Angel ( Linear tactical 4) by Janie Crouch

Hello to all!

We are enjoying a few days with sun and dry weather and it's simply so agreable after long rainy days that it's hard to stay inside to read but i'm trying.

Today i'm sharing with you an early review of Angel book 4 of the Linear Tactical series which i'm enjoying more and more after each book.
This my opinion on the less steamy version.


Happy reading!

Publisher: Calamity Jane Publishing

Publication: 2019

Genre: romantic suspense

Violence: mild
Language: normal
sex: mild
Public: 18+

Description from goodreads :

 Even angels have their demons

Jordan Reiss is well aware that if she was on fire the entire town of Oak Creek would probably go inside and make a sandwich. She can’t blame them. Her father scammed half the town out of their retirement funds, and then she…

She did so much worse.

She doesn’t expect forgiveness. But she’s back in town with no other options and just wants to be left alone to live on the fierce Wyoming land she’s missed so much during her six years in prison.

Former Navy SEAL Gabriel Collingwood's callsign may have been Angel, but he'll be anything but to protect his sister. Especially from a pretty ex-con who has somehow weaseled her way into a job at his sister’s new bakery.

He doesn't trust Jordan, even with her big gray eyes and quiet smile.

But when someone decides its time for Jordan to leave Oak Creek—preferably in a body bag—Gabe will have to put his distrust aside. Jordan needs her own guardian angel. And he happens to be one.

******
ANGEL is a stand-alone steamy romantic suspense, set in the LINEAR TACTICAL series. Meet the former military men of Linear Tactical, and the women who bring them to their knees: The strongest fall the hardest.

A "less-steamy" version of this book (same great story but with toned down language and sensual scenes) is available on Janie's website ~ If you like the heat level of Janie's Harlequin Intrigue books, you'll love the "less-steamy" version of the Linear Tactical series!

My opinion:

          A real rollecaster of feelings, once started you won't be able to stop until the last page.  The particularity of this book, if you read the precedent instalment in the series is that it takes place at the same time as book 3 for a big part of the series so you see events you already knew about but from another point of view and i really loved that. Thanks to that it can also be read as a stand alone.

Jordan really suffered and it was far from fair, she made mistakes and paid really an hard price for that but worse when outside most people are still shunning her or worse making her life even more difficult. She is a good, loyal girl so it wasn't easy to see her confronted to so many trouble at the same time.

Gabriel....he is a protective but stupid alpha, oh he sure can be smart in a lot of domain but in human female area he is deeply lacking....he hurts Jordan so man time  i'm not sure i could have forgiven him but Jordan does see his weakness under his all bad muscles appearance. The grumpy bear is in fact a teddy bear with a sweet heart. I did appreciate how Gabriel could recognize his errors and learn from them.

Since it's partly the same event than in book 3 that part of the intrigue was known to me since i've read but the the intrigue with Jordan was really well written and i couldn't wait to read more.

We do get to see the whole linear team and  i just want Dorian story even more now^^;; i need to discover the mysterious woman hunting him but still helping the team in her own way.

This is a fabulous story that i can only recommend with a lot of enthusiasm as a stand alone or read in order.

Score:  5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and i voluntary reviewed this book

Between the Bleeding Willows (Demon Hunters series 1) by D.A. Roach

Hello to all...;

              it's a new week and with the end of the year at the horizon the stress of getting ready in gift making is growing. However, this month there is a read along that seemed very tempting and book 1 was free so i had to join and i'm not regretting it at all .

Between the bledding Willows was a great read and i can't wait to start book 2.....you can still join the read along if you are interested ( you can win prize) just check it here.

Now i should try to give you my opinion without spoilers if possible so happy reading.

Publisher: Limitless Publishing

Publication: 2008/2016

ISBN:  1680585274

Genre: YA, paranormal, urban fantasy
Violence: strong
Language: normal
sex: none
Public: 16+

Description from goodreads :

 At eighteen years old, Cassidy has suffered more loss than most…

At the end of her senior year, her boyfriend, Jace Peters, was killed in a car accident, and her grandmother died only weeks later of a heart attack. Emotionally lost, Cassidy desperately searches for an heirloom her boyfriend was wearing in the crash—her mother’s gold ring. But during her search, Cassidy discovers more than her ring.

She finds a gate to the Demon Realm….

A battle is brewing, and Killian—head of the Demon hunters—preps his Clan for the approaching conflict. They’ve been working to secure the gate between his realm and the mortal world. But it’s been nearly impossible since Rya—a voracious demon on a quest to expand her power—devoured the soul of his Clan’s necromancer. Now Rya is possessed with the necromancer’s powers and she may break through the gate at any moment.

Apparently Rya isn’t the only one Killian has to worry about…

When Cassidy accidentally crosses into the Demon Realm, Killian can’t understand how a human girl survived the transition. Now he has to find a way to return her to her own world, or risk her being caught in the crossfire, which is a complication he definitely doesn’t need.
Once back in the Human Realm, Cassidy readies herself for battle. She signs up for Krav Maga classes, where she meets Tyler Romaitis—a handsome, tenacious, humble guy. He seems almost perfect, but nothing is ever that easy.

And as the balance between good and evil shifts, Cassidy finds herself—and her ring—at the heart of the conflict for the survival of mankind.

My opinion:

          Great first instalment in an excellent YA urban fantasy....we are immediately immerged  in a universe captivating and it becomes quickly a real page turner.

I loved Cassidy, she is courageous and even if she is suffering she wants to help others...she is thrown into a world she had no ideas existed, she gets injured and she still wants to save her friends.

Killian is young but already a leader so when Cassidy follows him she become his responsibility even if deep down something else is growing. He is courageous, determined to do good by his clan even if it means not following his heart.

The secondary characters like Casper are also really interesting and we want to learn more about them.

There are a lot of violence - but they are fighting demons after all,- some moments  are really tearful and at other time we are smiling or laughing so this story really has it all and i do recommend you to try it if you are interested.

the only  thing a little bothersome is the cliffhanger but book 2 is already out so if you want you don't need to wait before continuing their adventures.

Score:  4,5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and i voluntary reviewed this book

Unwrap Me ( Storm Lords 4) by Nina Croft

Hello to all,

                 this month i want to do better even if i will soon be deep buried in Christmas gifts creation but first i deserve some reading time and i want to share with you the new Nina Croft releasing today and i still love this series a lot as each one can be read as stand alone but in order it's even better....

So today is book 4: Unwrap me and it's set at Christmas time so perfect book for this season.


Happy Reading!

Publisher: Nina Croft

Publication: 2018

Genre: paranormal romance

Violence: mild
Language: normal
sex: steamy
Public: 18+

Description from goodreads :

 Only five days to Christmas.

The Reverend Imogen Lockley’s busiest time of year. She thinks she’s prepared for anything, but nothing can prepare her for Devlin Royce.

A long time ago, Devlin was an angel. Then he broke the laws of Heaven and stole the Elixir of Life to save the woman he loved. Caught, he was torn from her arms and cast into the Abyss. There, he became a Storm Lord, a creature of chaos and destruction.

Two thousand years ago, Imogen drank the Elixir of Life. Since then, her soul has been tied to the earth in a perpetual cycle of death and rebirth. And throughout each life she is haunted by memories of a love she cannot remember and a betrayal she can’t forgive.

Now, Devlin has been given one chance to get her back. Or lose her forever. And he has five days to do it. Can he somehow make her see beyond the dark being he has become, to the angel she once loved?

My opinion:

          Great paranormal story with a Christmas feeling to it as well. This is the 4th book in the series and it's done so it could be read as standalone but i definitively recommend to read the series in order as it help us to  more of what are in stake beside their love life.

Devlin like his " brothers" lost his wife 2000y ago in atrocious conditions, now he is looking for knowing that if she can't remember their love she will be lost forever....Devlin is protective and used to act first, think after....he never knew what happed in Zaria in her first life since he was thrown in the abyss by Gabriel after having been striped of his wings. By the way Gabriel is still a jerk.....for an archangel is sure isn't very helpful and i wonder if his actions 2000y ago were not led by pure jealousy.....because he sure wasn't forgiving and very judgemental.

Devlin is focused on protection Zaria, even thinking about preventing her to remember but when she suddenly appears remembering it all and being a vicar he isn't sure how to react while his feelings haven't changed at all.

Imogen is terrified of heights and has nightmarre of dying so after reading an ad she decide to try it but not where it was said in the ad because she is a vicar and fear the consequences it could have his people knows she could accept idea of past life. Result: she remember everything...all her precedent lives and of course the first one when she was Zaria a prostitute who fell in love with an angel...and of course its tragic ending for a sin that wasn't hers.

Imogen is furious against Devlin but still in love with him however the betrayal feels too fresh for her to trust him.

She knows he has changed and she wants time to think about it since it's all new and she is busy at Christmas time of the year....;however time is the issue and it take an invasion of demons to make her realize that faith is all what she need.

There is action ( no stopping), romance, some banter and we get to see characters from precedents books as well as insights of what is about to happen so this is really a excellent story read in one sitting that i would recommend with pleasure.

Score:  5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and i voluntary reviewed this book

Nephilim Falling: a Trenton Investigations prequel by Felicia Beasley

Hello to all!!!

                   It's not often that i post two reviews per week but Nephilim Falling release this week and i was lucky to get an arc so i had to share my opinion on it even if i wasn't really sure how to express it at first..yes some books are like that

Happy reading!

Publisher: Felicia Beasley

Publication: 2017

ASIN:  B01MZE3R3D

Genre: urban fantasy, paranormal, investigation
Violence: strong
Language: normal
sex: strong
Public: 18+

Source: earc

Description from goodreads :

  They say demons and angels don’t mix. I say people should mind their own damn business.

My brother, Damian, has been my rock ever since mom left. Didn’t matter to him that I was a lowly half-demon while angel blood flowed through his veins. I was his and he was mine.

But nothing lasts forever.

He wants me to go to college. I’d rather fight a hundred sentinels than lead a boring, safe life hiding who I am. So when a nephilim goes missing, I go behind Damian’s back to find the teen. Maybe if I can solve the case, he will upgrade me to his partner in crime solving.

As bodies begin to drop, I realize I’m in way over my head. But there’s no way I’m going to admit that, not when my future hangs in the balance. Instead, I set my eyes on recruiting the help of the new kid. Lucas is arrogant, sexy, and persistently trying to get my number.

He’s also a nephilim. Off-limits, no matter how good he looks flinging fireballs.

Then again, I was never good at resisting temptation

My opinion:

          A great investigation in a universe where nephilim, angel, demon, etc are among us and not everyone is happy about that. Sentinels area  group of supposed humans who hunt the paranormal being , despising them when they are "kind" they put them in ghetto, prison most often they simply kill without asking question. Because of that reality, Nephilim ( descendant from angel) or damion ( descendant from demon) are hiding... not really accepted by their parent side they are left to fend for themselves and don't mix together.

However Damian is different he is a nephilim working as a PI for both groups and he protect his sister who is a half demon... he is courageous, super protective and has a lot of responsabilities but Lexi isn't that little anymore and she wants to be his partner not just the little sister...when case of missing nephilim appears she goes behind his back to find and punish the culprit. She is determined, intelligent and loyal i loved that about her.

To have a little chance and because of the circumstances, she end up with the new boy at school as her partner: Lucas who is also a nephilim and one so , so sexy. He is hiding part of his part but he is really attracted to Lexi, showing some interesting powers when needed.

The investigation is really well done, some part of the story end on cliffhanger but this is a prequel so i hope we will learn more later.I guess the only thing i regretted a little was how quickly Lexi and Lucas became intimate... yes she is 18 not 15 (even if she sure acts like it) and with the story it make sense but somehow i would have wanted her to think more.

I liked Damian....perhaps it's why i'm not that happy with what happen....Wes his partner is definitively funny and despite his looks he sure care for Lexi. i hope to see more of him

definitively a series i would be happy to follow as there are still a lot to discover.

Score:  3,5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and i voluntary reviewed this book

Under the Gun (Underworld Detection Agency 4) by Hannah Jayne

Hello to all,

 Only a few days left before school start again and this month teh weather made us think we were already deep in Autumn ....so the mood isn't at the top but i'm enjoying my gifting preparations^^ ( the weather is just what i needed for it^^) also apples and pears are in profusion so i 'm planning some delicious cakes.. after all we should always try to see the positive of each situation^^ it makes us live longer;)

So since summer is nearly behind us so is my stock of romantic suspense but with all the excellent ones i discovered i will follow up the series so you won't have to wait too long before seeing more^^. Until then back to urban fantasy with the fourth installment of a series i've shared with you already....not my favourite ( far from it) but one that is mostly enjoyable ( after all, i still read it^^).

Happy Reading!

Publisher: Kensington

Publication: 2013

ISBN:  0758281102

Genre: urban fantasy
Violence: strong
Language: mild
sex: mild
Public: 18+

Source: bought

Short description from goodreads :

When you’re near the top of the Underworld Detection Agency, the claws really come out…


Quick thinking and loyalty have taken human Sophie Lawson a long way in the UDA—along with a healthy dose of magic immunity. But when her old boss Pete Sampson asks for help after a mysterious two-year disappearance, she’s determined to find out what high-placed demon has put two ruthless werewolf killers on his tail. Of course, sucking up to her icy vampire department head and negotiating a treacherous inter-office demon battle are the kind of workplace politics that could easily get a “breather” way worse than reprimanded. And sexy fallen angel Alex is doing whatever it takes to heat up Sophie’s professional cool and raise feelings she’s done her best to bury. Too bad their investigation is about to uncover the Agency’s darkest secrets…and powerful entities happy to sign one inquisitive human’s pink slip in blood…

My opinion:

          When I started this book I hoped to like it better than the last but unfortunately it didn’t happen. Oh yes the investigation was more entertaining and had some interesting twists that had me keep reading. However I was really disappointed by Sophie.

Until now Sophie was a character that showed a lot of loyalty and trusted her friends all while being often underestimated even if she is far from powerful or strong willed… I wanted her to improve with the time, to mature and learn. She did learn to fight and she is standing more for herself and what she thinks that’s true. However that was accompanied by her loosing her trust, her faith…  Seeing her lying to those she call friends, doubting them again and again wound me.

Sophie is stronger physically, perhaps psychologically as well in a sense but she isn’t the same good heart as before.

Seeing her doubting others like that disappointed me a lot, it even got irritating after half of the book. She couldn’t make her mind about her loves interests either.  That added to the fact that this book was a tad darker than the rest with a lot of violence and deaths of characters , which I wasn’t fond of but still, didn’t help me to enjoy it as much as the first one even if the focus was on werewolves.

I took a long time to write this review because I perhaps felt too angry at first to really put my opinion into words, after a moment I see that I did like this book, mostly thanks to Vald and the sword teaching part^^ funny and just coming at the right time. Simply it wasn’t what I hoped for  ( and I’m still angry at Sophie^^). I still want to continue the series and I do think I have the next book ready somewhere but  it’s not my favourite series of the moment at all.

I guess that what I liked less in fact was all the political aspects, secrets, manipulations etc that we discover. I prefer honestly so learning that so many things went behind the back of the characters and that’s is far from finished and we are starting to be unsure of who are the really good ones ( and if we hesitate, that Sophie does as well is more understandable )

 I can only hope next book will have a good investigation part and some cleaning the staff of bad elements because some really need to be taken out.

 So a good book that fit the series but must be read in order, if you love suspense, investigation and supernatural creatures this is a series that should please you.

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenges:

Angels’ Pawn (Guild Hunter 0.6) by Nalini Singh

Hello to all!

                  Last month of holiday has started and  i'm nowhere ready for all i have on my to do list ^^. Do you also have the feeling time is going too fast?

Anyway, when i gave you my opinion on Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh i told you there was one novella that i really recommended you to read before that title. I thought i should let you know why  without waiting to long so you get that today.  This novella can be found as an  ebook but i would recommend you to get the anthology with all the prequel novellas "Angel's Flight" that way you won't be be missing any; it's the edition i got and i'm really happy with it even if to make things easier i will review the novellas separately.


Happy reading

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Publication: 2011

ISBN:  0373277210

Genre: romantic suspense
Violence: strong
Language: normal
sex: mild
Public: 18+

Source: won

Short description from goodreads :

In Angels' Pawn a vampire hunter faces off against two rival factions and the angel manipulating them both, and a vampire whose help is not entirely selfless...

My opinion:

          This novella is written well enough to work as standalone or even as an introduction to the Guild Hunter series It’s a prequel though and I really loved to see how it easily fit in the main series… I have read it after book 1 so at first the fact it focuses on another hunter surprised me a little but I quickly enjoyed Ashwini she a talented hunter, different than Elena but one I can’t wait to read more about it.

You see Ashwini’s particularity is that most of her contracts are to hunt the same Vampire “Janvier” and until now it never really was successful because the contract finish to be cancelled off each time as Janvier finds himself back in the good graces of the angels he bothered in the first place. It frustrates the hunter but we immediately can find that there is a lot more behind that. Both of them are not enemies far from it but there were friends exactly either.

When our dear hunter comes to see Janvier and ask him some question about another hunt she must do she didn’t expected him to declare he would join and help her…. That starts to clear things a little between them and really the interaction between them 2 are too funny.

Ashwini will need his help more that she even believed and this mission won’t finish without some consequences because you can’t meet an Archangel, even less one like Nazarach, and not be impacted.

Now like I said I did read this one after reading book 1 and I guess it helped me to see the characters under a new light but also this novella was really useful for my reading of Archangel’s Kiss book 2, I wouldn’t say it was essential but I really recommend you to read this one as it give you a insight about Nazarach that will be needed later

The rhythm is rapid but good for a novella and the plot itself was really keeping my full attention. It’s short but leaves you wanting for more without feeling incomplete which is excellent for novella in a series.

Score:  4,5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Archangel’s Kiss ( Guild Hunter 2) by Nalini Singh

Hello to all,

                        Yesterday was our National Day and usually it means rain and a lot of it... for once i was hoping for it after the heat wave we had but sadly  only a few drop reached up and it's still as suffocating as before. Really 30°c and more are too much for my country.

One advantage is that since i had to stay at home i could read a little more and i went on a Nalini Singh reads frenzy... so as to avoid  reviewing two suspense romance in a row  i decided to review the second book in the Guild Hunter series first trying to avoid too many spoilers...later you should also get my opinion on several novellas but  let stay in the main series first. That being said some of the novellas can be read first but  i only felt that one could be needed " Angels' Pawn"  and only to have a deeper understanding the others while set before can wait after this second book.

 Happy Reading

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Publication: 2010

ISBN:  0425233367

Genre: urban fantasy, paranormal romance
Violence: Strong
Language: normal
sex: strong
Public: 18+

Source: bought

Short description from goodreads :

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh returns to her world of angelic rulers, vampiric servants, and the woman thrust into their darkly seductive world...

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux wakes from a year-long coma to find herself changed—an angel with wings the colors of midnight and dawn—but her fragile body needs time to heal before she can take flight. Her lover, the stunningly dangerous archangel, Raphael, is used to being in control—especially when it comes to the woman he considers his own. But Elena has never done well with authority.


They've barely begun to understand each other when Raphael receives an invitation to a ball from the archangel, Lijuan. To refuse would be a sign of fatal weakness, so Raphael must ready Elena for the flight to Beijing—and to the nightmare that awaits them there. Ancient and without conscience, Lijuan holds a power that lies with the dead. And she has organized the most perfect and most vicious of welcomes for Elena.

My opinion:

          I love this series more and more but honestly I’m really glad I have read “Angel’s Pawn” before starting this one, it’s not a necessity Nalini Singh is a perfect storyteller and you understand the story in this book without difficult even without having read the novella. However Elena do speak about what Ashwini saw and felt during the events set in Angel’s pawn…so when you have read the novella you can relate to those events and see how it affected the hunter as well as imagine what it could meant for Elena.

One story you can’t miss though is “Angels’ blood” the first book in the guild Hunter series because this one start right after the last one finished and this new adventure is simply captivating. Elena is learning to cope with what she has become which isn’t as easy as it sound even worse because of what is happening she has to speed up the process. That being said, she stays as she was, strong willed, not hesitating to let Raphael knows what she thinks which is why I like her character. We also discover a new facet of her past as she starts to remember.

The Refuge is a secret sacred place where the offspring of the angels can grow up loved and cherished, it’s a place of peace even if it’s divided in different sectors between the common places, and the part of each archangels. No mortals until now knew it existed..  Unfortunately some power hungry being decided to change that and suddenly a vampire is found tortured and nearly dying, Elena is threatened , murders  happens and worse… the most sacred taboo is violated: a young was targeted.

Raphael needs Elena Hunter born sense to track those responsible even if she isn’t fully recovered  but deeply linked to her he also must adjust to all that changed, him being the first ones.  He is starting to open up and he isn’t as sure of himself as he let people think, angels’ politics though gives him a lot of responsibility and he is well aware that he can’t seem weak if he wants to protect those under him.

The Seven, his most trusted followers/ guards are in charge of protecting Elena and to teach her some things as well. I really appreciate Illium, I found him interesting in Angel’s blood, now I’m even more intrigued. This angel really appreciates Elena and perhaps he is the only one but with a Raphael hyper possessive it can be dangerous as well.

Dimitri, Galen, Venom, Jason and Aodhan are obeying Raphael’s orders to protect her as well but they don’t hesitate to show how it displeases them. They still believe she is dangerous for Raphael and since they are loyal to him only she doesn’t feel safe the entire time in their company. Nalini Singh  dropped some hints on each of them so we gradually starts to know them and perhaps even appreciate a few of them ( seeing Galen so entranced by Deacon ‘s works and his reaction at  discovering that Elena knew him made me smile). Each one has its own secrets, the same they drew them into giving their loyalty to the Archangel Raphael and not another one but those we still must wait to discover.

 The investigation has a few twists that really make you turn the pages, not wanting to put the book down since you don’t want to miss any detail that could appear as capital later.  The plot is well built really with a good balance between the action, training time and investigation which alternates with some apparent peaceful moment, some cute and moving scenes or others really steamy .

 At the end, you really feel like for a time things calm down for Raphael and Elena, the investigation are solved, the case of Liujan handled so I’m guessing the next book will see a change of characters and honestly for once I don’t mind. I love Elena and Raphael, I want more of them but  I do want to discover more about Elijah and about the seven, as well as learning more about the others hunters we came across so far. I would enjoy greatly if the next books while focusing on others still gave little insight on what his happening for those we have met and then to later have Elena back in the main role but for now I’m happy to let her rest and adapt.

 To resume this is a really a captivating series but yes the books must be read in order to fully get the whole universe, novella are a good addition not a necessity so far but if you can just read it  Nalini Singh put the same precision and works into her novella and her novels so the quality is really really that good and while you can miss the novella  to understand and have a grip of the story, missing them would be sad as they are great story that can add some bonus in the universe comprehension.

I’m really glad I received book 3 so my birthday because I don’t think I will wait a long time before jumping back in it for more adventures.

Score:  4,5/5

Disclaimer: All opinions are my own and no compensation was received in exchange for this review

Challenges: