Wednesday, September 30, 2026
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Uncaged Review: Blood at Dusk by Brenna Harlow

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Blood at Dusk
Brenna Harlow
Paranormal Romance

Will she forgive him for his sins, or is their bond destined to fracture before it’s even forged?

KORA

Everything changed when the vampires arrived. 

I’m starving, alone in a dark cave, and grieving those who I lost.

But I’m not giving up just yet. I’m a fighter, a survivor. A little fear won’t get in my way.

A vampire will, though. And he chooses the worst time to show himself.

Only he doesn’t want blood… He wants something even more sacred. Something I’m not willing to give away.

ALDEON

I am dhampir, and I’ve been lost to the bloodlust like many of my people. 

Yet I awaken from the haze, only to find myself in a strange world, drinking from even stranger beings. 

When I catch her scent, everything changes. The Calling awakens deep within, and I know she is my mate. My fated.

But she is different. She is human, native to this land, and in dire trouble. A mysterious enemy leads a horde of maddened dhampirs straight to her dwelling, ready to drink her dry.

It is my duty to protect her. I’ll fight to the death if I must.

And when the time is right, I will claim her as mine. 

Uncaged Review: When I first opened this book, I thought the story would continue directly from the prequel novella, but that idea was quickly squashed when I started reading. In this book, Aldeon comes back to himself from his madness and wakes up in a forest. When he reaches out to find others from his world, he still hears many with the bloodlust madness, but he also hears one other rational dhampir, Brone. He continues to mind speak with Brone as he moves along, until he hears the thoughts of a girl….and The Calling hits him. When he finds Kora, he will have a hard time convincing her that he will only protect her, after she’s seen everyone she cares about killed by the vampires.

There are parts of this story that are very compelling and that I wanted to come back to anytime I put it down, but there were also parts I wished had more elaboration on. The author is giving us bits and pieces of the past and the world Azure, where the dhampirs came from, but it’s still so vague. I’d also like to see more of the type of interaction between Kora and Aldeon where she is teaching him more about this world and how he needs to act to fit in better.

Other than that, I like the premise of the book, and I think it will bring more understanding with the next books in the series, with the author promising 7 books and a couple novellas along the way. We do find Maggie from the prequel toward the back part of the book – and this is an intriguing storyline that I will look forward to. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review: Ghost’s Whisper by Ella Summers

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Ghost’s Whisper
Ella Summers
SciFi/Fantasy

The enemy isn’t a monster or a demon this time. It is fear, the destroyer of worlds.

Life has never been better for Leda Pandora, the Angel of Chaos. She is married to the archangel Nero Windstriker, the love of her life. And she commands a vast territory, surrounded by her closest friends and family.

Everything is perfect—until the Earth’s magic goes haywire. Now blood has become poison to vampires, witches are being killed by their own potions, and beasts can pass right through the magic barrier that separates civilization from the plains of monsters. And with each new incident, uncertainty and fear are growing stronger in both humans and supernaturals, driving them to violence.

If Leda can’t find a way to stop these phenomena, it won’t just be the end of all magic on Earth. It will be the end of humanity itself.

Uncaged Review: I’m not really sure how the author keeps upping the game with this series. This series never seems old hat to me, and I love the characters as much now, as I did in the first book. I would love to have a few days off from life in general just to re-read this entire series. It’s that good.

In this installment, supernaturals are dying by their own magic. When they use their magic, it backfires on them and is killing them. On top of it all, Nero and Leda are at odds with each other so Leda is working alone. Things get really moving when Leda hires bounty hunters to track down a rogue fallen angel.

This book will twist and turn and pull out all the stops. Action packed from the first pages to the end and having Nero and Leda at odds is traumatizing, for the both of them and for me! This is a highly recommended series that anyone who loves urban fantasy will enjoy. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review: Deadly Pretenses by Angelique Snowden

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Deadly Pretenses
Angelique Snowden
YA Paranormal

Genesis Long and Sebastian Campbell are childhood sweethearts that meet their untimely end in a tragic car accident that occurs on the night of their Senior Prom. But one year later, their spirits continue to haunt their beloved town of Savannah, desperate to be reunited in the afterlife. But is a happy ending all they seek, or does their unfinished business have much deeper, darker roots?

Colette Vaughn is the new girl in town, a Chicago transfer who moves into Genesis’ old house and is thrust into this ghostly universe. Haunted by the undead lovers, she is desperate to unbury the secrets surrounding their deaths, all while trying to prevent herself from falling for Abel Campbell, Sebastian’s mysterious and handsome younger brother.

As the truths are revealed, Colette also discovers an unknown ability that threatens to disrupt both the living…and the dead.

Uncaged Review: There are some really good parts to this book, but some lacking areas also. This is the start of a series, so maybe the plan was not to bog the reader down with too many details, but that’s also a problem with the book – is the back story of this world and the characters is very lax, and at times a bit disjointed. It feels like parts of other ideas/shows etc where all mashed together and this is what we got, and the other bad part, is the ending. Cliffhangers are not good for books, I don’t know why authors think that tossing in a bad cliffhanger will get people to read the next one, but to me, I don’t mind them so much if they wrap up that book’s storyline and let the main arc of the whole series continue on, but when it’s a blatant attempt to make you get the next book, it’s a major turn off to me.

With all that said, this is an interesting premise and even if it’s not knocking my socks off with originality, it’s still a good page turner. I will probably read the next one to see where the author is going, but I’m not going to be biting my fingernails waiting for it. A little more back story about these characters and this world, and I’ll be more apt to be all in. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review: The Interludes by JK Duval

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Interludes
JK Duval
Erotica

The Interludes, A Sexual Odyssey, is the fun sexy erotic novel for mature audiences. Seven different characters will take you along for almost every conceivable match-up in some seriously sexy locales. From a beach-side cottage along the warm moonlit waters of Jamaica to a shower stall in London’s famed Claridge’s Hotel, across the hills of Tuscany to a magnificent 18 room oceanfront shingle style home on the western shores of Martha’s Vineyard, these are just a few of the places that will spread out before you on this journey of erotic discovery. You may wish to share what’s behind this cover with someone you love and create your own sexual odyssey.

Uncaged Review: Erotica can go different ways for me. It’s either just plain smut with zero character development and not a plot that you can even see – just like a porn movie in a book. This book didn’t do that. There was nice character development – and you wouldn’t think so because each interlude is a short story, but the characters stories continue on in further chapters, so you can read this book two ways. You can stay with the one main character and at the end of the chapter, it will tell you what chapter to forward to if you want to continue with that character. Or you can read it straight through, but all the main characters do come back around.

This is a sexy, fun book and it does have some characters that you can like and get behind. There are what I call, small plots within the story, but this book can be a nice turn on to some people, but if you don’t like the hard hitting sex scenes, than this isn’t for you. But if you do like erotica, and want something a bit different, than this is a nice choice. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review: Starlight Seized by China Dennigton

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Starlight Seized
China Dennington
YA SciFi

Two storytellers separated by decades

Could the story of the past be the key to saving the future?

Maris Hall’s name isn’t spoken. Her writings were burned. Her images erased because of the horrendous thing she did. As a third-generation inhabitant of the red desert planet Erimost, Tessa Hall ironically knows precious little about her own family history, despite being the city historian.

When she discovers the journal of her grandmother, the first historian, she slowly comes to realize that the secrets of the past might be the key to saving the present.

It speaks of aliens who feed on stories and devastating famines. Are the contents true or simply the ramblings of a madwoman?

Mysteriously cut off from communication with the home planet decades prior and with a limited supply of the medicine that helps them tolerate the harsh environment, the people of Erimost are in a precarious position. In a race to understand herself and the planet she’s always despised, what secrets will Tessa uncover?

Uncaged Review: As a new colonization on a new planet is threatened by conflict, it could be up to Tessa to discover the secrets that can help save her people and the planet. Being the historian, she begins to unravel the past that has been erased from the books. But is what she’s reading true?

When I read scifi, I have a pretty high bar, and with the science part, this book falls a bit short. But it almost makes up for the lack of scientific knowledge/inventions and details by the characters. The characters are well flushed out and is told through multi-generations of women. I would have liked to know more about the past, and this author has an almost poetic way of writing that is very captivating.
Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review: Parish the Thought by H. Max Hiller

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Parish the Thought
H. Max Hiller
Crime/Mystery

Revenge may be a dish best served cold, but this is Louisiana, where everything gets a splash of hot sauce.

Detective Cadillac Holland is called upon to locate Senator Chester Donovan’s missing daughter-in-law. A pool of blood in the trunk of her Mercedes exposes unexplained deaths in a town once described as being a place “where there are more alligators than people, and the alligators are friendlier.” The solution to this mystery lies buried in the town’s sordid history, a story that changes with each telling. Detective Holland must find what is driving an innovative and vengeful killer before he becomes their next victim.

Uncaged Review: Normally I’m not a huge mystery fan, but this book pulls off a twist I never saw coming and it was one of those “what the hell just happened” moments. I’ve never read a book by this author and even though this book is the fifth book in a series, I never felt lost. Holland is a detective that is complex, smart and thinks outside the box. When a missing person case turns into a much more riveting case and Holland must peel back the layers to find the truth before the killer finds him.

This book kept me turning the pages and although it wasn’t the book that made me haul it around all over the place waiting for a chance to read a couple more pages, it kept me coming back and rethinking my suspense genre aversion. A good read with some good twists. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review: Her Virtuous Viscount by Scarlett Scott

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Her Virtuous Viscount
Scarlett Scott
Scottish Historical

Jilted by the woman he loved, Tom, Viscount Sidmouth, has decided he will happily remain a bachelor for the rest of his life. He wants nothing to do with affairs of the heart. And he most certainly wants nothing to do with the wild widow next door.

After spending years trapped in a loveless marriage, Hyacinth has returned to London on a mission to experience everything she missed. Balls, parties, flirtations, and assignations—she wants it all. She isn’t about to allow her disapproving neighbor to spoil her fun. She’s living her life one raucous celebration at a time.

Until she inadvertently winds up in the viscount’s garden late one night and he kisses her senseless. There’s something about the handsome, forbidding lord that makes her want to abandon her rules.

And Tom? He’s beginning to think that perhaps the only way to forget about his broken heart is to lose himself in a fling. Why not with the wicked woman who drives him to distraction? It’s not as if he is going to fall in love…

Uncaged Review: This author is fast becoming one of my favorite historical romance authors. All of her books that I’ve read of hers to this point are original, fun and I easily get completely absorbed in the book. This story is one of second chances, and the healing of broken hearts. Tom has always tried to do right by his family and ends up being left by a woman he believed he loved. No more marriage for him.

Hyacinth, now a widow after spending many years in a loveless marriage is not keen to move onto another man. Instead she wants to have the fun she never had a chance to do.

Watching the two of these people heal each other and find their way to love is completely inspiring and engrossing. And now, this is one of my favorite books by this author. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review: The Targeted Pawn by Sally Brandle

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Targeted Pawn
Sally Brandle
Romantic Suspense

Threats forced her to flee Seattle. Honor binds him to Montana. A second chance at love tethers them together.

Elon Hardy’s romance skills are rusty after a loveless marriage ends, but upon meeting hunky rancher, Rane Calderon, sparks blaze hotter than her welding torch. To support her collegiate sons, she’s determined to acquiesce to the bullheaded, female-phobic boss until her divorce finalizes from her deceitful husband.

A woman Rane trusted ruined his life, and at forty, he won’t be fooled again. Blisteringly mad he’s hired a female bearing a man’s name, he fights attraction for the curvy, determined brunette while thwarting efforts to build a private prison atop his Blackfeet ancestors’ burial ground.

Can Elon and Rane realize love doesn’t have a “best used before date”? If you enjoy smoldering romance, mercenary villains, and rescued animals, you’ll love escaping again to Emma Springs, Montana.

Uncaged Review: This is the third book in the Love Thrives in Emma Springs series, and this is my favorite so far. One thing in common with these books, is that I feel like I’ve been to Montana myself (I have not) because of the beautiful way this author describes the area. In this book, Elon is a divorced woman with an evil ex-husband and kids in college. To keep paying for those hefty college tuitions, she takes a job in Emma Springs as a welder. But when the sparks fly when she meets her boss – Rane, (and not from the welding), they will each have baggage to get through to find their way to each other.

This is a great suspense, full of Blackfoot history, a clean romance and villians you will truly despise. Toss in some rescue animals and I’m all in. This is a series I plan to reread back-to-back when I get some free reading time. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Highland Legend by Kathryn Le Veque

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Highland Legend
Kathryn Le Veque
Medieval Romance
Releases July 27

Victory. Honor. Redemption.

Magnus Stewart, aka “The Eagle” is the bastard son of a duke, and his royal blood has never been anything but a curse. Among the mystique and riches of the legendary fight club Ludus Caledonia, Magnus battles his way to the top.

Lady Diantha de Mora in desperation seeks his help. When Magnus reluctantly comes to her aid, his fate is changed forever in one night. With enemies at every turn, it’ll take muscle and a miracle for them to make it to the Highlands alive. There Magnus can reclaim his destiny, as Diantha reclaims his heart.

Uncaged Review: Magnus is an elite fighter in a legendary fight club, making his way up the ranks after being held a hostage for years as revenge on his father. As the bastard son of a duke, Magnus has been led to believe his father wanted nothing to do with him, and he makes a name for himself.

Diantha, also a hostage of betrayal against her father from the same place, sees Magnus and remembers him. Escaping long enough to find Magnus and beg for his help to get back home to her family. Although, Diantha will not accept any help, she wants to earn her way. Magnus goes against anything he’s ever done before and hires her to take care of his cottage.

This story has many layers, romance, suspense, brutal fights and engrossing characters. How the relationship develops between an experienced alpha male and a very smart but naïve Diantha, and the way all the layers will peel away keep the reader flipping pages. I had not read the first two books in this series, but was never lost or felt like I missed anything. Great addition to this author’s catalog. This author just doesn’t miss. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review: Magnar by Mary Morgan

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Magnar
Mary Morgan
Historical Fantasy

Known as the Barbarian, Magnar MacAlpin is a fierce ruler for those under his command. As leader of the Wolves of Clan Sutherland, his loyalty and obedience lies with Scotland. However, the king’s last demand is not something Magnar will tolerate.

After Elspeth Gunn’s brother the Chieftain of Castle Steinn is murdered, she flees with her nephew, and finds safety amongst a band of men who are rumored to be part wolf. When the king forces her to wed a heathen Northman, she fears losing her heart and soul not only to the man, but the beast as well.

In order to restore peace to a shattered clan, Magnar and Elspeth travel a treacherous path that challenges their beliefs. When evil seeks to destroy ancient traditions, will Magnar be compelled to restrain his wolf or allow him free to protect those he loves?

Uncaged Review: Ms. Morgan continues her exceptional writing with this brand new series. I have to admit, I wasn’t really on “team Magnar” in the beginning of this. Or even in the middle. I liked Elspeth from the beginning, but I would have liked to see more conflict in her feelings for Magnar, maybe taking longer to admit to her feelings. By the halfway point, I began to like this couple more and more and how Elspeth challenged Magnar.

If you like action, steamy romance and characters you won’t forget, this is a good book to start. If you’ve never read this author before, she may become one of your favorites. She creates a world that you can imagine as you read, and this book is no different. This is one of those books that grabs a hold of you and before you know it, you are nearing the end, wanting more. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

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