June 2020 – Book Reviews by the Reluctant Retiree

Rebel Heart (Aloha Shifters: Pearls of Desire)

Uptown girl meets rough-and-tumble biker — with a shapeshifter twist!

All Cynthia was planning for the weekend was a quick escape to the countryside where her inner dragon can stretch its wings. She wasn’t counting on a handsome, enigmatic wolf shifter coming along and sweeping her off her feet. Cynthia has always been driven by duty rather than desire. But suddenly, she finds herself making reckless, irresponsible choices and telling herself, Just this once…

A night of sizzling passion ensues, but the question remains. Is Cal to blame for making her throw caution to the wind — or is it destiny?

Short but great! For a minute you had me wondering! I can’t wait to see the end of this series. It has been fantastic every step of the way!!

USA Today and Amazon Bestselling author Anna Lowe loves putting the “hero” back into heroine and letting location ignite a passionate romance. She loves dogs, sports, and travel – and letting the later inspire her fiction. If she’s not hunched over her laptop, working on her latest story, you’ll find her hiking in the mountains or biking country roads. Either way, the day will end with a chunk of dark chocolate and a good read.

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Tears for Her Dragon (Dragon Guard Series Book 16)

Escaped from hell on earth, lost and alone, a wail in the night calls to not only his beast but also his heart. Finding this tortured woman is all that matters.

On the run, hiding in plain sight, the icy fingers of doom invade her soul. The pull of the world she fled tears at the fiber of her being.

Lovers from different worlds, fighting a common enemy, thrown together by the Reaper himself, helpless but to do as he bids.

Can these two souls find peace when the Devil himself is demanding his due?

This was definitely a wonderful couple. The love they have for one another is great. I can’t wait to read the next one.

Hey, Y’all! Julia Mills, the Sassy Southern Storyteller here. Thanks so much for stopping by.

Just a little bit about me – I’m Southern to the bone, love my children more than life itself, and adopt animals like most people collect dust bunnies. (Oh come on, we’ve all got them under one bed or another.) I came by the tagline Sassy, Southern Storyteller honestly and many years before I ever started writing. (My dad thought it was a hilarious nickname for his kindergarten teaching daughter.)

I live by three simple rules – (1) Treat people how you want to be treated. (2) Smile lots. (3) Try everything, ’cause hearses don’t have luggage racks.

Now, go out there and create your own story!!! Dare to Dream! Have the Strength to Try EVERYTHING! Never Look Back!

I ABSOLUTELY adore talking to readers!
Send me a message ANYTIME at http://www.JuliaMillsAuthor.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JLakeMills/

XOXO Julia

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Purrfectly Mated: Paranormal Dating Agency (A Maverick Pride Tale Book 1)

He’s the leader of his pride, she’s a normal with no idea Shifters exist. Can Hunter convince Elissa she’s his purrfect mate?

The leader of the Maverick Pride needs a mate and who better to help him out than the incomparable Gerri Wilder!

Hunter Maverick is having trouble keeping his Tiger under control. The eight-hundred-pound beast that lives inside of him wants him, the Pride Neta settled, but none of the females in his Pride call to him. Only his fated mate will do, but where is she?

Elissa Phoenix has hit rock bottom when a blind date turns out to be an awful disaster. After refusing to put out to pay for her meal, a cold buffet dinner in the most rundown casino on the Atlantic City boardwalk, she jumps out of her so-called date’s car and decides to walk back home. Only it’s a two-hour trip by car and it just started raining!

Can life get any worse? A strange woman stops her stretch limo and offers Elissa a ride. She decides to trust her gut and gets in. Little does she know it is a decision that will change her life forever!

Gerri Wilder is on her way to meet the Maverick Pride leader when she spots a woman walking alone in the dead of night on a dark county road. She has her driver pull over, offering a ride to the curvy stranger.

Just like that, Gerri knows she has found the purrfect mate for the big bad Tiger of Maverick Point, New Jersey!

New to me author but this won’t be the only book I read. Interesting take on shifters and how they mate. Little quick on the “Insta-Love” but I can live with it.

Hello!

I’m C.D. Gorri, Bestselling Steamy Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy YA Author, and Creator of the Grazi Kelly Universe.

I’ve always been an avid reader, and I have a profound love for books and literature. When I’m not writing or taking care of my family I can usually be found with a book or tablet in my hand. I live in my home state of New Jersey with my husband, our children, and our dogs, Dash and Chewie.

I’m a busy mom of three and finding time for leisurely reading is never easy, so I write stories that are fast-paced, yet detailed with satisfying conclusions. If I thought making time to read was difficult, I was in for a huge surprise when I started writing! But now that I started, I can’t picture myself doing anything else!

I love writing powerful women and strong heroes who face relatable problems in supernatural settings! Read my books and watch my sassy, curvy heroines and sexy heroes find true love in one another.

Discover Werewolves, Bears, Dragons, Tigers, Jersey Devils, Lions, Witches, Romani, Lynxes, Foxes and even more Shifters and supernaturals in my PNR! Fated mates who find each other and always get their happily-ever-afters.

Want to know how it all began? Enter the Grazi Kelly Universe with Wolf Moon: A Grazi Kelly Novel #1, my very first YA/Urban Fantasy book that sets the stage for the universe I write in. You can also start my PNR with the Macconwood Pack. Pick up Charley’s Christmas Wolf today!

Thank you and happy reading!
del mare alla stella,
C.D. Gorri

P.S.

You can follow me on Twitter @cgor22, Instagram CDGorri, Google+, tumblr, Pinterest, Goodreads, and Facebook http://www.facebook.com/cdgorribooks or visit my website http://www.cdgorri.com.

*I am proud to be a two-time Smashwords USA Today Happy Ever After Hot List Indie Author, #1 in iBooks PNR, and an Amazon and Barnes & Noble Bestseller!

*Smashwords USA Today Happy Ever After Hot List Indie Author for Claiming My Valentine anthology and Shifters Furever! *Bestselling Author for several titles including the Immortal Hunger anthology for charity! #1 New Releases for Purrfectly Mated, Purrfectly Trapped, and Polar Outbreak.

*2nd Place Winner of Paranormal Romance Guild Holiday Romance 2017 and 3rd Place Winner The Best of the Best 2017 Favorite Fantasy Book of 2017 presented by Spunky N Sassy Book Blog

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Rebel Bear (Aloha Shifters: Pearls of Desire Book 2)

Bear shifter meets runaway bride in this steamy, suspenseful paranormal romance!

Up-and-coming supermodel Hailey Crewe can’t wait to escape the limelight and return to the modest, anonymous lifestyle she once led. Escaping literally? That was never part of her plan. But when an unwanted suitor — and her scheming mother/manager — go a step too far with a surprise Hawaii wedding, Hailey becomes a bride on the run. Before she knows it, she’s not only being hunted by a greedy oil tycoon, but by his creepy security force too. A good thing she bumps into her very own Lancelot at exactly the right time.

Bear shifter Timber Hoving is just another Special Forces vet slowly adjusting to island time. That is, until an irresistible stranger rushes into his meticulously organized world. Before Tim knows it, his human side is wrestling with temptation, and his bear is head over heels in love. But Hailey’s first encounter with shifters is a terrifying one, and Tim can’t reveal the truth about himself without losing her forever. Worse, sinister shifter forces are closing in, following a ruthless agenda of their own. They’ll stop at nothing to capture Tim’s destined mate — dead or alive.

Fantastic!

Yet another fabulous story in Ms. Lowe’s new series. I love how one leads to another and another. Visits by couples from the other series are always welcome!

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Her Mad Dragon (Dragon Guard Series Book 15)

One lone dragon pulled from his mountain to save the clan he’s sworn fealty to and the only family he’s ever known.

One Grand Priestess, the most magical witch of her time, the leader of her kind, and a survivor of torture.

Two powerful beings, blessed by the Goddess, destined by the Universe… a couple unlike any other.

Can their combined magic, all the love that they have and a faith in all they hold dear be enough to defeat the evil that’s sworn to destroy them all?

Only Destiny knows… And Fate Will Not Be Denied

Oh yes!

This couple was definitely a wonderful pairing. I could see them happening for the last book. I am so glad to see them both so happy.

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Twice the Sass: Sassy Ever After (Black Paw Wolves Book 2)

Cursed by the Fates at birth, Tad and Taavi Olsen have until their twenty-fifth birthday to find the one true mate they must share for an eternity. With the deadline hanging over their heads, they finally catch the scent of their fated mate. Will she accept them in time to save their lives, or will they prove to be too hot for one curvy female to handle.

This was such a great continuation of the story. I love the characters and the way they try to prove themselves to their mate. I look forward to reading more in this series.

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Melanie James writes steamy paranormal romances, paranormal comedy, and contemporary romance books. Her laugh-out-loud romantic comedies will keep you coming back for each new book in a series and her erotic contemporary romances will have you reaching for the ice. With over 45 books to choose from, you are sure to find many additions to your romance library. Melanie is married to a wonderful man who supports her dreams and goals. She has two children, three step-children, a beautiful daughter-in-law, and Three adorable grand babies.

Connect with Melanie online at:
Twitter – @autmelaniejames
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/AuthorMelanieJames
Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/melaniejamesauthor/
To find the latest information on books, merchandise, and giveaways, visit Melanie’s web page at – http://www.authormelaniejames.com

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With Friends Like This!

Keeping ourselves from going stir-crazy was never like this before!

Ted and Carol are friends we made at church. We were in the habit of visiting each other frequently. Once the “safer at home” order went in place, we made a point to check on them frequently. You see, believe it or not, they are both over 80!

Well, when Florida’s “Safer at Home” order went into place, Ted started working on more of his DIY projects at home. He’s a retired Cabinent Maker. It didn’t take long before he ran out of things to do on his double wide. Which left him looking for things to do.

After we all felt safe in doing so, we visited back and forth, keeping some distance apart. (I miss my hugs!) During one such visit/meal, Ted noticed where a leak in my roof had led to a cabinet being damaged. It wasn’t too many days later until he showed up with a ladder and a can of Flex Seal. That took care of the leak!

On our next visit to their house, Ted started describing how he wanted to fix that cabinet for us. He plans to not only rebuild the damaged cabinet, but also make another one and some shelves. He insisted that it wouldn’t cost much to do all this. Ted is the original scrounger of parts!

Before we knew it, Ted had also discussed adding faux beams to the ceiling in our single-wide. Most of the parts came from scraps of wood he already had access to, the rest coming from scraps my husband had. A few days ago, Ted showed up to start installing them. The little gallery below gives a view of the work in progress!

He’s not done yet! He still has 2 more beams to put up in the kitchen area, plus one in the front by the bow windows. I’ll keep you kind folks advised as we continue our Quarantine DIY!

The Scars of Her Dragon (Dragon Guard Series Book 14)

The past is never just the past especially when it haunts your every thought and turns your dreams to nightmares. Forgiveness is the only path to peace. Unfortunately, that route is filled with the faces of the dead.

The dove brings love, peace and protection to the world. She has the power to restore what’s been lost and heal the wounds of the past. If only he would let her.

A love created by the Universe was supposed to be enough. Their happily ever after had been woven in the fabric of time, but that was before the years of guilt and shame ate away at the heart of the man and his beast.

Can one woman’s faith in a love that conquers all erase the scars of her dragon?

Well Done! Kellan and Olive are a wonderful couple. Kellan seems to be suffering from PTSD which is a trial to bear. Olive just wants to help him get through it.

Hey, Y’all! Julia Mills, the Sassy Southern Storyteller here. Thanks so much for stopping by.

I live by three simple rules – (1) Treat people how you want to be treated. (2) Smile lots. (3) Try everything, ’cause hearses don’t have luggage racks.

Now, go out there and create your own story!!! Dare to Dream! Have the Strength to Try EVERYTHING! Never Look Back!

I ABSOLUTELY adore talking to readers!
Send me a message ANYTIME at http://www.JuliaMillsAuthor.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JLakeMills/

XOXO Julia

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Wild Horses in Love: Paranormal Dating Agency

The best time to find your mate is when you’re not looking.

Dominic Kingston was a busy man hell-bent on making the most of his business. Relationships were not in his plan. But when you’re friends with Gerri Wilder, owner of the Paranormal Dating Agency, you aren’t always in charge of your destiny.

Opal Ibarra enjoyed having fun and never assumed the one night stands she had, were any more than just that. But when Gerri introduced her to Dominic she finally understood that true love was more powerful than she ever imagined.

Now, these two fated mates must trust each other enough to forgive mistakes made based on fear love unconditionally or lose what they never knew they wanted.

Gerri Wilder strikes again! These two may not have thought they were looking for their mates, but Gerri maneuvers them into meeting each other. With shifters, that seems to be all it takes for them to find their mates. It was utter adorable to watch!

Terri considers herself a professional liar. That’s right, she tells stories for a living. She creates worlds and brings dreams to life. She writes paranormal romance and contemporary romance with the hope that she will make others enjoy reading as much as she has.
When she’s not writing, she’s staying connected to her inner hippie and searching the internet for funny memes. Her tribe includes a dog, two daughters, a ton of imaginary friends, and an incredible man who keeps her tethered to the ground while she flies.

Newsletter- https://dl.bookfunnel.com/454s3hvn1p
Website- http://www.terriawilson.com
Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/wilsonterria/
Instagram- http://www.instagram.com/terria.wilson/
BookBub- https://www.bookbub.com/profile/terri-a-wilson
Goodreads- https://www.goodreads.com/TerriAWilson
Twitter- http://twitter.com/terriawilson

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Resurrecting Her Dragon (Dragon Guard Series Book 13)

One dragon on the brink of death…

One extraordinary woman who is so much more than she seems…

One prophecy that could ruin them all…

This one’s for all the marbles.

Fate Will Not Be Denied but that was before the Sun got involved…

So Good! This was definitely a wonderful story. Nice to see how all the different clans are able to come together to save a brother.

Hey, Y’all! Julia Mills, the Sassy Southern Storyteller here. Thanks so much for stopping by.

I live by three simple rules – (1) Treat people how you want to be treated. (2) Smile lots. (3) Try everything, ’cause hearses don’t have luggage racks.

Now, go out there and create your own story!!! Dare to Dream! Have the Strength to Try EVERYTHING! Never Look Back!

I ABSOLUTELY adore talking to readers!
Send me a message ANYTIME at http://www.JuliaMillsAuthor.com or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/JLakeMills/

XOXO Julia

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