to marry the wealthy Count Casbian by her power-hungry father, Margrete turns to the gods, praying for a life free from the men who wish to rule her. Across the sea, a ruthless immortal answers…

Planning to use Margrete to reclaim a powerful relic stolen from his people, Bash, a devilishly handsome king, kidnaps Margrete on the day of her nuptials. Bringing her to his home, the mystical island of Azantian, it isn’t long before a devastating secret is revealed—one that ties Margrete to the gods themselves.

Drawn to the spirited woman he’s sworn to hate, Bash cannot stay away from Margrete and the passion she ignites within him. When the lines begin to blur, Margrete must make a choice between a fiery love, and saving the realm from the dangerous magic awakening inside of her soul.

Uncaged Review: This a great start to a fantasy series, and even though it was a tad slow in spots, the world building is top notch. Margrete has lived all her life under an abusive father, who only wants power and riches, so to make a new wealthy ally, he arranges a marriage for her to Count Caspian, who will become an ally to her father. But on the wedding day, they are attacked by sea pirates, and Margrete is taken hostage and taken to a land called Azantian, which is only believed to be in existence from fables. Bash, the King of Azantian, plans to use Margrete as a bargaining chip to gain back a relic that was taken from the island by Margrete’s father.

There are a lot of twists and turns, betrayal, and a enemies to lovers trope working here. Margrete is much more than we believe, and we will see her mature from a stubborn, intelligent girl to a strong woman in her own right as she finds out the truth about her father, the Count and Bash and the island of Azantian. This is a well written story that kept me invested throughout and the full trilogy is out now and I plan on moving forward. Reviewed by Cyrene

4.5 Stars

Uncaged Review – True Colors by Ozgur K. Sahin

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

True Colors
Ozgur K. Sahin
Historical Sea Stories

After thwarting a Spanish invasion, privateer Captain Roy Toppings finds himself face to face with the object of his misguided vendetta. However, details revealed in the aftermath of the battle and subsequent raids on weakened Spanish colonies shed new light on the circumstances of the death of Roy’s beloved sister: someone is attacking French shipping as part of a conspiracy’s larger design, and Constance may have been a casualty of their secrecy. Unexpected allies emerge as Roy, Coya, and Ajuban uncover more of this syndicate’s operations, even the destruction of Coya’s home. Navigating between profit, self-interest, and justice, all must re-examine their purpose and decide if the truth is too high a price to pay for revenge.

Uncaged Review: Captain Roy Toppings makes a bold decision to temporarily split his loyal, devoted crew into two groups, a bold decision by far yet all for more treasure. Ajuban is appointed acting ship captain by Roy himself to direct La Mongosta while Roy takes hold and is master of “The Constance.” Roy also has another secret venture not told to anyone but a loyal few, to find the murderer of his beloved sister, Constance, who his ship is named after too. Roy almost becomes crazed and directs all his misguided attention to his most hated brother-in-law and his sister’s late husband, Pablo Francisco. As Roy hunts down and finally finds the man, his vengeance holds no bounds, and he ends up killing him instead. Roy realizes that his shipmates are at odds and the split between his faithful sailors puts him even more on opposing sides, possibly putting everyone on both ships in danger of losing their very lives.

This is truly a very intriguing historical sea-faring story that definitely grabs you from the get-go! The tale is wonderfully told and the attention to detail is quite masterful! As you get more in-depth into the book you can almost smell the sea, the graphic description of ships and even see the vivid depictions of not just places, but the characters, which are beautifully written! In truth, most of the time these nautical ventures bore me, but amazingly so, not this book! I might have read the first book a while ago, but I was still able to remember it. Unfortunately, to really understand the characters’ machinations and if you are demanding to read a series in order, then it might help to read the first book. Still, the book magically transports you to picturesque places that would be well worth the visit! Mr. Ozgur Sahin definitely pens a fantastically penned novel that is well researched and lovingly crafted, so that it would seem that he might have even spent some time on a vessel himself and if he hasn’t, then this is very well-done! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

4.5 Stars

Uncaged Review – The Swordsman by Kathryn Le Veque

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Swordsman
Kathryn Le Veque
Medieval Romance

It’s another exciting Blackchurch Guild adventure!

This time, master of the sword Sinclair “Sin” de Reyne has his moment to shine.

They call him The Swordsman…

Part of the powerful de Reyne family, Sin is a black sheep. A man with a mysterious past and a family he doesn’t speak of, he is one of the elite trainers at the Blackchurch Guild, the premier knight training school in England. They call Sin “The Swordsman” because of his skill with a blade, but that skill is about to be put to the test.

So is his heart.

Elisiana Maria Isabella Fernandez y de Verra is a young lady with a problem. Hailing from a very strict family with a Spanish father and a Norman mother, her entire life has been planned for her, including an impending betrothal that will strengthen family ties. Unable to live a life in chains any longer, Elisiana makes the bold move of running away from home to start a new life. That new life brings her straight into Sin’s path.

No one knows much about the new serving wench at the favored tavern of the Blackchurch trainers, but they do know she’s very pretty. Having just returned from a lengthy battle assignment north of Paris, Sin is returning to his training position when he meets the young woman with dark hair and flashing, pale eyes. She has spirit and they manage to strike up a friendship. But friendship turns to something and just as Sin is starting to feel something for her, all hell breaks loose – Elisiana’s brother locates her and the truth of her identity comes out.

Elisiana is not only of noble blood, but she’s also promised to another man.

Now, the Swordsman must make a choice – return to Blackchurch and forget the fiery lass? Or will the man with the mysterious past finally reveal his true self and fight for what he wants?

Who he wants.

Join Sin, Elisiana, the Blackchurch knights, and two factions of pirates as the battle for Elisiana’s freedom begins. It’s a wild ride through tradition, piracy, blood, battle, and the power of love in this epic Historical Romance adventure.

Numquam dedite. Never surrender.

That’s Blackchurch’s motto. For the love of Elisiana, it becomes Sin’s battle cry.

Uncaged Review: Elisiana “Lisi” de Verra loves her family and spending time with them until her father arranged a betrothal for her. When Lisi met her betrothed, Adolph, she was appalled at his lascivious behavior and decided she must run away. Lisi ends up in Exebridge at a questionable seedy tavern, The Black Cock. Sinclair “Sin” de Reyne, an elite warrior knight, originally from Blackchurch Guild, is back from his travels and, being a hired swordsman for a friend’s brother, meets Lisi there at the tavern. Sin is astounded by her beauty and intelligence even though another trainer also wants her. Just as Sin is getting to know Lisi and starts to feel affection for her, Lisi is taken by her brother and brought home. Sin will do anything to get Lisi back, even make a deadly deal with pirates, who just might kill him instead. All to not only win Lisi’s heart but make her his wife.

This is a magnificently told historical medieval romance which is just a wonderful tale to read! The story just pulls you in from the get-go from one adventure to another, never letting up until the very end! This is an exceptionally satisfying book, with sensational writing, stunning visuals and intriguing characters that you just can’t help but fall for them! Even if this is part of a series, you don’t have to read any of them in order, but just might want to just to understand all the characters. Sinclair is the complete package and just a wondrous hero! When describing a warrior, he’s handsome, brave, loyal, a perfect depiction of a knight and this is what we all want in a hero. While Elisiana is also a brave spitfire of a lady, truly a heroine after my own heart! This is why Ms. Le Veque is an impressive storyteller and is aptly named the Queen of Medieval Romance, which just completely fits her too! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Wicked Heat by J. Kenner

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Wicked Heat
J. Kenner
Contemporary Romance

From the moment he’d seen her at the home of his billionaire father, former race car driver and bad boy Ashton Stone craved Bree Bernstein, his half-siblings’ stunning nanny. He couldn’t have her though—not when his life was so entwined with secrets and scandal.

Then he’d seen her at the airport bar and instead of walking away, he’d bought her a drink. Then another. And when a storm grounded their flights, he’d made a mistake and tried to take her to bed. That’s when she’d bolted.

For years, Bree has hidden the truth of those nightmarish days when she’d been held captive, forced into despicable acts that, once rescued, she’d believed were in the past. Until the tapes.

Now, she’s being blackmailed, and if those tapes go public, it won’t be just her life that’s in tatters, but that of an innocent child caught in the crossfire.

Desperate, she goes to the only man who can help her pay the blackmailer and keep the secret—Ashton Stone. Now, her future is in his hands—but the price he demands is one she’s not certain she can pay—Her.

Uncaged Review: From the moment I opened this book, I couldn’t put it down. This story is heartbreaking, romantic, suspenseful and with two perfectly, imperfect characters. As Bree’s nightmares continue and become worse when she is blackmailed with tapes of a time she was held captive, drugged and the horrible acts done to her, and now finding out they were taped and a young child could be ruined if the tapes get out. Shutting herself off from relationships, Bree runs from her attraction to Ash, but Ash doesn’t give up easily. When she finally confides in Ash about her kidnapping and the blackmail, Ash steps in to help. With seemingly unsurmountable odds, Ash and Bree grow close, but will Bree run again?

A great story, well flushed out characters and a great suspenseful plot with a few twists I didn’t see coming. I had not read any of the books in this series before, and had no issues keeping up with this one but has definitely put this author on my radar. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

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