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Uncaged Review – The Crow Girl by Erik Axl Sund

By
Cyrene Olson
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The Crow Girl
Erik Axl Sund
Suspense/Crime/Noir

It begins in a Stockholm city park where the abused body of a young boy is discovered. Detective Superintendent Jeanette Kihlberg heads the investigation, battling an apathetic prosecutor and a bureaucratic police force unwilling to devote resources to solving the murder of an immigrant child. But with the discovery of the mutilated corpses of two more children, it becomes clear that a serial killer is at large. 

Superintendent Kihlberg turns to therapist Sofia Zetterlund for her expertise in the psychopathology of those who kill, and the lives of the two women become quickly intertwined—professionally and personally. As they draw closer to each other and to the truth about the killings, what surfaces is the undeniable fact that these murders are only the most obvious evidence of an insidious evil woven deep into Swedish society.

Uncaged Review: A crime book like no other Detective Jeannette and her partner are looking into the murder of some young boys. Meanwhile her home life is in ruins, her marriage is falling apart and her son doesn’t speak to her anymore. The dark twisted case this is turning into is beginning to take its toll.
I have read some dark crime books before but nothing like this. Some of the story plot was a bit upsetting to read but it didn’t take away the fact that the story is well thought out and written and kept me guessing as to who the bad person was.
Reviewed by Jennifer

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Down the Tubes by Kate Rigby

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Down the Tubes
Kate Rigby
Contemporary/Abuse

It’s the late 1980s and mother of four, Cheryl West, lands herself a job at a drugs project in London. But memories of her old life are never far away, especially when her surly daughter, Elaine, makes her unwelcome visits.

Meanwhile, Cheryl’s estranged son, Michael aka Dodo – is ironically having his life destroyed by drug addiction in his attempt to avoid painful memories of abuse. He goes from one chaotic situation to another, ending up on the streets and reaching rock bottom, until he is referred to a drug rehabilitation centre in rural Hampshire where dark family secrets are uncovered.

They’re each on a journey, but can there be reconciliation as well as rehabilitation?

Uncaged Review: A powerful story focusing on a mother called Cheryl who finds herself working in the same field of addictions that held so many problem’s for her own children. As we process through Cheryl problems and her failed attempts at being a mother to her children, we learn that sometimes the children have big problems of their own and you can’t always blame the parents or life. The book opened my eyes to the many forms of addictions be it motherhood or drug related – a must read. Reviewed by Jennifer

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Siren’s Song by Ella Summers

By
Cyrene Olson
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Siren’s Song
Ella Summers
Urban Fantasy

Leda Pierce’s latest mission brings her back to her hometown at the edge of the Frontier. But things have taken a turn for the worse in the six months since she left home to join the Legion of Angels in New York City. Crime lords now rule over the town, and the beasts’ numbers are exploding just beyond the great magic wall that separates humanity from the plains of monsters.

Together with the fiercely seductive angel Nero, Leda guides a group of pilgrims across the monster-infested expanse to the ruins of the final battle between gods and demons. What begins as a pilgrimage, however, soon turns into a treasure hunt for an ancient weapon that could tip the balance of power between heaven and hell—and spirals into an intrigue that pits Leda and Nero against a rogue member of the Legion, a legendary angel as powerful as he is black-hearted.

Uncaged Review: The Legion of Angels series just keeps getting stronger and stronger. There is not let up in this series, and this is the third book in the series that is one of my favorites this year. In this edition, Nero leads a group back to Leda’s home town of Purgatory, where they will enter the Black Plains, the area that has been walled off to protect humanity from the monsters. The book really ups the ante in the action department and Leda and Nero will have to work together to defeat a legendary rogue angel.
Some nice twists and surprises in this one, and plenty of first base romance. There are quite a few spelling errors in the book, but once you are heavily into the story, you sort of just skim over them. I think that a good editor would be invaluable to these books, because they deserve it, they are that good. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 1/2 Stars

Uncaged Review – Mirror Mirror by E.J Bennett

By
Cyrene Olson
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Mirror Mirror
E. J Bennett
Young Adult/Horror

Skylar finds herself in a horrible accident, one that changes her life. She is forced to move and live with her aunt. Skylar’s aunt thinks she is going crazy. As events unfold, Skylar must fight for her life. Will her aunt believe her? Skylar is sure that there is something in the attic. That something wants her dead.

Uncaged Review: Syklar lost her parents in a crash on the way to her aunt’s house. Forced to live with her aunt after her parent’s death, she learns the fact that her uncle use to be a horror writer and wrote a chilling tale involving a mirror. Now I don’t want to give too much away about this book, but the author is a very talented writer who when it concerns horror. Can leave you feeling spooked, a perfect horror read for any age. Short read. Reviewed by Jennifer

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Midnight Moss by Carissa Ann Lynch

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

To read an interview with Carissa Lynch, please see the September issue of Uncaged Book Reviews.

Midnight Moss
Carissa Ann Lynch
Paranormal/Fantasy

Fresh out of high school and stalling on college, all Dorothea wants is a little freedom. So when she’s offered the opportunity to move into her late grandmother’s house in Black Cat Springs, she simply can’t refuse the deal. Cheap rent and distance from her parents is exactly what she’s always wanted…and a handsome new neighbor seals the deal.
But as soon as she moves in, she’s drawn to a mysterious fence in the woods. Despite her better judgement and dark stories beyond, she sneaks inside, learning that some things from her past are better left contained…
A twisted town with a mind-boggling past is about to become Dorothea’s future. And one thing is certain–she cannot trust her instincts.

Uncaged Review: A very twisted story that starts out normal enough, with Dorothea moving out of her mother’s home, into her Grandmother’s house that the family inherited. Rent free – seems like a perfect solution for Dorothea who barely makes over the minimum wage. Her first morning in the house, she decides to jog down to the local food mart for some milk – and as she passes buy a fenced off area, she is drawn to a hole in the fence when she sees sparkling water, and her curiosity gets the better of her. There are tales about the small lake, and that there used to be a factory nearby that may have dumped toxic waste into the water…but those are just stories, right?

Good twists and turns, a mystery to solve and secrets to unveil, and a romance that enhances the story rather than distracting. This book is not overly long, so it keeps a good pace. New adult OK.  Reviewed by Cyrene

4 1/2 Stars

Uncaged Review – Highland Pursuits by Emmanuelle de Maupassant

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Highland Pursuits
Emmanuelle de Maupassant
20th Century Romantic Comedy

A wickedly naughty romantic comedy.

It’s 1928, and defiant debutante Lady Ophelia Finchingfield is banished to the Highlands of Scotland, having refused a marriage proposal from the Earl of Woldershire. Ophelia isn’t willing to marry just to please her mother, and certainly not to a man she finds sexually unappealing.

Removed to such a remote and unsophisticated location, Ophelia is expected to come to her senses. However, she discovers a new independence at Castle Kintochlochie, under the guidance of her sassy grandmother, Lady Morag.

Instead of being consigned to an ill-matched marriage, why shouldn’t Ophelia take over the governance of the Castle and the wider estate?

A bizarre selection of suitors are soon presenting themselves, but Ophelia remains one step ahead, until she begins to harbor feelings for Hamish, the Castle’s estate manager. 

To Ophelia’s annoyance, he’s already spoken for, and glamorous French coquette Felicité has no intention of letting ruggedly attractive Hamish slip from the service of her bed.

Intrigue abounds, as Ophelia discovers that there’s more to her rival than meets the eye, and that the Castle is a hotbed of illicit cavorting.

Uncaged Review: Set in the 1920’s, Ophelia is sent off to stay in Scotland at her grandmother’s house. Her family is hoping this will tame her wild ways after declining a marriage proposal.

This is a little naughty but fun read involving Ophelia and her charming dog and there adventures of what they get up to in Scotland. A short read. Reviewed by Jennifer

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – The Demon Magician by Alex Dunn

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Demon Magician
Alex Dunn
Horror

We’ve all made a wish we’ve regretted, but what if you’ve asked an archdemon like Belphegor to grant it?

When Ella agrees to help fellow student Jonathan Trent with his audition into a mysterious magic circle, she never thought she’d fall in love with him. Nor did she ever conceived the three freakish judges named Hellmouth, Brimstone and Blackheart were actual demons, sent by Belphegor to recruit Jonathan.

Seduced by the lure of riches, his own Vegas show and not having to care for his aged grandparents, Jonathan enters into Belphegor’s service, and despite her own reservations Ella goes with him, in return for Belphegor making her disabled sister walk.

Then when Jonathan starts to behave like the ‘The Demon Magician’ offstage and Ella learns the true price of his gruesome magic tricks, she knows she has to stop him, but what can she do? Jonathan, has the power of Hell on his side and all she has is Matthew, her mum’s hunk of a gardener, who has no idea the demon world exists.

Uncaged Review: Jonathan wants to be a magician so badly that he’s willing to make a deal with actual demons. It’s up to Ella – his assistant to stop him before things get out of hand. This is my favorite book by Alex Dunn so far. Filled with creepy demons, magic tricks and more. Be careful what you wish for. Reviewed by Jennifer

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Quest of a Warrior by Mary Morgan

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Quest of a Warrior
Mary Morgan
Historical Fantasy Romance

“You met them in the Order of the Dragon Knights. Now, journey to the realm of the Fae and witness their legends!”

Fenian Warrior, Conn MacRoich has traveled the earth for thousands of years, guarding the realm between mortal and Fae. His deeds are legendary. Yet, one mistake will force him on a journey to fix a broken time-line. However, on Conn’s quest, he must face a human female who will eventually bring this ancient warrior to his knees.

When Ivy O’Callaghan inherits her uncle’s estate, she never imagines there will be more secrets to unravel, including the one she hides from the world. With the help of a mysterious stranger, she learns to trust and step out of the shadows. However, nothing prepares Ivy when she learns Conn’s true identity.

As the loom of fate weaves a thread around the lovers from two different worlds, will the sacrifices they make lead them to love? Or will their secrets destroy and separate them forever?

Excerpt

Conn fought the bolt of desire spearing a path throughout his body. Her touch spoke volumes—an invitation to taste. Never had he longed to kiss a human like this wee lass. His heart beat loudly, and he found himself unable to move. She was a Goddess of the moonlight. It danced off her face and hair, and he trembled before her. Ivy’s fingers traced down his cheek and across his lips. He was helpless to contain the growl that escaped from his mouth.

The rush of passion overtook him, and Conn slammed the door on his mind. Grasping Ivy around the waist, he hoisted her up on top of the bridge. Her lips parted on a sigh, and he lowered his mouth to feast on something he dared not take. The first brush of her soft lips against his own ignited a hunger he could no longer contain. Taking her moan deep into him, Conn glorified in the sensation of her mouth—one filled with a honeyed sweetness.

The Fae warrior became just a man for the first time. Something primal burst within him. Emotions he had never felt left him dizzy, spiraling to a physical plane. He craved them all. His lips seared a course down her neck, to her throat, and then recaptured the velvet warmth of her mouth.

Ivy wrapped her arms around his neck, and he deepened the kiss. When her legs went around his waist, he was the one to moan. His body burned to delve inside her—give her all that he had by spilling his seed deep within her. He wanted to claim her for his own. Show her the moon and the stars with every kiss—every touch.

[symple_box color=”black” fade_in=”false” float=”center” text_align=”left” width=””]Award-winning Scottish paranormal romance author, Mary Morgan, resides in Northern California, with her own knight in shining armor. However, during her travels to Scotland, England, and Ireland, she left a part of her soul in one of these countries and vows to return. Mary’s passion for books started at an early age along with an overactive imagination. She spent far too much time daydreaming and was told quite often to remove her head from the clouds. It wasn’t until the closure of Borders Books where Mary worked that she found her true calling–writing romance. Now, the worlds she created in her mind are coming to life within her stories.[/symple_box]

marymorganauthor.com

Uncaged Review: A very magical, epic fantasy – and one I didn’t expect. This book takes you on a magical journey, of a woman who inherits land, a bookstore and a cottage from a long-lost uncle in Ireland. Within this story is magic, love, romance, secrets and a well written intricate story of both human and the land of the Fae. Speckled with a mystery to unravel and worlds that could only be possible in a fantasy or fairy tale, Ivy O’Callagahn will find her destiny. When the Fenian Warrior Conn MacRoich is sent on a quest, to right a wrong that he committed in the time weaves, his path must cross with Ivy’s, the descendant. But he never counted on her…

I had a hard time putting this down once I started it. Over 400 pages felt like 200. The author pulls you in, and you can feel the world evolving around you, and see it in your mind as you read along. A new-to-me author and it feels like I found a new favorite.
Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Rock My Body by Lee Piper

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Rock My Body
Lee Piper
Contemporay Romance

Twenty-two year old Riley Sears promises herself never to fall in love unless it’s with a guy who is long-term boyfriend material. She’s not crazy, her psychologist reassures her of that, but when faced with situations she cannot control, well, her anxiety skyrockets.

Enter Dominic Mondez, the hottest creature ever to grace pecs and abs. The notorious playboy propositions Riley with the best sex of her life—his words. However, after learning he never sleeps with the same woman twice, Riley’s decision becomes remarkably simple.

No. Way. In. Hell.

Sadly, traversing the murky waters of friends without benefits is far from simple, especially since Dominic is the lead guitarist of local rock band, Mondez. He is also tempestuous, a womanizer, and—even worse—inexplicably jealous. Dominic is bad for Riley in every possible way. Bad, bad, bad.

Uncaged Review: The fun and humor that had hooked me in the first book, Rock My World, is back with this new installment. This time out we are hanging out with Dominic and Riley. The one thing that I’m not sure I am reconciling with very well, is that this story is running parallel with Rock My World’s couple, Levi and Grace, so even though I read the other, we see that relationship develop through Riley’s eyes as we go through her interactions with Dominic. Very original concept, and the author does a nice job with it, but I don’t know how many authors could pull this off, or if I would really want to read a lot of series books this way.
With all that said, this is a fun, romantic, sexy and well written read that will have you hooked within the first couple chapters. I love the writing style and the wit of the author and had a hard time putting this one down after about the half way mark. Great series. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 1/2 Stars

Uncaged Review – The Accidental Stranger by Cj Fosdick

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Accidental Stranger
Cj Fosdick
Time Travel/Suspense

Jessica Brewster is being watched…and things go missing from the remote Wyoming home she shares with her toddler. In a freak accident, she shoots the bearded thief stalking her before she recognizes the mesmerizing green eyes that belong to the only man she ever loved.

Has Mitch bridged time to find her? In a race to save his life and change hers forever, she takes him into her home and heart. But his memory loss and puzzling clues curry doubt and expose mystery and danger. Is he truly her son’s father or an irresistible stranger in her arms?

Uncaged Review: Set where the accidental wife left off we’re back with Jessica and her son. This time it’s a mysterious green-eyed stranger who turns up in the 21st century. Jessica thinks it’s Mitch. The mystery and twists of storytelling are a plenty in this book. The author really likes to keep us guessing until the very end. It was an enjoyable read. Makes me wish I had a magical teacup that could make me time travel. Book three coming soon. Reviewed by Jennifer

5 Stars

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