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Uncaged Review – Knight of the Bleeding Heart by Margaux Thorne

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Uncaged Books
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Knight of the Bleeding Heart
Margaux Thorne
Historical Romance

They handed him a title, but she was the offer he couldn’t refuse.

Boston businessman, Nathaniel Lawrence doesn’t have a dime he didn’t earn himself. So when he finds out that he’s the long-lost heir to a penniless dukedom in England, it’s easy for him to dismiss the undeserving fortune. Why pour money into a crumbling castle and meaningless title when his eye is set on the future in America? But when the current duke throws his lovely daughter’s hand in to sweeten the offer, Nathaniel rethinks his rash decision. He knows a good business deal when he sees one, and marriage to Lady Charlotte, the jewel of the ton, is the very best.

With a squandered dowry, Lady Charlotte only has one option that will keep her—and her father—living in the custom befitting their station. Marrying her father’s heir would make her a future duchess and allow her to retain control of her family’s ancestral home. A bargain is set. Nathaniel will accept the title and all the connections that come along with it, living the majority (or all) of his time in America, while Charlotte gets to raise their future son on their estate where he can learn to be a true English duke, cementing the family line for another generation. On paper, the agreement is brilliant and convenient, but in person, it’s something that neither of them expected.

Because the more Charlotte spends time with her new, brash husband, the more his enterprising and entrepreneurial American spirit rubs off on her. Soon, she begins to realize that maybe she didn’t need a knight in shining armor to come and rescue her family from bloodthirsty creditors and a title in abeyance.

Uncaged Review: After American Nate’s father passes away and leaves him only the textile business he created – Nate is surprised by a letter from the Duke of Wembley who writes and asks him to come to England, as he is his long lost heir to the Dukedom. Of course, Nate believes it’s a con, but when the Duke’s daughter, Lady Charlotte becomes part of a deal, Nate decides that the alpacas that the Duke owns and Lady Charlotte are worth a try, even though he never believes he’s an heir, even when he finds out that the Duke is broke.

A well thought out and original story, with a romance that builds from friendship. There is a good suspense woven into this story and the characters are different and entertaining, even the half crazy Duke. Both Lady Charlotte and Nate are easy to like, and the story moves along seamlessly. This is part of a series, but I had not read any of the others before this one, and this reads well as a standalone book.
Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Reluctant Hearts by Linda Griffin

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Uncaged Books
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Reluctant Hearts
Linda Griffin
Contemporary Romance Anthology

Four couples, four stories:
Darien Francis and Richard Li meet during a bank robbery, but she’s afraid to love again.
Shane Kenniston and Beth Parker are reacquainted years after she had a crush on him, but she is a recent widow, and Shane’s life was upended by a false accusation.
David Early and Kate Howard meet in the laundromat, but her life is consumed by the needs of her disabled child, and David isn’t ready for the responsibility.
Realtor Frank Ellison meets Kayla Barnes at an open house, but a mistaken first impression derails any chance of romance.
Can they all overcome the obstacles to love?

Uncaged Review: This book has 4 short stories, all different couples who are “reluctant” to be in a relationship, but somehow loves finds them. None of the stories intertwine at all but they all carry the same thing. My favorite was the first book, where we go straight into a bank heist. I liked both Darien and Richard and their slow but steady pace to love. The stories are a nice interlude, but each one of them cut off abruptly. As soon as I started getting invested in how things would ultimately end, it ended. Especially the second story about Shane and Beth.

These are easy reads, and the author does a great job packing the four stories into one. Anyone who wants a nice clean romance, and doesn’t have a lot of time, this book will work out perfect.
Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Run Girl Run by Ellen Y. Mueller

By
Cyrene Olson
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Run Girl Run
Ellen Y. Mueller
YA Contemporary

Sixteen-year-old Tracie lives in a house divided by fear and a family secret she has yet to discover. Her grandma provides a hint and the tools to unearth the past. Are the clues the answer to her prayers? If so, she’ll take her younger brother, Jason, and split. One night, when her dad is in one of his violent rages, opportunity pounds on Tracie’s door. Cal, a male friend, offers an escape. But there’s a catch. She can’t sneak Jason out with their parents watching, and her father demands Cal leave immediately. On a whim, she goes, too. After all, Cal just wants to keep her safe and swears to have her best interest at heart. Caught in a current of lies and deception, Tracie’s swept farther from home than she ever expects. She can’t trust anyone, not even her mother. Exposing the secret may save Tracie and her little brother, but at what cost?

Uncaged Review: Suffering horrendous abuse by her father, and without any sympathy or help from her mother, Tracie flees her home with a guy, Cal, she had met when they lived in Texas. Although she had nothing to her name, no clothes, no money, and is only 16, they flee to Texas to live in a broken-down RV. When things go south there, she throws caution to the wind and goes with Cal to his mother’s home in Rhode Island. Things seem better, but only for a while. Tracie does her best to work to save money to go back home when things in Rhode Island aren’t a lot better than her home.

Tracie will find herself in many bad situations, and she does her best to survive. This is a heartbreaking tale and heartwarming at the same time. With a good twist in the plot near the end, that gives the story closure, Tracie will find that the hard times she faced may have saved her life. For many teens, the sad truth is this story is very real. It does have some triggers because of beatings, drug use and runaways. This is a well written story of the fight for survival and happiness.
Reviewed by Cyrene

4.5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Beyond Circumstances by Gloria Joynt-Lang

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Uncaged Books
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Beyond Circumstances
Gloria Joynt-Lang
Small Town Romance

Zak Tifour loathes violence, and who could blame him? Two years ago, it destroyed him. It’s one thing to witness death, yet another to be responsible for the carnage. To survive, he hides in a small town, but when an attractive doctor veers off the road, his self-imposed exile is threatened. Though drawn to the woman’s generous heart, Zak’s terrified his darkness will engulf her light.

Lexie Draden knows sacrifice. She has dedicated her life to medicine. But no matter how skillful she is, it’s impossible to save everyone. As a surgeon, she accepts this brutal truth—until it becomes personal. Relocating is tough, but when she stumbles into the arms of a handsome stranger who doesn’t pry into her history, life takes a turn for the better. The only downside, the man’s past may be worse than hers.

Will their secrets and broken promises destroy their budding romance, or will love heal their damaged souls?

Uncaged Review: A small-town romance, with two wounded souls and the beginning of healing from the past. Zak has come to Braxley, to get away from a brutal past. He has PTSD from being captured and tortured along with his undercover work for the NYPD terrorist unit. Getting away from it all is the only way he believes he can survive. Being in a small town, there is a lot of talk and rumors, but Zak keeps mainly to himself in a small cottage with his dog.

Lexie is the new doctor in town, with her own past tragedies. Losing her niece has taken its toll, so moving away from Chicago was a way to start over. Meeting Zak started to stir feelings she didn’t realize she was capable of or even deserved.

This is a nicely written story with a good pace and well-developed characters. Some of the nosy small-town people are even a lot of fun how they cleverly try to pry information from both Lexie and Zak at times along with the bigotry of a few small, minded people. There were a few slower areas in the book, but overall, this is a great story for the romance lover with people that could easily be anyone’s neighbor.
Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Fatal Hunt by Michelle Godard-Richer

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Uncaged Books
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Fatal Hunt
Michelle Godard-Richer
Ghost Suspense/Thriller

After being widowed and surviving the wrath of a serial killer, Jessica believes her misfortunes are over. She’s reunited with her first love, Jon, and together, with her son Bryce, and a baby on the way, they’re living their happily ever after on their ranch in Montana. That is until secrets, lies, and a formidable foe from Jon’s past emerge to shake the foundation of their relationship, forcing them to flee for their lives.

A decade earlier, Jon worked undercover for the FBI. He infiltrated Hugh Jones’ Kansas City Mob, and almost destroyed his empire. Unaware of the breech in his own defenses, Hugh, obsessed with revenge, unleashes every weapon in his arsenal, targeting those Jon loves the most.

Uncaged Review: This book is a non-stop, twisting and turning thriller that does a good job with the pacing. Jessica is married to Jon, who was an undercover agent for the FBI and made some enemies along the way. Jessica’s first husband, Adam, passed away, although that won’t be the last time we hear from Adam. With a mob boss chasing them down, Jon and Jessica and her small son Bryce, will go on the run and on top of it, Jessica is pregnant to complicate things.

This book has a lot of twists to it, I did guess early on many of the things that happen, and some of the mystery people, but it was still fun getting there. I could see this book to be a hot property for a film or TV movie. And the ending left it wide open for part 2, but I’m not giving anything away. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Rebirth of Ruby’s Ranch by Rhonda Frankhouser

By
Cyrene Olson
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Rebirth of Ruby’s Ranch
Rhonda Frankhouser
Ghost Paranormal Romance

After centuries of mystery and torment, Emma is chosen to fulfill the family legacy. When she’s called home to Ruby’s Ranch to care for her ailing mother, she’s torn between an undeniable romantic connection and a spiritual journey that requires heartbreaking sacrifice.

Matthew is a combo of charisma, confidence and honeyed heat. No longer the shy, gawky kid who sneaked hopeful glances, he’s a full-grown, passionate man determined to win Emma’s affections. When destiny deals her an unthinkable ultimatum, Matthew stands between her and the spiritual forces threatening to whisk her away.

Shona’s otherworldly presence vibrates with comfort and light when Emma finds him chanting over her mother’s sick bed. His healing energy instantly draws her in, encouraging her to accept her fate and leave her family and friends behind.

Will Emma relinquish her destiny to stay with her dedicated cowboy or be drawn into a new world by her mystical visitor?

Uncaged Review: With the final installment of this series, it comes to a satisfying ending. For some reason, I didn’t like the Matthew and Emma insta-love, even though Matthew had been pining for Emma almost his whole life. Emma returns to the ranch to help take care of her mother who has Covid. Being a nurse on the front lines, she’s exhausted, but with Ruby pregnant, she steps up. Then all the strangeness of Ruby’s ranch begins to start. The spirits of Augie and Shona start appearing more often, and Emma and the readers will finally have answers to the mysteries of the family. But Emma will have to make a hard decision to save her family.

This is an entertaining read, and really picks up the pace at the halfway point. The ending seemed a bit quick, but it answers a lot of questions and will have an ending befitting of this series. I was glad to read in the author’s notes at the end, is she plans to revisit this world with other characters, and I’m up for the ride. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Savage is My Kingdom by L.A. McGinnis

By
Cyrene Olson
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Savage is My Kingdom
L.A. McGinnis
Dark Fantasy Romance

Two ruthless kings at war.
A princess with a terrible power.
Four broken warriors sworn to protect her.

When I was dragged from my home by the Fae King’s vicious enforcer, I left my old life as a slave behind to become a pawn in an ancient game between two powerful brothers, possessing a stolen magic that could break apart kingdoms. Or forge a new one.

But I have a secret.

I can make this power mine, by sacrificing my most precious possession.

My innocence.

While ruthless males go to war over this terrible magic I never asked for, there is only one future for me. Claim the power, take the throne, become the queen this realm deserves. The closer I grow to my beautiful warriors, I discover I have more to lose than ever before.

Some say love conquers all, but our dark bond could leave this wicked realm in ruin.

Uncaged Review: This book is very aptly titled. This story is so layered, that the twists and turns in the road it takes is quite a ride. And it can be a brutal – with vivid descriptions of battles and the Fae in this world are vicious and cruel. Anaria was raised as a slave, to the Descendants, which are just the upscale of the Fae. Anaria never knew her parents or her background, only the beatings and torture delivered by her tormentors if she did the slightest thing wrong. Anaria is very young and naïve in the start of this story and we see her growth and coming into her own by the time you finish. Four males have come into her life, all vastly different, and all tasked with kidnapping Anaria and taking her to the Shadow King to keep her from the High Fae King.

I really got absorbed in this new world by this author. I have to admit there was so much going on that you have to pay attention, or you may have to back track. This is setting up to be a reverse harem, although there is some serious sex scenes, it’s only with one couple. But I expect that to change in the coming books. Reviewed by Cyrene

4.5 Stars

Uncaged Review – A Spell for a Duke by Amy Quinton

By
Cyrene Olson
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A Spell for a Duke
Amy Quinton
Historical Fantasy

Josie Bell is all about her job…
Miss Josephine Bell, witch, is tasked with apprehending a rogue demon before he obliterates London. But the Lycan assigned to assist her isn’t, strictly speaking, available…since she just arrested him.

Worse? Said incarcerated Lycan believes she’s his mate and isn’t exactly delighted by that unfortunate turn of events.
Her foolproof plan? Break Lycan out of gaol. Capture demon. Return Lycan to gaol.
Also: Don’t get caught. Fend off wolfie Mating Instinct. Ignore the man’s indecent smile.

But that kiss…

The MacKeane is all about his clan…
Lachlan Connor Daire MacKeane, The MacKeane, 7th Duke of Skye, and involuntary guest of Marshalsea Gaol has been arrested for murder. If he hadn’t been hoodwinked by a saucy witch, he’d be prowling the streets, hunting the real assassin.

Worse? Said impertinent witch is his mate, a more unsuitable lover he cannot conceive. She isn’t Lycan. A female wolf would never be so… devious.

Uncaged Review: I’m a heavy reader in both historical and fantasy genres, so this is a great way to spend an afternoon, with both of those genres together. For the beginning, this started a bit slow because of so many different characters and backgrounds that are involved and the two main characters in this book don’t truly meet until you are over 25% into the book, and then it’s in a fighting ring. In this world, Spellmaidens are the ones tasked with bringing in the supernaturals that have committed crimes and Josie is one of the best, although she doesn’t always follow the rules. And when she is tasked with bringing in a lycan name Lachlan, the trouble has only just begun.

After the two meet in the fighting ring, this story really gets going. Lycans and Spellmaidens are not supposed to mix, but the two will have a hard time remembering that. There is a lot of humor and both main characters are easy to like. This has plenty of action, romance and hot sex scenes and if you like the two different genres, this may be a great book to read.
Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Winter Solstice in the Crystal Castle by Jennifer Ivy Walker

By
Cyrene Olson
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Winter Solstice in the Winter Castle
Jennifer Ivy Walker
Medieval Fantasy Romance

Gabrielle is a flame haired, fire hearted French princess who dreams of becoming a Valkyrie warrior queen like her Viking ancestors from Normandy. Sent to Paris to learn the proper etiquette for a future French queen, she is called home to le Château de Beaufort for a forced marriage to a man she loathes when her father the king’s precarious health takes a sudden turn for the worse.
Chivalrous, solitary knight Sir Bastien de Landuc suffers an impossible love for Gabrielle, the unattainable princess he can never have. Without a title of nobility, he is ineligible to compete in the tournament for her hand in marriage, despite his unparalleled equestrian skills and inimitable swordsmanship.
Yet, Yuletide wishes for a wondrous winter solstice in the glorious Crystal Castle might make impossible dreams come true.
Can the valiant knight win the coveted hand of his Viking Valkyrie?

Uncaged Review: This is a great winter story with a mix of myth, lore, fantasy and unrequited love. Gabrielle is a French princess and her ailing father wants to marry her off before he passes away to make sure she is taken care of. The man that is the likely candidate is a horrible man who mainly wants the lands and kingdom from Gabrielle’s inheritance that would help his pirate business by opening seaports to his illegal shipping. Sir Bastien has loved Gabrielle all his life, from teaching her to ride and fight from a very young age. Assigned as her personal guardian, Bastien loves what he can’t have. The King decides on a competition joust, and the winner will take Gabriel’s hand and Bastien finds he’s able to compete.

There is danger, action and a cast of great secondary characters that make up this story, Sir Lancelot of the Round Table makes an appearance with a special gift for a young lad. Full of action, this is a story that keep you glued to the pages.
Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Threads of Fate by M.C. Waring

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Threads of Fate
M.C. Waring
YA Paranormal

She wields the power to change fate. And it absolutely terrifies her.

When her sister is abducted by supernatural forces, Upstate New York high schooler Tasia is thrust into an ongoing shadow war between vampires and reapers, and awakens an incredible magical power within herself.

Too bad she’s too afraid to use it. The excruciating side effects don’t help things, either.

To find her sister, Tasia will need to team up with Ace–a handsome and mysterious vampire who steals her breath away (but hopefully not her blood). They’ll have to battle ghosts, vampires, reapers, and even werewolves as they navigate through two hostile worlds at war.

Uncaged Review: This is a good start to a series, and it’s original in a crowded genre. Tasia is tossed into the supernatural world, a world she never knew existed. She meets Ace and Sunny, brothers and vampire/reaper hybrids when she’s attacked on her way home from her job one night. That’s when she finds out that Remnants exist and that she has her own strange powers. This book has a great pace, and we learn a lot in this world with the excellent world building, but there are a lot of unanswered questions that may be answered in the following books in this series. One of my big questions is what is Tasia? Supposedly a human with reaper powers, we don’t get any clue as to what she could be. When she sees golden “threads” in her vision, she will need to learn what they are and how she can use them to save her sister.

There is a romance, it’s between Ace and Tasia, but reapers are not supposed to interact with humans. This is a clean romance and has good action scenes and a buzzing plot. It was enough to propel me toward book two. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

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