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Uncaged Review: The Cowboy Takes a Bride by Kristi Rose

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Cowboy Takes a Bride
Kristi Rose
Contemporary Western Romance

To keep his ranch he’ll need a wife. To escape her father she’ll need a protector. Love will only complicate their marriage of convenience.

She’s on the run…

A tyrannical father. A life she hates and doesn’t control. Freedom for socialite Meredith Hanover is not a luxury she has. When given an opportunity to become a modern-day mail-order bride to a rancher in rural Wyoming, she realizes this might be her only opportunity at a fresh start.

He’s determined to stay…

Jace Shepard’s dying father gave him two options: get married and take over the ranch or be cut out of the will. But life on the ranch is hard and isolating, something the previous women of his life couldn’t hack. With no other solution, he strikes a deal with a professional matchmaker for a temporary bride.

The plan is foolproof. A bargain struck. Everyone wins in this ruse of fake love. Yet, if they’re both pretending why does it feel so real?

 Is Meredith ready to gamble away the freedom she’s always wanted and give her heart to the family-oriented rancher? Jace knows it’s only a matter of time before Meredith tires of ranching’s hard lifestyle and trades him in for her old-cushy life. Why should he trust his heart to her?

Uncaged Review: This is a nice read – Meredith needs to get away from her jerk of a father and his cronies and gets the opportunity to become a mail-order bride from a professional matchmaker. She’s paired with Jace, who will lose his ranch if he doesn’t get married. Perfect arrangement for both, right? Well…

Not everything is easy, and the author does a beautiful job describing Wyoming and makes everyone who loves nature want to move there and the premise of this book is fun. When the two start to have real feelings for each other, the reader can get even more invested. I do know the ranch life personally, and it’s not a lifestyle that a city socialite would take to very easily, so that part was a bit fantastical that Meredith seems to do, but it was also great to see two people with their own issues work through and find each other. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review: Lady Lilias and the Devil in Plaid by Julie Johnstone

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Lady Lilias and the Devil in Plaid
Julie Johnstone
Historical Regency

Free-spirited Lilias Honeyfield has a secret. She’s certain the rich and powerful Duke of Greybourne is meant to be hers. He just needs to reappear in her life and stop denying his love for her before she’s forced to wed another. Though it’s been seven years, she has never forgotten the beautiful but tormented man hiding behind the mask of moody boy, nor does she believe she imagined the searing passion between them. But the day Nash Steele finally reappears in Town, the rogue destroys her hope by claiming he never returned her affection.

Nash Steele is haunted by his mistakes and the memories of the impetuous, headstrong beauty who breached his heart and soothed his soul years ago. But innocent Lilias was never meant to be his. And if he ever doubts it, he reminds himself of the tragic accident he caused soon after they met. His life is now, and will always be, one of penance. Unable to have the one woman he wants, the easiest thing to do is to flee. So when duty eventually forces him home, he intends to keep his distance from the ravishing creature. Yet when danger threatens her, he cannot sit by and allow her to be harmed. Every moment in her presence is sweet torture, and soon the need he has kept caged for years refuses to be contained any longer.

Swept together by burning desire but ensnared in a tangle of secrets and guilt, Lilias and Nash must fight to turn tragedy into triumph and the past that threatens to destroy them into the very thing that heals their hearts.

Uncaged Review: Lilias and Nash, along with Owen, all met as kids and all became inseparable. Even though Nash loved Lilias, he never believed he was good enough for her and carried the guilt of his brother with him. To stay near her, he taught the younger, inept boy, Owen – how to swim, ride and fish. Those summers were some of the best years of their lives and the first 20% of the book gives you the background of these three friends. Nash disappears after Owen has a riding accident, taking on more guilt that he needs to and going by what Owen wishes, since Owen is also in love with Lilias and doesn’t feel he has a chance with her with Nash around. Fast forward seven years, and things are looking dire for Lilias and her family. Broke, and creditors harassing them, will Lilias agree to marry to help her family, even though her heart has always belonged to Nash?

When Nash returns, he vows to stay away from Lilias, but when Lilias is in danger, he’ll risk his own life to save her, even though it almost kills him to be near. With the ladies in their mission against rogues, Lilias may take one chance too many. This is another great addition to this series, and the characters from book one are back in strong supporting roles. This one will make you want to reach into the pages and hug the characters. This is a fun and steamy regency, and the next book that comes out in February, is about one of my favorite characters in these books, Lord Kilgore. Can’t wait. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review: Lady Guinevere and the Rogue with a Brogue by Julie Johnstone

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Lady Guinevere and the Rogue with a Brogue
Julie Johnstone
Historical Regency

Five years ago he humiliated her. Five years ago she betrayed him. And when fate forces them together once more, they’ll discover what burns hotter- vengeance or desire.

Lady Guinevere Darlington has spent the last five years trying to forget the beautiful rogue who stole her heart and then crushed it under his shiny black hessian. Humiliated by the blighter with the unforgettable brogue and left to weather the wagging tongues of the ton alone, she started a secret society that delivers justice to ill-intentioned rakes, and she managed to avoid having to wed—until now. But while her time is up, her determination is not. If she must take a husband, she’ll do so on her own terms. She has a plan, and a possible candidate, until the Scot she once loved returns to London and throws her life into salacious turmoil yet again.

Asher Talbot, the newly minted Duke of Carrington, has nearly perfected his ability to repress memories of the stunning, stubborn lass who long ago captivated him with her innocent charm, then slayed him with her duplicity. He channeled his anger into continuing to build the distillery empire he started when he thought he was a by-blow. But now his company is in danger, and he intends to secure his inheritance to save it, even if it requires pursuing the perfidious enchantress he disavowed. True reconciliation is not part of his plot, but hints of the Guinevere he thought he knew leave him questioning everything.

When fate, fortune, and a cunning scheme bring these two together, their mutual attempts to torture each other ignite the dormant desire between them. But secrets surround them, and they’ll have to unravel each one before the love they glimpsed is lost forever.

Uncaged Review: Asher is back in town, and a new Duke, with his estranged father giving the title of Duke and most of his wealth to Asher, although there is one stipulation. He needs to marry one of 3 women that his father listed. And one of them happens to be Lady Guinevere, the woman he thought was the love of his life until she was seen kissing another man, five years ago. Lady Guinevere has tried to forget him, and helps form the secret club with other women that rescues women from known rakes and rogues. There are many misunderstandings, and many truths that will come out in this book and it’s a worthy start to a new series.

The characters are original and heartwarming and easy to like, even Lord Kilgore (actually one of my favorites). This is a steamy and fun regency with an original plot that was completely enjoyable and pushed me right to book two in this series. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review: Storm by Michelle Mankin

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Storm
Michelle Mankin
Rock Star Romance

He wants her, but he can’t have her.
She wants him even though she doesn’t know who he really is.
Storm Hardy left Ocean Beach to pursue a career in the music industry.
Lotus Irving stayed behind, her world rocked by one terrible tragedy after another.
What if all your best memories are behind you? What if you lost the one friend who understood you better than anyone else? What if your greatest wish is to recreate the past instead of imagining a brighter future?

Storm by New York Times bestselling author Michelle Mankin is a novel about never giving up, no matter what life throws at you. It’s about the importance of love and learning to dream again. It’s about looking beyond the wind, rain, and lightning to find the calm. It’s about holding on to the right person who helps you to be strong.

Uncaged Review: If you ever get the urge to read a Rock Star romance, or it’s a genre you enjoy, then give this author a try. This book spins off of the Second Chance rock star series that featured the band members from Dirt Dogs, and those characters do play a supporting role although this book is easily read without having to read that series, although it’s definitely a good series. This author has a way of writing an emotional, kick you in the gut book that pulls out all of the feels and will shatter your heart and slowly glue the pieces back together. The characters are people you’d want to hang with and each have their own issues to deal with, and together they stay strong.

Storm breaks Lotus’ heart when he leaves his battered home life when she is 13 yrs old and he’s 15. Her whole world was Storm, he was her best friend and the only friend she truly had. Fast forward 9 years, and Lotus has a hit AND miss relationship with Storm’s older brother Sage, who is in the band OB Hardy. When Journey shows up, Lotus can’t get past her strong feelings for him, although she just met him…or did she?

This book isn’t for the weak, if you don’t like strong language and hot sex scenes, then you won’t enjoy this one. But if you are OK with it, you’re in for a pretty good read. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review: Fire Maidens-Portugal by Anna Lowe

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Fire Maidens: Portugal
Anna Lowe
Fantasy Romance

A jaded warrior who doesn’t want to get involved + an irresistible she-dragon on the run.

WINNER PNR GUILD AWARD – BEST VAMPIRES & SHIFTERS SERIES!
For centuries, the Guardians of Lisbon have kept shifter forces in check — dragons, vampires, and witches. Now, with their powers dwindling, they’re too busy to respond to a lone woman’s cry for help.

Novice dragon, Laura Sampao, always knew her family descended from dragon shifters, but that power — or curse — hadn’t manifested itself in generations. She thought it would never happen to her.

Wrong.

Now, vampires are after her blood, and her last hope is a mysterious, jaded warrior who saves her from a brutal attack. But that’s just the prelude to a far greater danger, giving her no choice but to trust the infuriatingly gruff, handsome stranger who awakens all kinds of hidden desires.

Marco da Silva, heir to an ancient dragon dynasty, has been burned by damsels in distress before, and he’s determined not to get involved. But somehow, he just can’t resist. Before he knows it, he’s spiriting Laura off to his private island hideaway with his inner dragon vowing to keep her safe.

Why? Because his heart isn’t the only reckless force stirring in the shifter world — powerful enemies are on the move too, and they’ll stop at nothing to seize Laura — and take control of an entire continent.

Uncaged Review: I was completely looking forward to reading Marco’s story, and knew he was going to need a strong woman to test him and break down the walls he’s built – and the author truly delivered with Laura. When vampires start hunting her, Marco is there to save her. As Marco agrees to help her learn how to be a dragon, and to train her, his walls start cracking. Laura is a strong heroine, and proves herself. The Guardians of Lisbon are old and set in their ways, and it will be hard to get them to help.

What I loved about this book, is that the characters spent a lot of time as dragons, and the descriptions of their flights and battles in the air are breathtaking. This is a series that continues to entertain and I’m looking forward to Finn’s story in Ireland. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review: Queen of Hope by Kristal Dawn Harris

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Queen of Hope
Kristal Dawn Harris
Fantasy Romance Short

The Fae King will stop at nothing to find his Queen.

A Queen in hiding will stop at nothing to avoid the Fae King.

Terrence Edward Lamon rose to power after the death of his cruel father. Repeated failed attempts to locate his mate, the true queen, forces him to hunt her himself. Their connection as fated mates acts as a beacon to her soul, and Terrence uses it to his full advantage. He knows she won’t accept him as The King, so he devises a plan to win Rana’s heart, but will it be enough for a reluctant queen to claim her crown, fall in love, and rule by his side?

Rana Antoinette Duvae has been hiding from the Fae for centuries after the murder of her parents. The gift of her family home, Duvae Manor, from the new Fae King seems too good to be true, but the temptation to return home impossible to ignore. When she finds a Fae caretaker in her home and they are locked together during a snowstorm, tension and passion sets them on a course to the truth and the magic of Christmas. Will Rana be able to forgive, love the Fae King, and accept the people she judged so harshly?

Uncaged Review: This is a book that a great idea
was pushed into a shorter holiday-ish tale, and I could
have easily seen this book really dig out a great story
in a full length book. This is a nice interlude if you
have been reading heavy books, or series – to get a
little break and read this steamy romance. For me, it
was over a bit too fast, and of course, you can’t really
get attached to the characters, but they were likeable
and the story was entertaining.

So in between baking holiday treats this year, this is a
nice little break as we all hang out at home more than
we normally do. Reviewed by Cyrene
(read around the holidays)

4 Stars

Uncaged Review: The Mocking Man by Leslie Georgeson

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Mocking Man
Leslie Georgeson
Romantic Suspense

Deception.

Not a word I would have associated with myself fifteen years ago. Back then I was innocent and carefree, a teenage boy with big dreams.

Then my best friend Rafe was kidnapped, and my world fell apart. I foolishly thought I could save him.

I was wrong.

Now my entire life is a web of deceit. My every breath tainted by lies. I don’t like what I’ve become. But it’s essential for my very survival.

My job now is to stay in the shadows and keep Rafe’s sister Isabella safe. She can’t even know I’m here.

Then danger lurks closer. Somehow, I must protect her while keeping my secret.

But I get so caught up in my own twisted game that I eventually make a terrible mistake.

Now she’s a part of the pact. And I can’t let her go.

But what kind of life can I give her if I can never be anything more than the mocking man?

Uncaged Review: For a romantic suspense, this
is a good one and even though most suspense/
thriller/crime novels include some of the same
formulas, this one mixes it up a bit. Alex and
Rafe are best friends, and when Rafe gets kidnapped
by a drug cartel, Alex will do his best to
try and save him and protect his sister, Isabella.
There are a lot of twists and turns to this book,
and the book kept me interested, but I wasn’t
overly attached to the book once I set it down.

Some books will have me carrying them around
and reading every chance I get, and this one did
not do that, but I do think it’s a well written plot
with suspense, friendship and loyalty, romance,
lies, deceit and a bit of steam. Reviewed by
Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review: Genesis by T. Sae-Low

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Genesis
T. Sae-Low
YA/Fantasy Myth

As rumors swirl across the war torn lands of Eos of a possible Candidate—the long prophesied savior of peace— young Raden Nite finds himself unexpectedly chosen to discover the truth to these rumors. Raden’s top-secret mission will send him and his closest friends on a heart-pounding adventure through the mysterious Voras Mountains, the impenetrable fortress of Sargatum, and deep into strange new lands where dangerous enemies await.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Disputed Lands, Prince Aric sits third in line to the crown of Vicedonia. Seeking to escape the overwhelming shadow of his elder brother, and to prove to his father, the king, that he is indeed a worthy successor, Aric embarks on a path into the darkest corners of Eos. On his journey, he will encounter the sinister magic of the Dark Forest, the epic battlegrounds of Lake Raphia, and discover the harsh realities of what it truly means to be king.

In the first book of the Prophecy Rock Series, fates will collide in this epic tale of action, loyalty, and love, where the ultimate meaning of true sacrifice will be discovered.

Uncaged Review: I like the premise of this book
and the author does a great job describing the lands
and the two distinct dynasties. I would caution
readers, that this is marketed as a Young Adult, and
I would keep that to older teens as the battles are
brutal and may be a bit much for younger teens.

The pace is pretty slow although it does kick in
around the halfway point, but it also takes awhile
for this world to really sit well with the reader, it
doesn’t fully realize itself easily. I think the main
issue I had with this one is that there were so many
things going on without explanation too soon, that
it caused a disconnect with the reader. All in all, I
enjoyed the book and it’s a solid fantasy.
Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars


Uncaged Review: MacGuffin by Roy C. Booth and John F. Mollard

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

MacGuffin
Booth & Mollard
Suspense/Noir

THRILLING HOLLYWOOD NOIR WITH A HORRIFIC WEB OF INTRIGUE & SUSPENSE (ARTISAN BOOK REVIEWS)

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA, AUGUST 2005.

Rich MacGuffin, an aspiring actor with a talent for acting but a distinct lack of tinsel town looks, struggles to find work that will lead him on the road to stardom.

When a series of murders takes place by an elusive serial killer nicknamed THE HOLLYWOOD SPECTRE, and one of those victims is the star in a movie in the process of being shot, MacGuffin comes up with a unique idea that will land him the starring role.

Finally, MacGuffin gets his chance to show his acting ability, and he shines. But the killer is still on the prowl and seeking revenge against those from his past. MacGuffin unwittingly becomes involved with the LAPD and FBI as they hunt the killer and the bodies stack up.

Uncaged Review: This book starts out pretty fast,
and also with almost too much going on to the point
of wondering how all this will come together and
play out. But the authors do a great job bringing all
the frayed ends of this noir crime story together. At
times I even laughed out loud. This is a very twisted
thriller that most crime readers will really enjoy. This
is definitely a plot driven storyline and I would have
liked to see these characters flushed out a bit more, as
they felt a bit off in their reactions.

The pacing is great, and it kept me entertained, and
those that know me and my reading preferences know
that if a suspense novel keeps me turning pages, it’s
worth a look. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review: Chasing Arlo by Ginger Ring

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Chasing Arlo
Ginger Ring
Romantic Suspense/Crime

A mafia princess doesn’t belong with a lowly soldier.

At least, that is what Arlo thinks.

He’s used to women only wanting steamy one-night stands and nothing more. Not until, to his surprise, he’s pursued by none other than the mafia princess herself.

Layla makes it her mission in life to tease and flirt with Arlo endlessly. It’s been a cat and mouse game ever since they met.

But if she only knew the truth. If she knew all the things he has done for her family, it would both amaze and horrify her.

With Arlo, however, it’s all or nothing, so when a bombing from the Russian mob occurs and a possible threat from inside the family looms, he steps up to keep Layla safe.

With everything unraveling around her, Layla quickly realizes chasing Arlo and more importantly, keeping him might be the only thing that saves her life..

Uncaged Review: The final book in this main series
is a great way to wrap this one up and a worthy addition.
Arlo is head of security for the family, and when
a bomb takes out a boat, Arlo will step up to keep
Layla safe. This family has always been strong and
close knit, and it plays out well here. Many twists and
turns will keep you guessing to the ending.

Although I’m sad that this book is wrapping up this
main series, the epilogue in the back of the book was
such a great touch and I “may have” needed a tissue
or two. I am hoping that we can talk the author into
something on the kids in the future, but for now, this
is a great final book, and it’s a series to remember and
re-read in the future. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

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