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Uncaged Review – The Lady of the Mirrored Lake by Jennifer Ivy Walker

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Lady of the Mirrored Lake
Jennifer Ivy Walker
Fantasy

Hunted by the Black Widow Queen, Issylte–a healer with the verdant magic of the forest–must flee Avalon with the two finest knights in the Celtic realm, both wrongly accused of treason. The trio travels to Bretagne, where Issylte heals a critically injured wolf and obtains fiercely loyal, shapeshifting allies.

In mystical Brocéliande, Issylte becomes a warrior priestess of the Tribe of Dana and otherworldly mate of the Blue Knight of Cornwall, discovering with Tristan a passion that transcends all bounds. When she becomes the Lady of the Mirrored Lake, sworn to defend the sacred waters of the Goddess, Issylte must undertake a perilous quest to discover what priceless object lies hidden in its murky depths.

As a nascent evil emerges in a fetid cave, Issylte and Tristan must face a diabolical trio that threatens their lives, their love, and their kingdoms.

Enchanted. Enflamed. Entwined. Can their passion and power prevail?

Uncaged Review: The author sets herself apart in the fantasy field. Everything is so well researched and the book flows from one scene to another. In the second book of the trilogy, Issylte, Tristan and Lancelot are preparing for war, bringing in allies and putting together an army for the war against the Black Widow Queen who killed Issylte’s father and has Tristan’s father under enchantment. Issylte learns to defend herself, and makes some strong alliances – and is gifted not only becoming the Lady of the Mirrored Lake by the Tribe of Dana, but also alliances with the mermaid warriors, bear clan and the wolves. Hiding out at Lancelot’s kingdom, they train and prepare for the war.

This is such a well written book, and the romance between Tristan and Issylte finally comes to fruition and where the author came up with some of the names for many characters is truly mind boggling. There were many characters to keep track of, but it wouldn’t have been the story it is without the supporting cast. The final book brings us to the grand finale, and I’m looking forward to it. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Secrets of a Highlander’s Heart by Julie Johnstone

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Secrets of a Highlander’s Heart
Julie Johnstone
Medieval Romance

Will the truth of the past destroy the hope of their future?

How far will he go for vengeance?

Brus Stone remembers nothing of his life before he was rescued at the age of five summers and brought to live as part of the Northern Watch. Having been told his mother abandoned him, he’s about as willing to give his trust to a woman as he is to hand his sword to his enemy during battle. So when he’s tasked with accompanying a group of highlanders through the treacherous lands he helps patrol and he encounters a bonny lass who proves to be as brave as any warrior he’s ever met, he’s surprised by his pull to the lass and more than wary because of it. He steels himself against lowering his guard, but her open nature bemuses him, and her caring heart entices him. Each time he touches her he finds himself further drawn to the warmth she exudes and the possibility that believing in her will not result in betrayal. But a shocking revelation about his past obliterates everything he holds true and leaves him with a choice—give unwavering faith to the daughter of the enemy he didn’t know he had or raise his guard once more and secure the ultimate revenge.

How much will she lose for love?

Grace MacDonald is starting to wonder whether she’ll ever meet a man who sees her as an equal and not simply a potential wife to do as he bids. To complicate matters, her father wishes her to wed her childhood friend and fortify an important alliance between their clans. Though she wants to please her beloved father, her friend does not stir her heart or her desire, so she’s reluctant to accept his offer of marriage. When the party she’s travelling with is attacked and a Scottish warrior rescues her, she’s immediately drawn to the powerfully compelling man. Not only does he display a gentle caring side, but he also listens to what she says and seems to value her opinions. His every look, touch, and kiss ignite her in the way she’s been waiting for all her life. But Brus will not completely let her in. He has erected a barrier between them, and the harder she tries to breach it, the more withdrawn he becomes. She’s determined to prove to him that he can count on her, so they can grasp the glorious love she’s sure awaits them. Yet when a devastating secret comes to light, she must decide whether her loyalty remains with the father she’s always trusted or whether it belongs with the man she’s certain is her destiny.

Uncaged Review: This is a nice start to a new series, and this one focuses on Ross and Grace, and the many secrets that have been kept from both of them. When Grace and her sister want to get to her father, she sways her friend from a clan her father wants an alliance with to take her, but they are attacked on the journey and Errol is injured. Ross and Conal from the Northern Watch save them, and are tasked with taking the women to their father safely. But there are a lot of secrets, and some could destroy the love that Ross and Grace are findng in each other.

There was a good deal of action, and watching the love build throughout the book was a good touch and the book keeps a decent pace. This story will keep you reading until the last page and I’m looking forward to the series continuing. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Dance Me a Dark-Haired Beauty by Tessa McFionn

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Dance Me a Dark-Haired Beauty
Tessa McFionn
Fantasy Romance

Two fae walk into a bar…and that’s just when the trouble begins.

Welcome to the Big Easy, where the good times roll…and where the real and surreal collide. For more than two centuries, rare human/fae hybrid Camille Delacroix has remained safe. Her unique birthright as a skin dancer gives her the ability to change nearly everything about herself, allowing her to hide in plain sight. Yet on one fateful night, not one but two unexpected visitors hailing from her mother’s magical realm threaten to unravel her peaceful existence.

On one hand is Zacarias, Grand Enforcer of the High Court of the Fae. Dark, dangerous and cruelly seductive, he appears with quite the ultimatum: discover the source of the mysterious plague killing the Deathless Ones or be revealed to the world as something other than human. And then there’s Rhys, who manages to be sex-crazed and innocent simultaneously. That is, when he’s not causing mayhem on nearly a catastrophic level wherever he goes. He’s been sent to aid her in her quest, but she’s not so sure just how much help his naïve bumbling will do.

Things are getting complicated. Folks on both sides of the mystical veil are dropping dead and Camille is running out of time. Caught between two sexy fae and self-preservation. What’s a girl to do?

Uncaged Review: A very original story of a girl who is half skin dancer and half human. She can change her whole appearance and hold it, not like an illusion the fae use. Two different fae come searching for Camille, because unknown to her, the fae world knows about her and have for some time. This time they need her help to find a cure for a terrible disease that is killing the fae. Two fae are sent to help her, Rhys is a Knight and guardian, with the ability to heal. He is also the bumbling one in the human world, but very likable. Zacarias is the Grand Enforcer for the High Court and Queen, and he’s as formal and stiff as he is beautiful. To get them out of her life, she decides to help them, but when it’s over, will she want them out of her life?

Great storytelling and the part of this book that really sewed it up for me was the last quarter of the book. The book jumps into high gear and it’s impossible to put down after the 75% mark. This started a tad slow for me and it took me a bit to get used to Cam’s speech with all the New Orleans drawl, but this is a solid start to a new series. My only question is, when is book two? Reviewed by Cyrene

4.5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Lord Ashley’s Beautiful Alibi by Cerise DeLand

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Lord Ashley’s Beautiful Alibi
Cerise DeLand
Historical Regency

He pretended he was her lover. She became his alibi…and his only love.

Augustine Bolton lives amid the social whirl and treachery of the stylish court of Josephine and Napoleon Bonaparte. When Gus’s dearest friend, Amber, disappears, Gus must find her before the deputy chief of police finds Amber and carts her off to his bed—or to la Force.

But Gus’s means are few and her own duties as an agent in Amber’s network mean she is also suspect. Gus needs help.

Kane Whittington is just the man for the job.

He has worked for London merchant-cum-spymaster Scarlett Hawthorne for years and welcomes Scarlett’s call to build a large espionage network in Europe. His first task is to find the missing head of Scarlett’s espionage network.

Uncaged Review: Kane is an agent who is sent out to France to find a missing person in a link to the spy network or to build a new network, the missing person also happens to be Augustine Bolton’s friend. Kane meets Augustine again – another fellow spy in the missing person’s network, and they end up posing as an engaged couple. But of course that will lead to more…

This book has a good mystery, danger and romance, everything a good historical should have. The characters are well flushed out and this is a good original story and a great start to this series. This is engaging and entertaining read that doesn’t slow down and will keep the reader turning the pages. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Catawba Falls by W.F. Ranew

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Catawba Falls
W.F. Ranew
Hard-Boiled Mystery

Does a killer roam the Western North Carolina mountains?

Red Farlow travels to Camp Ridgemont for Boys for a reunion with his summer camp friends. On arrival, he discovers two camp counselors have been found in the woods, hacked to death. Red’s investigation soon widens with more mysterious deaths, one of them a close friend.

Far-right extremist Troy Unsworthy knows the hills and hollows after a lifetime of growing up in these mountains. Red soon learns all the victims are connected to Unsworthy in the years leading up to a deadly auto accident which put him in prison.

When he learns Unsworthy was released just before the counselors’ deaths, Red goes into the mountains. His trek requires sure-footedness over rocky terrain and old-growth forest as he explores caves with endless tunnels, shafts, and deep-water pools searching for his suspect.

But, did Unsworthy really murder these people, or should Red turn his attention to other suspects?

Red treads a treacherous path on his quest to find the killer and bring him to justice.

Uncaged Review: This book started out a bit slow, and it threw me in a couple places throughout. First we are slapped right into a gruesome murder of some camp counselors that our main protagonist Red, finds during a trip into a summer camp for a reunion with some friends. Then the book backtracks a bit without a segway into his events leading up to the search. But this is a good mystery, but there are a lot of murders to this tale, and Red will have to trek through the forest to hunt down the suspect.

I had not read any of the previous books, but does well as a standalone. I would have liked to know more about Red and his background before going into this one, and I’m sure that’s probably in previous books, but it’s not necessary to read those first. The author does a great job describing the detail of the surrounding area and this book does a good job keeping the reader in suspense the whole way through. Reviewed by Cyrene


4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Steinar by Mary Morgan

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Steinar
Mary Morgan
Medieval Fantasy Romance

Descended from the mighty Somerled, Lord of the Isles, Steinar MacDougall’s supremacy over the seas is fierce. On a quest for King William, he is captured by the enemy and presented with a favorable opportunity. Yet Steinar soon realizes his greatest threat comes from the woman who hides behind the mask of a warrior, and the quest for control might send them hurdling into the abyss of the sea.

As leader of the Serpents, Inga the Ruthless travels beyond the isles bartering for goods with her brothers. After rescuing the feared Pirate Wolf during a storm, she surrenders her trust to the man and his inner wolf in order to claim the lost treasure of Odin. Though the journey is fraught with dangers, Inga fears her heart might be the one in peril, leading her to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Will the sea be their salvation or doom them to a watery grave?

Uncaged Review: This author has a way of weaving a tale that will keep a reader glued to the pages, and the Wolves of Clan Sutherland are masterpieces. Each book will have you falling in love with the wolves all over again and all you can hope for is that the author keeps writing about them. This story is all about Steinar – the aloof sea pirate wolf, and Inga the Ruthless, who commands the Serpents. Steinar is saved by Inga and her ship, and they strike a bargain, if Steinar can get her through the deadly seas to a treasure, he will be set free. But Steinar never counted on his wolf and his heart getting involved but Inga holds many secrets of her own.

One of the most emotional times for me in this series, is when the wolves come to aid one of their brothers, and when Magmar, Rorik and Gunnar show up, I may have needed a tissue. In this series, the wolf and man share a soul, but are distinctly different. I don’t think in all the fantasy I’ve read, that I’ve enjoyed a shifter book as much. This book has romance, danger, action and mystery and if you haven’t read anything from this author, you are truly missing out. My note to the author: write faster. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Bretagne: A Forbidden Affair by Diane Scott Lewis

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Bretagne: A Forbidden Affair
Diane Scott Lewis
20th Century Historical

Norah Cooper flees England to hide with her cousin in Brittany just before Germany’s 1940 invasion of France. After her illegitimate baby is stillborn, she’s trapped under the Occupation as war expands across Europe. Norah grieves and consoles herself by sketching wildlife. When she’s caught too near the coast, she comes under scrutiny of the German commandant, Major August von Gottlieb.

August loathes what Hitler is doing to his country and France but is duty-bound to control the people in his jurisdiction. The lively young Englishwoman piques his interest. Is she a spy? He questions her and asks her to sketch his portrait so he might uncover the truth.

Their relationship evolves into a passion neither of them can deny. She endures taunts from the villagers. His superiors warn him of not being harsh enough—he could be transferred or worse. He plans to sabotage a major war machine of the Reich, while she secretly helps the Resistance. Both acts are fraught with danger while kept secret from one another. Will their dangerous liaison ruin her and end in heartbreak? A gripping historical of forbidden love. Perfect for fans of Pam Jenoff and Marion Kammarow.

Uncaged Review: . Norah hides in France from her home in England with her cousin, but before she can leave, Germany invades France and she is stranded. With food and necessities getting very hard to come by, she feels like she’s become an awful burden for her cousin and her family. All Nora ever wanted to do, is to be an artist, and she wanders to the coast to draw the different birds that flock to the shores. Unfortunately, she is caught by the German Major, and is questioned. But she is free to leave by promising to stay away from the coast – to keep her from seeing what the Germans are doing. But she’s caught the attention of the Major, who is secretly not a fan of Hitler. With the offer of money to paint his portrait, Nora agrees to do it to find out information from him and to gain the money for the family. But they find the attraction to each other hard to ignore.

This book is written about a forbidden love between two “enemies” and the author gives us a realistic view with descriptions that have the reader feeling the danger of war and invasion and tempers it down with a tale of love. A captivating tale of love in the midst of the dangers of war and falling in love with one that could bring the end of everything Nora knows and loves. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Raven’s Hollow Spring Magic by Tena Stetler

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Raven’s Hollow Spring Magic
Tena Stetler
Magic Fantasy Romance

Spring is in full bloom in Raven’s Hollow, a small town in the Colorado Rockies with a population of unique townspeople. Blaze, a dragon shifter, and Wynter, a witch, are neck-deep in wedding preparations, when Wynter’s mother, Jade, goes missing after opening her new antique store, and attending the Simon estate sale where she procured an ancient jelly bean machine. Frantic with worry, Blaze and Wynter track her last movements via the store’s ancient, grainy, security footage. What it reveals is nothing short of shocking. As deputy sheriff, it’s Blaze’s responsibility to find his soon-to-be mother-in-law. But at what cost?

Uncaged Review: This book takes off soon after the Meringue Snowflake Magic, with Wynter in full wedding planning mode, and Syndi getting closer to Cory – who works for Blaze at the pizza place. When Wynter’s mother Jade, finds an old jellybean machine at an estate sale, everyone finds out very quickly that the jellybean machine isn’t just a jellybean machine as it whisks Jade away in a vortex. With hopes of retrieving her, Blaze sets the machine in motion and disappears also. Wynter is stressing out, now both Jade and Blaze are gone, and the wedding is in 2 weeks. Meanwhile, Syndi finally finds out the magical secret to Cory, but will she be able to handle it?

You could reasonably read this as a standalone, but reading the Meringue Snowflake Magic book will get you in the loop how it all began in this supernatural town before starting this one. This is another shorter read, easily read in one day and the characters are all back along a few new ones in this follow-up. The pace is quick and there isn’t much waste in this story. Humor, romance and more pizza – all served up nicely, and let’s not forget the wonderful Cocoa. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Meringue Snowflake Magic by Tena Stetler

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Meringue Snowflake Magic
Tena Stetler
Magic Fantasy Romance

After being in the wrong place at the wrong time Wynter Dahl finds herself with a new name and new home. Whisked into the Witness Protection program she finds herself in the Podunk town of Raven’s Hollow, Colorado. She has more than one secret to keep and is not sure who she can trust, though the deputy sheriff is hard to resist.
Braydon “Blaze” Nightwing, owns Dragon Fire Pizza and takes his job as deputy sheriff seriously. He means to protect his town and its residents, including the mysterious newcomer. He rescues her after a tumble and finds himself in over his head. He senses she’s more than she seems but so is he.
When her cover is blown and her life is in danger it will take the whole town to save her and their annual holiday festival and cookie contest. What is Christmas without a little magic?

Uncaged Review: This is fun short read that introduces the reader to these characters in Raven’s Hollow, a town with a secret, a town full of magical beings. Wynter is sent there under the witness protection program, and has no idea what kind of town she’s been sent to. Having to give up all her family and friends, she’s sent off, as is several of her family members and her best friend to different locations. She’s befriended almost on the first day, by Blaze, the owner of the local pizza place and a deputy sheriff. Blaze has his own secrets, but so does Wynter.

But when her cover is blown, the whole town will come to her aid to protect her and her family.

This is a nice short story that can easily be read in one sitting, and the characters and the town are as fun as they sound. Within the danger of the situation, there is the town’s annual Snowflake Festival and the coveted cookie contest. I enjoyed the town and the characters and my only disgruntlement is that the story was over too soon.
Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – A Sour Note by Jill Piscitello

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

A Sour Note
Jill Piscitello
Cozy Mystery

On the heels of a public, broken engagement, Maeve Cleary returns to her childhood home in Hampton Beach, NH. When a dead body turns up behind her mother’s music school, three old friends land on the suspect list. Licking her wounds soon takes a back seat to outrunning the paparazzi who spin into a frenzy, casting her in a cloud of suspicion. Maeve juggles her high school sweetheart, a cousin with a touch of clairvoyance, a no-nonsense detective, and an apologetic, two-timing ex-fiancé. Will the negative publicity impact business at the Music Box— the very place she’d hoped to make a fresh start?

Uncaged Review: This cozy mystery starts us out with Maive going back to her hometown after catching her high profile fiancé cheating on her. With no job, and no where to live, she goes back to live with her mom, who is a widow and owns a music store called The Music Box. She runs into an old flame, Finn, and her friends she’s known her whole life. It doesn’t take long before a body is found in a dumpster behind her mom’s shop, and two of Maive’s best friends are the prime suspects. Not wanting to see her friends taking a rap for something she knows they didn’t do, and to keep from more publicity from hurting her mom’s shop, Maive starts to snoop around to find out how it happened, much to the local detective’s annoyance. As Maive digs, more suspects keeping popping up and more motives for the very unliked person that was murdered.

This is a fun mystery, the cast of characters are easy to like, and the mystery takes some dangerous turns, but Maive isn’t backing down even when she herself becomes a target for her snooping. The pace is great, and I never really guessed in this one, there were too many ways it could go. A fun afternoon read and I hope the author continues with the characters and the town in future books. Reviewed by Cyrene

4.5 Stars

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