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Uncaged Review – Stone of Lust by Margaret Izard

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Stone of Lust
Margaret Izard
Fantasy Romance

She dreams of a Viking warrior with Fae-blue eyes and a God-like body that makes her heart pound like no other. Trying to save her kidnapped sister-in-law, Ainslie follows her back to the Vikings of Scotland, where she faces the very man who has haunted her dreams.

When Jarl, Rannick MacRaghnaill meets the alluring Warrior Woman who helped steal his warship, she dresses in clothing so strange that every curve teases his senses. But is she, as she claims, a woman from the future or an irresistible lying thief?

She’d risk her life to save her sister-in-law. He’d risk his honor to win her heart.
Can both hardened warriors save the realms from the evilest of Fae’s minds combined with the most dangerous of humans?

Uncaged Review: Fantasy romance has always been a favorite genre of mine, and this series just keeps getting better. With the third book, we follow Ainslie who goes back in time to the Vikings of Scotland, to save her kidnapped sister. She meets a man she’s dreamt about, Jarl, MMC Rannick MacRagnaill. Ainslie will have to work with him to save Bree. If you’ve read this series, you’ll know that Bree’s main love story with Colin was in book one, Stone of Love and here the author brings the characters back and it’s a tough situation, and may cause some triggers for some, but seeing what she goes through and not having it whitewashed gives this story so much more depth.

This is a fantastic, enchanting series, full of danger, intrigue and of course love. This is a highly recommended series for any fantasy lover, it has a great cast of characters and very original storyline. This series just keeps gaining momentum, and I’m looking forward to the next one. Reviewed by Cyrene

4.5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Riding Out the Storm by Elizabeth Rose

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Riding Out the Storm
Elizabeth Rose
Medieval Historical

★ Is a forbidden attraction strong enough to ride out the storm? ★

The English Lord:

Lord Gar Blackmore is the eldest of the cousins and still not married. As a child he was raised by pirates and even though he sails ships for the king, he is aware of the whispers that go on behind his back. Getting the chance to sail the ship of his dreams, he eagerly accepts the job of captaining an overseas merchant trade ship. At first, Gar doesn’t know that the owner of the ship has passed away and that his business is being run by his attractive but bossy widow. Worse yet, the woman plans to sail with him! Everyone knows a woman on board is bad luck. And what Gar is about to experience is anything but a calm sea.

The Widow:

Josefina Waterman is a widow from a loveless marriage. Since her late husband was a guildmember, it is her right to carry on the business for him. As an overseas trade merchant, she needs to hire a captain who can handle her large ship as well as the North Sea. The nobleman she’s hired is said to be the best, but she finds him arrogant and rude! He’s less than happy that she will be joining him on the journey. But every man has his weakness, and once they start working out their differences, they are noticing each other more than they should.

Sometimes opposites attract in ways never expected. When dreams suddenly turn to nightmares on the high seas, will Gar and Josefina’s attraction to each other be strong enough to ride out the storm?

Love has no bounds but marriage has rules. A noble must never marry anyone from below the salt.

Uncaged Review: Lord Edgar “Gar” Blackmore, a titled nobleman, has only one love of sailing. When Gar meets the ship, Lady Josefina, it is definitely an instant attraction. When Gar meets whom the ship is named after, widow Josefina Waterman, he is immediately smitten. Gar must keep it hidden though, because King Edward III has also decided that Gar must marry a noblewoman, so Josefina is out of the question. Gar’s task, though, is to sail the Lady Josefina with not only Josefina but her crew as well to Scarborough fair. Gar also brings along his cousins Robin and Martine as escorts, and it’s hard to turn down family. The sea-faring tale is filled with adventure on the high seas, but what Gar doesn’t know is that danger lurks around every corner and the growing romance between the two might not be able to survive the growing mutiny of the crew and others that could come between them or each other.

What an amazingly delightful historical sea-worthy story! Most of the time, I avoid books like these because I can’t really get into them. Maybe it’s because I haven’t really read any good ones, but this is not only a fairly easy tale to get into but the writing and book flow wonderfully. Ms. Elizabeth Rose also tells a charmingly captivating novel that it’s really difficult not to smile or just enjoy this one. I haven’t read the other books which I know I will go back and read, but this book can even stand-alone without any problems too. Gar is just a great moody guff hero. Sure, he isn’t the nicest guy, but underneath, he truly does have a heart of gold. While Josefina is his prefect counterpart and has almost a soothing presence to his coarseness. Yes, the love is almost immediate but totally works in this care. Will I read more? Of course, I will, and I look forward to it too! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

4.5 Stars

Uncaged Review – The Lady’s Daring Gambit by Sandra Sookoo

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Lady’s Daring Gambit
Sandra Sookoo
Historical Romance

She needs to ferret out his secrets. He’s doing his level best to keep them.

Miss Honor Winslow wants revenge. Her father has been missing since the war with Napoleon ended. Then a week ago, a letter arrived from him asking for help, but it wasn’t signed, and no address had been included. Needing answers, she enlists the help of one of her friends, who has connections to the Home Office. If the old, pompous windbags there won’t listen, she will do the job herself, despite her physical difficulties following a minor apoplexy.

All Mr. Gideon McGarrett wants out of life is peace, and nearly forty, it’s finally within reach. Ready to close his last mission, the only thing he needs to do is extract a man of high military rank from where he’s hiding after being wounded. The one thing that stands in the way of a spotless career is the damned interference of a clever and vulnerable woman who insists on joining his mission.

As Honor and Gideon bicker during the journey north, heated awareness springs from forced proximity, and all too soon that desire becomes distracting, especially when a faux engagement is offered out of necessity. Once in the Lake District, when they locate her father, the woman who wants him dead has also arrived. It will take some smart negotiating and perhaps a fight to unravel the mess. Only then can the pair make a go at a life together—if they can stop hiding their emotions and let down their guards to enjoy the ride.

Uncaged Review: Miss Honor Winslow is shocked! She receives a letter from her father asking for aid. Honor decides the only thing that she can do is find him. So, Honor enlists the help of a friend who works for the home office. Hopefully someone there will listen to her and if no one will assist her, then she will find her father herself. Luckily, Honor runs into Gideon McGarrett, who grudgingly agrees to help her find him. On a perilous journey in a carriage to her father, Honor and Gideon barely tolerate each other. They are either fighting or throwing verbal insults at one another. Also, Honor likes to constantly put herself in danger, even with Gideon trying to protect her. When Honor and Gideon kiss, he still manages to be a gentleman, and Honor fights him in this too. Yet the more Gideon falls for Honor, he risks losing everything, including his heart.

This is a bit different historical regency romance. Sure, I will say that about all of them, but it truly is. The heroine is older, isn’t related to the ton and even suffers a stroke, which makes her more relatable. Honor, despite her physical health frailty, emanates strength which I just appreciate. Most of the characters I always read about seem so perfect and superhuman, but when you read a story where you think everyone is going to be perfect, it’s nice to know that isn’t so and characters can be felled by something as major as a stroke. Honor wasn’t just going to lie down and let people walk all over her, including Gideon, who I really did admire. While Gideon did annoy me because of his high-handed bossy attitude in the beginning. Sure, I eventually grew to tolerate him, but I always felt Honor could do so much better. What kept me reading was the tale and, of course, Honor. I just really loved her. I most definitely will read more by Ms. Sookoo including the first book in the series too! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

4.5 Stars

Uncaged Review – The Dragon of Denmark by Jennifer Ivy Walker

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Dragon of Denmark
Jennifer Ivy Walker
Viking Historical

Skårde the Scourge, bastard son of the Danish king Harald Bluetooth, is a fierce Viking warlord who earned the prestigious title Dragon of Denmark through victorious battles and lucrative Viking raids. When his royal father announces that Skårde will forge a Viking alliance through an arranged marriage to the daughter of Richard the Fearless, the Dragon of Denmark considers the voyage to Normandy an infuriating banishment.

Illegitimate daughter of Richard the Fearless, the Viking Duke of Normandy, Ylva is a Druid priestess and Celtic healer with the otherworldly gift of sight. She learns that she must leave her Breton village behind and travel to Normandy, where she will marry the Viking brute that she has foreseen in a terrifying vision.

When the Frankish king, determined to drive the Vikings from Normandy, attacks and seizes Richard’s clifftop fortress, the Dragon of Denmark must ally with Ljósálfar Light Elves, a Viking völva with powerful seiðr magic, and a vitki– a shapeshifting sorcerer who can assume the form of a falcon–to reclaim the ducal palace.

Uncaged Review: I haven’t read a ton of Viking books, but after reading this book, it makes me want to read more and even watch The Vikings series on TV. This book adds the Norse mythology with the Viking lore, romance, epic battles and magic. I couldn’t have been more immersed in this world as I read along and one thing this author is known for, is her exquisite attention to detail. There is not a stone untouched in the research and the author manages to keep upping her game, I don’t know where she will ever hit her limit.

I loved Ylva from the moment I met her, and Skarde is a hero for the ages. This is a steamy novel, and my new favorite from this author, which I feel like I say every time I read a new book from her. I felt like I was a part of this story, and that’s the best kind, not too many authors can pull that off, especially with the historical stories, but Ms. Walker has done it for me. When I list my top ten historical authors, this author is definitely in the top five. Reviewed by Cyrene

5 Stars

Uncaged Review – The Trouble with Earls by Anna Campbell

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Trouble with Earls
Anna Campbell
Historical Romance

The wild rogue and the wallflower!

Toby Sutton, Earl of Renfrew, is a notorious libertine with no interest in marrying a wellbred young miss and making her his countess. But when he meets lovely Lady Viola Frain, irresistible desire creates an explosive mix with his native recklessness. Within a matter of days, he and Viola are joined in a hurried marriage of convenience, patched together to scotch an almighty scandal.

Marry in haste, repent at leisure?

With two spectacular older sisters, shy Viola Frain is used to being the overlooked member of the family. When handsome Lord Renfrew literally falls at her feet, Viola finally meets a man who thinks she’s special. But before the fragile bloom of attraction can flower, she finds herself wed to Renfrew and whisked away to brooding Brazey Castle, where shadows of old tragedy threaten her frail hope of happiness.

The trouble with earls…

Society watches avidly, forecasting disaster for an alliance between two people so mismatched. Can passion unite the rake and the recluse? Or is the truth just as Viola fears? That the trouble with earls is that they’re bound to break your heart.

Uncaged Review: Lady Viola Frain notices a smashed elm tree in front of her with a young man lying face down on the ground. The young man, it turns out, is Lord Tobias “Toby” Sutton, Earl of Renfrew. Of course, after Toby crash lands in Viola’s path, he just wants to spend more time with her. As Toby gets to know Viola, he slowly falls for her, but Toby is also a rake, so women chase him all the time. When Toby asks Viola to stroll the gardens, he finally kisses her but then lands himself in trouble. Just as he is trying to do a good deed to help another woman, she claims that Toby compromised her. Viola steps in and claims that it is impossible because Toby was in the garden with her, thereby compromising herself. Toby and Viola have no other recourse except to marry, thereby saving both their reputations, but can a relationship born of scandal find love?

This is the second book of the Scoundrels of Mayfair, and I am still fully invested in the series. Especially since I jumped around and read them out of order. Still, this book has mayhem, sexy shenanigans, raunchy Regency romps and a family that, despite their eccentricities, still manage to be lovable. In fact, all the Frain’s are just such wonderful characters. I can’t help but love them all! Plus, this book isn’t boring or stale. I’m either laughing one minute or really feeling for them. So, if you want a stiff upper crust, Regency, then this isn’t it. Toby does have a lot of issues and literally falls head over heels for Viola. He seems to make a mess no matter where he goes and at times I really wanted to shake him because he just doesn’t think. While Viola, the smarter, level-headed heroine, puts everything to rights. The saying here that cooler heads prevail yet still manages to be fun, fits Viola to a T. So, all I can say is I really enjoyed this book, but am eager to go onto the next. Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

4 Stars

Uncaged Spring 2025 Super Sale

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Spring 2025 Sale – March 17, 2025 – June 15, 2025

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Uncaged Review – The Worst Lord in London by Anna Campbell

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

The Worst Lord in London
Anna Campbell
Historical Regency

Headlong into the unknown…

Independent, willful Kate Starr has cherished a penchant for handsome Lord Shelburn since she was sixteen years old, but as a mill-owning industrialist, she moves in a different world from the libertine earl. Then one fateful day, Shelburn invites her to accompany him in a scandalous race, and immediate physical attraction swiftly turns into blazing passion.

The hunter caught…

Leighton Anstey, Earl of Shelburn, glories in his reputation as the worst lord in London. His fame as an irresistible seducer is unrivaled, although his amours are notable for their explosive heat, not their longevity. The dashing lord has never met a woman who can hold his wandering attention, until he tumbles into a liaison with a mysterious woman who enthrals him, body and soul.

A brief encounter or a forever love?

Neither Kate nor Shelburn views their torrid affair as more than a shooting star, flaring red-hot for a brilliant instant, then destined to fade to nothing. But does the fiery desire raging between them blind them to the chance of finding lifelong happiness together?

Uncaged Review: No-nonsense Miss Kate Starr was a responsible mill owner. While Kate was taking her cousins to an inn in London, the Angel, the streets were uncommonly crowded. When Kate asks a passing tradesman what is going on, he responds that a carriage race between Lord Colville and the Earl of Shelbourne, Leighton Anstey was in process. Leighton looks right at Kate and asks her to ride with him. As Leighton races his carriage he can’t help but notice the beautiful woman sitting next to him and his attraction to her flares. Pretty soon, the captivating Kate has lured him and Leighton wants nothing more than to seduce and sleep with her. When Leighton finds out Kate’s true purpose of why she went with him and that she has always loved him. Leighton isn’t ready for any of that, but when the time comes will he let Kate go?

This is the first book in an exciting Regency historical romance that is well worth reading! Of course, if you are looking for true history, this isn’t it. It’s steamy, hot and a lot of fun! There are sexy shenanigans and funny moments that will definitely make anyone smile, but this isn’t your mother’s Regency, so if you want Pride and Prejudice, this isn’t it. Still, this tale has a great storyline and wonderful characters that you end up liking anyway. For me, Leighton seemed like a heartless rake that didn’t care, especially when he decides he doesn’t want Kate because of her past deep affection for him. In fact, at times I wanted to slap him. Good thing he realizes his mistake, so I did forgive him and even began to like him. While Kate was just the best. I totally loved her and maybe had a bit of a girl crush on her too. Ms. Anna Campbell definitely has me hooked, and I look forward to the next in the series! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

4 Stars

Uncaged Review – A Devilish Duke by Tammy Andresen

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

A Devilish Duke
Tammy Andresen
Historical Regency

He’s as cold as he is criminal…

Who does a former lady go to when there is nowhere left to turn?
The Duke.

But every refuge in this cruel world has a price. The cost for Ophelia Lexington to be housed in the Duke’s brothel…. Her virginity to be sold to the highest bidder.

She’s as talented as she is innocent…

One look at Ophelia Lexington, daughter to a baron, and Clayton knows he should cut her loose. She’s too beautiful, talented, and far too fragile for his world, but those are all the same attributes that make her highly desirable.

And not just to prospective clients. The desire burning inside him, threatens to consume them both. She’s meant to be his greatest asset. Instead, she’s becoming his worst temptation.

Uncaged Review: Left penniless with her only brother in debtor’s prison, Ophelia has been living on the streets, cold, thin and frail. When she is instructed by some other ladies on the street to go see “Duke” at a known whorehouse, she goes as she has no more choices. But she wasn’t prepared for the Duke, and his honor with his women. Finding out that Ophelia is a talented singer and pianoforte player, Duke keeps her as a way to bring in better clientele and to help the sale of his business, but he wasn’t prepared to fall for a woman…

This book is a quick read, and it has all the elements the reader is looking for. Instead of high society with the ton, we have a look inside a different class of people, but who are more honorable than a lot of the society people. There is danger, intrigue, romance and a quick moving plot. A very different historical that has a great story and a charming cast of characters. Reviewed by Cyrene

4.5 Stars

Uncaged Review – Knight of Mayhem by Sherry Ewing

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

Knight of Mayhem
Sherry Ewing
Medieval Historical

Torn between duty and love, can a knight and a woman warrior forget they are enemies and let love into their hearts?

As one of Empress Matilda’s most trusted knights, Lord Richard Grancourt helps plan his monarch’s escape when Oxford Castle is held under siege by King Stephen’s army. When a woman in Stephen’s forces discovers their plan, Richard is tasked with remaining behind and keeping her silent.

Lady Annora de Maris will do anything to save her son, who has been King Stephen’s hostage since his men killed her husband and took her home. Though she’s forced to raise her sword against King Stephen’s enemies, her loyalties are secretly with the Empress she’s compelled to fight against.

Richard takes Annora captive, but his tactics challenge his beliefs about honor and justice, and his feelings for Annora conflict with his duty.

As the mayhem of war pulls Richard and Annora apart, can love overcome the barriers that separate them?

Uncaged Review: The knight of Mayhem, Lord Richard Grancourt, might have always been the champion of chaos and disruption. Richard was also known to be an upstanding and loyal man-at-arms of the Empress Matilda. As Richard, some other friends, his sister and Queen Matilda stayed trapped in a castle in Oxford, England, Richard comes up with a brilliant plan to move the Queen out in the dead of night. As the plans get under way, Richard runs into Lady Annora de Maris, an enemy and loyal supporter of King Stephen. Richard takes her prisoner just so the Queen can escape and brings Annora back to the castle. Richard might keep her as a prisoner, but he was also sworn to protect her too. As Richard gets to know Annora though, the attraction between them flares. Pretty soon, Richard had fallen deeply in love with Annora, which could bring him down, including everything he had stood for too.

Since I have fully been invested in this series, I could not avoid reading this book! So, no, I wasn’t going to just stop reading because Richard isn’t truly a brother to the Norwood’s. He is still a brother to them in his heart and spirit, he is part of them. I truly do relish these stories of big honorable knights that can do no wrong, but when they meet their match in the feisty spitfire of a woman, they fall and fall hard! The book even seems almost real because there are kernels of truth spilled throughout, with the Empress Matilda, King Stephen and the Anarchy being real live people and a real event. Of course, the book just captivates and spins a tale wrapping the reader and me up, never letting go until the end! Richard is the consummate-flawed hero who captures Annora, but she doesn’t seem to mind. While Annora is the fire to his ice. There were some minor things that didn’t make sense, but the story still flowed smoothly, and it’s sad that the book and series had to end. I hope Ms. Sherry Ewing writes more stories of warriors because I definitely will read them! Reviewed by Roslynn Ernst

4.5 Stars

Uncaged Review – An Enchanted Knight by Hildie McQueen

By
Cyrene Olson
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0

An Enchanged Knight
Hildie McQueen
Historical Time Travel Romance

An exciting new paranormal romantic treasure from USA Today bestselling Historical Romance Author Hildie McQueen

Gwyneth “Gwen” Lockhart has a rare and powerful gift—she helps lost spirits find peace and cross over. When she takes on a job at a beautiful Scottish castle, she expects it to be like any other. But when she encounters the ghostly presence of Lord Tristan McRainey, a knight who died centuries ago, something feels different. Drawn to him in ways she can’t explain, Gwen begins to wonder if Tristan is not a ghost at all, but a man cursed and trapped in time by dark magic.

Lord Tristan McRainey has been imprisoned for three hundred years, bound by an evil wizard’s spell along with four of his fellow knights. When Gwen enters his world, he’s certain that she holds the key to breaking the enchantment. Confident that he can make her fall in love with him and sacrifice whatever it takes to free him, Tristan has no doubt the plan will work. But what he doesn’t expect is to find himself falling for her first.

And as their bond deepens, the cost of breaking the curse may be higher than either of them imagined.

Uncaged Review: This story has so many layers and crosses many genres, from historical to fantasy to time-travel and contemporary, it hits them all seamlessly. Gwyneth is a medium, who helps lost spirits move on and is hired by Edith, a Scottish castle. When she learns that Tristan McRainey is not a ghost at all, but a man from medieval Scotland that has been enchanted into a curse, she will need all the resources she can get to find a way to free him. Him and four other men have been cursed to the alter-world by an evil dark wizard. Each will need their own enchantress to free them.

During this read, you will meet the shifters, dragons and royalty of the alter-world along with lies, deceit, danger and romance. Gwen will be pulled into that world to try and save Tristan. As she and the other men in the enchantment work hard to save Tristan, Gwen is put into real danger and will have to make a huge sacrifice to break the curse.

Highly recommended, once I hit the halfway point, I didn’t put this down long. Looking forward the rest of this series. Reviewed by Cyrene

4.5 Stars

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