Tag: Second Chance

BOOK REVIEWS: Deadly Obsession, Lethal Redemption, Fatal Deception (Steele Ops #1, #2, #3) by April Hunt

BOOK REVIEWS: Deadly Obsession, Lethal Redemption, Fatal Deception (Steele Ops #1, #2, #3) by April HuntDeadly Obsession (Steele Ops #1)
by April Hunt
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

After a lifetime spent in and out of hospitals, Zoey Wright is tired of playing it safe. She's ready to take charge of her own life and get out of her comfort zone, starting with a new job as a CSI agent. But when her childhood crush Knox Steele gets pulled onto her case, Zoey needs to put her feelings for him aside or more women will die at the hands of the serial killer preying on her hometown.

Former Army Ranger Knox Steele is back in Washington to help his brothers open an elite private security firm. He never expected to stumble onto a crime scene, or see his best friend's little sister working it. Zoey is all grown up now, and the attraction between them is electric, despite his best efforts to resist it. But all that changes for Knox when he realizes the victims have one thing in common . . . and Zoey might be next.

Review:

Deadly Obsession was an older brother’s best friend romantic suspense that I devoured.  I absolutely fell in love with this group of characters and the story-line was so easy to listen to.  Knox was a brooding, grumpy, protective man that was so easy to fall for.  And Zoey was someone you’d want to be besties with.  It hurt that she struggled with her heart, I was so nervous for her at times.  While this story revolved around a romance, there was also a serial killer on the loose which made this book impossible to put down!  This one kept me guessing,  and I should have gone with my gut.  If you’re looking for a steamy, romantic suspense, definitely add this one to your tbr!

 

BOOK REVIEWS: Deadly Obsession, Lethal Redemption, Fatal Deception (Steele Ops #1, #2, #3) by April HuntLethal Redemption (Steele Ops #2)
by April Hunt
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Top FBI profiler Grace Steele was just a girl when she escaped the Order of the New Dawn, and she's spent the last seventeen years trying to forget her time there. But when private security firm Steele Ops needs her help extracting a young woman from the secretive cult's clutches, she's all in. Even though the mission requires posing as the fiancée of the only man who's ever broken her heart.

It's been nine years since Cade Wright turned his back on his childhood sweetheart, and he's never stopped regretting it. Now that they're forced to work together, he knows this is his opportunity to show Grace how much he's changed. But the deeper they get pulled into New Dawn, the clearer it becomes that the demons still haunting Grace are very real, and Cade will have to risk everything to keep her safe . . . including his own life.

Review:

Lethal Redemption was a second chance romantic suspense that had us diving right into a cult.  This book was unlike anything I’ve read before and I was glued to the pages.  Cade Wright and Grace Steele had been childhood sweethearts until everything got twisted up.  I loved watching them go undercover together while trying to ignore the sparks that flew between them! My heart hurt for both of them, and I loved watching them both grow from their struggles and the past.  This one ended with another happy ending, but it was a bumpy road to get there.  I can’t recommend this series enough!

 

BOOK REVIEWS: Deadly Obsession, Lethal Redemption, Fatal Deception (Steele Ops #1, #2, #3) by April HuntFatal Deception (Steele Ops #3)
by April Hunt
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Roman Steele learned a hard lesson about trusting others. While serving his country, he put his faith in the wrong person and lost a leg for his loyalty. So far, civilian life suits him -- as long as he doesn't have to deal with anyone. But when he's called in to investigate a break-in at a high-security lab, he finds himself butting heads with the lead virologist, a woman as infuriating as she is beautiful.

When criminals break into Isabel Santiago's lab and steal a deadly virus, she's desperate to find the culprits before they turn her research into a weapon. But first, she must put her trust in the brooding security expert who sees danger around every corner. As she and Roman race to track down the culprits, these two unlikely partners find there's more at stake for them than they ever imagined possible -- but only if they stop the enemy in time.

Review:

Fatal Deception took us a wild ride!  I had already fallen for Roman Steele in the previous books.  He was the quiet yet steadfast brother whose past haunted him.  And when he came into a mission with Isabel Santiago, I loved how the tension was so beautifully done.  They both had a job to do.  They both took their jobs seriously.  And Isabel’s past haunted her too.  The two of them together had obstacles stacked against them and I loved watching love defy all the odds!  This was another huge hit in the series and I can’t recommend this romantic suspense series enough!

 

 

BOOK REVIEW: House of Shifting Tides (The Kingdom of Crows #4) by Olivia Wildenstein

BOOK REVIEW: House of Shifting Tides (The Kingdom of Crows #4) by Olivia WildensteinHouse of Shifting Tides (The Kingdom of Crows #4)
by Olivia Wildenstein
Purchase on: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Dive into the first standalone spin-off of the bestselling series and Booktok sensation, The Kingdom of Crows. Cathal's story takes place right after the events of House of Striking Oaths and should be read in order.

TWICE UPON A TIME, A PRINCESS FELL IN LOVE WITH A BEAST.

I was reborn with no memory of my previous life and no powers, save for transforming into an aberration most wish eliminated. Among the few who don't wish me dead are the Shabbin Queen, Fallon and her mate Lorcan, and Cathal Báeinach-Fallon's father and my self-appointed sentry.

Despite my best efforts, I cannot understand why the Crow King's boorish general has decided to guard me, a woman he can barely stand to look at. I may lack education and be physically unpleasing, but do I deserve such scorn? More importantly, though, if he's repulsed by me, then why stay?

When I suggest he leave, he reminds me that he's one of the most lethal males in the realm. And while he may be that, he's also one of the most infuriating. A male who makes my blood run hot with equal measure irritation and lust.

Why must I be drawn to the brute who loathes me?

And why, when I forge a magical mind link to another male, must I keep hungering for the Crow who-finally-left?

House of Shifting Tides is a spellbinding tale of destiny, found family, and second chance romance, where blood isn't always thicker than water and where fated love consumes all.

Review:

House of Shifting Tides was an emotional and beautiful addition to the The Kingdom of Crows SeriesThose we loved and cared for got the HEA we desperately wanted, it was impossible not to cry tears of joy.  Yet, there are still other stories that need to be told, including ones who we have yet to meet.  I absolutely love this world and can’t wait to see what is in store for it down the road!  If you adore found family, second chances, and romantasy, this book is a must read!

I cant my head. “Where I belong, Dádhi Cathal?”
He blinks. Then blinks again. And then he grimaces. “Dádhi?”
“Isn’t that name?”

When House of Striking Oaths ended, we were left in a precarious position.  Everything was up in the air.  Zendaya was a shifter unlike those that had ever been seen before, and she had no memories of her life.  Starting out, we found ourselves just as lost and in the dark as Zendaya.  Not only was she trying to figure out her body, but she was struggling to even understand those around her.  While there were moments of frustration, we slowly got to watch Zendaya grow.  And I loved watching her understand the world around her.  Especially when those moments led to me laughing out loud.  And that had solely to do with a beautiful crow shifter named Cathal.

I may always belong to her, but in this lifetime, she doesn’t belong to me.

Cathal had already captured my heart in the previous books.  So, to watch him get accidentally called Daddy Crow and deal with Zendaya and her lack of memories, it was impossible not to feel the gamut of emotions.  My heart bled for Cathal and what he lost.  And while moments between them felt scorching hot, it was challenging since Zendaya didn’t understand what her actions were doing to Cathal.  I loved that we got a few chapters here and there in his POV.  Especially since Cathal was protective, loyal, loving, brave and a book boyfriend you can’t help but love!

Why do I feel so…so…restless? Why do my lids burn and my heart ache? Because I’ve lost my grip on the past, or because I fear the future?

From the moment Zendaya started thinking of Cathal as her crow, I was elated.  Yet they had an insurmountable road in front of them.  Not only with each other, but because of the world and turmoil around them.  With politics in play, characters you can’t help but hate, and motives unknown, there was a lot going on in this story.  But we also got to see so many of our favorites, and those we love!  Plus, I loved some of the twists that took place!  It made this story impossible to put down.  And I have a new favorite side character, but their name won’t be mentioned because of spoilers…. page 284 hugging is your clue if you’ve read this book!

His rough hand cups my cheek with the utmost tenderness. “Zendaya of Shabbe, you are and will always be my one and only.”
My chest heats. At first, I think it’s because I must’ve struck another bargain, but when the heat spreads, I realize it doesn’t stem from magic but from how powerfully my heart beats for Cathal.

House of Shifting Tide was laced with betrayal, love, bargains, visions, sacrifice, friendship, and some fabulous twists and turns!  I couldn’t help but feel everything the characters felt.  From frustration, to love, to even crying tears of joy and relief with them later on.  This book took us on a wild ride and I’m so thankful Zendaya and Cathal’s story was told!  I can’t wait to see what happens next in this world!

*I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book, provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

BOOK REVIEW: Say You Still Love Me by K. A. Tucker

BOOK REVIEW: Say You Still Love Me by K. A. TuckerSay You Still Love Me by K. A. Tucker
Purchase on: AmazoniBooks
Add to: Goodreads

Synopsis:

Life is a mixed bag for Piper Calloway.

On the one hand, she’s a twenty-nine-year-old VP at her dad’s multibillion-dollar real estate development firm, and living the high single life with her two best friends in a swanky downtown penthouse. On the other hand, she’s considered a pair of sexy legs in a male-dominated world and constantly has to prove her worth. Plus, she’s stuck seeing her narcissistic ex-fiancé—a fellow VP—on the other side of her glass office wall every day.

Things get exponentially more complicated for Piper when she runs into Kyle Miller—the handsome new security guard at Calloway Group Industries, and coincidentally the first love of her life.

The guy she hasn’t seen or heard from since they were summer camp counsellors together. The guy from the wrong side of the tracks. The guy who apparently doesn’t even remember her name.

Piper may be a high-powered businesswoman now, but she soon realizes that her schoolgirl crush is not only alive but stronger than ever, and crippling her concentration. What’s more, despite Kyle’s distant attitude, she’s convinced their reunion isn’t at all coincidental, and that his feelings for her still run deep. And she’s determined to make him admit to them, no matter the consequences.

It seems crazy to me that reading about summer camp will elicit a feeling of nostalgia within me when I’ve never actually even been to a summer camp before. Books like this get me every. Single. Time. AND make me want to go back in time and experience these things for myself!

This is a book about Piper and Kyle and flashes back and forth between the present and the summer they met at Camp Wawa as teens. While at times the flashbacks made it feel like they slowed the book down a bit and were almost even jarring at times (adult Piper is VP at her dad’s multi BILLION-dollar company so it’s very Corporate compared to “simple” teen life outdoors at a summer camp) I obviously still loved reading about their time at camp and the two falling in love. Young love like that always makes me feel so happy and bubbly inside. It excites me and reminds what those initial feelings were like, all those years ago.

This is my first book by Tucker and it definitely won’t be my last, either! I loved her writing, her characters, and the twists that found their way into the story that kept my on my toes. If you’re looking for a sweet summer read that also packs a pretty big emotional punch, I’d highly recommend this one!

Huge thanks to Atria books for sending me a physical ARC in exchange for an honest review! ♥

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