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Uncaged Review – Broken Ice of Eternity by T.M. Smith

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Broken Ice of Eternity
T.M. Smith
Angel Paranormal Romance

Fiamma, once human, now a hybrid Scourge, is trapped in a velvet cage—her beautiful voice twisted into a weapon. Desperate for freedom, she reaches out to Elysium, a battle-scarred assassin of the OneCreator with his own haunted past. As rebellion ignites across OneWorld, Ely must decide if Fia is a threat or the key to his happiness. Together, they uncover secrets, face deadly foes, and forge a bond that could change them forever. But as war looms and old powers stir, their love may not be enough to save them and OneWorld.

Uncaged Review: This is book two in the series, and it’s just getting better. Elysium, the assassin of the group that has a bad past, is tasked to finding out if the Scourge Mind Rat singer, Fiamma is going to be a threat. Unknown to him, she’s a hybrid and sister to Maddy, and has been turned, but like Maddy, we still don’t know who did the turning. Turns out that Fia is Maddy’s sister and is a hybrid, and not the normal Mind Rat, but it will be up to Ely to figure out if she can control her urges as a hybrid Scourge. In the meantime, the war has escalated against the OneCreator, and the rebellion seems to be gaining ground.

This book tells the story of Ely and Fia, but also the main arc of the series is escalating and getting more intense. There is a lot of action with the fight against the rebels, and the OneCreator is still ailing. There is also a hot love story going on, and all the characters from the previous book are back. Even though this wraps up another love story, it definitely sets up for book three which I’m looking forward to. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Claiming His Dragon by Bella Barwin

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Claiming His Dragon
Bella Barwin
SciFi Romance

Ordered by my clan to choose a mate from the Drag’gon ambassadors, I expect cold negotiations and a strategic pairing…

Then I see her.

Elegant. Spirited. With eyes that challenge and lips made for defiance. She awakens something deep inside me—something primal.

But she’s royalty, and royalty doesn’t follow orders or submits. Not even to a hardened starship commander like me.

But I have ways of teaching obedience—lessons I’ll impress upon her slowly, thoroughly.

Until she learns. Not all cages are cold. Not all chains are visible. And love? Love can be the most exquisite restraint of all.

Uncaged Review: This is a very different scifi that I’ve read in the past. This is an erotic book, but it has substance. Ahn’Ric is the commander of his ship, and needs Cassandra to be an ambassador for a planet to negotiate a deal to mine their minerals that his race needs to begin a new planet home for his people. Cassandra is a Drag’gon, her main form is a beautiful dragon, but she can also take form of a human or a A’Llurian, which is Ahn’Ric’s race. Drag’gons are known as the best negotiators and the A’Llurian counsel wants Ahn’Ric to wed a Drag’gon. He chooses Cassandra, but Cassandra has been abused by a former A’Llurian boss and feels like all she needs to do is get the job done, get paid and get away from being hired by this race.

There is a lot of really good moments, but this is not a book for just anyone. There is a lot of sex and plenty of BDSM involved, which is something that is normal for the A’Llurian race. Ahn’Ric will have to earn Cassandra’s trust to achieve his goal of mating. Athough Ahn’Ric’s discipline is a bit tough to take at times, he also shows a side of tenderness towards Cassandra that almost redeems him. This is a good start to a series, and the author gives enough information to give the reader a good handle on this world without getting repetitive or slowing down the story. Looking forward to the next book.
Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Bloodlust for Apartment 7A by Jade Christy

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Bloodlust for Apartment 7A
Jade Christy
Paranormal Romance

Obsession has a name. And she’s the new tenant in Apartment 7A.

Alexa Hart is desperate for an apartment. Fresh from a divorce and running out of time to find a decent place, she receives a mysterious invitation to live at Ravenwood House. Is this the answer to her prayers?

But the landlord, Sebastian Ravenwood, isn’t offering her sanctuary—he’s offering obsession, and once she moves in, she’ll never truly be free.

He’s already been watching her. Waiting for her. Wanting her.

Sebastian Ravenwood is the ancient vampire whose name is whispered throughout the walls of Ravenwood House and across the city like a secret no one dares speak aloud. He’s compelling, dark and mysterious. Alexa has only been with a handful of men in her life, but none of them had ever made her pulse skip just by walking into a room. Not even her ex-husband. From the moment Alexa met Sebastian Ravenwood, she felt it—that pull. The one that drags a moth straight into the fire.

The more she sees him, the more she’s intrigued and the deeper she falls… and the more she realizes she’s already caught. He’s the most dangerously magnetic man she’s ever met.

She doesn’t know he has already chosen her. That she’s already the object of his obsession and bloodlust.

Uncaged Review: This is the first book in this exciting Romantasy with vampires, humans and a mysterious building that also seems to have a personality all its own. Recently divorced Alexa Hart doesn’t know what to do! Alexa owned a bookshop, loved her life and apartment which isn’t hers any longer. Alexa really needs to find another place to live and soon or else she will be living on the street. When Alexa receives a mysterious note to stay at Ravenwood House in Apartment 7A, Alexa meets cryptic, mystifying Sebastian Ravenwood and discovers that there is just something about him. Alexa falls for Sebastian as he does with her even with him hiding so many secrets. As Alexa gets to know Sebastian, including everyone that lives there, she learns about the strange place of apartment 7A. Which puts Alexa in mortal danger, or can Sebastian stop the evil that also wants her dead?

When I got offered to read this book, I couldn’t resist even though I had several to finish from Ms. Jade Christy other series. I just had to read it. Her vampiric books have really been worth reading and even this e-book’s spacing is so much improved than her first books. Still, all of her books are easy to read, and you get totally immersed in them. Plus, the characters are intriguing, including the vampires are all enigmas and the places make me want to visit even if probably horrible things will happen to me anyway. Can I just say I love all of Ms. Christy’s vampires including her newest vampire, Sebastian Ravenwood. He’s just extremely handsome and untouchable, but loves with everything he has. Who doesn’t want that? Plus, he gives of himself by offering a room to Alexa. Maybe not the greatest place to stay, yet is willing to help her. I am waiting to see exactly what Lucien is planning because of his creepy, stalkerish behavior, but luckily, Alexa can avoid him for now. I eagerly anticipate the next in the series because of the ambiguous ending of this story and can’t wait to read it! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

4 stars

Uncaged Review – Redemption of a Rakehell by April Moran

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Redemption of a Rakehell
April Moran
Historical Romance

Is this rakehell truly beyond redemption?

Lucien, Earl of Ashcroft and the notorious leader of the Rakehells of Mayfair, indulged in all the vices that come with the title. But when his father gives him an ultimatum–marry a suitable woman and find a new vicar for one of their estates, Lucien’s carefree lifestyle is threatened.

Who better to assist with at least one of those tasks than the lovely Miss Charlotte Windsor? The orphaned daughter of the former vicar, Charlotte is a woman of strong opinions and determination. She’s also entirely too accomplished at innocently driving Lucien mad with desire. As the two work closely together to select a new vicar, their undeniable attraction paves the way to a scandalous situation that neither one expects.

Will the rake’s heart be won? Or will Charlotte’s own heart be broken when their arrangement comes to an end?

Uncaged Review: This is the first book in The Rakehells of Mayfair Regency series. Lucien Ashcroft Westley, Earl of Ashcroft, didn’t have a care in the world. Even when his father demanded that he find a suitable bride, by sending Lucien to Ashcroft Manor, in Lincolnshire. Lucien’s main goal is to replace the vicar and his plan is to do this as soon as possible. Lucien comes up with a brilliant plan to ask the daughter of the late vicar, Miss Charlotte Windsor, for assistance in finding the right man for the job. As Lucien gets to know Charlotte though he can’t help but be attracted to her even though he can’t stand the idea of marrying anyone, least of all plain Charlotte, yet he also doesn’t want to leave her to Earnest Russell, the man perfect for the vicar or even his friends. Will Lucien be able to go home, forsaking his rakish ways, or fall even deeper for Charlotte despite her being wholly unsuitable for him anyway?

I was really excited to read this book by Ms. April Moran because, after reading a contemporary mafia enemy to romance tale of hers, I was really intrigued to see how she would write a Regency story and follow their rules. This book wasn’t a total disappointment in mores following most of the customs but managing to break a few too. It also pleased me that it didn’t get too smutty or scandalous, even though I don’t mind that type of story either, but the steamy parts helped progress the novel. The story was really engaging, the village was beautifully written, and the characters were fascinating even though Lucien acted a bit too modern to be a Regency rakehell, even though I enjoyed his lordly aristocratic way and liked him just the same. Charlotte, the feisty vicar’s daughter, was just a charming heroine that made me love the book and disregard Lucien’s behavior! I wouldn’t mind helping her out by trying to find another vicar and even felt a bit sorry for Earnest, even though he wasn’t truly a bad guy, but he deserved a nice woman too. I really do hope Ms. Moran will write more Regency stories, including finishing Simon and Wylder’s books, because I surely will read them!
Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

4 stars

Uncaged Review – Death at a Wedding by Marc Watson

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Death at a Wedding
Marc Watson
Fantasy

Death, the Grim Reaper himself, has received his first ever wedding invitation. Although perceived as an all-knowing, all-powerful being, he’s still clueless on how to act in public. That… and what to do about all the mysterious rips forming in time and space, threatening to consume all of existence.

But maybe, just maybe, Victoria can help him out with all of that before it’s too late.

In this unexpectedly dark romantic comedy sequel to Death Dresses Poorly, Ethan will come face to face with new love, old loss, completely average hamburgers, and finding out exactly what it takes to finally be free.

Uncaged Review:First of all, this book was nothing like I thought it would be, and I mean that in a good way. Ethan is the first “living” Death, and a very socially awkward 22 yr old. Coming from a very broken and abusive family, all that’s left is him and his sister Arlene. Arlene lets Ethan know she’s getting married and wants him included in the wedding, from dress fittings to walking her down the aisle. During the get togethers with the wedding party and his sister, Ethan meets Victoria, one of the bridesmaids and it could actually be a start for the human part of Ethan along with his duties as Death.

There is some great humor involved and some poignant moments when Death is at his finest, and a lot of surprising happenings along the way. This book isn’t scary in any way, and I didn’t read the first book in the series, but I had no problems following along. Seeing Ethan struggle with choices he has to make and trying to hang onto his human side during the book is engaging and the characters are well flushed out and keep the story engaging and moving forward. I will probably at some point go back and read book one, Death Dresses Poorly. Reviewed by Cyrene

4.5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Eight Sins by Alaric Kingsley

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Eight Sins
Alaric Kingsley
Psychological Horror

Seven sins devour his soul — but the eighth could destroy him.

Pride, greed, gluttony, envy, lust, wrath, and sloth gnaw at his mind, each one tearing apart what little sanity he has left. But it’s the eighth sin, the one he cannot name, that haunts him, lurking in the shadows of his fractured psyche.

When a neighbour’s smile shatters the delicate balance of his world, long-buried memories claw their way back to the surface. Reality splinters. The sins take hold. Each one strips away another layer of control, pulling him closer to a truth too horrifying to confront.

Dark. Unforgiving. Relentless.

Eight Sins is not just a story — it is an experience you will not escape unscathed. If you crave psychological horror that drags you down and does not let go, this is your next read.

⚠ Content Warning: This novella contains intense psychological horror, disturbing themes, graphic violence, and depictions of trauma. Reader discretion is advised.

Uncaged Review: Each sin takes on a life of its own. This book is a bit confusing at first. But I soon grasped the concept of this book. My favourite deadly sin was Greed, you felt like you were in the story and were gambling with your life reading it. This book is a psychological horror which plays with your head. I really enjoyed this author’s writing style and would read more of his work. If given the chance. Reviewed by Jen

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Oaths & Vengeance by Susan Illene

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Oaths & Vengeance
Susan Illene
Romantic Fantasy

Darrow is death on the battlefield.
He crushes the enemy with his mind and slays with his sword.
This powerful elf is an adversary I can’t hope to defeat.
But I need his help.
He’ll only give it if we marry in secret.
And I have to open portals for him whenever he wants.
My family will kill me if they find out about any of it.
I have no choice.

Aella either has a lot of nerve or courage to ask me for a favor.
I should kill the half-druid where she stands.
Except she has mastered a rare ability I need.
I plan to bind her to me and get my revenge.
I tell myself I won’t touch her, that she repulses me.
It’s a lie.
And it isn’t long before I want to own every part of her.

Curses chain us both.
I am incapable of love.
She can’t escape her warmongering uncle.
But soon, we realize we’re also each other’s potential cure.
Somehow, we must look beyond centuries of bloodshed and familial hatred.
Especially once we realize the fate of our world may depend upon it.

Welcome to the Realm of Zadrya, where nothing is as it seems, not the people, plants, or animals. Whether it’s beautiful, foul, or just odd, it’s all dangerous. If you decide to step into this strange place of magic, mystery, and deception, please try not to get eaten along the way. We’d hate to lose you before the end.

Uncaged Review: This is the first book in the Realm of Zadrya series, and we meet Aella, a good elf of Therress who magically can open any portal. When her evil uncle, Lord Morgunn, demands that she open the portal to Veronna, Aella feels that she has no choice. When Aella sees Darrow “Dare”, he can’t stand to harm her, so he just uses his magic to throw her off her horse. Aella is intrigued, yet, when she learns that Dare is the key to saving her favorite cousin, Rynn. She decides to go and plead for Rynn’s life by sweetening the bargain, promising to get him to open any portal he would like. Dare agreed to help Rynn, but only if Aella agrees to marry him secretly. Aella, of course, reluctantly agrees. As Dare and Aella continue to fight the war against each other, their world is being destroyed. Will Aella and Dare find a way to stop what is ravaging their world while also finding the cure to both their curses too?

When I got the opportunity to read this romantasy enemy to lovers’ tale with light and dark elves, I was just so excited! This was just a fantastic book that I couldn’t wait to read! I’ll read any paranormal and this one was just an utterly delightful surprise! The intriguing original story moved at a good pace with fascinating characters that I instantly enjoyed and beautiful landscapes with such imaginative world building, even though some seemed a bit vague, but it still wasn’t hard to imagine most of the places or people. That I wanted to meet everyone and visit this world most of all! Darrow the handsome dark elf was just a wonderful hero that I instantly fell for him and is just perfect fodder for a fabulous book boyfriend, that I couldn’t help but add him to list. While Aella was also a splendid heroine to that I instantly had a very big girl crush on her. That I eagerly anticipate and wait on bated breath for the next in the series! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

4.5 Stars

Uncaged Review – The Curse of the Quarter by Amy Briggs and Heidi McLaughlin

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Curse of the Quarter
Amy Briggs & Heidi McLaughlin
Occult Suspense

A cursed man. A haunted city. A love that defies lifetimes.

When fallen angel Bastien Durand walks the rain-soaked streets of New Orleans, he carries more than just the weight of his past—he carries the memory of a love that has haunted him for over a century. Working as a supernatural investigator in the French Quarter, he’s learned to live with ghosts, both literal and otherwise.

But when ancient magic begins stirring in the shadows and familiar melodies drift through the night air, Bastien realizes his greatest torment may also be his salvation. A brilliant librarian with eyes he’s never forgotten holds the key to secrets that span lifetimes, though she has no memory of the souls she’s carried before.

As supernatural factions clash and the veil between worlds grows thin, Bastien must navigate treacherous magic, old enemies, and the devastating possibility that some curses are stronger than death itself. In a city where the past never truly dies, he’ll discover that love—and loss—can echo across centuries.

But awakening the truth may cost him everything he’s fought to protect.

A moody, slow-burn paranormal mystery set in a New Orleans where demons, witches, and fae itself walk unseen among the living.

Uncaged Review: This book is surprising in many ways. First of all, the intricate detail and the amount of complexity that was woven throughout. I wonder about the author’s thought processes and honestly think they wrote an almost “too complex of a story,” to the point that it slowed it down in spots. Bastien is a fallen angel who has watched over the different incarnations of the love he lost, who now presents herself in Delphine, as her ancestor, Charlotte started a ritual to begin to transcend through generations, to find out if love would live through the different incarnations and always have her find her love in Bastien. And that’s the simple explanation, when the ancient magic goes awry, Bastien will need to work with Delphine and the rest of the supernatural community to fix it.

I normally enjoy the fallen angel trope, and I like that the authors woven in some real New Orleans history in with the story to make it more believable and the visuals that the story invokes in the reader’s mind makes it easy to picture the settings as we read along. There really isn’t much romance in this, it’s more of a suspense with a lot of different supernatural beings, but it still kept my attention and I look forward to the next book in the series.
Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Rebel Lion by Anna Lowe

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Rebel Lion
Anna Lowe
Shifter Romance

Lion shifter Dell O’Roarke has never been serious about life, but life is about to get serious with him. The beautiful stranger who’s just arrived in Maui isn’t just looking for anyone — she’s looking for him. And that’s not just any surprise she’s brought along — it’s a baby who looks a hell of a lot like Dell. Soon, he discovers there’s more at stake than his lifestyle as a swinging bachelor. Vengeful shifters are hot on the stranger’s heels, making Dell wonder… Are they after the woman, the baby, or him?

Ad executive Anjali Jain hasn’t taken a vacation in years — and she sure isn’t on vacation now. She’s simply keeping a promise, and then she’ll get back to climbing the corporate ladder. But there’s nothing simple about taking care of a baby — or handing that baby off to a handsome, mysterious stranger who feels like a long-lost friend.

Easygoing Dell isn’t her type, but the more he reluctantly reveals of his hidden, soulful side, the deeper she falls in love — and the more mysteries she discovers. How can one man possibly awaken so many lusts and desires at the same time? What evil forces lurk behind the brutal murder of her best friend? And why does she have the feeling there’s something not quite human about the murderers — or about Dell?

Uncaged Review: In the third book of the series, we learn more about Dell, the lion shifter who lost his brother in the military.When a women shows up with a baby that looks like him, he finds it’s his deceased brother’s daughter and the woman was friends with the mother – who was murdered. With no where else to turn, Anjali believes taking the baby to her uncle is the best way to go. And Dell will need to prove to the other shifters and to himself that he can raise little Quinn.

This was another great addition to this series, and I think these shifters need to listen to their inner animal more than they do. There was some danger, and Moira is back in the main part of the story arc and will continue on. You don’t have to read this series in order to understand this book, but it does give the reader a nice background on the other shifters if they do. This author is a master at the shifter romance and with some danger, intrigue and hot romance, it doesn’t get much better. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Honky Tonk Cowboy by Maggie Shayne

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Honky Tonk Cowboy
Maggie Shayne
Contemporary Romance

Ethan “Bubba” Brand was found on the doorstep of the Texas Brand Ranch as a baby, then adopted and raised by the big, loving Brand family. But he’s not a real Brand. He never has been.

His blood is poison, his birth father, a criminal who murdered his mother. He’ll never feel worthy of the Brand name or the amazing kin who claim him. And he can’t live in the town where his folk are local heroes, not without feeling like a fraud.

The life that’s more comfortable for Ethan is on the road, playing in saloons and honky tonks, a country one-hit-wonder waiting for lightning to strike twice. He visits home a few times a year, and that’s plenty.

Or it was plenty, until one day an angel arrived in his hometown and burrowed straight into his heart. His first glimpse of her shattered him.

But Lily is off limits. She’s family—her brother Harrison just married his cousin Maria—and any kind of fling with her would tear the clan apart when it ended badly. As it obviously would. Lily’s so far above him she must be dizzy.

Lily sees things differently. She’s been in love with Ethan Brand since she first heard him sing. She’d bought his album and knew it by heart long before her brother married into his family, bringing her and her dad down to Ethan’s hometown. Now that she knows him in real life, her feelings have become real too. They’re meant for each other, it’s as plain as day.

But she’ll be damned if she’ll chase a man who’s so determined not to be caught.

When the death of his birth father brings trouble for Ethan, the family he doesn’t think he deserves circle their wagons around him.

And the woman he thinks he can’t have proves that there’s no denying true love.

Uncaged Review: This is the second book in this series, and it can easily be read as a standalone. This book focuses on Ethan Brand, a man who was adopted as a baby by the Brand family and it’s who he has known all his life as his parents, even though they aren’t blood. His dark family past will come back to haunt him, as his father was the kingpin in an organized crime family and is serving life in prison. When a lawyer comes to see Ethan and let him know his father is dead, that’s where we pick up the story.

Ethan is a country music singer and has been touring with his one hit. Lily is Harrison’s sister (whom we met in book one, and married a Brand). Lily has been in love with Ethan for as long as she can remember, but Ethan doesn’t feel he’d ever be good enough for her with his family drama. When Ethan is left Manny’s taco restaurant in his father’s will, he decides to keep that one thing in the will and renovate it into a new honky tonk, and he hires Lily to be the manager.

There is some danger, suspense and a lot of secrets that will come to light and Ethan will need to find his way to whom he is and come to terms with his family’s dark past. I was not attached to Lily at all, I felt she was immature and overly emotional at times and even when she had her good moments, it seemed a bit too late for me to really like her. But this is a fitting sequel to the first book and a solid book in the series. Reviewed by Cyrene


4 Stars

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