Skye Giovanni was seven years old the first time death came to her.
She has been haunted by visions of death since she was a child. It is her legacy and her curse. What good is power when you have no control over it?
Detective Lucas MacConnell is being hunted.
Crime scenes with ritualistic murders are starting to pop up everywhere, and the only thing Lucas knows for sure is that the mysterious Skye is at the center of it all.
An ancient power rises determined to end them both.
Thrown together by fate, and a destiny slowly spiraling out of their control, they will have to learn to trust each other or the next deaths might be their own.
Uncaged Review: This is a great first book, and very different from most magical fantasies that are on the market today. We are met with Druids and Gypsies, and the Fae in this book. The characters are well flushed out, and likable, and the world building is good without bogging down the book. The chemistry between the characters is spot on, and the author drags this out as a slow burn. Even though the book takes place over only a few days, a lot happens in the amount of time.
My only grump about the whole book, is even though it didn’t leave off on a cliffhanger that has you gritting your teeth, it’s still a cliffhanger and I knew as the book drug on that they weren’t going to solve this arc in the amount of space that was left in the book. It didn’t even solve any of the small arcs within the main one. But this is a trilogy, and I am all in. Reviewed by Cyrene
Dr. Alexander Manning’s vampire allegiant demands loyalty and secrecy. Keeping their existence hidden from humans is the Prime Directive. So when he accidentally reveals himself to a woman, a beautiful woman he can’t resist, he’s forced to make a choice: report her to his commander or ‘deal’ with her himself.
Both Alex’s loyalty and secrecy are tested.
Elizabeth should be afraid of tall, handsome, god-like Alexander, who she’s figured out is a vampire. Knowing he’ll come for her, she prepares for the worst and even considers sending her daughter away to live with her ex.
Alexander shows up, not to harm her though. To seduce her. Nights of unending pleasure however take a very serious turn, neither was expecting.
Until Alex’s past catches up to him and threatens to destroy his precious secretive world with Elizabeth and loyalty to her and her adorable seven-year-old daughter.
Will Alex obey his allegiant commander and submit to a woman he hates, or fight?
Never force a vampire to mate…
Uncaged Review: I haven’t read a good vampire romance in some time, and this is a nice start to a new series. It did start a little slow for me, and that could have been from the switching point of views from chapter to chapter. I think it might have made it easier if it was made clear in the beginning of the chapter whose point of view we were reading from. I like reading from both characters, but it can be confusing when you have to read a couple lines from the first paragraph or two to find out who you are dealing with. I did get used to it quickly enough and the book ramped up quite a bit after about 25% in and then this book turns into that “hard to put down” category.
I liked the chemistry of Alex and Elizabeth and there is enough suspense to keep you flipping the pages. This is a steamy romance with a fresh take on this genre and I even enjoyed some of the secondary characters that I hope will be in the future installments. Reviewed by Cyrene
Uncaged: Your latest book, Lady Abigail’s Perfect Match released in October and is second in a series. Can you tell readers more about this book and the series? Can they be read as standalones?
Sure! Lady Abigail’s Perfect Match is part of my Townsbridge novella series in which each of the five Townsbridge siblings eventually get their HEA. In Lady Abigail’s Perfect Match, it’s James’ turn. Having experienced his parents’ wonderful marriage and his older brother Charles’ blissful union, he believes in love and longs to find the right woman with whom to settle down. Unfortunately, he ends up getting caught in a compromising situation with a woman who seems to dislike his company entirely, to the point where he believes he makes her feel physically ill. But, he’s determined to give the inevitable his best shot anyway and his effort does pay off since it allows him to learn that Lady Abigail’s constant queasiness is caused by painful shyness – particularly relating to him – and this is something he plans on helping her overcome.
These books can be read as standalone stories.
Uncaged: What are you working on next that you can tell us about?
I’ve been pretty busy. Since publishing Lady Abigail’s Perfect Match in October, I’ve finished writing the third and final book in my Crawford series as well as a Gothic inspired Regency romance novella that’s going to be part of an anthology in September 2020. Right now I’m plotting the sixth book in my Diamonds In The Rough series so I plan to start writing that one soon.
Uncaged: What inspired you to write in the historical genre?
My mother-in-law introduced me to the historical romance genre and then one day, when I happened upon Julia Quinn’s, Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, I just knew I had to try writing my own historical romance novel. Julia Quinn’s style is lovely and it spoke to me more than any other romance novel I’d read at that time, because of the brilliant sense of humor.
Read the rest of the interview in the January issue of Uncaged Book Reviews below
Born in Denmark, USA TODAY bestselling author Sophie Barnes spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She’s lived in five different countries, on three different continents, and speaks Danish, English, French, Spanish, and Romanian (with varying degrees of fluency). But, most impressive of all, she’s been married to the same man three times—in three different countries and in three different dresses.
When she’s not busy dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading.
He never imagined he’d be the man he was born to be, or that one woman’s faith in him would change his life forever…
When Carlton Guthrie, Scoundrel of St. Giles, encounters a runaway bride in the London slums, he offers to help her. Not out of kindness, but because she’s the Earl of Hedgewick’s daughter. Using Regina to exact his revenge on her father seems like the perfect plan. Until Carlton starts to fall for the innocent beauty.Seeking refuge with a notorious crime lord, was never part of Regina’s plan. But in her blind attempt to escape the fate her parents have planned for her, options are limited. What she doesn’t expect, is to pull aside Carlton’s facade, and to find a tormented man who makes her feel safe and cherished – a man she could easily love, if he’ll let her.
Seeking refuge with a notorious crime lord, was never part of Regina’s plan. But in her blind attempt to escape the fate her parents have planned for her, options are limited. What she doesn’t expect, is to pull aside Carlton’s facade, and to find a tormented man who makes her feel safe and cherished – a man she could easily love, if he’ll let her.
Chapter One
London September, 1820
Everything in Regina’s life had always gone according to plan. She’d been born on March fourteenth, exactly as the physician and midwife had predicted. Since then, her sole purpose had been to become an accomplished lady. She’d been educated in a manner befitting the daughter of a British peer. And so, it was not surprising that she could play the pianoforte, embroider monograms on handkerchiefs, converse in French, and dance as if floating on air.
Her life was as it should be, as it had been designed to be, and she had no illusions about the duty that would one day be required of her. As a female, she would have to make the best possible match. Love would not factor into this eventuality since her marriage would without doubt be one of convenience.
Her parents had spent the last eighteen years preparing her for this. And yet her father, Charles Berkly, Earl of Hedgewick, still managed to surprise her when he interrupted tea one afternoon to inform her that she and the Marquess of Stokes were to be married.
The very next day.
By special license.
Apprehensive and slightly dazed, Regina told herself that all would be well. Her father had made a magnificent match – one that would elevate not only her but her entire family. She trusted him to have her best interests at heart, so she did not think to protest the hasty union or to remind her father that she and Stokes had never met. Instead, she breathed a sigh of relief when he described the marquess as a handsome youth with a fondness for poetry and music. She imagined herself enjoying his company, of entertaining him in the evenings with music and song, and of giving him children as duty required. She convinced herself that in time, love would blossom between them and that they would be happy together.
But when Stokes arrived that same evening for an introductory dinner, and was shown into the parlor by Plath, the butler, Regina realized that everything she’d imagined was but an illusion. Instead, she was expected to walk into hell and live there.
The resolve required to maintain her composure as Stokes approached her, to drop into an elegant curtsey and not run screaming from the room, was extraordinarily difficult. Like sitting still while a swarm of bees tried to sting you. But she now understood why she’d never met the marquess before and why she had to marry him faster than she could blink. Most likely, her father hoped to complete the task before she realized she was marrying a child.
For Sidney Hale, rescuing dogs is more than a hobby. It’s a calling. A deep-seated need. An unstoppable compulsion. For reasons so unsettling, she shares them with no one…until she meets Decker. After coming to her rescue while Sidney battled to save a dog—literally—the gorgeous SEAL proves he can be trusted with her secrets, her safety…maybe even her heart.
Saving an abused pit bull from a suspected dog fighter brings Decker “Gumby” Kincade not only the dog he’s always wanted, but the first woman in ages to catch his interest. Sidney’s reason for rescuing Hannah, and animals like her, is shocking…but it makes Gumby want her even more. Her harrowing past has made her the strong, brave, compassionate woman she is today. She could be The One…if Gumby can help curb her habit of putting herself squarely in danger’s path.
But he may be too late. Hannah’s previous owner is enraged over her loss…and looking for revenge.
Uncaged Review: Sidney Hale has an unstoppable, deeply ingrained compulsion to rescue dogs, even if it means placing herself in danger’s way. A recent hand to hand confrontation with a suspected dogfighter to save a Pitbull brings her face to face with Decker “Gumby” Kincade, Navy SEAL and fellow dog lover. Decker, who had a close call in Bahrain while on a mission, has had a change of plans for his life. Literally running into Sidney is an eye-opening and heart -opening experience. This book is a standalone in the series, with no cliffhanger and provides its own HEA. However, other characters and situations from book 1 are featured predominately and the reader would have a better understanding if they read book 1 first.
Sidney is no shrinking violet. A rough childhood turned her into a fearless, compassionate, and independent woman who goes after what she believes in, sometimes to her own detriment. Decker is a Navy SEAL and has a protective streak at least a mile long. He is the kind of tough and tender, patient and understanding man every woman secretly wants—and deserves. Their fast connection is organic. These are two imperfect, emotionally damaged people coming together at the right time in their lives. Readers will not be able to help but root for them.
This story is edgy, gritty, suspenseful, with page-turning anticipation. Profanity does flow liberally, but it is in context to the character’s dialogue. The first—and only—sex scene does not happen until three-fourths through, but it is very explicit. Sometimes the dialogue between characters or internal monologues seem repetitive. The conclusion was expected and lacked originality but did give a satisfying HEA and a nice lead-in to the next book in the series.
Caution, this book does look at the harsh reality of dog fighting and other abusive crimes. Some scenes and descriptions may be upsetting to certain readers. Reviewed by Ryan Jo
Monsters killed my family, so I came back for revenge.
Chicago was supposed to be a fun vacation—and it was—until my family was slaughtered by demons. Now I’m caught in a war between immortals tasked to save our planet, and a dark primordial god intent on destroying it.
I may be mortal, and I might be in over my head, but that’s never stopped me before.
I’ll show these demons who to fear on the streets of Chicago. Blood will flow, and I’ll only be satisfied once they’ve been sent back to hell.
Except that’s kind of the problem.
Turns out, the Queen of the Dead’s been hunting me for years.
And she’s finally found me.
Uncaged Review: So the reason I picked up this book, is that I got the fourth book in the series as part of a larger author promotion and review request, and I’m one of those people that really hate reading out of order on a series. So I went back to start at book one as it sounded pretty interesting to me. And I’m so glad I did. All the Norse gods are here, and this book is focusing on Loki. The gods have been banished to Earth, fighting off the demons that plague the planet every night that humans can’t see. Well, except one human – Morgane. Morgane lost her parents and her sister, and can see the monsters – so she trains and goes out hunting the creatures that took her family. When one particular night goes bad, Loki is there and is drawn to her and takes her back to Mir – for healing. And this is when the book hits yet another gear.
They will need to go back to the Underworld, to face Hel, Loki’s evil daughter – and it’s non-stop. There is romance, humor and the age old fight of good vs. evil. Hard to put down once you get going. Looking forward to book two. Reviewed by Cyrene
Life has gotten a bit dicey, lately. Which is a major understatement. My normal gig as a demon slayer turns extra deadly when a group of them attacks my home. I manage to take them out, but not before it’s too late. My sister and I are hit by the deadly fire veins curse. We have only days to find a cure, so we’ve got to split up to cover more ground.
I’m lucky to have access to Declan, one of the most powerful fallen angels in the world. Not to mention, one of the hottest. One that I’m falling for faster than I like. But he’s the guy with the skill to help me find the cure, and I need all the help I can get.
As we hunt for the cure to the curse that’s killing me, we uncover that threat is far greater than I’d even realized. There’s a mystery here, one that could tear my whole world apart. I just need to figure out what it is.
Uncaged Review: This is a fast paced story – and this time, Aeri and Mari are hit with a curse – and it will kill them in days if they don’t get the antidote in time. Problem is, as they are searching for clues, Mari is kidnapped. And not just by anyone, by one of the oldest and most powerful of the Fallen Angels, one who is pure evil and very powerful. Aeri will need all the help she can drum up to save herself and her sister.
This story doesn’t let up on the gas, and it’s full steam ahead. Declan and Aeri are getting closer, even with the nullifying curse inside Aeri. This is a fantastic series that keeps ramping up, and the 4th and final book is out and I am looking forward to reading it, although a bit sad that it will be over. Reviewed by Cyrene
‘Tis the season to be wicked… When a woman desperate for a job saves the life of an earl… … both of their plans for the future are thwarted.
He’s eccentric and society-shy… There’s no polite way to describe Ansley, Earl of Scarborough’s obsession with schedules and inflexible routines. Unfortunately, he’s also in need of a wife, which forces him squarely in the midst of the society he can scarcely function within. If only he dared to ignore the haut ton’s censure and claim the lovely, wholly unsuitable Willow as his own.
She seeks a governess post… Up from the country, Willow Harwood must quickly secure a governess position and save enough money to return to America. Only, her plans are foiled when she rushes to the rescue of a devastatingly handsome earl in the process of being robbed. Though he’s far above her station, she can’t fight the irrepressible attraction she feels toward him.
Neither is prepared for the upheaval to their lives when she reluctantly accepts his offer of employment…as his housekeeper. Nor can either predict the mayhem that follows when a lord who disdains society and a country miss with no experience plan a haut ton Christmastide gathering.
Uncaged Review:“Her tread lightened somewhat, the furious tramping giving away to normal footfall. Ah good. He was making headway, then.”
This was one of the many lines in this book that made me either smile broadly, or laugh out loud. The characters are very endearing, especially Ansley with his need of schedules and routines to keep his life relatively calm. Although he is an Earl, he’s also kind, fair and completely thrown for a loop when he meets Willow.
Willow is a commoner, half English, half American, with an excellent education, but society is prejudiced against her, and it’s been difficult to find a job as a teacher after her grandfather passes away. When she is hired by Ansley, she knows her station as a commoner and there can’t be anything between her and the Earl. Or can there? What about the haut ton?
This is a type of Cinderella story, and I was completely charmed. The author gave us an imperfect hero – which in turn, made him perfect. And the cover? I know exactly where that takes place in the book. Cheers. Reviewed by Cyrene
Forensic photographer, Dena Williams, has spent her life trained to see what others cannot. Vampire, Dimitri Kovac, has waited every Christmas for a miracle that does not come. In the Oregon wilderness, during a snowstorm, these two destined souls collide. Dena’s only hope of survival rests in a vampire with the heart of a poet. Dimitri only has five days to win a skeptical woman’s heart. As the Christmas tree lights burn brightly and the snow continues to fall, will Dena succumb to a vampire’s charms? With so little time, can Dimitri win her love?
Uncaged Review: A Christmas themed book with a fairy tale aspect which reminds me of Beauty and the Beast. I really enjoyed reading this book in places I was giggling like a love struck teenager. It’s not weird to want to be bitten by a vampire right? Highly recommended for some pre-Christmas vampire fun. Reviewed by Jennifer
Immortality isn’t always a blessing . . . sometimes it’s a curse!
An old sorcerer is how everyone knows him, but Orrick Pendragon has only chosen to shapeshift into the image an old man because of his painful past. When he stole the Eternal Flame over a hundred years ago, he had no idea of the consequences of his action. Being immortal and also married, he had to watch as his loving wife grew old and died while he stayed young and continued to live forever. Heartbroken, he swore, he would never fall in love again. But when Lady Hope appears at his tower door seeking his assistance to find the Eternal Flame, he’s intrigued and strangely attracted to her. Against his better judgment, he finds himself shapeshifting back into his young and handsome form of Sir Rick.
Lady Hope Threston arrives at Blake Castle as Lord Corbett’s ward. However, it is only a ploy on her part to get what she wants. She’s been betrothed to Lord Irwin, a blackhearted, greedy man. In order to convince him to break the betrothal, she agrees to help him find the Eternal Flame. However, she needs the assistance of the old sorcerer to do it. Lord Irwin wants to be powerful, invincible, and immortal, but all she wants is to be free. Then she meets the handsome Sir Rick and magically, everything changes.
Can an immortal man who is destined to live forever, find love again with a mortal woman who is bound to die?
Uncaged Review: This is the fifth book in a series, and I hadn’t read the others, but I’m definitely planning on going back and reading them – I really enjoyed Orrick’s story. The medieval time period is where this author excels.
After his wife died, Orrick is an old sorcerer, or at least that’s what he shows the world, as he keeps up the old man look. But when Hope arrives, he begins to feel for the first time since he lost his wife and the real Orrick comes through. I wasn’t a huge fan of Hope in the beginning, but I grew to like her as the story progressed. This book brings, suspense, romance and even a bit of humor. Well worth picking up. Reviewed by Cyrene
Sparks fly when tenacious mountain climber and hiker Beasley McLemore meets hot smokejumper Will Gregor on a search and rescue mission in Yosemite. Getting together, however, isn’t easy. Strong-willed Beasley is bent on building a thriving landscaping business back home in the foothills of the majestic Smoky Mountains. Busy working 24/7, she has no time or energy for a man in her life…she thinks.
Scorched by love in his past, Will is content to live near awe-inspiring Lake Tahoe where he saves lives and forests as a remote wildland firefighter. He doesn’t need a committed relationship complicating his dangerous lifestyle…he thinks.
Through life-changing events and a family mystery, each must question long held beliefs about work, love, and life. Looming over their blossoming love affair is the 2,400 miles separating their homes and livelihoods. Will love keep them together or distance tear them apart?
Uncaged Review: This is a nice contemporary that will draw a reader in pretty fast with a good lead-in in how Beasley and Will meet – with a little boy missing on a trail and both of them being on the team that volunteers in the search. Will is a firefighter/smokejumper and is not thrilled to have a thin woman on the team, but Beasley proves herself pretty quickly.
This is a good debut novel, and the backstories of the characters, even the secondary characters, are very well developed and interesting – my only wish was there just a bit fewer characters overall to read about. The long distance romance between Will and Beasley plays out and this book covers about a year’s time, so the reader has a lot to cover. But it’s done beautifully and paced well, and for those who like a bit of suspense in their novels, the mystery in Beasley’s family is woven seamlessly into the story. An author to watch in the future. Reviewed by Cyrene
