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Uncaged Review – Vengeance by S. Valentine

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Vengeance
S. Valentine
Erotic Suspense

Kael is hot, tattooed, fierce, and everything I shouldn’t want in a man. Being in his world opens my eyes to things I’ve never even seen in my worst nightmares.

He’s bound to the Savage Outlaws’ Motorcycle Club by loyalty, love, and ending a war he started with the Dark Angels.

I’m bound to the promises I made to my parents—that I’ll escape this dead-end town, and get a degree.

But you can’t help who you fall for.

Despite everyone trying to keep us apart, we sacrifice everything by being together, including our lives.

We’re clinging on to the tiny bit of hope that we can work, that we can ride into the sunset on a bad-ass Harley Davidson and live happily ever after.

When secrets are revealed, and consequences are faced, a small fraction of us wonders if we should have listened to the club, our family, and enemies after all….

The only light we may be riding into is the flames of hell.

Love doesn’t always conquer all. Blood isn’t always thicker than water. And revenge isn’t always sweet…

Uncaged Review: This is the first book in the fantasy series, which is a motorcycle romance. While Tegan was trying to enjoy her sister’s party, all she wanted to do was escape, which she did with her best friend, Gen. Gen takes her to the Savage Outlaws clubhouse, which is a bar too. Tegan meets the Vice President of the motorcycle club of the Savage Outlaws, Kael Hayes. When Tegan meets Kael, it is instant attraction and a hot lustful desire for each other. Tegan wants Kael and he wants her. So, one night of passion, they want to be together. Unfortunately, everyone from the Savage Outlaws to Tegan’s family can’t stand for them to be a couple. Kael is warned away from Tegan, but she comes up with a plan to see each other in secret. Still, the secret gets out. With another rival gang plotting to kill and death surrounding them both it’s a recipe for disaster.

This isn’t really a genre that I read because I have a really hard time relating to the characters or even getting involved in the story, but this book sounded interesting. Luckily, the motorcycles and the gang’s illegal lifestyle, which I didn’t totally agree with, takes backstage so I can tolerate the tale. This definitely has modern-day Romeo and Juliet vibes even with some of the characters dying. I did have a hard time associating with the characters, whether they were major or minor too. Kael was hot and forbidden, so great eye candy but a bit scary too. He was easy to imagine and, yes, I liked that his erection seemed otherworldly too. Yet would he make a great book boyfriend? No, not in my book. Also, he kind of rubbed me the wrong way when he slept with someone else, so he seemed sex-crazed to me. While Tegan seemed a little too young for him and acted very immature. Yet, I am eager to read the next in the series too Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Bloodlight Rising by Jade Christy

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Bloodlight Rising
Jade Christy
Paranormal Romance

From human to vampire…From outsider to the heart of the city. They say I’m the Bloodlight. But what does that even mean?

One day I’m decoding ancient vampire texts and searching for an artifact. The next, I’m waking up undead—thirsty, confused, in love.

Dominic is my anchor, my seduction, my danger, my everything.

But as the vampire world embraces the freedom of Lumière, a violent cult rises in secret, worshiping blood and the old ways. Their leader, Darian Vex, wants me as his weapon—or his prize.

Meanwhile, vampire football explodes across Europe (yes, that’s a thing thanks to Lumière). New Orleans visits. Students cheer. Terrorists try to disrupt. And I’m pretending everything’s fine.

But the prophecy I’ve translated… it’s changing everything. And the darkness isn’t just coming. It’s rising.

And now I’m fighting for a secret I didn’t see coming…

Uncaged Review: This is the second book in the Bloodlight Lumiere Romantasy series, picking up right after Cassandra “Cassie” Burke wakes up after being attacked and almost killed by Darian Vex’s henchmen. Cassie can hear Dominic de Valois, her beloved, calling her to please wake up. Cassie does wake up but is now a fledging new vampire with all the blood hunger of being a vampire. Cassie also grapples with the fear that she has lost her humanity and what makes her unique. Unfortunately, as Cassie embraces her new life and her love for Dominic grows stronger for him, Darian Vex also plots to get her. Cassie must do her job by figuring out the manuscripts by translating them. As Cassie learns more about being a vampire and reading the ancient parchments, it holds a secret that Cassie is the key that could destroy the vampire world and everyone that she holds dear.

I was pretty excited and eager to read this next book in the sequence. I just love Ms. Jade Christy’s vampires and her magical, elusive vampire world, I want to visit Nivara. Even though this doesn’t seem like such a smart idea, because someone would definitely drink my blood. All the characters are wonderfully written and yes, I did fall for Dominic and even pretty boy Leo. Cassandra was a heroine after my own heart. She was still the same despite being a vampire and still craved pastries, so it made it easier to relate to her. Ms. Christy blends vampires, humans and witches together so seamlessly that all the paranormals seem totally believable. Scary but so real! The story is quite lovely, entrancing and just pulls you in, never letting up until the very end. I think I will wait to read the next and final book, but I do look forward to it too! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Winning Lord West by Anna Campbell

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Winning Lord West
Anna Campbell
Historical Regency

All rakes are the same! Except when they’re not…

Spirited Helena, Countess of Crewe, knows all about profligate rakes; she was married to one for nine years and still bears the scars. Now this Dashing Widow plans a life of glorious freedom where she does just what she wishes – and nobody will ever hurt her again. So what is she to do when that handsome scoundrel Lord West sets out to make her his wife? Say no, of course. Which is fine, until West focuses all his sensual skills on changing her mind. And West’s sensual skills are renowned far and wide as utterly irresistible…

Passionate persuasion!

Vernon Grange, Lord West, has long been estranged from his headstrong first love, Helena Nash, but he’s always regretted that he didn’t step in to prevent her disastrous marriage. Now Helena is free, and this time, come hell or high water, West won’t let her escape him again. His weapon of choice is seduction, and in this particular game, he’s an acknowledged master. Now that he and Helena are under one roof at the year’s most glamorous house party, he intends to counter her every argument with breathtaking pleasure. Could it be that Lady Crewe’s dashing days are numbered?

Uncaged Review: Lady Helena Crewe is tired of men that emotionally hurt her, especially Lord Baron West, Vernon Grange, but everyone knows him as West. Every time West sees Helena, the meetings are always horrifically memorable. Especially the one time when West proposes to Helena. Helena doesn’t believe in West’s sincerity because the next moment she has to take care of him due to a debilitating fever. Helena really can’t stand West but must be civil to him because, after all, he is her brother’s best friend and best man for his upcoming wedding. Helena fights against the attraction and whether she can be with West because of him being sick. Helena decides that she will only be his mistress, but as she gets to know West and he her that they can’t deny their feelings, but love isn’t going to be an easy road for either of them.

I am well on my way to reading this Regency series by Ms. Anna Campbell even though this is the third in the series! Luckily, you don’t have to read it in sequence because each book is about a different character and not a continuation of any character’s stories. Yet still, you might want to read them in order just to understand the relationship between the other characters. This story is pretty engaging and the characters are beautifully drawn with wonderful imagery, so it’s nice to be immersed in this world. Even though I wondered what sickness, where the hero, Vernon, gets fevers occasionally. In my medical mind, I went with several possibilities, from malaria to dengue to EBV that he could have. I still couldn’t figure it out. I think I settled with malaria because Vernon seemed like he would travel. So, his sickness I could forgive his roguish behavior and his sour mood to being ill. This unfortunately didn’t endear me to his character. I did enjoy Helena and developed a little girl crush on her that she made the book for me. Will I keep reading the rest of the series? You bet I will and onto the next book! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – A Midsummer Night’s Rendezvous by Amanda Mariel

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

A Midsummer Night’s Rendezvous
Amanda Mariel
Historical Romance

In the heart of Yorkshire, where rolling hills and grand estates whisper secrets of old, Lady Eden Thornton finds herself caught between duty and desire. The spirited daughter of an Earl, she is content with her idyllic country life, far removed from the frivolities of London society. But when her brother’s best friend, the brooding and enigmatic Marquess of Blackstone, returns from abroad, her world is turned upside down.

Gabriel Langley, the Marquess of Blackstone, has always been a man of mystery and adventure. His return to England stirs memories of a past he would rather forget and confronts him with a future he cannot escape. Drawn back to Yorkshire by the death of his father and the burdens of a crumbling estate, Gabriel never expected to find solace in the lively and captivating Eden, his best friend’s little sister.

As summer unfolds, so does a tale of unexpected passion and undeniable attraction. Despite their stark differences, Gabriel’s rugged determination and Eden’s fiery independence clash and ignite, revealing hidden depths and shared dreams.

Can Eden and Gabriel defy the odds and claim a love that was always meant to be? Or will their midsummer night’s rendezvous be nothing more than a fleeting dream?

Embark on a journey of passion and defiance in A Midsummer Night’s Rendezvous, where love defies all expectations, leading to a future neither could have imagine.

Uncaged Review: This is the first book by Courting Ruin in this exciting new series. Lady Eden Thornton has always loved Lord Gabriel Langley, Marquess of Blackstone. Even when she was sixteen and told to avoid him, she just couldn’t help her feelings for him. When Gabriel leaves Yorkshire and the idyllic countryside for London. Eden grows up and becomes a beautiful young woman. When Gabriel meets Eden again, she is all grown up, and he falls hard for her. Unfortunately, Gabriel is warned away from Eden by Thomas, Eden’s brother and his best friend. The more he tries to fight his feelings for her, the harder it gets to avoid her. Gabriel secretly courts Eden, but when the secret is out will he risk losing everything he has worked so hard to gain and his friendship with Thomas too?

I was so looking forward to getting the chance to read this historical Regency tale by Ms. Amanda Mariel because of the brother’s best friend romance! These are one of my favorite genres to read because of not only the slight taboo aspect, but I always wonder how the authors are going to write it, and will it be a book worth reading? Well, luckily, this book hit all the areas I so enjoy in these kinds of love stories. The characters are interesting even with Gabriel being as broken as he is and having many faults, while Eden was the light that brought him out of that. I did wonder about Gabriel’s disgraceful history, his family, which didn’t seem to care enough and wanted a bit more. The friendship that Gabriel had with Thomas didn’t seem really all that genuine either. Sure, they were childhood friends, but I always got the feeling that Thomas would eventually turn on him. Luckily, Eden was what made me keep reading. I absolutely just loved her! I plan to read more of Ms. Mariel’s stories because they are just that good! So, the next book doesn’t come out until October, but I will definitely read it! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – The Cowboy’s Thirty-Day Fling by Jenna Jacobs

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Cowboy’s Thirty-Day Fling
Jenna Jacobs
Contemporary Western Romance

She swears off men…only to be tempted into forever.

Brea Gates is done. After surrendering her paycheck, her body, and her ever-lovin’ soul to a string of worthless exes—the most recent of whom lands her in jail—she decides she’s better off staying single and investing in batteries. Her friends from offbeat little Haven, Texas, bail her out and offer her a place to start over. Maybe now she’ll find some peace.
With her luck? Pfft…

The instant rough-hewn cowboy Sawyer Grayson sees Brea, he sets his sights on her. Since he’s temptation on two legs, no amount of dodging, dipping, ducking, or diving will save her man ban. How much can it hurt to enjoy a no-strings fling with the Stetson-wearing Romeo for thirty days? After the fun is over, she’ll trade in her spontaneity, thongs, and well-sated hormones for cozy mysteries and granny panties.

But Sawyer has a different offer, one that might change her mind—and her single status…

Uncaged Review: In this second book in the Cowboys of Haven series, Brea Gates comes home to an utter mess! Weed, the man she was living with, was being hand-cuffed and taken by the police because he was trying to sell drugs to not only children but an undercover cop. Brea is less than pleased and while in jail she is allowed one phone call. The only person Brea can think of calling is her best friend, Colton, who lives in a small town known as Haven. Brea, luckily, isn’t held accountable and is released so Colton comes to get her. Brea decides to turn over a new leaf and imposes a man ban. When Brea gets to Haven, she meets a cowboy, Sawyer Grayson. Brea’s ban on all men gets increasingly harder as she gets to know Sawyer. Brea’s association with Weed could also ruin her fledging relationship with Sawyer, who also has a past that the road to true love will be next to impossible!


What interested me most about reading this book, well, besides me begging Ms. Jenna Jacob, if I could read and review it, here is the really hot cover! Most of the time, I don’t pick books because of this, because it’s the content inside that will sway me to read a novel, but this story just intrigued me on top of the handsome brooding guy there. I wanted to learn why he is so melancholy and wistful. He looks like he is holding some deep secrets too. Okay, maybe I fell for Neville or Sawyer and I added him to my list of ever-growing book boyfriends. This is definitely a well-written cowboy tale, which, as you know, I don’t usually read, but I’ve read several books by Ms. Jacob and I have relished them all! Unfortunately, Brea did kind of annoy me, but maybe it was just that I was jealous of her. At least the town of Haven, was visually appealing and if there are hot cowboys like the Grayson men, then I sure want to visit! Will I read more of the cowboys of Haven? Well, of course I will! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

4.5 Stars

Uncaged Top Reads of 2025

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The books in the list are the books that I read in 2025 that stayed with me long after I was done reading them, from Historical to Fantasy, all these books made a lasting impression on me and here I will share what I loved the most. I couldn’t possibly share a top book, so these are in random order. ~Cyrene

  1. The Spinsters Secret Stake
    Collette Cameron
    Historical Romance
    https://amzn.to/49cVpD7

    In this book, Rowena is considered a spinster and has a horrible half brother who has swindled many people, including Shelby, a man Rowena has known for years. The romance grows slowly as they try to get to the bottom of her brother’s treachery. What stood out so well for me is the characters are well flushed out, but there is also a lot of humor, especially the neighbor’s antics. A great blend of romance, suspense, danger and humor.
  2. The Christmas Box
    Toni Blake
    Holiday Contemporary
    https://amzn.to/4pYcOqp

    This was a holiday story I finished in one day, I couldn’t put it down and I will remember this as a favorite holiday love story for a long time. This story brings a whole town together and has all the feels, from feel-good to heart wrenching, the reader will go through a whole string of emotions, but it’s all worth it.
  3. Stone of Lust
    Margaret Izard
    Fantasy Romance
    https://amzn.to/4sj8Z0G

    This is the third book in this series, and I found myself glued to the pages. With a very original storyline and a great cast of characters, the series will keep the reader flying through the pages to find out what happens next. This is a series that is just gaining momentum, and I’m along for the ride.
  4. Cruel is My Court
    L.A. McGinnis
    Fantasy Romance
    https://amzn.to/44Kh1FJ

    Sometimes I wonder how authors keep track of all that’s going on in their books, and this one has to be one of the most complex reads from the year. I actually had to take a couple of days to digest this story once I was finished, before starting a new book. There are so many subplots running, I didn’t dare skip around. This story doesn’t slow down and being the second book in a series, it doesn’t show any signs of a sophomore slump.
  5. Lord Appleby’s Gorgeous Imposter
    Cerise DeLand
    Historical Romance
    https://amzn.to/4pVWmXz

    This story’s suspense actually surprised me, which is not that easy to do. This is a thrilling historical spy romance that keeps the reader guessing. Many many secrets will be revealed, and this is a different type of historical that was very refreshing to read. The characters are easily likeable, and you even symphathize with the horrible half sister near the end.
  6. Broken Ice of Eternity
    T.M. Smith
    Fantasy Romance
    https://amzn.to/4qoCMTM

    In the second book of the series, this story is getting more intense. Even though this book centers on Ely and Fia, the characters and the overall plot that started in book one are here. There is danger, hot romance and a hefty dose of action and danger. I’m a huge fan of fallen angel lore, and this series sates that part of me.
  7. Brushed by Moonlight
    Anna Lowe
    Fantasy Romance
    https://amzn.to/3YNTAb3

    Anna Lowe is the master of shifter romances, and it was actually hard to choose a book of hers that I’ve read that stayed with me the longest this past year, but I decided to go with her newest series and the first book in the group. The character pairing is perfection, an odd group that works so well together. Between the danger, suspense, romance and humor, this is a series that all I ask for is for the author to write a bit faster.
  8. The Passenger
    Joie Lesin
    Paranormal Fantasy
    https://amzn.to/4szGlIX

    This is such a heart-warming and heart-wrenching tale that will hit the reader with so many emotions throughout the story. A story of forgiveness, letting go of the past and keeping an open mind and heart to what lays ahead. This book only has a sprinkling of paranormal, but this one stayed with me for a very long time and it will get you thinking about some things in your own life that you could do better with.
  9. The Rake’s Convenient Bride
    Madeline Martin
    Historical Romance
    https://amzn.to/4q0oqJD

    I love that the heroine in this story is perfectly imperfect. Jasper is the perfect hero and I truly adored the Dowager Darrington. There were so many fun moments in this book that I have trouble naming a favorite, but this has a great cast of characters and I hardly put this book down once I started.
  10. The Emerald Fairy and the Dragon Knight
    Jennifer Ivy Walker
    Medieval Fantasy Romance
    https://amzn.to/4jfN6vb

    Even though all the books in this trilogy belong in my top 10, I chose the final installment. This book wraps up this story so wonderfully that was completely satisfying. The attention to detail shows the commitment from the author to the reader and to honor the story. Steeped in Celtic mythology, the reader will start believing the author’s version over the myth. I can honestly say this is one of my favorite historical fantasy series.

    Hope you all enjoyed the top 10 of 2025, and if the past year has shown anything, I am prepared to be dazzled in 2026.

Uncaged Review – Heirs of Chicagoland Series by Chloe Neill

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Wild Hunger
Chloe Neill
Paranormal Romance

In the first thrilling installment of Chloe Neill’s spinoff to the New York Times bestselling Chicagoland Vampires series, a new vampire will find out just how deep blood ties run.

As the only vampire child ever born, some believed Elisa Sullivan had all the luck. But the magic that helped bring her into the world left her with a dark secret. Shifter Connor Keene, the only son of North American Central Pack Apex Gabriel Keene, is the only one she trusts with it. But she’s a vampire and the daughter of a Master and a Sentinel, and he’s prince of the Pack and its future king.

When the assassination of a diplomat brings old feuds to the fore again, Elisa and Connor must choose between love and family, between honor and obligation, before Chicago disappears forever.

Uncaged Review: Having read the original Chicagoland Vampires series, I took my time diving into this one, the spin-off, but I’m glad I took the time, and glad that I started this one. This is the story of Elisa, the child born of magic between her vampire parents, Merit and Ethan of Cadigan House in Chicago. Both parents are back here, along with a few of the characters from the first series, and also some new characters are introduced, including Connor, Alpha Gabriel’s son, who has been an irritant to Elisa since they were kids. But that may be changing….

Elisa has spent some time in Paris, serving a European House, becoming her own person. When she returns to Chicago for a summit, for vampires around the world to meet and to find a way to peace like Chicago has found, but all hell breaks loose and whether or not Ethan can get them back to the table to talk again, is up in the air. And when a pack member is accused of murder, Elisa knows she needs to find out who’s setting him up – with the help of some friends.

I really like Lulu – she’s the daughter of Mallory from the original series, she’s one of the best things for Elisa. I liked the characters Theo and Yeun and even Connor grew on me quickly. This book has plenty of action and suspense, but the romance is barely there, but working up to it. A reader can jump right into this series without reading the original Chicagoland Vampire series, but reading that series first will only enhance the reading experience for this series. Excellent start. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 stars

Wicked Hour
Chloe Neill
Paranormal Romance

In the second pulse-pounding novel in the USA Today bestselling Heirs of Chicagoland series, vampire Elisa Sullivan gets drawn into the shifting sands of Pack politics.
 
Vampires were made, not born—until Elisa Sullivan came along. As the only vampire child in existence, she grew up with a heavy legacy, and tried to flee her past. Then circumstances drew her back to Chicago, and she stayed to keep it safe. With shifter Connor Keene, the only son of Pack Apex Gabriel Keene, at her side, she faced down a supernatural evil that threatened to destroy Chicago forever.
 
After the dust from the attack has settled, Elisa is surprised when Connor invites her to a usually private Pack event in the north woods of Minnesota, and by the warm welcome she receives from some of Connor’s family, even though she’s a vampire. But the peace doesn’t last. The shifters tell tales of a monster in the woods, and when the celebration is marred by death, Elisa and Connor find themselves in the middle of a struggle for control that forces Elisa to face her true self—fangs and all.

Uncaged Review: Elisa is invited to witness an initiation into a pack with a clan in Minnesota, an event that normally excludes anyone outside the pack. But not all is what it seems with the clan, and when there is a death on the night of the initiation, members are talking about strange beasts that shouldn’t exist. Connor and Elisa will work together along with Alexei, Lulu and Theo to find out what is going on. Elisa will also be coming to terms with the “monster” inside her, and Elisa and Connor will grow closer as they work to find out the secrets of both the clan leadership which is failing, and the beast that is terrorizing the clan.

A lot of action, suspense and surprises erupt in this book. The supporting characters are a perfect foil to the mains, and in this book, we don’t see as much of the characters from the first series, but it’s nice to touch base with them here. I’m beginning to like Elisa more and more, and Connor is an arrogant and alpha shifter with a heart of gold. This is a slow burn romance, but more action/suspense/secrets over the romance in this book, with just enough to keep the reader wanting more. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Shadowed Steel
Chloe Neill
Urban Fantasy

In the third installment in the USA Today bestselling Heirs of Chicagoland series, the vampires in Elisa Sullivan’s world are out for blood.

Elisa Sullivan is the only vampire ever born, and she bears a heavy legacy. After a sojourn with the North American Central Pack of shifters in the wilderness—where she turned a young woman into a vampire to save her life—Elisa returns to Chicago.

But no good deed goes unpunished. The ruling body of vampires, the Assembly of American Masters, is furious that Elisa turned someone without their permission, and they want her punished. When an AAM vampire is found dead, Elisa is the prime suspect. Someone else is stalking Chicago—and Elisa. She’ll need to keep a clear head, and a sharp blade, to survive all the supernatural strife.

Uncaged Review: The third book in this spin-off series has the actions done in the last book come back to haunt Elise and Connor. When the ruling body of vampires wants to bring Elisa in for turning Carlie into a vampire, saying she broke the rules, there will have to be some heavy investigating to get her out of this new crisis. And it will take a lot more than just Elisa and Connor. Theo and the Omsbudman group, the CPD and even a new contact in Jonathan Black will be – whom I figure will pop out more in the coming editions). When the lead Bureau vamp, Clive wants to take her into custody, Elisa declines and sets in motion a huge mess and conspiracy. And when one of the bureau vamps are killed, Elisa is blamed for that, but with the right people behind her, they will find the truth.

This book is heavy on the suspense, it’s light on the romance, but Connor and Elisa do come into this relationship deeper and with more understanding of each other. There was some action, not overly done, but the banter with all the supporting cast is dead on, and it was hard to put this down after I started reading. This is a set that has been sitting on my shelves in my TBR pile for quite a while, and sometimes I need to make a dent and get out of a rut and this has been a great series to do that with. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Devouring Darkness
Chloe Neill
Urban Fantasy

In the newest installment of the USA Today bestselling Heirs of Chicagoland series, vampire Elisa Sullivan unearths an ancient grudge, with potentially devastating consequences.

As the only vampire ever born, and the daughter of two very powerful Chicago vampires, Elisa Sullivan knew her life was going to be…unusual. But she wanted to make her own way in the world, preferably away from her famous family. Then supernatural politics—and perhaps a bit of destiny—intervened, and Elisa had to steady her nerves and sharpen her steel to fight for the city of Chicago. Luckily, Connor Keene, son of the North American Central Pack’s Apex wolf, is right by her side.
 
When Elisa and her Ombudsman colleagues agree to escort a vulnerable supernatural to Chicago, they inadvertently set in motion a scheme of long-awaited magical vengeance. The city may pay an arcane price it can’t afford unless Elisa and her allies rise to the challenge./

Uncaged Review: Elisa and the group will have their hands full, unwittingly releasing a demon into Chicago, one that wants revenge and has been plotting a way back in for a long time. When Cadogan House disappears, Elisa, Lulu, Connor and the Ombuds will need to work together quickly to find a solution before it’s too late.

The action and suspense ramps up in this book, and Lulu will come into her own magic in a very surprising way. Connor must deal with the Pack, as his family, along with Lulu’s parents and Elisa’s parents were all in Cadogan when it disappears. The bond between Connor and Elisa strengthens, even as she questions her immortality against the fact that Connor is mortal. This book sets up nicely for the final book in the series and leaves on a slight cliffhanger, and I’m looking forward to finishing this series and the entire Chicagoland Vampires series, including the original series and this spin-off are highly recommended for urban fantasy lovers. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Cold Curses
Chloe Neill
Urban Fantasy

It’s all magical hands on deck for vampire Elisa Sullivan and her allies as they fight to save the Windy City from a supernatural onslaught, in the newest installment of the USA Today bestselling Heirs of Chicagoland series.

Elisa, the only vampire ever born, is hoping all can remain quiet in the City of Chicago in the wake of a destructive attack by an ancient demon who broke the city’s defensive magic. Still, she and her friends, including shifter Connor Keene, know they need to be ready for anything.
 
Everyone is working as hard as they can to repair the city’s wards, but unwelcome creatures are slipping through and Elisa soon finds herself caught in the middle of a magical turf war with roots that go back generations. She knows she will have to take a stand, but retaliating threatens to reveal her deepest secret…

Uncaged Review: As we finally hit the last book in this series, the action ramps up and stays at high octane, with Elisa and the team fighting off the demons, and trying to find a way to fix the wards that were broken. We will see Mallory, Catcher, Ethan and Merit back in this book, even though they are not the focus, they are a strong supporting cast for the new heroes of Chicago in Elisa, Connor, Lulu and monster. The secrets will all be unveiled, and Elisa will come into her own as will Connor and Lulu.

I enjoyed this series, and it was nice to touch base with the original crew, I can’t say that I like this series better than the originals and it’s hard to replace Merit and Ethan as the main characters, but the feel of the Chicagoland Vampire world is here and it’s a fitting ending to this series. All the questions that have been built up over the five books will be answered, and a few extra ones to sweeten the pot. A great series for any urban fantasy lover, but start at the beginning of the Chicagoland Vampires, and work your way into this set for the best experience. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Overall, this series is a great addition to the Chicagoland Vampires universe. I will miss all the characters, and I hope one day, Ms. Neill will take us back and check in on this group. Even if she doesn’t, it’s been a very fun ride.

Uncaged Review – Once Upon a Christmas Castle by Virginia Barlow

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Once Upon a Christmas Castle
Virginia Barlow
Historical Romance

Lady Rosalind Chatham journeys with her family to Weston Castle to wed an ancient earl on Christmas day. Yearning for true love, she falls for the duke, her stepfather’s cousin, while preparing for her nuptials.
Lady Rosalind entrances the Duke of Weston. Concerned for her future with the tempestuous earl, he can’t afford to get involved. The fines and scandal will be too great for a man of his wealth and power.
When the truth comes to light, and he almost loses her forever, he finds he cannot afford to give less than his whole heart.

Uncaged Review: Lady Rosalind and her family are invited to her step-father’s cousin family castle for the holiday season. I felt quite sorry for Lady Rosalind having to marry a ancient Earl. I found him quite unlikable as a character.

I really enjoyed Lady Rosalind story and found myself cheering her on every time she stood up to the horrible ancient Earl. This book was a delightful adventure. With  twists and turns enough to surprise any reader. Reviewed by Jen

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Dangerous Descent by Evie Jacobs

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Dangerous Descent
Evie Jacobs
Romantic Suspense

Pilot Elise Hughes left the family business in the Florida Keys and now flies the rich and powerful to and from the Rocky Mountains. When she has to execute a by-the-book emergency landing, it’s no big deal. But being stranded in a small town with her handsome new colleague is something else entirely.

Obsessed with getting justice for his murdered father, undercover FBI agent Eric Erickson believes retribution is finally within reach. Until things get complicated. And dangerous. And he’s forced to face a few too many realities—including Elise’s connection to a well-known crime boss.

After Elise is kidnapped by the same man who took Eric’s father, he has a choice to make—find Elise or exact revenge. Meanwhile she has a choice of her own—trust the dangerous family she never knew she had or the man who’s been lying to her from the start.

Uncaged Review: This is tagged as a romantic suspense, but it’s more of a mafia romance. Elise has been working as a pilot and moved to the Rockies to get some independence from her family business that her brothers run in the Keys. She flies rich people around, not really knowing much about them except that they’re clients. When she gets a new colleague, things start getting strange.

This book moves quickly into some sketchy situations, Elise finding out more about her family than she ever knew, and even her new co-pilot has his secrets. All hell will break loose pretty fast. This is a very well-paced story, and the secrets that are kept from Elise are majorly life changing, and things will heat up pretty fast with her new co-worker, Eric. I had a pretty good feel for Elise and even her brothers, and a few of the other characters in the story, but Eric was harder to grasp for me. He started out as a decent agent, but he got a bit sloppy.

Overall, I think this is a good debut and even though the danger in the book never felt too spine-tingling, it was a good story and a good start. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – The Silver Papyrus by RS Johnson

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Silver Papyrus
RS Johnson
Fantasy Romance

Rayne Thomas is accidentally snatched into an alternate realm by the prince of the Flatlands, D’arian Noble, where a battle between him and the Shadow Princes is raging—a feud that puts her in the crosshairs of fighting factions, heroes, and villains.

When Shadow Prince, Nick Reòth, captures her, she isn’t sure which side of the war she should choose: the ruggedly handsome prince of the Flatlands, or the sexy, bad boy of Shard Mountain. As Rayne delves deeper into this world, she discovers a side of herself she never knew existed. She holds the key to a mythical element that sends kingdoms on a race for a legendary dagger that can open doors to other worlds, including her own. The longer she stays in this realm, the harder it becomes to avoid death or imprisonment at the tip of a blade, and the likelihood of her realm being invaded. She must escape vengeful nomads, swamp witches, and deadly creatures while harnessing and developing her newly acquired powers, and guard her heart from the seductive prince if she ever wants to see her home again.

Uncaged Review: In this fantasy tale, it starts off with Prince D’arian Noble, who hands off a severed finger of a Shadow Prince to his advisor. The Shadow Princes were a band of magical villainous brothers that resided in the Shard Mountains. As D’arian attempts to use the finger, he ends up transporting Rayne Thomas, an ordinary human girl, to their realm. When Rayne awakens, she slowly adapts to a new way of life. One night, Rayne meets Shadow Prince Nicholas “Nick” Reoth. Rayne is intrigued and even kisses him. When Nicholas tells her to go with him, Rayne does. Nicholas and Rayne develop an immediate attraction, but Rayne knows that she must return home, but how is she going to get back when both D’arian and Nick hold the key to her getting back to her world? Will Rayne risk everything, including her love, to find her way back home or end up staying there where she doesn’t belong?

I was just excited to read this paranormal romance story with magical Shadow Princes, humans and scary creatures that when I started it I didn’t really want it to end! The book did start off slowly, but after a few chapters the tale moved fluidly and easily. The realm where D’arian and Nick was a little hard to imagine, especially when Nick’s home didn’t have any doors, so I had a hard time seeing that in my mind. Still, it was fun just reading the book and all the mishaps between everyone. The complexity and individual natures of all the Shadow Princes, including all the other characters, were written quite differently that they were all three-dimensional and distinctive. I couldn’t help but also kind of fall for Nick myself to as well. Even the ambiguous ending leaves me hoping for a follow-up soon to the next in the series. This book is definitely a wonderous surprise and well worth the read and I hope to read more stories by Ms. RS Johnson! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

4.5 Stars

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