As heir to the throne in a royal mafia family, it’s my job to get the information needed to bring my father home. And that means kidnapping a rival’s spoiled mafia princess daughter.
At the time, I don’t know the man is in negotiations to marry her off to a brutal arms dealer, but when I discover how difficult of a captive she is, it kind of makes sense. Soon, she foolishly starts to see me as the lesser of evils, but while she seems willing to be my captive, she’s mistaken to believe I’m doing her any favors.
I can’t allow anything to distract me. Especially not some naïve woman who doesn’t realize we’ve just set off a mob war. Now the only way to stop what I started and be reunited with my father is to let her go.
Problem is, I’ve fallen for my hostage, and while I have the guts, power, and resources to keep her as a willing prisoner, if I make the wrong choice, it could cost my family’s empire everything.
Uncaged Review: This is definitely different from what I usually read, even with it being an enemy to lover story. The powerful Accetti family holds an annual car auction where anyone and everyone that is of importance goes. Marchello Accenti sees many people, including his longtime enemy of the family-Lissia Gallanti. Marchello knows that Lissia is off limits, so he just converses with her briefly. After the auction, though, Lissia hears a horrible plan from her father that she has been betrothed to their arms dealer. Lissia’s plan was to run away and run straight into Marchello. With Marchello’s help, he kidnaps Lissia and takes her to a secret hideaway, but even with her being held captive, Marchello can’t avoid falling in love with Lissia, even though it could possibly destroy his family and everything he holds dear.
Yes, I normally stay far away from reading mafia romance stories because usually they don’t interest me, but there was just something about this tale that I couldn’t resist! So, yes, the book was engaging, the characters were chaotically disturbingly messy but so intriguing! Good thing though, not a spelling error was noticed, and the book flowed easily too. I instantly fell for Marchello. Even though I didn’t like his tough boy façade he still had a soft spot that was irresistible and Lissia, despite her naiveness and youngness, was easy to like. This book still ends on a cliffhanger, so, of course, I will have to read the rest of the series and will, even with this type of book, not really being my cup of tea, but Ms. Ella Jade has swayed me to read at least this series at least. Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst
A haunted manor. A deadly secret. A vampire who should be her enemy.
Charlotte Marlowe has spent her career fighting the guilty. She’s not afraid of the darkness—until she inherits Blackthorn Manor.
Hidden within its walls are more than just ghosts. A seductive yet cursed vampire with centuries of secrets. A power in her blood she never knew existed. And horrifying entities contained beneath the manor that are… waiting and wanting. Now, Charlotte must navigate a dangerous new world where witches, vampires, ghosts and ancient magic collide. But the greatest danger of all? The undeniable pull toward Adrian de Lanier, the vampire who might be her only ally… or her greatest threat.
Some legacies are written in blood. Some love stories are destined to end in darkness. And some secrets should never be uncovered…
Uncaged Review: This story starts off with Ms. Charlotte Marlowe in court fighting and winning a case of damning food evidence. Charlotte ends the day by celebrating and telling her associate about Blackthorn Manor. Charlotte remembers Blackthorn and decides to go, especially since her late aunt willed it to her. Charlotte’s plan is to just check it out and possibly sell the manor and get back to her own life. When Charlotte gets to Blackthorn Manor, the realtor won’t even go inside, which is curious to her. Charlotte is not scared and manages to meet two ghosts and a mysterious vampire, Adrian de Lanier, who watches over the manor. Charlotte declares herself guardian of the manor with the ghosts and with Adrian’s help, they plan to protect the manor. Unforeseen danger looms and an evil entity that wants Charlotte gone. Evil will do everything in their power to destroy Charlotte and the love that her and Adrian have unless she can stop it.
This paranormal romance starts off a new series about ghosts, guardians and vampires combining them harmoniously but wonderfully together! So, of course, I couldn’t wait to read it either! I am a sucker for any vampire tale! Even if the stories seem old and overdone, this one still seemed fresh and new with the additions of ghosts and a human guardian that you hoped wouldn’t fail or fall into evil ways. Charlotte was a strong, capable, intelligent heroine that you couldn’t help but root for even with her falling for Adrian. I guess it would be hard not to fall for him though. Adrian, I didn’t know whether to trust him or even like him because he has such a mysterious past, but I understand the attraction. Sure, there were some formatting issues when I downloaded the book, but then again, this is not a reflection of the story. I do have the next book in the series because I am eager to see what happens to everyone and this, of course, isn’t the end either. Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst
A dashing widow looking for passion and a Lord who lost his heart …
Caroline, Lady Beaumont, arrives in London seeking excitement after ten dreary years of marriage and an even drearier year of mourning. That means conquering society, dancing like there’s no tomorrow, and taking a lover to provide passion without promises. Promises, in this dashing widow’s dictionary, equal prison. So what is an adventurous lady to do when she loses her heart to a notorious rake who, for the first time in his life, wants forever?
Devilish Silas Nash, Viscount Stone, is in love at last with a beautiful, headstrong widow bent on playing the field. Worse, she’s enlisted his help to set her up with his disreputable best friend. No red-blooded man takes such a challenge lying down, and Silas schemes to seduce his darling into his arms, warm, willing and besotted. But will his passionate plots come undone against a woman determined to act the mistress, but never the wife?
Uncaged Review: Caroline, Lady Beaumont, widowed and ready for adventure, arrives in London ready to take her life into her own hands. Caroline meets with her faithful friends Helena and Fen, who are also widowed. All three want to find a man that they don’t have to tie themselves to anymore. Caroline plans just a simple physical affair. So, none of the heartache but all the feelings. Caroline thinks she has found the perfect man, but Helena’s brother Viscount Stone, Silas Nash, can’t stand seeing Caroline with anyone else but him. Silas has also fallen in love with Caroline but doesn’t have the heart to tell her. Will Silas finally work up the nerve to say what’s in his heart before it’s too late?
After reading all the Scoundrels of Mayfair books, I wanted to go back and read this series. So, of course, I have to start off with the first book, which is truly a delight! Ms. Anna Campbell writes such magnificent tales with wonderful characters that you can’t help but love that even though I get off track, my plan is to read all of them in order. I am also a sucker for brother of my best friend’s book romances that just make me smile. Do I want to read more? Well, of course, I do and, will I? Yes I will. Plus, this best friend’s story is told quite nicely and moves beautifully. I even liked that Silas’s sister approved of the relationship long ago, but Silas had so many reservations that he really needed to see that it was okay to have feelings and stop being so hard on himself. While Caroline, I just want to hang out with her. I will be starting the next book soon too! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst
A roguish duke seeks to escape the demons of his past via a marriage of convenience with his friend’s bluestocking sister and gets far more than he bargained for.
Miss Lily Bridewell—stubborn, intelligent, and fiercely protective of those she loves—is determined to keep the misfortunes that have befallen her family from affecting her sisters’ futures. When the heir to their father’s title and estate ousts them from their family home, Lily’s desperation drives her into the arms of the one man she fears she cannot trust—especially with her heart.
Griffin Knightley, Duke of Edgerton, vowed to mend his rakehell ways when he inherited a dukedom. But he falls back into old habits one fateful night that leads to tragedy—the death of his best friend. Guilt haunts him even as he tries to become a respectable nobleman, and when his late friend’s sisters lose their home, he sees it as his duty to assist them. A marriage of convenience with the eldest would solve two dilemmas—his need for a duchess and the Bridewell sisters’ need for a home.
A simple agreement. A practical transaction. But attraction to his strong-willed bluestocking bride makes it impossible for Griffin to be the cool, levelheaded duke he’s determined to be, and Lily won’t settle for anything less than his heart.
Uncaged Review: This story starts off rather terrifyingly. Well, in October 1890, Griffen Kingsley, the newly minted Duke of Edgerton, was out with his best friend, Leo Bridewell. Both were drunk. Leo got into it with another man who insulted a woman and Leo’s only recourse was to challenge him to a duel which, unfortunately, also killed him. 11 years later in 1891, Lilly Bridewell, sister of Leo, is about to lose everything she holds dear, including her home, unless she marries her own cousin. Lilly, while burying her and her sister’s most prized possessions, Griffen, falls in the hole and sprains his ankle. Griffen promised Leo while he lay dying to protect his sister, and he immediately proposed to Lilly, claiming it was a practical arrangement. Pretty soon the marriage becomes so much more, but can Lilly convince Griffen of that?
This is the start of a new series that I was really looking forward to and an author that I haven’t read in a while, nor do I regret reading her stories either. Even though the story started off with a death, there was a warning about it too. There were quite a few spelling errors that did take me out of the tale at times, but I still continued on. I don’t think the book was badly done because there was enough angst, tragedy, family and love that really tied it well together. The characters were beautifully drawn out with distinct personalities that, of course, I do want to read more about the other sisters. The past history of Griffen and Lilly obviously had a lot more which I would have loved to read about that it would have been nice to see that. I am eager to read more from Ms. Christy Carlyle and look forward to the next Bridewell sister book! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst
Forced to wed a ruthless English Lord, Adelyn Scott welcomed death over marriage, but had no idea her wish would come true until she discovered her husband’s body lying dead in his chamber on the night of their wedding.
As commander for the king’s personal guard, Eamon MacLeish’s loyalty has never been questioned. Until the day a mysterious woman arrived seeking an asylum and stole his heart.
As Adelyn and Eamon piece together clues surrounding her husband’s murder, Eamon must choose between his loyalty or his heart. For one path would ultimately lead to her death, and the other path leads to his.
Heart of the Highlands: The Raven is the prequel to the Protectors of the Crown Series.
Uncaged Review: The first book in the Protectors of the Crown series revolves around Adelyn and Eamon. Adelyn escapes her castle after her forced marriage to an English Lord who is found dead and her accused of his murder. Being a cousin the King James, she steals a horse and races across the border to Jame’s castle for asylum. One of King James’ most trusted men, Eamon, gives Adelyn his protection and sends trusted men to search for the truth. All is going well until Adelyn is kidnapped by her dead husband’s men, then all loyalties and friendships will be tested…
This book has danger, romance and a mystery woven into a medieval tale worth reading. Adelyn is a strong character in a time where women had no rights, and Eamon’s honor is second to none. This is a good medieval romance that will keep the reader entranced until the end. Reviewed by Cyrene
Fourteen visionary and thought-provoking science fiction gems take you on a faster-than-light journey to future worlds of dreams and nightmares.
Whether you’re intrigued by the ethical ramifications of future technology or fascinated by the mysteries of the cosmos, Future Dreams and Nightmares will enthrall you with its boundless creativity and intellectual depth. Crafted with precision and care, this extraordinary collection of stories will draw you into richly imagined worlds populated by unforgettable characters and strange new events. With gripping plots and thought-provoking themes, Future Dreams and Nightmares is a must-read for all science fiction fans. Delve into what it means to be human and experience the thrill of exploring distant planets and confronting moral dilemmas as you read this captivating collection of alternate realities.
Future Dreams and Nightmares is a testament to the power of science fiction to not just entertain but to push boundaries, expand the mind, and see the world from a new perspective. Embrace the unknown and embark on fourteen unforgettable journeys transcending time and space. Pick up your copy today, and prepare to be teleported into a universe of future dreams and nightmares!
Uncaged Review: There are 14 stories that mostly do with the mind, like mind-altering, memory altering and clones and AI. A couple stood out to me, was Memories was about a guy saving to have his horrible memories erased of when he abused and stole from women. That didn’t end up so well. And Everlife, a woman finds out that she’s been resurrected three times, in a storyline that once people die, their memories can be transferred to a clone and “resurrected.”
I thought these were all very original, and it makes me wonder what goes on in this author’s brain on a normal day. AI rears its ugly head in a couple of these, and even though I don’t read a lot of anthologies, all of these were very thought-provoking, making you wonder what is going to be possible in the years ahead for humanity. Scifi lovers will enjoy this set, and it’s an easy read, if not a bit on the creepy side. Reviewed by Cyrene
Montana Wild Roni Hall Contemporary Western Eight million people in her hometown of NYC but Jamie finds true love in the Montana mountains. She is content to become a country girl till her past claims her and drags her back.
Grief and despair swallow Jamie after losing two loved ones in one week. Cocooning herself in her tiny NYC studio she feels totally alone in a city of eight million. At a loss on her next step to self-survival, her phone rings and she is unaware that her responding finger click sets life-altering events in motion.
Montana is another world, and she is unprepared by how the land, the people and even the animals touch her. After risking her life to save a child, she shares an undeniable bond and the beginning ripples of deep emotions with her co-rescuer, Kevin.
Her newfound paradise is shattered when her past follows her to Montana and threatens all that she has come to love. Jamie has no choice but to hurt Kevin to save his life.
Uncaged Review: Jamie has worked as a hospice nurse and grew close to one couple, Jacob and his wife as Jacob was dying. Talking to his nephew, Kevin, about Jacob’s health turned into a nightly ritual for the two of them. Jamie is living in NYC, and her abusive boyfriend goes too far, and she needs to get away. Between the ex-boyfriend and Jacob passing away, she’s overwhelmed. She’s convinced by Kevin to go on a rafting trip with him, where she meets a few of Kevin’s friends. The rafting trip leads to Jamie going back to Montana to stay at Kevin’s ranch for a vacation where she meets the rest of his ranch hands and starts working in the barn with the stable manager, Hector. Here she befriends Jack, a stallion that they say only Kevin can handle. After their feelings for each other deepen, Jamie’s past will come back to haunt her.
There is a good amount of fun banter between the ranch hands and her and Kevin. But there is also danger, and it will rear its ugly head near the end of the book. I felt like the ending was rushed a bit, we never really found out the outcome of the bad guy, and I never did figure out what Kevin’s ranch did to support itself and the reason for all the ranch hands. I never read about any cattle, only horses, so I’m not sure. The befriending of the stallion, Jack, was a nice touch but unrealistic. But this is a heartwarming story that I read in one day and the descriptions of Montana and the scenery were so well done, I never even had to think about how it looked. Reviewed by Cyrene
Finding the balance between good and evil is about to require a lot of coffee.
What’s better than being a college dropout twenty-something working as a barista in New Haven, CT? Just about anything.
Nick would give anything to escape the dead-end life he’s made for himself. He gets the offer of a lifetime from Lucifer himself, to trade his apron for a suit. Should he really consider becoming an agent of the Devil? With the way things are going for Nick, of course he should.
Lucifer wants to give Nick a chance to do what he always wanted, to help people, wielding power and influence to make their dreams come true. He would have to sell his soul, but the Devil is a gambling man and lets Nick experience his new life before he has to sign on the dotted line. Can he use the Devil’s power for good, and make his mark on the world, or will he fall victim to his own desires and lose his humanity?
As if that wasn’t enough, the very friend that made the meeting with Lucifer possible turns on Nick, and he needs to do some quick thinking to come out on top. Maybe the ends justify the means, but there are no easy answers.
Uncaged Review: Nick is a college dropout, working as a barista in coffee shop. He always has aspired to help people, but on his salary he has what he needs, but not a lot more. When he meets Lucifer, his beliefs are thrown out the window, as Lucifer doesn’t seem to be what all traditions seem to call for. He offers Nick a job and tells him to give him a trial before he signs away his soul and free will to Lucifer’s care. Of course he believes everything is too good to be true, there has to be a catch, right?
I had no expectations going into this book, as I really didn’t know if it was going to be my cup of tea, or should I say coffee, but I was pleasantly surprised. The banter between Nick and Lucifer made me chuckle several times. There is a real serious storyline underneath all the humor, and it was a fun book to read. As this series progresses, I’m sure we will see many sides of Nick, Lucifer and Amy, but I have a feeling it will be a fun ride. Reviewed by Cyrene
She can communicate with animals and heal herself. But… can she navigate a complicated love life amidst a labyrinth of self-discovery?
Solveig Andraevian has survived and struggled for years under the abuse of her father and his conniving advisor. No one would deny that she’s an unconventional princess to the Kingdom of Laevaris. Outspoken and defiant, she’s made many enemies in the castle. Yet her injuries heal at rapid speed, her pointed ears continue to draw comments and when, eventually, mysterious runes begin to form on her body, she can no longer deny that there is something very strange about her indeed.
Meanwhile, in the capital city of Falal, a revolution is stirring. After King Batair orders a purge on innocent civilians, the fierce princess decides to take action and joins the Rebellion leaders who seek to overthrow her father’s rule to establish a fair and just kingdom for all. Catapulted into a new double life, Solveig must now act as both princess and revolutionary, all the while navigating the romantic pursuits of a variety of eligible young men who all desire her.
Join Solveig as she embarks on a journey to liberation and freedom, while unearthing secrets that will forever change how she sees her kingdom, her family and even herself.
Uncaged Review: This is a debut novel and the first in a trilogy and it’s a damn good beginning, for both the series and the author. This is shaping up to be a reverse harem, and there is quite a bit of abuse in story, both physical and emotional from Solveig’s father and his advisor, Malphas. So be warned if these could be triggers for you. And yes, I’d love to use Solveig’s dagger and cut out his heart and feed it to Tyr and Allira. But I’m getting ahead of myself…
Solveig is a princess with a questionable heritage, as she doesn’t look like her father King Batair and his people, and the truth of heritage will come to light and answer many of the questions she has about herself. She also fights like a true warrior and is part of the rebellion against her father. But she is abused, beaten and sexually abused, which only makes her stronger as she rises above it. She can connect with animals and the earth and when runes start showing up on her body, she’ll find the answers she needs. She’s also collecting men and there are already four contenders in this book with more to come, I’m sure. All in all, this is a great start to a new series and book two is already on my kindle. Reviewed by Cyrene
*Spoiler alert* Please read book 1 in the series, Blade of the Sun, before proceeding!
I saved some of my people but there’s more to free and it won’t be easy. I also have to do it without my father—sorry—King Batair of Laevaris from finding out. He’s not actually my real father or so I’ve been told. The late King of the Elarians is my birth father and supposedly I’m his only heir. Hopefully everyone will be distracted by the escalating rebellion in the kingdom allowing me to avoid their notice and complete my duty.
I find myself in a tangled web of attractive men that all seem interested in me, but my trust in men is tarnished at the hands of Counselor Malphas and my false father. I need to find my inner strength and learn to accept that I’m not broken. Otherwise, I’ll never find love and acceptance in the form of a mate bond.
Something calls to me in the forest during my self-reflection, and I find solace in the form of a hidden cave. I feel a burning connection to it, pushing me to explore. But the golden eyes that want to possess me will have to hurry since my betrothal to Malphas is coming to an end…
Uncaged Review: As we jumped into book two, Solveig is getting closer to her arranged marriage to Malphas, and she’s now taken on her mates, and we now can count 5 mates or potential mates for her. Solveig is separated from a couple of them as leader if the rebellion, Vidarr is laying low as the King is purging the city. But Sol finds her way into a cave, and there she meets Ragnar, a Drakoni, thought to be extinct, but awakened because his soulmate is near.
This is much spicier than the first book, and there are multiple partners for Sol. There is plenty of action and we will get retribution from some of Sol’s abusers, finally. There is still some abuse in the first part of the book, Sol’s mates will finally get involved, and it’s a sweet scene.
I won’t give anything away, but there is a lot going on and many new things will be revealed. I don’t recommend anyone start with this book, this is a series where you need to read from the beginning, and this one ended on the dreaded cliffhanger, but all three books are out now. Reviewed by Cyrene 4.5 Stars
This new world of magic I’ve discovered is overwhelming, but I’ve never felt stronger and more sure of myself. That is because I have my men—mates.
Vidarr my dangerous rebel. Jorah my thoughtful childhood friend and book lover. Cadoc my protective prince. Ragnar my growly and fierce dragon mate. And Kaeden…my potential Elarian mate who understands me in ways no one else does. I just hope our bonds can withstand the challenges ahead.
Together, with the help of a few allies, we will fight back against the Kingdom of Jaarn and free Laevaris from Counselor Malphas’ schemes. I’ll get my revenge through blood and tears and at last break through the secrets that shadowed my past.
War of the Sun is the third and final book in the Blade of the Sun series. It is recommended to read the prior two books prior to reading this one. This is a reverse harem, romantic fantasy series which means the main female character has several love interests and doesn’t have to choose between them for her happily ever after.
Uncaged Review: The final book in this trilogy wraps up this storyline well. I read this series over two and a half days which included one late night to finish. I’m quite impressed that this trilogy is a debut for this author, and I can only see this author getting better and better. This is not a series that you can skip around on, it really needs to be read in order. Sol and her five mates will have their day, and Sol will finally have her freedom from the years of abuse and trauma endured under her step father and his counselor and it’s a sweet revenge. What I liked about Sol is she’s a strong warrior and with her mates, she becomes more and more confident, but she’ll carry her dark past with her and I like that the author didn’t let that fall away, but with the help of her men, she’ll get through the past. This is a hard core reverse harem, so if heavy sex scenes aren’t your thing, you may want to rethink this series. A very emotional scene for me was when Sol finally met her true father and their reactions to each other, I may have needed a tissue.
Sol finally gets back to Falal, the home she grew up in, now at war with the Kingdom of Jaarn, but they have help, the catchkis (deadly animal shifters) and she has Ragnar, her dragon mate. And Ragnar isn’t the only Drakoni left…
So read at your own risk, you may end up staying up too late like I did to finish it off, but it was worth the book hangover. Reviewed by Cyrene
In an age of magic, in a realm where werewolves stalk the land, a lost girl awakens from a nightmare – and claims a legend as her own.
An indentured servant to a den-master of thieves, Callisto has lived by her wits and talents – a lone wolf girl in an empire pledged to extinguish her race. Trained as a lockpick and pickpocket, adept with a dagger, fate has never been her friend.
All of this changes when a chance burglary hints at a hidden cache of letters – letters left behind by an Arche-Mage centuries before. Secreted somewhere in the Imperial Library, the documents promise to fetch a fortune from the right buyer. It could be everything she dreamed of. Enough to pay off her debts. Enough to start a new life. Or it could just as easily land her in the dungeons of an empire vowed to her destruction.
Amidst fleeting glimpses of a life she longs for but can never have, Callisto must maintain her cover long enough to find the treasured documents – before the shadows of her past overtake her.
Uncaged Review: Callisto is a wolf living as a human thief and street rag. The master of this group of thieves is a horrid man named Pontus. When Pontus gets a message from a colleague about a huge score, he takes his best lockpick, Callisto with. This is a job that could take weeks, researching in an Imperial library to find documents that could be worth a small fortune. As she goes undercover as a researcher, she is befriended by a young man named Phaeton. But Callisto can’t get close to anyone, being a wolf could mean instant death. During the time as a lockpick and thief, Callisto has trained under a master teaching her to fight, with and without weapons.
There is plenty of action and the book keeps a steady pace throughout. Parts were a bit drawn out and editing could have been tighter, but overall this is a good YA fantasy read and since these books are in a timeline after the series called The Stormfall Chronicles, I think I would have had a better handle on how this world began if I read them first. To understand this series, you don’t have to read the first group, but it lays a nice foundation if you do. Reviewed by Cyrene
