When danger and desire collide, a witch with a sordid past and a special agent with nothing to lose must form an unlikely alliance.
While trying to escape her past, kick-ass witch Willow McCray dispenses her own brand of justice swiftly and without mercy, until she crosses paths with sexy Magickal Bureau of Investigations Agent, Alex Denopoulos.
Now, she must use her powers for good if she wants to stay out of the mage prison, Hellios.
Alex will stop at nothing to catch a killer, including recruiting notorious felon, Willow McCray, to work for the agency. While under his guard, the lines between duty and passion become blurred with the red-haired beauty.
His penchant for justice and deep-seated hatred of witches makes a future together seem impossible.
But he’s not ready to let her go. Now he’ll risk more than his badge to keep her alive.
If only Willow can vanquish the evil surrounding them and give Alex what he wants—before she loses her heart and even her very soul in the process.
Uncaged Review: This is a paranormal romance that doesn’t pull any punches on the danger and the gore, and it’s got plenty of action, magick and romance. Characters are well developed in this story and Willow is a tough witch with a heart of gold that has strong psychic powers. Alex is a mortal that works for the Magickal Bureau of Investigations and is paired with Willow as his partner when the Bureau gives Willow the option of spending the rest of her life in Hellios (a magickal prison) or becoming a part of the team. When her best friend is murdered, she is partnered with Alex, who detests witches. But the longer Alex and Willow are together – the more both of them will be able to resist the attraction. As more witches are murdered, Alex will stop at nothing to keep Willow safe.
I was very glad to see this is the first book in a series. It’s got my attention and the twists and turns in this suspenseful fantasy that kept me whipping the pages on my Kindle to see what happens next. I am fully in on this series. Reviewed by Cyrene
A casual fling turns serious when Carter’s no-strings hot co-worker winds up pregnant. He’s a man of honor and will do right by Lily. Then things start to go wrong…
She said no to his proposal! She wants to keep him from his baby. And now his father is trying to marry him off to someone else. So he makes all kinds of crazy promises if she’ll be his fake fiancé for one weekend to win his independence. Then things go spectacularly wrong…
Pretending to be in love is easy. To stop pretending…well, that’s damn hard.
Now grab the popcorn and watch to see who will cave first and admit they’ve been in love all along…
Uncaged Review: The great story of friends to lovers. It doesn’t always work out that way, and Lily and Carter are from very different worlds, and this story is a heartwarming and toe curling that will make you laugh at the same time. I liked the slow burn as it ramps up the intensity of who will crack first.
The characters are well rounded, and the plot line moves smoothly from scene-to-scene. This was an enjoyable read from start to finish and you will want to keep reading to see how this all ends. Reviewed by Cyrene
Ride or Die, the ultimate bond, the unconditional act of being there for someone, no questions asked, having someone’s back no matter if they fail or succeed. Is it possible? Is it plausible?
What if the person becomes unrecognizable, or you feel yourself die in the process? Is there an invisible fine line, and if so, where do you draw it?
Brooke Hawk is unlike anyone I’ve ever dated. For one, he’s a biker, a member of the Gates of Hell MC…but I don’t care.
Hawk The women around me know how to handle it, handle me. Brooke is different, and I think that is what draws me to her.
Uncaged Review: Ride or Die, the words that signify one of the most sacred bonds in the MC world. This is a pretty quick story, some of it felt a bit rushed especially at the end. The characters were a bit one dimensional and could have been flushed out better. I enjoyed the story, but the story switches from Brooke’s point-of-view to Hawk’s, and that can be confusing as it is mostly from chapter to chapter, but it’s not marked, so a couple times it threw me off. Brooke is the straight laced girl with a great family, and Hawk is the classic guy from the wrong side of the tracks that had the crappy childhood and his whole life was changed by the motorcycle club he belongs to, a club that gave him a family he never had.
All in all, this is an entertaining read, although it seems it may have been the debut book by this author, and I think this author will get better and better as the foundation is there. This is dialog driven story and it would have benefitted from better world building which is not as easy when you write in the first person narrative, but I would definitely be onboard to read more from this author. Reviewed by Cyrene
t’s The Great Drazin School Of Wizardry, where boys will be boys. Unless that is, they’re turned into a girl.
Me, Matt Hallows–king of the school, all-star athlete, and biggest guy on campus–is now a five foot nothing, blubbering mess of female hormones. All thanks to Alistar Crow, the academy’s golden boy genius and budding narcissist.
My life was scoring goals, bench presses, and fights. Now it’s complete misunderstandings, accidental humpings, and bondage?
Let’s not even talk about when Alistar kissed me in front of the entire school and I whimpered.
Will I ever get my body back? I hope so. It’s not easy being the only witch in a school for wizards.
Uncaged Review: When I first started reading this, I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy this book much, there was way too much testosterone flowing – with arrogant sports players in a wizard school. It was a bit strange, that there wasn’t a whole lot of magic in the book, and I never got a sense of what all the students of this boy’s school had an affinity with. I just knew that Matt was an all-star athlete, popular, arrogant with anger issues and his friends, and then there is Alistar, the resident genius – and enemy it seems to Matt. But all my trepidation for this story was tossed out the window as soon as Alistar curses Matt into being a girl. The hilarity and fun begins and it doesn’t slow down. There is quite a bit of swearing and a couple good hot sex scenes to top it all off.
But there are some good lessons in this book, and Matt, his/her friends and Alistar will all grow and learn. And believe it or not, it has a HEA. So if you like a book that’s different, can entertain you and make you laugh out loud, then this may be a good choice. Reviewed by Cyrene
When you’re negotiating a business deal with your enemy—here’s a few rules…
#1. NEVER fall in love with him #2. DON’T agree to be his fake girlfriend #3. Do I even have to say it?
I don’t have any delusions of grandeur about our arrangement, Aaron Patterson is the devil in a three piece suit, And I’ll do anything to get some dirt on him, And stop him from buying out my family business.
He thinks his charming smile and cocky attitude can intimidate me? I’m a New York girl, top of my game, And I’ll be damned if some frat boy man child thinks he can beat me. But when the lines between us start to blur—so do my feelings.
How can something I was hired to fake, feel so real? With more than just my business on the line, My brain is telling me that this is one game…I might not win.
Uncaged Review:Disclosure: This book was originally called “His Fake Girlfriend” and has been repackaged and branded to be a part of a series – but it’s the same story.
This is a fun book – and I’m always excited when I find a contemporary romance that I really like. They call this book an “enemies to lovers” and it was in a way, but not completely. I have to admit, for the first few chapters I wasn’t sure I was going to like the book, because Aaron is a complete jerk. He’s arrogant, cocky and treats his employees so badly, I’m surprised they still work for him. He has no friends and has never been in a relationship with a woman, he’s the love them and leave them kind. So I had my reservations on liking the book. But along comes Audrey, who works for a competing company and a good suspenseful plot line that I only guessed half of. We see growth and likability in Aaron that was because of his relationship with Audrey, who makes him a better man. Well worth the reading time, and even though I would have liked to see them out more together and explore how they got to where they were by the end of the book, it still worked. The point of view switches from chapter to chapter between Audrey and Aaron, which is the best way to work these type of narratives, in my opinion Reviewed by Cyrene
Uncaged: Welcome to Uncaged! Your latest book, Seducing the Dragonfly is the second book in the Graciella series. Can you tell readers more about this series?
This series takes place in Graciella, a fictional town on Oregon’s rugged, but gorgeous coast. The first three books center around the Brockman Brothers, Cruz, Turner and Adam. They were raised by a cruel patriarch, T.D. Brockman who has recently died (in Book 1, Handling the Rancher). The brothers have to bring their family farm back from the despair and neglect it suffered under T.D.’s ownership. But they also have to heal their hearts from the abuse and neglect they suffered under T.D.’s hands. Each one meets his match in a successful, intelligent and sexy lady. I try to write books in beautiful, imaginary locations with loyal friendships, community and food, lots of great food!
Uncaged: How does your writing process work? Do you plot out your novels for the main scenes beforehand, or are you more of a panster?
I am such a pantser!! I hate outlining with a passion. Usually I see images in my head before I’ve written the book. Images of the two characters meeting, or the beginning of the book and I go from there. I excel at insomnia, so I often imagine scenes and plot the stories in my head in the middle of the night. My characters and their issues keep me company while everyone else in my house sleeps. During the day, as soon as my kids leave for school, I get to work writing. When I’m working on a manuscript I try to put in 4-6 hours a day during the week on it.
Uncaged: What are you working on next that you can tell us about?
I just submitted Book 2 in my Rescue Me series for review with my editor at Totally Bound. And I’m starting Book 3 in the Graciella Series, Adam’s story. At the time of answering these questions (March12-16th, 2020) all our schools have just closed for at least six weeks, restaurants have closed, and large gatherings/events are all closed due to the Corona virus. So I’m planning on writing more essays and food related blog posts because they bring me comfort and I love connecting with people through food and writing.
Read the rest of this interview in the issue below
Puget Sound based writer, Sara Ohlin is a mom, wannabe photographer, obsessive reader, ridiculous foodie, and the author of the contemporary romance novels, Handling the Rancher, Salvaging Love, and Seducing the Dragonfly.
She has over fifteen years of creative non-fiction and memoir writing experience, and you can find her essays at Anderbo.com, Feminine Collective, Mothers Always Write, Her View from Home, Under the Gum Tree, and in anthologies such as Are We Feeling Better Yet? Women Speak about Healthcare in America, Take Care: Tales, Tips, & Love from Women Caregivers, and Chicken Soup for the Soul.
Although she’s the author of many essays about life, grief, motherhood and the connections we make through delicious food and shared meals, Sara loves creating imaginary worlds with tight-knit communities in her romance novels. She credits her mother, Mary, Nora Roberts and Rosamunde Pilcher for her love of romance.
If she’s not reading or writing, you will most likely find her in the kitchen creating scrumptious meals with her two kids and amazing husband, or perhaps cooking up her next love story. She once met a person who both “didn’t read books” and wasn’t “that into food” and it nearly broke her heart.
Returning home to the Oregon town of Graciella after twelve years away, international real-estate guru Turner Brockman intends to make amends for having disappeared, then vanish again.
He didn’t reckon on meeting a figure from the past he tried to escape—beautiful Lily Moreno, now all grown up and the independent, creative owner of Dragonfly Design & Construction.
Lily never expected to see Turner again and she’s determined to hide the love she’s felt for him since she was a girl, when he crushed her heart and killed her trust in men. Creating and owning the top construction company on the West Coast and being there for her friends and family are Lily’s only desires now. Except…there’s an intense chemistry between her and Turner, one she gives in to, only to harden her heart after every encounter.
Welcomed back into the beauty of Graciella and the family farm with loving, open arms, Turner falls quickly for Lily, but faces his greatest challenge yet—seducing Lily into trusting him completely. Will his intense love, patience and good old-fashioned wooing be enough to capture his dragonfly’s heart?
Excerpt
Lily snaked her truck through the construction signs and orange barrels from the road crew that was working on Main Street during the week and parked at an angle that would make getting the long boards of wood out of her truck and straight into the theater easier. Lily put her earbuds in, cranked up Brandi Carlile and got to work.
Brandi was in the middle of an angsty love song when the two by fours Lily carried over her shoulder smacked against something behind her.
“Holy hell!” she swore as the impact jarred her. When she turned to inspect what had gotten in her way, her heart flipped over. Not something, someone. No. No. No! It can’t be. Not here. Not now. Not ever. She slammed the wood to the ground and sucked in a breath. Turner Brockman in the flesh. Lily ripped out her earbuds, her music replaced with a shadow from the past.
“I’ll second that,” he said, rubbing his shoulder. She followed the motion of his arm. She’d smacked him with her two by fours. Appropriate. His voice was deeper, but, even with his pissy tone, she’d recognize the sound anywhere.
“I didn’t see you…”
No one’s seen you in twelve years. Her heart hovered and fluttered in recognition. Oh, no you don’t, you traitor. We do not love him anymore.
He’s betrothed…but not to the woman who holds his heart
She’s hiding from the past… Hoping to put the shame of her father’s disgrace behind her, Jessica Brentwood is determined to be the epitome of decorum and propriety her first London Season. All is well until she’s discovered naked in the arms of a notorious rake, Crispin, the wicked Duke of Bainbridge.
Though thoroughly compromised—through no fault of her own—Jessica refuses the enigmatic nobleman’s obligatory marriage proposal. She’d rather face certain scorn and ridicule than be forced into a marriage of convenience. Or rather, inconvenience.
He’s avoiding his future… Betrothed since childhood, Crispin has no interest in wedding the woman he’s expected to marry before Season’s end. The lovely country miss, Jessica Brentwood, holds the key to his heart, though he’s never hinted at his feelings for her.
When they are the victims of a cruel hoax, Crispin isn’t at all unhappy that he’ll have to break his unwanted betrothal to marry Jessica. Except, his betrothed isn’t willing to release him from their agreement, and the vengeful villains who conspired to ruin Jessica and Crispin aren’t finished plotting mayhem.
How can he convince Jessica his rakehell’s reputation is mostly conjecture and that he’s adored her from afar? Dare Jessica believe the scoundrel who swears he’s not a rogue and vows he wants to protect her?
Uncaged Review: I was determined to catch up with this series, and I’ve almost accomplished that goal, even though it is not a hardship to read this author’s works. Each book can be read in any order or as a standalone, but the reader will want to read about the other characters that pop up in the books, I’m no exception. In this outing, Crispin, the Duke of Bainbridge has had a pre-arranged marriage since he was a young child, a very unwanted and unsuitable betrothal. The woman he has always admired from afar, is Jessica Brentwood. When a malicious couple plot against them, and leave them in a compromised position, all hell breaks loose.
This is another wonderful book in the series, and I think that Crispin and Jessica are my two favorites so far in this series. I may say that often with this author, but she has a magical ability to endear her characters to the reader. This book went by so quickly, that I actually thought it was a novella, and it is not. That’s a pretty reliable sign of a good book. Reviewed by Cyrene
He once loved her beyond all reason. Dare he risk heartbreak again?
Leaving her first love behind was the hardest thing Regine, Duchess of Heartwaite, had ever done. Her marriage of convenience to another man saved her family, even as it laid waste to her heart. That was years ago, however. Now widowed, she’s ready to begin her life anew. But all it takes is one glimpse of her former sweetheart to realize the feelings she buried so long ago are still there, stronger than ever. Unfortunately, his feelings for her are decidedly colder…
Solicitor James Brentwood has only one mistress these days—his work. Being jilted by his betrothed taught him love simply wasn’t worth the cost. But Regine is back in England now, more beautiful and alluring than ever. And it’s not long before he begins to feel things he has no business feeling. Especially not for her. Not again.
But when a nemesis intent on destroying Regine emerges, it’s James who must come to her rescue. Can they overcome their differences and painful past to claim their happily ever after? Or will their second chance at love end as disastrously as their first?
Uncaged Review: A wonderful second chance romance and a fitting story to this series and for James, who we met previously in the series and truly gives us insight on who James is and how he became the man he is. When the love of his life leaves him, marrying a Duke for convenience – James is heartbroken and throws himself into his work. But when Regine comes back to London, two years after her husband passes away – James has a hard time tamping down his feelings and when they continue to be invited to the same gatherings, avoiding her will be difficult.
This is a sweet story of second chances and this author can draw in the reader from the very first pages. Even though this is part of a series and characters reoccur, they can be read as standalones and you won’t be lost. A charming story that historical romance readers will enjoy. Reviewed by Cyrene
Uncaged: Welcome to Uncaged! Your newest release, A Portrait of Dawn will release April 8th. Can you tell readers more about the book and the series, The Sawtooth Range?
The Sawtooth Range Series has evolved from a western stand-alone of a woman frontier doctor to a family saga. Comes the Winter is a traditional romance introducing Lena Sommer and Evan Hartmann who complement each other, becoming the characters who now anchor the series. In Redeeming Lies, the Hartmann’s purchase their ranch north of what is now known as Sun Valley, Idaho. A Portrait of Dawn takes place one year later when the Hartmann’s welcome their first guests. My intention with the series is to continue to build an ensemble cast where guests come to the stunning beauty of the Big Wood River and the magnificent Sawtooth Range to fall in love under the magic of the landscape. Additionally, I will continue to introduce historical figures who appear in cameo roles, hopefully anchoring the stories in time and real place.
Uncaged: You are very passionate about researching the western history of the U.S. and readers can go to your blog to read up on some of that research. Is your love for the western history what inspired you to write?
I’ve been writing stories since I entered Dick and Jane’s storied world in first grade – great characters – flat plots. My interest in western history sparked when I moved after college graduation to take a teaching position in Arizona. Weekend hikes through the desert washes and wild mountains allowed my imagination to run free. It was also the first time I hiked packing a six-gun, because rumors of crusty, protective prospectors abounded in the Superstition Mountains. It was a transformational time for a girl raised between corn fields in the flat farmlands of the Midwest. Later, as I traveled through Idaho and Oregon along the iconic pioneer trail, my fate was sealed as a western writer. Landscapes inspire my writing spirit. The pistol I carried in Arizona was stolen, but my son replaced it with a lever-action rifle with my name engraved on the stock. What a great gift!
Uncaged: What are you working on now that you can tell us about?
Another intriguing setting is the Washington state San Juan Archipelago. The islands between British Columbia and the U.S. share a long history of smuggling, of both humans and goods. A Light from Friday Harbor is set in the prohibition years and is part mystery and part love story. I’m currently writing the sequel set in 1939 as England stands on the brink of war with Germany. While some hold onto the fading hope of a negotiated peace, the reality soon makes clear to all that war is inevitable. It’s the theme of the novel. Conflict and seasons of life take us to places we’d rather not travel. Ultimately, it is the story of acceptance and resilience. The Wisdom of Songbirds should be complete by the end of 2020.
Read the rest of the interview in the issue below.
Samantha St. Claire divides her time between her homes in Idaho and the Olympic Peninsula. Traveling along the old Oregon trail provides her with the wild landscapes and historic inspiration for this exciting new series, The Sawtooth Range. Her own pioneer roots have stirred her interest in the early settlements of Idaho and Montana.
Sign up for Samantha’s Newsletter for early notifications of new releases and interesting news relevant to readers of historical fiction.
“The greatest thing a human being ever does in this world is to see something . . . to see clearly is poetry, prophecy, a religion all in one.” – John Ruskin Dawn’s future looms before her like a blank canvas, and only through the artist’s eyes will she see her true self and find the courage to paint the first stroke.
It’s 1890 and Idaho Territory is celebrating statehood. The event will draw two individuals who, like the new state, must redefine and prove themselves. While the artist, Luke Brennan, is captivated by Dawn Fairburn’s bewitching, jade-green eyes and brilliant mind, the world characterizes her as less than an acceptable model of womanly perfection. Both are lacking in society’s estimation, he for his Irish heritage and she for her deformed leg, but together they may prove them all wrong. Like the new state, their combined strengths will give them the courage to step into the wilderness of their uncertain future.
Excerpt
Unbridled Imaginations “The greatest thing a human being ever does in this world is to see something . . . to see clearly is poetry, prophecy, a religion all in one.” John Ruskin
JUNE 24, 1890 For a future yet to be written, an unbridled imagination is a dangerous thing. Although Dawn held to such philosophical convictions, as she turned to her slumbering father sitting beside her, she allowed herself to travel that treacherous path leading her thoughts to notions of what might be. Even in sleep, with his chin nodding gently against his chest in easy rhythm to the rocking motion of the train, he looked dignified and even . . . presidential. Dawn smiled to herself, pleased by the notion. She considered her father’s pleasing features, his strong, square jaw, the touches of gray giving him that suggestion of experience and wisdom that could build confidence in his constituents. She pressed her lips together and lifted one eyebrow a slight degree higher than the other. Why not? Her skin prickled at the image. If he could go from legal counsel to the next U.S. Senator for New York, why not President? And she would be the one to help put him there.
Dawn shifted in her seat, frowning. Mr. Pullman’s train cars were a definite improvement from those wooden seats of early years when she and her father traveled from New York to Washington. But comfortable, they were not. She envied his ability to fall asleep so effortlessly—the benefits of a man with a clean conscience.
She reached down to retrieve her father’s brochure from the floor, the one he’d read to her with such enthusiasm moments before he’d fallen asleep. Now, with the campaign before him, why did he insist on this trip into Idaho Territory? They needed to be planning, not traipsing off to the frontier for . . . Reading the advertisement again, she felt a scowl pinch her brow.
Come to the Hartmann Ranch where you can experience the frontier ranching life.
As the train rounded a bend, the view from her window shifted to the east, the direction from which they’d been traveling since yesterday morning. Streaks of palest yellow heralded the break of day. It should have cheered her as it usually did, but unlike her usual day of ordered routine, this one held too many uncertainties. She looked down at the twisted brochure still gripped in her hands. The word adventure peeked between her fingers. It wasn’t a word that often appeared in her vocabulary. Adventure conjured up images of safari hunters in wild, foreign lands.
Dawn lowered her head to her father’s shoulder, breathing in the familiar scent of his pipe tobacco and starched collar. How could she ever remain impatient with him? With a skill she’d honed since earliest childhood, she focused her thoughts on this moment. In this moment, she was blissfully content. Tomorrow was yet to be. With luck, she would see the adventures only from the windows of a rolling train.
From the train window, the indistinct reflection appraised the serious young woman with green eyes. Dawn had been told often enough they were the same shade that made her mother so attractive. But unlike her mother, Dawn lacked the golden locks. Her brown hair favored her father’s, as did the firm line of her jaw. And like her father, her thoughts rarely strayed from her duty to support and serve.
Acius, the darkest fallen angel in the world, knows what I am. And he wants me—to be his queen, to be his puppet. He’ll stop at nothing, which leaves me with only one choice.
Kill him.
Normally, my prey run from me. But he’s the hunter too. When he delivers word of his plan to destroy Magic’s Bend with an enormous serpent, it’s obviously a trap meant to ensnare me.
But I have no choice. To save my town, I must skirt the edge of death. I must outrun him and outwit him, or we will all lose—our homes, our lives. Everything.
Uncaged Review: The fourth and final book in this series and it takes the finale to another level. With the dark fallen angel Acius, wanting to detroy Magic Bend, and Aeri to be his pawn – so the group will have to go big – or lose everything. This is a fantastic finale, the action is non-stop – sprinkled with humor and Declan and Aeri finally acknowledge their feelings to each other. This is a fitting conclusion to this series and I clung to the pages. Even though Aeri’s series is completed in this set, Mari’s story will continue on and I’m looking forward to staying in this world the author built a little bit longer. Reviewed by Cyrene
Puget Sound based writer, Sara Ohlin is a mom, wannabe photographer, obsessive reader, ridiculous foodie, and the author of the contemporary romance novels, Handling the Rancher, Salvaging Love, and Seducing the Dragonfly.
Samantha St. Claire divides her time between her homes in Idaho and the Olympic Peninsula. Traveling along the old Oregon trail provides her with the wild landscapes and historic inspiration for this exciting new series, The Sawtooth Range. Her own pioneer roots have stirred her interest in the early settlements of Idaho and Montana.
