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Uncaged Review – It Happened on Route 66 by Micki Miller

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

It Happened on Route 66
Micki Miller
Humorous Contemporary Romance

When Joel Tyler drove away from the factory to pick up the load of his rejected creation, the last thing he expected to see was a hitchhiking bride. He didn’t have time for this. Besides, he had enough troubles of his own without picking up more. But he couldn’t leave her on the side of the road.

Maddy Hayden was exhausted. She’d run away from a terrible situation without a plan or a destination. Hitchhiking was a bad idea. Worse was getting in a truck with a man traveling alone. He was probably a serial killer. Whatever. It was a suitable end to this day.

When two people who are having the worst day of their lives meet, they can either crash and burn, or save each other.

Uncaged Review: Maddy has led a predictable, boring life. After her mother died, she took care of her sister and father, did all the cleaning and cooking and still held down a job. But that was about all she did. She’s set to marry Owen, a man that seems like the perfect catch, but is he? On the day of the wedding, Maddy runs from the church, in her wedding attire and ends up hitchhiking a ride on Route 66. The man who stops is Joel, who is on his way to pick up some dolls that he created for the family business and are not selling, they are a flop. When he sees a woman in a wedding dress, he has to stop.

If you think that’s crazy, then you should just keep reading. It gets hilarious at times, and with her fiancé she left at the alter, he’s following with a tracking app he put on her phone, and then the fiancé is getting traced by a bug under his seat by Maddy’s best friend and grandmother. And the grandmother, Sophia, is a hoot. Until the end, I wanted to slap Maddy’s sister a couple of times just to shake some sense into the girl. This is a fun book, with two people thinking each other are serial killers when they meet, and it ends up that they were exactly what the other one needed. My only complaint, and it’s not a big one, is that between some of the conversations there would be two or three or more paragraphs of explanations, which broke up the banter a bit, but it was easy enough to get through.
Reviewed by Cyrene

4.5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Safe Passage by Karen Menezes

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Safe Passage
Karen Menezes
Magical Realism

The old-growth forest and the borderlands of Capherayna are a mystery. So are its people, the Xaeltik community. They live in a pre-industrial time warp, unable to defend themselves from the dark forces of the modern world. In the heart of the forest, a vortex of death is rumoured to swallow the living, chew on them and spit out the pieces. The Lightbender stumbles into Xaeltik territory after days of wandering the forest. He is welcomed by a macabre sight that changes the course of his destiny. To save lives, he must risk his own.

Uncaged Review: This book follows the travels of the Lightbender, who is supposedly human, but has been trained since infancy in science and metaphysical studies. He is able to heal, and bend the light to create, so a human with magic is how I read. On the borders of the city known as Capherayna, people live a simpler life and have for centuries, without the interference of the city, in somewhat of a time warp. But with the new monarch, who wants their lands for himself and the resources, he sends out troops to the borderlands when the people refuse to move. Killing children is the order given, as the monarch feels this will cause enough distress for the people to move. When the Lightbender and others of his kind show up, they attempt to help the borderland people and the Lightbender will risk everything in his attempt to save them.

I had a couple issues with the book, although I understand some of it. The slower pace due to building the world was expected, but the chapters are very broken up into small slices, sometimes interrupting the flow of the story. The story is very original and the world building does help the reader have a better understanding of the story, it was just paced a bit slow. Overall, this is a good story with a good message. Reviewed by Cyrene


4 Stars

Uncaged Review – The Immortal’s Lie by Jade Christy

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Immortal’s Lie
Jade Christy
Fantasy Romance

Dating in New Orleans is my nightmare. I’ve had so many bad dates I’ve lost count. Then I meet a guy who’s gorgeous, charming, and kind of turns me on. He actually knows how to hold a conversation and is as sarcastic as I am.

After three great dates and a spectacular night in bed, I catch him drinking someone in a dark alley.

Yeah. He was too good to be true. It’s a nightmare.

Julian Deveraux is a vampire. Of course he is. I didn’t even believe vampires existed until now. And apparently, I’m not just any woman—my blood activated due to him, and it’s rare, addictive, and dangerously powerful. Suddenly I’m the main course on every vampire’s menu, and Julian’s trying to protect me… while hiding a few blood-soaked secrets of his own.

There’s some nasty vampires and witches, a secret experiment, and a whole underground world of creatures who’d rather see me caged than kissed. And then there’s the fae.

But I’ve got sarcasm, stilettos, and a survival instinct sharper than a vampire’s fangs. And maybe I have Julian.

Uncaged Review: The start of an exciting new Romantasy series starts off with Ava Winters, who is tired of the dating scene and being set up with strange men. When Julian Deveraux sends a text that he wants a date with her. Ava almost declines but goes along anyway because it really couldn’t get any worse. When Ava meets Julian, he seems almost too perfect. He’s a gentleman and loves Ava’s witty sarcasm. Also, Julian just understands her too. As Ava spends more and more time with Julian, she instantly falls for him, and he is with her. Ava knows that Julian holds secrets, but she yet goes out with him and, as she gets closer to him, she wants to be with him forever, but Julian holds a deep, dark secret that he’s a vampire. Julian not only craves Ava physically, but her blood drives him crazy. Will Ava discover the truth about Julian and the secret of who she really is as well?

So, since I finished one series of Ms. Jade Christy about vampires. I really couldn’t stop and wanted to begin this one. This book is a little different from the Blackthorn Manor series because there are fae in it which, out of all the supernatural’s I love the fae the best! Now this book has some confusing bits because the fae aren’t really described very clearly, even though she drew up Ava quite well. Another minor character’s name changed from Alden to Arden, which I kind of overlooked, but still, as you were getting caught up in the story, it was a little discombobulating. Also, he’s a shape-shifter, so maybe with the name changing that is just part of his character too? Julian was a bit faultless, but when his senses started to wake up, I wondered if his craving for food and drink became more noticeable? So, I wanted a bit more explanation as to why it did it in the first place. Still, since this is part of a series, it ends abruptly, so, of course, I will read the next book just to see what happens and if the fae are defined a little better. Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Jewel of the Ball by Tamara Gill

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Jewel of the Ball
Tamara Gill
Historical Regency

He was meant for the Church. She was never meant to tempt him.

Lady Angelica Ravensmere never expected to fall for the wounded gentleman she helped recover—nor that he would be bound for holy orders. Devoted, principled, and determined to turn from the world, Lord Benedict Deverell is everything she should avoid… and everything her heart yearns for.

With Benedict summoned back to London to recover, old temptations resurface. Angelica is preparing for her Season, determined to find a husband and forget the man who broke her heart. But fate—and desire—throw them together once more.

Torn between the path he vowed to follow and the woman he cannot forget, Benedict must face the truth: walking away may have been his greatest sin… and winning her back may demand the ultimate sacrifice.

Uncaged Review: This is the third book in the Heiress series and one that I was eagerly looking forward to! When Lord Benedict Deverell was heading to Wiltshire to see his brother, he was suddenly attacked by highwaymen. Unfortunately, the thieves learn that Benedict is actually in training to be a Catholic priest and has no money. Still, Benedict is shot in the thigh. Luckily, Benedict’s driver spots the Duke of Ravensmere’s home and takes him there. Lady Angelica Ravensmere nurses Benedict and when he sees her he is instantly captivated. As Benedict gets to know Angelica, he can’t help but fall for her. Benedict can’t deny his feelings and desire for Angelica and that he can’t stop wanting her. Angelica also can’t help what she feels and seduces Benedict too. Benedict realizes that in order to be free he must be willing to give up his vocation. Will he be able to before it’s too late?

Just as I think book two is better than I read this book, and it immediately became my favorite. Maybe it’s the slight bit of forbidden taboo element of the main male character’s profession that holds me spellbound and intrigued? Even the extra spicy bits that are sprinkled throughout heighten the danger of getting caught in flagrante delicto, especially since both Benedict and Angelica are intimate in very public places, even with them trying to hide it. Also, do you have to read them in order to be able to understand the story? No, not really, even though you might just want to because of the family. I actually did fall for Benedict’s persona. He wanted to be a morally good person, even though he was tempted and just finally gave in. Angelica was a feisty, fun heroine, but even with the one miscommunication which almost drove them apart, it wasn’t all bad. Do I look forward to the next in the series? Well, of course, I do, but while I wait, I will reread this one again! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – The Fixer by Ginger Ring

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Fixer
Ginger Ring
Mafia Romance

Best-selling mafia romance author Vanessa Stone moved to Deadwood hoping it would provide rest, relaxation, and improve her word count. So far, it’s been anything but. Her long-time stalker has followed her there, and the handsome next-door neighbor might not be as kind and innocent as he appears. Her heroines may fall for bad men with good hearts, but Vanessa has never wanted to live out the storyline of her books.

Tony Rossi left his mafia family and big city life to start a business in a historic town in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Having a gorgeous woman as a neighbor is an added bonus. This new start is supposed to free him from the dangers of his past, but does one ever really leave the mafia?

In the past, Tony could fix any problem his organized crime job required, but he soon learns he can’t fix everything, including the loss of trust and the broken heart of the woman he loves.

Uncaged Review: Vanessa moved to Deadwood to get some peace and quiet while working on her novels. Vanessa has a stalker, that seems to have followed her to Deadwood. Her next door neighbor, Tony, hears her screaming one night and bashes the door open to get in. Tony was known as a “fixer” with the DeSalvo mob in Chicago, and he’s left the mob for a more peaceful and lawful existence in Deadwood. Vanessa and Tony begin a friendship, but Vanessa is still be stalked and Tony will do his best to protect her. But will Tony ever be free of the mob?

There is suspense, danger, behind-the-doors romance, betrayal, friendship, love and two people that will need to overcome their pasts to find their HEA. The time jumping in the book was a bit confusing at times, and I actually thought this was a little tame to be a mafia romance, but I’m looking forward to how this series progresses as this author is so good at the mafia romances.
Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Creek by Linda Broday

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Creek
Linda Broday
Western Historical

A mysterious man with one name and secrets that gnaw at his soul.

Creek has a reputation as a gunslinger, a lawless man—one to be feared. So, when an orphaned eleven-year-old girl in this rough border town claims she’s his daughter, it jolts the very fiber of his being. For a man making a living with a gun, he’s not father material in any sense of the word. And he has serious doubts he ever met her mother.

Yet Willa July stands firm. Creek has the mark on his wrist that proves her claim. When she’s taken by a crazed killer from his past, Creek is propelled into a desperate chase. He alone understands the depths of this monster’s evil mind.

Time is his enemy as he races to save her. But if he succeeds in getting the girl back, can Creek tear down his walls and embrace the role he never dreamed possible?

Uncaged Review: Creek is a gunslinger, in a lawless western town of El Paso, TX, traveling to see a friend who is very ill, and the only person who may know who his parents are. Along the way he saves a young girl, Willa, from some young men who have trapped her in an alley. When he brings her back to her home, he meets the woman that has taken care of the orphan girl, Liberty. But Creek doesn’t want to get to close, because men like him don’t live long. He meets a nun in and she wants to “hire” him to find a cruel, evil man named Felipe, who poses as a priest, but terrorizes women and children and now feels he’s after her. The same Felipe that abused Creek as a child, and a man he wants dead.

This is a shorter book, so I read this pretty quickly, and when Willa is kidnapped, Creek will tear apart the town to find her. This is a good action packed and danger ridden book that has some great characters and a gunslinger with a heart of gold as the hero. But will he ever lay down his guns for a more peaceful life? The suspense and action keep this story moving along at a good pace, and this is the first book in a series with several authors and it’s a good beginning.
Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – The Spinster’s Secret Stake by Collette Cameron

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Spinster’s Secret Stake
Collette Cameron
Historical Romance

He vowed to protect her—even if it meant risking her heart and his life.

Roxina Danforth vowed long ago to remain a spinster rather than risk her heart to another selfish, reckless man. Abandoned by her much older half-brother Mitchel and forced to fend for herself, Roxina has built a life of independence through grit and cunning. As a founding member of the Ladies of Opportunity, she relies on the secret gambling society to secure her meager income. Trusting anyone—especially Shelby Tellinger, Mitchel’s disreputable friend—is out of the question. Handsome, roguish, and as dangerous as he is infuriating, Shelby is the last man Roxina would ever depend on.

Shelby Tellinger has devoted his life to shielding Roxina from the consequences of her brother’s reckless actions—without her ever knowing. Though she despises him, he’s secretly protected her for years, even sending money to keep her safe and comfortable. But Mitchel’s latest betrayal leaves Shelby ruined, a thousand pound debt, and pursued by ruthless moneylenders. With his fortune tied up in a risky shipping venture, Shelby has nothing left but his determination to find Mitchel and protect Roxina—no matter the cost.

When the ruthless leader of a band of highwaymen abducts them because Mitchel cheated him, Roxina and Shelby must fight for their lives—and their hearts—as they’re forced to flee and into hiding together. As truths and confessions blur the line between love and hate, Roxina must decide whether to cling to her pride or risk her heart on a man she vowed never to trust.

Can a hardened spinster and a reformed scoundrel defy the odds—or will betrayal and danger destroy their chance at happiness?

Uncaged Review: Roxina is considered a spinster, and her half brother Mitchel has cheated and swindled many people, including Shelby, whom Roxina had believed was as bad as Mitchel until Mitchel stole Shelby’s identity and put Shelby on the run from creditors trying to clear his name. Roxina lives in a small cottage and her and some of her lady friends place wagers in secret to boost their income. She also befriends a small stray dog that is a great addition to the story.

The cast of characters are well flushed out and I laughed out loud at the neighbor’s antics, but I won’t give that away. There is plenty of danger and suspense and Roxina will have to go on the run with Shelby who has vowed to protect her at his own risk, ever since her brother betrayed her. But Roxina will have to dig deep to find her true feelings for Shelby as they fight their way to their HEA. Great storyline, nice action, a good pace and just the right amount of tension and romance.
Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – The Laird’s Magical Lass by Julie Johnstone

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Laird’s Magical Lass
Julie Johnstone
Medieval Romance

Freya

Aye, I stole a goblet. A magical one. From a witch.
In my defense, I returned it.
I just… took too long.
I was trying to save myself from a loveless marriage, not doom my future.
But witches don’t take kindly to thievery that cost them dearly.
She granted my wish—then twisted it into a curse.
Now I’m thrice wed, never for love.
Men want me for my sight, not my heart.
And when they don’t heed my visions, they die.
I’ve been taken again, this time by Colin bloody MacDonald.
A brute. A Highland warlord. My father’s greatest enemy.
He says he’s not like the others. I say he’s worse.
He married me to ruin my clan.
He thinks he can use me.
But I’ve had my fill of being used.
And yet… he’s careful with me. Fiercely so.
Worse still, he’s handsome when he’s not scowling,
and kind when he thinks I’m not looking.
I won’t give him my heart.
But I fear it may no longer be mine to keep.

Colin

I didn’t want a wife.
I needed leverage. A weapon. A way to end this war.
Freya MacLeod is all of that—and more trouble than I bargained for.
I forced her hand, aye. But I swore not to touch her until she’s willing.
And now, every day she refuses me feels like its own kind of curse.
She’s fire and prophecy, steel wrapped in silk.
And I’m starting to forget I married her for vengeance.
Starting to wonder what it would mean to earn her trust.
There’s no room for softness in war.
No space for hearts in bargains.
But when it comes to Freya, I’ve already lost more than I meant to give.

Uncaged Review: At first I wasn’t sure where the author was going with this one, but Freya has been used by her father for power and greed, and when he is going to marry her off for an alliance, her and her friends steal a magical goblet from Morgana, the witch in the dark woods. Freya wishes for the “sight” to be able to change her future, but instead she’s caught by Morgana and is cursed instead. When her visions start coming true – men want to marry her for her “gift,” but they keep dying like her visions tell. Colin, the Laird of the enemies, is to be her fourth husband, and Freya has been abused in many ways from the previous marriages, but Colin is an honorable man, and it will take time to break through Freya’s defenses.

This is a bit different from what I’ve read before from this author, and it was hard to put the book down, especially at the back half of the book. Freya will finally find her own way, and Colin will learn to love again after losing his wife. The tension is high, and the war between the clans and Colin will get more than he bargained for just for peace. This book doesn’t slow down much and even though sometimes I thought Freya a bit overdone, I was still rooting for her. Nice start to this series. Reviewed by Cyrene

4.5 Stars

Uncaged Review – A Ghost of a Chance by Debbie Cassidy

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

A Ghost of a Chance
Debbie Cassidy
Urban Fantasy

They say the dead don’t speak. That’s a lie. They speak to Kat Justice, but most of the time, she chooses not to hear them.

I’m a Nightwatch agent, a nightblood charged with enforcing the supernatural laws. Humans can’t know the shit that goes bump in the night is real. It’s sweaty, tough work, with crappy pay, but I love it.

Things would be perfect if not for my secret.

Pureblood Nightbloods can’t see or hear the dead. The fact that I can exposes my mixed breeding. I’m not meant to exist, and if the council find out about my secret it’s the executioners block for me.

Keeping a lid on my ghost whisperer ability is a must.

So, when my gramps orders me to head to the arse end of nowhere, a nowhere that just happens to be the most haunted place on the bloody map, I’m a little confused.

This transfer doesn’t jive with trying to keep the ghost chat to a minimum.

But with my golem partner and gargoyle companion in tow, I’m sure I can figure out why I’ve been sent to this weird coastal town. I mean, they even have a ghost bar.

You’d think the local souls would be eager to chew my ear off, right? Wrong.

For the first time in forever, the dead aren’t talking.

Now I need to know why…

Uncaged Review: A great start to a four book series, this one got my attention and kept it. In this world, the supernaturals are kept secret from the human population, and are enforced by the Nightwatch, groups of different supernaturals that enforce the laws, spread out across the world. Kat is a Nightblood, but also is not a pureblood, so she has to keep that part of her secret as it could get her killed if it gets out. She is sent by her Gramps to a town called Scorchwood, to work with the team there, and she travels with a golem construct named Henri and a gargoyle, Tris. But one of the quirks to Kat’s heritage, is she can see and communicate with ghosts, and not all is what it seems in this town and her and the team at Scorchwood will have their hands full.

This book is layered in suspense and a couple of subplots running in the background that will be flushed out in the coming books. The supporting cast of characters were great additions and the author keeps the action level going strong, and even though I’m not usually a huge fan of first person narratives, it works for this one. There is a small cliffhanger at the end, but it’s not a huge one, but it definitely sets up for book two. These are not standalones, you should read from the beginning to make sure you are not lost.
Reviewed by Cyrene

4.5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Dead Man’s Detective by Rachel Graves

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Dead Man’s Detective
Rachel Graves
Paranormal Romance

All ex-army witch Elisabeth Hicks wants for her twenty-fourth birthday is to keep the small-town gossips from staring at her artificial limbs. Instead, she’s pushed into helping an army buddy on an illegal job for the scariest vampire in town. Her magic tells her the vampire is lying but it’s too late to walk away. Things go sideways, and her first date in years ends when she finds her friend’s dead body. The body disappears from the morgue, and a deadly, magical, necklace winds up in her lap all before she gets to her birthday cake. Now a sexy master vampire will kill her if she doesn’t use magic to find the woman he loves, and the police refuse to investigate the murder. It’s up to Elisabeth to protect her family, solve the mystery, and survive long enough to go on a second date.

Uncaged Review: Elisabeth is ex-military and home with her family, working odd jobs for some cash. When another ex-military friend tells her about a job he was offered, she knows it’s a bad job and tries to talk him out of it. Elisabeth has some magic as she’s a spirit witch, she can see the dead and she can feel what others are feeling with touch. When Douglas is found dead after his “job,” Elisabeth is hell-bent on getting justice for her friend. During this time, she meets Gina’s boss, Ted, whom everyone thinks is “gay,” even though she knows better. Striking up a romance with Ted, even though her family only thinks it’s friendship. But as Elisabeth uncovers more about Douglas’ death, she gets involved with the very powerful vampire that hired him.

This book started out a bit slowly, but still interesting, and it really got moving along through the back half of the book. There is a lot going on in this book, and it’s a good start to a new series and this is different from most urban fantasy books I’ve read. The sex scenes might have been a tad too long, but they were easy to skim over if you are in a hurry to get on with the story. This book ended in a way that sets up well for the next in the series, but not a cliffhanger. All-in-all, I would definitely move on with this series.
Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

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