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Uncaged Review – Wylde by S.C. Mitchell

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Wylde
S.C. Mitchell
SciFi

Forced to undergo experimental procedures that grafted wolf DNA into his own and then given super healing powers, Jonathan Wylde wants nothing to do with civilization, preferring instead to run with his wolf pack. A reluctant member of the Xi Force super team, he keeps to himself unless his talents are needed.

Dove Locklear returns home after spending exciting and adventurous weeks with the Xi Force super team, and reconnecting with her childhood friend, John Wylde. But danger lurks in her father’s genetics lab. An agent of Red Guard, with nefarious plans, whisks her away at gunpoint to a secret Russian facility.

When his closest friend, Dove Locklear, is kidnapped, Wylde needs to learn to work with his team if he wants to save her. He knows where they took her, and the danger she’s in. He’ll do whatever it takes to rescue to her, even if that means confronting the man who created him: his father.

Uncaged Review: Third book in the XI Force series but can be read as a standalone. I was hoping this character got his own book. As I found him interesting before when he was briefly mentioned in a previous book. Without spoiling a lot of the story, Wylde is half human with wolf DNA who also has superpowers. Just like a comic or superhero movie. Minding his own business and trying to live his life off the grid. He gets caught up in a whole lot of trouble when some old friends turn up. I really like the author’s use of comics and such in this book and the mention of the superheroes. I’m hoping this won’t be the end of this series or I will be very sad. Reviewed by Jennifer

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Ginger Storm by J.P. Rice

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Ginger Storm
J.P. Rice
Urban Fantasy

A monster lurks inside me. I can barely control the beast.

I was born without innate magical ability. One fateful day, the Morrigan showed me how to steal pure and black magic through blood rituals. Now that I’m filled with deadly magic, I struggle to deal with the darkness.

My powers also make me a prime target for jealous Gods and the stupid magic councils.

But when an enchanted relic that has haunted me for most of my life goes missing in my old stomping grounds, I shove fear aside and return to the city where everyone wants me dead.

To find Lugh’s Spear, I’ll need to team up with former enemies and figure out which one of my allies is lying to me.

With several powerful enemies closing in on me, I could leave town and take the easy way out.

Unfortunately for them, I never take the easy way out. I plan to find Lugh’s Spear and return it to the Celtic Gods.

One big problem. My black magic blood can turn me into a violent maniac at the drop of a hat. If I can control my inner darkness, I know I can solve the mystery.

Uncaged Review: This is a good urban fantasy, but it took me awhile to get really invested in it. I didn’t connect with Junipher right away – but she’s a strong lead and this is a beginning to a series that I believe will get better and better. There is a lot going on, so you need to stay alert. What I thought was pretty cool is that all the pantheons are represented in this series. Celtic, Greek and Norse Gods are in attendance. Although I’m not a huge fan of first person narratives, the author does a pretty good job with this one, and I never felt I was missing a whole lot.

I think this is a book that readers need to push past the beginning and keep going, it does pick up speed and become a good page turner.
Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Playing Jasper by Ginger Ring

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Playing Jasper
Ginger Ring
Mafia Romance

I love to play the game.

Love them and leave them.

Then I met my match, Jackie Smith, and everything changed.

She’s a reporter, and I’m a made man. It’s a disaster waiting to happen. It doesn’t matter that she could shatter my life and all I’ve worked for…I want her.

Underneath her sweet, caring exterior, she’s hiding pain from her past, and yearning for revenge. I can leverage this to my advantage. I can demand her loyalty, her unconditional love.

It’s the same game, with a bit of a twist.

The only problem is…she might be playing me.

Uncaged Review: This is a book I was truly looking forward to reading, especially after meeting Jasper in Destroying Dominic. Jasper is a smooth ladies man, love ‘em and leave ‘em kind of guy. But don’t be fooled by his great looks – he’s just as dangerous as the rest of them, maybe even more so. Enter Jackie, an ex-reporter looking to find the people that killed her parents, so as you read, you never know if she’s just setting up the family – at times you think she is – or if the family is using her. Nothing goes on in Roman’s town that he doesn’t know about, I learned that fast in these books, so I doubt Jackie is as secretive as she thinks or as innocent.

But Jasper is smitten, and the book is romantic and dangerous at the same time. There several twists that happen that I didn’t expect – and the mafia part of the book is back and deadly, even more so than in the last book.
How do you reconcile loving characters that part of a mob? Even though it’s dangerous, these guys and ladies have hearts of gold, and nothing is safer than being in the “family.”

And as I personally live very close to the city in which this book is based in, there have always been talks and rumors about the mafia in this area. So even though this is fiction, it’s not out of the scope of realism for the real world. The author also integrates real life places, such as a historic winery that is close by. A highly recommended series. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review- The Hitman’s Mistake by Sally Brandle

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Hitman’s Mistake
Sally Brandle
Romantic Suspense

After Miranda Whitley stops crooked cops from assassinating a prominent Seattle judge, she’s next on the hit list, and her survival depends on the buff FBI Agent she’s had one awkward encounter with. But can she find him in time?

The last person Grant Morley expects to discover on his annual supply run to a Montana mountain hermit is alluring Miranda Whitley, nearly dead from a bullet wound in her side. An accidental witness or the cold-blooded accomplice to would-be assassins?

Miranda must convince Grant of her innocence, evade the killers intent on preventing her testimony, and fight her unwanted attraction for the agent…an attraction which seems to be mutual. Fortunately, love thrives in Emma Springs. If you love sizzling chemistry, Montana’s mountain landscape, and fast-paced action, then you’ll love Sally Brandle’s galloping thriller, The Hitman’s Mistake.

Uncaged Review: After Miranda witnesses her friend and judge’s attempted murder, she has to disappear as her life is in danger. Miranda barely gets out of town in time, and goes to a dude ranch in Montana to hide out. When out for a trail ride with the guests, she falls behind and is shot at – they’ve already found her. A FBI agent she had met before, saves her and slowly she opens up to him.

This is a nicely paced suspense, with enough danger to keep you turning the pages with a sweet, clean romance that builds slowly. Secondary characters are well thought out, including my favorite, the mule, Red. He’s a hero in this book and Ms. Brandle can bring him over to my farm any day.
Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Chasing the Cheetah by Bella Shaw

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Chasing the Cheetah
Bella Shaw
Shifter Romance

The mate call only comes once in a shifter’s life, if ever. Will Sarai be able to overcome her past in order to answer?

Cheetah shapeshifter Sarai Hartell just wants to escape the aftermath of an abusive relationship by letting her claws out in the heart of Africa. But while abroad, the trip is soon cut short by her own questionable actions. When Sarai’s home is set on fire- with her inside- fate may have finally come to back to bite her.

Conclave Enforcer and lion shifter Ari Easton is in Katonah Valley on a tracking mission when he stumbles upon an unconscious she-cat outside of a burning house. His inner feline is quick to notice the delectable female, but the presence of his lion sends her into a panic. Though his nose tells him she’s heard the mate call, too, he knows this quarry won’t be caught until she’s ready. Thankfully, Ari is a patient hunter.

**This is a stand alone novella within the Primal Mates universe. HEA and no cliffhangers guaranteed! This series contains explicit sexual content, so reader beware.**

Uncaged Review: What a fantastic novella, a little on the longer side of novellas at around 120 pages, but this book is a fast moving story, that ensnare readers within the first few pages. What I really liked about this story is that the author keeps her shifters in character very well. Even when in human form, the shifters have a deep connection to their inner beast and are truly two halves of a whole, they are not mainly human with the ability to shift, they are both beast and human, equally.

Since this is a shorter book, I won’t get into the plot here, but both main characters and the supporting cast are easy to like, and I’m looking forward to reading more in this series. Reviewed by Cyrene

4.5 Stars

Review Bloggers Call

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Would you like a space in Uncaged Book Reviews each month for more exposure for your book review blog? Uncaged is opening 2 slots for new review blogs. The only requirement is that you submit 4 books per month from your blog for your space in the magazine. A great way to get more exposure for your reviews and authors! Uncaged Book Reviews receives 30,000-50,000 views per month and the issue remains uploaded and readable for up to 2 years!

Bloggers also will receive a small footer rotating ad under “Friends of Uncaged.” The website consistently hits 40K views per month and that number doubles in the summer with the Raven Awards.

Email me at [email protected] for more information.

Uncaged Review – The Smuggler’s Escape by Barbara Monajem

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Smuggler’s Escape
Barbara Monajem
Historical Regency

After escaping the guillotine in her native France, aristocrat Noelle de Vallon takes refuge with her aunt in Sussex. Feisty, resourceful, and determined to make her own way, she takes over the local smuggling operations, doubling their profits. But when their plans are betrayed, a man from her past steps out of the shadows to save her. Too bad he’s the last man on earth she ever wanted to see again.

Years ago, Richard, Lord Boltwood’s, plan to marry Noelle was foiled when his ruthless father shipped him to the Continent to work in espionage. But with the old man at death’s door, Richard returns to England with one final mission: to catch a spy. And Noelle is the prime suspect.

Noelle is determined to finish the smuggling run and escape back to France. She needs Richard’s help to do it, but how can she ever trust the man who abandoned her? And how can Richard catch the real culprit while protecting the woman who stole his heart and won’t forgive him for breaking hers?

Uncaged Review: Smugglers, spies, action, humor, love…what else do you need in a book? I liked this story, it hooked me in pretty quickly – Noelle is a stubborn, passionate, feisty heroine that grew on me, although there are a few moments in the book I wanted to shake some sense into her. As for Richard, I liked him immediately. This book has plenty of action and danger that will keep a reader turning the pages. My biggest gripe if I really have one, is the book is a bit longer and it drags out a bit in spots, but it does recover from those slow spots fast enough and go where it needs to go.

Readers will fall in love with Richard’s snark and Noelle’s enterprising independence. This author has a great way of spinning a very original tale. Recommended Reviewed by Cyrene

4.5 Stars

Uncaged Review – The Friend Zone by Sariah Wilson

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Friend Zone
Sariah Wilson
Contemporary Romance/Sports

Disgraced college quarterback Logan Hunt was on his way to NFL stardom when he messed up big-time. Now the Texas star player with a bad temper has a new option: Seattle’s EOL College—as in End of the Line, to his fellow misfit recruits. It’s Logan’s last chance. If he can follow the rules. No parties, no fighting, no swearing, and oh, no dating the coach’s daughter, Jess. Simple. Yeah, right. For Logan, there has never been a rule he’s more tempted to break.

The deal is “just friends.” The pretty, confident, and fiercely smart math whiz is fine with pizza, tutoring, and keeping Logan in line. But the closer Jess gets, the more receptive she is to his warm heart and spirit—not to mention his irresistible off-field passes. With defenses down, they’re both heading into the danger zone.

It’s more than thrilling. It’s love. It’s also a game changer that could sideline Logan’s NFL goals—and more important, a future with Jess. But dreams are worth fighting for, right?

Uncaged Review: Logan Hunt messed up his chance to the NFL with his temper and fights. He’s shipped off to his last chance in Seattle. The rules from the coach are strict, but Logan is vowing to graduate and to change the course of his life. He gets help in the form of Jess, the coach’s daughter who will tutor him in math. But Logan wants to pay Jess back for her help, so they devise a plan together to get the guy that Jess has been crushing on. As they become fast friends, they grow to realize their feelings are for each other, but it’s against all the rules.

This was a clean entertaining romance and I laughed at times at some of the bantering. The downside, is I felt like I was watching some high school antics instead of college. Both lead characters are likable and it was easy to root for them. There was nothing that was overly surprising here, but it was a fun book. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – Sweet Solace by Alexa Padgett

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Sweet Solace
Alexa Padgett
Contemporary Romance

Betrayal Broke Them Once…

We can’t afford to indulge in this attraction, but our connection burns too brightly to ignore.

Dahlia
My husband was the second man who betrayed my trust when he left me alone to raise my daughter. Asher was the first. I found solace from both in my novels, writing about the hero I’d lost. But in those bestselling books, Asher-I mean my hero-didn’t shatter my heart the way he had in real life.

Asher
There were so many things I couldn’t say to Dahlia when she was seventeen. But I’ve never forgotten the only girl I ever loved. My voice and song-writing talent made me star. Fame extracted its price. Now I have another chance-the chance to restore her faith in love. The chance to find it for myself. 

I’m not letting Dahlia go now that I have her in my arms again. 

Perfect for fans of the Kendall Ryan, Carly Phillips, and A. L. Jackson, Sweet Solace and its sequels take readers on an emotional, sexy journey of hot men and their feisty women who are transformed by courage, self-sacrifice, and love.

Uncaged Review: This was a very addicting read. A second-chance romance that brews very slowly and works its way through the book. A couple twists toward the end surprised me, but there is a part toward the end that is not very believable as someone doesn’t get what they deserve, and I’m not sure why that was skipped around.

Asher and Dahlia are both flawed characters and have been burned in the past by relationships, but have been attracted to each other since they were teenagers. Now in their 30’s, they have a second chance.

I do like how the author keeps the romance slower to build and doesn’t rush the plot. There are some secondary characters that I really enjoyed, but since this review, the books have been pulled out of KindleUnlimited, and I probably won’t read the rest of the series. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – The Bride and the Brute by Laurel O’Donnell

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Bride and the Brute
Laurel O’Donnell
Medieval Historical

Jayce Cullen has been fighting her fear of thunder and lightning ever since she was a child, but nothing could have prepared her for the fury of her new husband. Feeling deceived and betrayed into a loveless marriage, Lord Reese Harrington wants nothing to do with his new wife. Trapped in a marriage with no escape, the beautiful young bride must battle the demons of her husband’s past and hope that she can weather the storm his brutish behavior unleashes.

Uncaged Review: Don’t be fooled by this book when it tells you it’s 222 pages. It’s not, it’s less than half that, after you get close to 40% – the book is done and the rest is excerpts from other books. Yeah, about 100 pages of excerpts. As of this review, it is a free read.

On to the book itself – I liked the characters and the plot and it kept a pretty good pace. Lord Reese is tricked into a marriage and wants nothing to do with Jayce as all he wanted was to get his sister free from her kidnappers, and the marriage to Jayce, arranged by her father, was the ransom price. Once they are married, Lord Reese is a bully and not very likable. But the plot does move predictably toward the happy ending, there weren’t too many surprises here, but it was an entertaining read and eventually Lord Reese redeems himself. Reviewed by Cyrene

4 Stars

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