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Uncaged Review: Brides at Coconuts by Beth Carter

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Brides at Coconuts
Beth Carter
Contemporary Romance

Four best friends. A rushed proposal. A jilted bride. A shocking DNA test. Just another day at Coconuts.

Still a virgin at nearly 40, Hope can’t believe a man is interested in her, as in really interested. As nervous as her students before prom, she timidly navigates the choppy dating waters like an awkward teen. Smitten by the guy who seems determined to win her heart, will she allow him to break down her barriers after he drops a colossal bombshell?

Socialite Cheri Van Buren came clean—sort of—to a sweet cowboy who stole her heart. But she never had the chance to tell him about her pedigreed, high-society life before it was publicized internationally. Meanwhile, a food critic and arrogant chef attempt to destroy her catering business.

After an astonishing, almost-televised birth, Suzy juggles twins and exhaustion, while her beloved wedding planning business appears to be going up in tulle. Her distracted husband regrets allowing his daughter to move to Hollywood while Suzy welcomes newborns.

Bank marketer Alex is demoted and the one man who she always thought would be there for her appears to be going, going, gone. To complicate her convoluted relationship, her cop boyfriend gets an unlikely partner.

When one of the best friends receives a rushed engagement, after the surprise, the women rally to provide a quick wedding. But the inclement weather has other ideas. Will the winter wonderland ceremony take place or is a wedding sleepover their best bet?

As always, Coconuts, their beloved island-themed bar, is the only constant in the frenzied best friends’ lives. Or is it?

Uncaged Review: From a jilted bride, a drunk wedding at Coconuts – to an almost baby delivery in an elevator, the fun continues in the fifth book of this series. You can read these all as standalones, but this is a group of friends that you should start at the beginning with Thursdays at Coconuts to be able to get the full effect and back story. These stories are getting better and better with each book, and I laughed, smiled and was completely engaged from beginning to end. I was thrilled to see Hope get a lot of the spotlight in this book, and I still think Alex needs to dump the cop. The chemistry is long gone with those two, and Cheri and Cole couldn’t be a better fit. Talk about opposites.

I know the author will not go on with this series forever, and she probably has a lot of stories rumbling around in her head, but this series always feels like a comfortable pair of slippers each time a new book comes out and I miss Coconuts and these friends like they were my own when the book is over.
Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review: Warwolfe by Kathryn Le Veque

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Warwolfe
Kathryn Le Veque
Medieval Historical

1066 A.D. – Discover the origins of the original de Wolfe pack, led by the man known as WARWOLFE. Before the Duke of Normandy conquered England, a legend arose. A man so fierce, so brave, and so noble, that the mere whisper of his name could strike both fear and admiration into the hearts of all men.

That name is Warwolfe.

Gaetan de Wolfe is this man. A legend from a family of legends, the greatest de Wolfe warrior arises as William the Conqueror sets foot in England to claim what he believes is his birthright. Gaetan brings with him nine of the fiercest knights the realm has ever seen, plowing their way into the English countryside, forging their legacies at the Battle of Hastings. But when one of Gaetan’s men is kidnapped by the rogue brother of the Earl of Mercia, Gaetan refuses to let his man go. His loyalty to his men is above all.

A rescue mission of epic proportions begins.

Guiding the original de Wolfe Pack on this task into deadly enemy territory is a lady warrior known as Ghislaine of Mercia. The sister of the man who kidnapped Gaetan’s knight, her loyalties are torn. Wary of the big Norman knight with the fierce manner, her attraction to Gaetan is nonetheless undeniable. There is a spark between them that refuses to die. Together, Gaetan and Ghislaine embark on a dangerous adventure where myths are revealed, loyalties are tested, and where a growing passion between them becomes all-consuming.

Live the legend.

Uncaged Review: I didn’t like this book, I loved it. I have to admit, I wasn’t too fond of Gatean at
first. But one of the reasons is this is not a normal romance book from this author. But what this
book does do is to give the reader a better background on many of the names that will come up
in later books. De Russe, de Lohr, du Reims, de Lara and even gives you the background on how
de Shera began. These names will be linked in future novels and the ancestry that this author has
developed over her series of medieval novels and how they are all interconnected is mind boggling.

So even though there is some romance here, it is a smaller part of this book. This book is more about
the amazing Knights and their true loyalty to each other – a true band of brothers not seen in modern
times. As I said, Gatean took time to grow on me, but he did, with Ghislaine’s help. A great origin
story that will give the readers of this author a better background and understanding on many
books that follow. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review: Watcher Untethered by J.L. Madore

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Watcher Untethered
JL Madore
Paranormal Romance/Occult

An 8-Book Dark Angels Completed Series.

Duty. Honor. His brothers. That’s all he has.

Wounded in battle, Zander wakes in a daemon feeding ground, bound to a human female. The origins of the restraints are unknown and the woman, a risk for Otherworld exposure. In the midst of the violence of his world, and with relationships punishable by death, Austin tempts a part of him he fought to lock down his entire, miserable existence.

Kidnapped and handcuffed to a dangerously sexy man, Austin is helpless to fight the attraction to her savior. The darkness of his world terrifies her, yet the rich timbre of his voice triggers a bizarre form of synesthesia. After a decade of being blind, what Austin sees when she’s with Zander, threatens to destroy them both…

Uncaged Review: There is a lot of comparison to the Black Dagger Brotherhood in this series, and yes, I can see the similarities – but they are not the same stories. People could have said the same about the Midnight Breed series also. I can say, if you liked the BDB or the Midnight Breed series, you may like this one too. In my copy, I didn’t see a lot of grammar issues, so it seems the book has been edited since those reviews in 2018. I really enjoyed this band of brothers, in this group we have the Nephilim, and even the Archangels show up at times. This group of men are a blast. Be aware, the author does not shy away from danger, gore and the horror of protecting the human race from demonkind – and it is an erotic tale with some hard hitting sex scenes. If you are a person that is easily offended by language and cussing, this isn’t the book for you.

But if you like a unit of warriors that kick ass and love even harder, then this may be a good book to grab onto. The nice thing is that this is an eight book series, and all are out now. I’ll definitely be moving on to the next one. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 1/2 Stars

Uncaged Review: How to Kiss an Undead Bride by Hailey Edwards

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

How to Kiss an Undead Bride
Hailey Edwards
Urban Fantasy

The Epilogues: Part I

Groom? Check.

Dress? Check.

Cake? Check.

More cake? Double Check.

Even more cake? Triple check.

(Seriously, who left Lethe alone with Grier’s credit card?)

Anything that can go wrong has,but all the deposits have been paid, and the menus are set. Mostly. There’s always room for more cake, right? All that’s left is for Grier and Linus to exchange vows and set off on their honeymoon. Their happily ever after awaits, so close they can taste it.

No.

Wait.

That’s probably just more cake. Frosting gets everywhere.

Anyway, there’s also murder, arson, and general mayhem. This is what happens when two potentates marry. Just cross your fingers they survive exchanging vows, and that the knot they tie doesn’t turn into a noose.

Uncaged Review: This series has been one of my very favorites, and these epilogues are just the right icing on the cake. But don’t think that these are just short novellas, the author does a great job giving us a complete plot inside the wedding planning. And did you really expect a wedding between Grier and Linus to go without a hitch? What fun would that be?

This is the first of three epilogues, and Grier and Linus are finally getting married. There is romance (clean), plus laugh out loud moments, a suspense with danger and action. The author giving us these epilogues is truly a gift, and I’m looking forward to the second one when they actually try to take a honeymoon. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

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

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