Blog Archives
ARC Review: Pivot
Pivot
Deep Ops #2.5
As women, they’re fighting for their lives, and loves, once more . . .
MERI
When Meriwether Jones takes her young daughter and runs from trouble in L.A., that trouble follows. By the time Meri reaches Spokane, she’s out of gas, money, and ideas. Luckily, ex-cop Ian Brodie hires her to help him with his father’s farmhouse, and they seem like the answer to each other’s prayers. But Meri is keeping a dangerous secret—and Ian is in danger of losing his heart . . .
MELANIE
That secret explodes when Melanie Cassidy spots two men trying to kidnap a young boy she tutors and responds by ramming them with her car. The last thing she expects is for the man she once loved, Detective Gray Hawkins, to appear and rescue them both. Now she has no choice but to trust him as they investigate the truth about a conspiracy of dirty, drug trafficking cops—and the truth about their relationship . . .
MICHELLE
After a rough youth, Michelle Peach was finally content in Portland—until two men broke into her home, threatened her, and sent her mentally unstable mom on a blackmail spree that Michelle has to stop. The last person Michelle wants to see is her ex, Evan Boldon, a former marine turned sheriff. But Evan misses the woman who walked away instead of letting him help years ago. This time he’s not asking permission; he’s going to put a stop to the trouble stalking Michelle and her friends—and win her heart for good.
4 Stars
What an amazing collection of stories. Anthologies are a great way to introduce readers to new authors and for those that are already fans get an extra treat with a short story. Each author brings their all with their story.
Each story is intense and suspenseful, yet sexy and romantic.
Against the Heart -Kat Martin
This may be my favorite of the three stories. A single mom on the run with her daughter and A son trying to help his father put his life back together. This one is sweet and tender, it hits the heart just right.
Shaken – Rebecca Zanetti
Whether it be a full length novel or a novella Ms. Zanetti knows how to catch the reader’s attention. Evan and Michelle rocked the pages hard. I love that they had a past and that made their chemistry so much more. Shaken in my opinion, was the hottest of the three stories.
Echoes of the Past – Alexandra Ivy
Ms. Ivy focuses a little more on the suspense and a little less on the romance. However she still gives us an intriguing and adventurous story.
Although each story does tie in with one another you do not have to read all of them to be able to enjoy them. However I highly recommend that you do as they do complete a story that is highly enjoyable.
ARC Review: Buried and Shadowed by Carrie Ann Ryan /Alexandra Ivy
Buried and Shadowed
Carrie Ann Ryan
Alexandra Ivy
Branded Pack Series, Book 3
Buried
Gibson Barton knows his Pack is on the verge of something they will never be able to prepare for: a chance at freedom. Yet when he’s finally able to open his eyes to what might be his fate, it could be too late.
As a submissive wolf of her Pack, Mandy Calhoun has always only watched Gibson from afar. Because of her fears, she hasn’t let her intentions toward him—or the other in her sights—be known.
Oliver Dare is the Foreseer of the Ursine Pack, and knows with each vision, his death is that much closer. Yet he cannot see his own future—or that of the two wolves who have been thrust into his path.
There is danger lurking in the den, and as the three learn to process their emotions and navigate their temptations, they’ll have to fight for something they never knew they had—or sacrifice it all for a purpose far greater than their own destinies.
Shadowed
Sinclair, Alpha of the Unseen Pack, is determined to destroy the Shifter Accommodation Unit. He understands that his people will never be free until the truth is revealed and their enemies are brought out of the shadows and exposed to the public. Unfortunately, the human female who has been secretly working with him has disappeared, and his priorities must shift slightly. He’s resolved to track her down, and not just because she has the information he needs.
Mira Reese isn’t stupid. She’s painfully aware that the sexy shifter she’s been working with has been using her fascination for him to gain access to the CDC computer system. But that doesn’t stop her from helping Sinclair. Not when it allows her to be close to him. But after the CDC kidnaps her, she realizes that this isn’t a game. She’s a potential savior for the future of the shifters—and perhaps especially the loner wolf who stirs her passions.
4 Stars
Buried
Some of those that care for, see to the Pack’s safety, and wellbeing are the most lonely
Oliver, the forseer of the Bears. Gibson, the new Omega of the wolves. Mandy, a submissive wolf. Each longing for the other two, but afraid to act because of status and place within the pack. As changes are on the horizon for the shifters, a submissive wolf takes a chance a speaks up for herself. Causing a chain reaction of feelings, longing and lust. Buried is by far the most emotional of the Branded Pack series books. Passion, sensuality and pure animalistic lust.
Shadowed
Sinclair has intrigue me since we first met him. He is an alpha through and through. He’s got a hard edge and soft heart. A hard past has made him the alpha he is today. Mira is a take the world by the seat of the pants and go, kind of girl. She maybe a computer geek but the woman has some balls. She’s good at what she does and willing to take chances. Even putting herself in the line of fire. On the verge of the truth being exposed, Mira is taken by the SCU and Sinclair realizes the human means more to him then he wanted to admit.
Carrie Ann Ryan and Alexandra Ivy have created a unique and compelling shifter series that I can’t stop waiting. Buried and Shadowed is an action-packed, emotional and very sexy addition to the Branded Pack series. The writing duo of Ryan and Ivy continues intrigue and captivate. The writing is sound. The characters are colorful and charismatic. The plot keep you on your toes and the passion makes you feel. An awesome read.
Audio Review: Abandoned and Unseen by Alexandra Ivy and Carrie Ann Ryan
Abandoned and Unseen
Alexandra Ivy & Carrie Ann Ryan
Branded Pack Series, Book 2
Narrator: Aiden Snow
The next in a new dark and gritty paranormal series. Abandoned and Unseen continues the journey with New York Times best-selling authors Alexandra Ivy and Carrie Ann Ryan.
Abandoned
When bear shifter Anya Tucker fell in love with the wrong man, the only thing she left with was a broken heart – and her two bear cubs. Now, she’s mended her wounds and learned that in order to raise her babies, she can only trust herself. When her sons meet the lazy cat next door and fall heads over tails for him, she’ll do whatever she takes to protect them – even from a past she’d thought she’d left behind.
Cole McDermott is a jaguar on a mission. Long naps, a willing woman, and a full stomach is usually all he needs when it comes to relaxing after a long day of protecting his pack. Then he meets Anya, and the burn of temptation is silky and tantalizing indeed. When a horror from Anya’s past threatens everything she loves, Cole will put everything aside and fight for her family – as well as his own.
Unseen
Nicole Bradley had no reason to live after the humans murdered her son – not until she learns to hunt down those responsible for his death. Shifting into her wolf form at night, she slips out of the compound, determined to do as much damage as possible. The last thing she expected was to discover secrets that could destroy the SAU.
Polar shifter Tucker Stone lives off the grid. It’s the only way the unseen can avoid being rounded up by the humans and tossed into a compound. Besides, he’s a loner by nature. But he can’t walk away when he sees the pretty female wolf in danger. Risking exposure, he takes her to his hidden den and tries to heal her wounds.
Can a reclusive polar bear and a wolf with a death wish find happiness together?
Abandoned
Anya is a mama bear you don’t want to mess with. Protective to the core, hurt by a choice that gave her her greatest gifts and is able to find strength in the worst of situations. Forced changes in Anya’s life have her in full mama bear mode, with no time for annoying interactions with a lazy cat. Cole McDermott is the feline tracker and generally a laid back kind of cat. The protector of the compound. As changes happen Cole goes with the flow, sticking to the scantily of his tree. Until two bear cubs find their way to his tree, making him want more than his cat whoring ways.
Irritation is a guise for sexual tension between Anya and Cole. Attraction, chemistry and passion can’t be tamed. The annoyance and witty banter at the beginning turn into spectacular heated interactions. Cole is caring, compassionate and patient. Anya is amazing. A wonderful portrayal of a single mother in every way.
Unseen
Nicole Bradley is a determined woman on a mission. Distory the ones who has caused her the endless pain for the last seven years. Smart, headstrong and in pain with a determination that will either have her winning or dead. Tucker Stone is an unseen shifter working within the SAU against SAU. Dominant, strong and a bit harsh on the surface. Tucker is a walking sexy mystery with a mission of his own. When a lone wolf shifter crosses his path, a new mission arises as the old one takes a compromise.
Passionate, emotional and suspenseful. Nicole’s tragedy has her walking down a dangerous path that has Tucker blocking her way. Together they work to find a justice that helps heal a bleeding wound while not consuming one’s soul. Tucker’s dominance, brass and harsh, paved the way for a freedom that would have never been found without it.
Aiden Snow’s narration allows readers to feel another level of emotion to the heartfelt and passionate stories of Abandoned and Unseen.
The Branded Pack is quickly becoming one of my favorite shifters series.
A complementary copy of this audio title was provided for an honest review.
Audio Review: Stolen and Forgiven by Alexandra Ivy and Carrie Ann Ryan
Stolen and Forgiven
The first in a brand new dark and gritty paranormal series, Stolen and Forgiven begins a new journey with New York Times best-selling authors Alexandra Ivy and Carrie Ann Ryan.
Stolen
The first rule of being Alpha of the Canine Pack is to protect their secrets from the humans at all cost. One look at the dying human at his doorstep, and Holden Carter knows he will have to break it. The broken woman with no hope at survival is his mate. When he forces the change on her to save her life, he not only sets forth motions that could risk both their lives, but the lives of every shifter in the world.
Ariel Sands grew up in a post-Verona infection world and under the care of the very humans she thought had cured the disease. When they betray her in the worst ways imaginable, she finds herself not only mated to the Alpha of the very species she’s been taught to fear, but the focal point of a traitor and path to destruction for everyone’s way of life. It will take more than trust and a mating bond for Ariel and Holden to survive their enemies and burn of their own temptations.
Forgiven
Soren Slater is a Beta wolf who understands the duty to his Pack comes before his own needs. At a young age, he takes a position as a liaison between his Pack and the other species of shifters. He never expected his enticing flirtations with Cora Wilder, a Tiger Princess, would encourage her cat to consider him a potential mate. He’s forced to walk away, choosing a partner among the wolves to try and strengthen his Pack.
Cora has no intention of forgiving or forgetting Soren’s rejection. Not even when the Packs are forced to live together and she discovers Soren’s former mate has died. But then, she’s kidnapped by the SAU, and she has no choice but to work with Soren to escape. Together, they must put the past behind them if they’re to survive the human’s evil plot.
4.5 Stars
Stolen
Holden and Ariel’s story sets the tone for the series while learn the ways of the pack. Dark and gritting, Holden’s choice sets a unexpected chain of event. Giving a nice twist for shifters. Hot, hard and in your face the Branded Pack is nothing to mess with.
Forgiven
Cora and Soren story is dangerous, sassy and sexy. Past lovers find themselves in each others path when the humans force the wolves and tigers into one compound. Sorens mistake of the past has him chasing after anything Cora will give him. Lust takes over and the humans butt in, sending a love struck wolf on on the chase for his mate.
The Branded Pack series has quickly caught my attention. From concept of the series to the plots of the individual stories are dark, dangerous and hands down sexy. Living within the rules while breaking the rules. Alexandra Ivy and Carrie Ann Ryan’s talent separately has had me reading them for years. Together they are phenomenal. From character development to world building and plotting, they’ve got it going on.
Aiden Snow makes Stolen and Forgiven come alive. His voice flawlessly takes this story to another level.
Audio copy provided for an honest review.
Coffee Books Life 