MARKED DRAGON by Aurora Woodlove

Title:  MARKED DRAGON

Series:  Lured by Fire #1

Author:  Aurora Woodlove

Publish Date:   06.12.2017

Publisher:  Aurora Woodlove

Category /Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Recommended for:  18+ due to sexual content

Grammar/editing:  B / D

Received from:  Aurora Woodlove (as a gifted ARC)

Goodreads link: Marked Dragon

Date completed: 06.24.2017

Description from the publisher:

Curvy Erika Williams is not the woman she used to be - bossy, confident, determined. Her divorce sent her spiraling, but now, two years later, she's coming to the conclusion that she has had enough of living in fear and alone. It's time for a change. Challenges are everywhere, money's tight, her house’s literally collapsing and then drop dead gorgeous - and very human, at first sight - Noah enters Erika's life out of the blue. Raised to believe shifters don’t mix with humans, she’s baffled to discover her inner animal’s interest in Noah.

After years of struggling to build a quiet life among humans, things are finally going well for dragon shifter Noah Crosso. He has everything he needs, except a personal life, but that doesn’t bother him. Then, his dragon decides he finally wants a woman. When he sets his eyes on shy, curvy – very human, at first sight - Erika, he uses every excuse he can to be close to her. Having sworn off women a long time ago, Noah can’t believe his dragon is so attracted to a confusing, hot human.

Is their attraction strong enough for them to break their self-imposed barriers?

This is the 2nd book in the Lured by Fire series and it is a standalone with NO cliffhangers and a "happily ever after". It contains explicit language and sizzling hot scenes that might set your Kindle on fire.  Intended for readers 18+.

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MARKED DRAGON is the second book in the Lured by Fire series.  It does stand on its own, but I would still recommend reading them in each and in the order of release as well as the series from which this spins off.

Janet’s first Lured by Fire event at SI is set to celebrate Valentine’s Day, but after so many successful previous events this one isn’t looking good – mostly due to the weather.  The event had been so built up in the first book that I was disappointed in the non-event presented in the second book.

On the other hand, the story of Noah and Erika from meet cute to epilogue is entertaining, intriguing, and sexy naked-time at its best.  I don’t want to give away any of the unique aspects of the story (and there are many), but I will say that these two are H.O.T!

This is the first time I have had to split my Grammar and editing grade the way that I did because usually one grade will cover both.  Ms. Woodlove’s grammar is fine in this book and I found very few errors, but as an erstwhile editor I would have called this a lovely second draft and asked her to organize her thoughts and her presentation a little more tightly.  It was like being within the mind of a person with ADHD.  I liken this to a woman with too many chores and not enough hours in the day (a state I understand all too well).  You’ve taken the time to make a list, now put them in the order that will get them done most efficiently.  There was also some of Noah’s backstory that needed more explanation to be clearer, including his timeline.

Bottom line:  While I do feel this one was rushed to publication, I wouldn’t miss a Woodlove story.  I know that I -will love- every one of them!

Note:  while I was given this book as a gifted ARC, my opinions are my own and are given freely.

Lured by Fire series:

1.      Claimed Bear

2.      Marked Dragon

Shifting Impulses series:

1.      Anna and the Bear

2.      Celine and the Bear

3.      Janet and the Bear

4.      Bearly Furgotten

5.      Christmas Mate

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THE FRIAR by Samantha A. Cole

Title:  THE FRIAR

Series:  N/A

Author:  Samantha A. Cole

Publish Date:   05.25.2017

Publisher:  Samantha A. Cole

Category /Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Recommended for:  18+ due to sexual content

Grammar/editing:  A

Received from:  Samantha A. Cole (as an ARC gifted copy)

Goodreads link: The Friar

Date completed: 06.17.2017

Description from the publisher:

Adam Westfield gave his heart, mind, body, and soul over to God and entered the Franciscan Brotherhood, but a moment of rage had him breaking his vows and one of the Ten Commandments. Five years later, he’s released from prison a changed man once again. Unsure of his destiny now, he hits the road, roaming the United States, hoping to find a purpose in life again . . . and forgiveness.

A widowed mother of two, Sage Hammond is doing everything she can to hold onto the horse-breeding ranch that had belonged to her husband’s family for generations, but times are tough and she’s just barely getting by. Unable to find a ranch hand willing to work for meager wages, she thinks all may be lost and she will have to sell. Until a quiet, handsome stranger appears to be an answer to her prayers.

Adam is falling in love for the first time in his life, however, strange things begin to happen at the ranch—things that are putting Sage and her children in danger—and he finds he is willing to sell his soul to protect them. But will it be enough?

A man trying to overcome his past. A woman trying to secure her children’s future. Can they both learn to live in the present and discover that second chances do exist?

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THE FRIAR is a stand-alone novel and not related to any series currently in production.

This is different from Samantha’s series in many ways.  There is no team to rely upon.  That is a completely different dynamic to write.  She has done it superbly!

I loved the characters – good and evil.  Each was unique with great back stories to add to the world that was being created.  I also loved that I was kept guessing until the very end – who and why.

This is one of those mysteries that I wish I could read again for the first time.  The thrill of discovery is perfectly paced.

Note:  while I was given this book as a gifted ARC, my opinions are my own and are given freely.

Also from Samantha A. Cole:

• The Friar

The Omega Team series:

Mountain of Evil

1. A Dead Man’s Pulse (coming this summer)

Trident Security Series:

1. Leather & Lace (Devon & Kristen)
2. His Angel (Ian & Angie)
3. Waiting for Him (Boomer & Kat)

Not Negotiable (Parker & Shelby)

4. Topping the Alpha (Jake & Nick)
5. Watching from the Shadows (Marco & Harper)

Whiskey Tribute (Curt & Dana)

6. Tickle His Fancy (Brody & Fancy)

No Way in Hell (Steel Corp/Trident Security Crossover Novel)

7. Absolving His Sins (Carter & Jordyn)

Option Number Three (Mitch, Tyler, & Tori)

Doms of the Covenant Series:

1. Double Down & Dirty (Grayson, Abigail, & Remington)

Malone Brothers Series:

1. Take the Money and Run (KC & Moriah)
2. The Devil’s Spare Change (Sean & Grace)

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BOND by Anne Conley

Title:  BOND

Series:  Pierce Securities #6

Author:  Anne Conley

Publish Date:   06.19.2017

Publisher:  Anne Conley

Category /Genre:  Contemporary Romance

Recommended for:  18+ due to sexual content

Grammar/editing:  book received as an unedited ARC / errors excused

Received from:  Anne Conley (as an ARC gifted copy)

Goodreads link: Bond

Date completed: 06.11.17

Description from the publisher:

This has got to be one of the weirdest relationships on the books.

Deena Rae is a loner, a strong independent woman who needs nobody, with the possible exception of Mr. Fine Ass, with whom she’s begun a strange courtship. He’s certainly a nice diversion from her new job with Pierce Securities and her first solo gig with the company.

Slade is in debt to a man nobody wants to owe, his sperm donor just died, and somehow, Deena Rae knows the half-brother Slade’s never met. Slade can’t keep his eyes off his gorgeous bitch of a neighbor who keeps her drapes open, even when she’s “entertaining.” He’s told her, though, he’s a train wreck and they shouldn’t get involved.

Now Deena Rae is riding Slade’s train all the way to the end, whether she likes it or not. Slade is working for her mark, and her mark suddenly wants her dead.

And Slade’s the man who’s got to do it.

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BOND is the sixth book in the Pierce Securities series.  Though each does stand on its own, it is much better to read all and in the order of release because of the recurring characters.

The first line of the blurb is “This has got to be one of the weirdest relationships on the books.”  Weird doesn’t even begin to describe it.  Not to worry!  I mean that in the absolute best way possible.  Deena Rae and Slade are both so dark and twisted and when they twist around one another the steam and the sparks are impenetrable and undeniable. 

Their relationship may seem weird, twisted, and probably doomed. … but sometimes it takes someone just as twisted as you to understand you.  Isn’t that what we’re all ultimately looking for in our other half?

At times, Slade came off as a little whipped by life – in the form of his five-foot-nothing-cougar-mamma – but, it is his mamma.  In my humble opinion, every man should be a mamma’s boy to some extent.  It shows they have a compassionate heart.  Slade is his mamma’s boy and Deena Rae’s perfect twisted man. … but, oh what a ride they take to find that out!

What can I say about Deena Rae.  She is a hellcat with a brilliant mind.  So, of course, I understand that part of her.  She lives life with two names, and please don’t shorten it to just the first.  Yep, I understand that one, too.  The rest was a great escape from my life to experience something completely different.

I highly recommend this story, this series, this author!

Note:  while I was given this book as a gifted ARC, my opinions are my own and are given freely.

The Pierce Securities series:

1. Craze
2. Wire
3. Click
4. Grab

4.5 Redemption for Misty

5. Murmur
6. Bond

Also from Anne Conley:

            ·         The Fixer Upper

            ·         Best Laid Plans of Boys and Men

            ·         Master of Love

            ·         Fated to Mate (Paranormal Dating Agency)

Stories of Serendipity Series:

1. Neighborly Complications
2. Dream On
3. Chef's Delight
4. Hot Mess
5. Falling for Him
6. Gambling on Love
7. My Mistake
8. Wrecked
9. Saving Charlie

The Book Bitches series:

1. Power of Love
2. Loving the Enemy

The Four Winds series:

1. Falling for Heaven
2. Falling for Grace
3. Falling for Hope
4. Falling for Faith
5. Falling for Cyn

Moonrising Series (with KS Haigwood):

            1.      Midnight Moonrising

            2.      Andromeda’s Reign

 

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