ARC Review: A Match Made in Bed by Cathy Maxwell

A Match Made in Bed is the second book in Cathy Maxwell's Spinster Heiress series. The series follows three friends who despite their large dowries, have been on the marriage mart a little longer than normal. This book showcases Miss Cassandra Holwell.

Cassandra's father is ambitious and would like for his daughter to marry into the ton and get a title. He would love for his grandchildren to have that prestige. So despite several proposals, Cassandra is still single since no one has been good enough yet. The Holwells have been invited to a country gathering, where Cassandra sets her cap for the dashing Duke of Camberly. Unfortunately, Soren York, the Earl of Dewsberry is also in attendance.

The Yorks and the Holwells are basically the Capulets and Montagues for their country town. And while Cassandra and Soren created a friendship in their youth despite that conflict, Cassandra will have nothing to do with Soren now. Soren misses his old friend, doesn't deny his attraction for her, and her dowry would greatly help him out of his family's debts. It all makes sense for him.

Cassandra finds herself caught in Soren's bedroom in the night, and though it was accidental in nature. She is ruined. The situation demands the Soren be honorable, but Cassandra's family would rather her be ruined than for her to marry a York. If she agrees to marry him, they will disown her.

What do all relationships need but honest communication. Soren and Cassandra have to sort out their pasts and learn to get to know each other to survive all the problems thrown their way. I found the romance to be sweet, but it lacked that indescribable something that captures the heart strings. I liked Soren. I like Cassandra. I liked the plot. I just didn't LOVE it. I am still looking forward to the rest of the series.

Romeo and Juliet type setting.

Thought there would be more to her not wanting to return to their hometown.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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Feature: Down Deep by Kimberly Kincaid

Ian Gamble has a past he’d rather forget—which is exactly what he’s doing at The Crooked Angel Bar and Grill when the place catches fire. Between his active duty in the Marines and his experience as a firefighter, his instincts get him and hot, headstrong bar manager, Kennedy Matthews, to safety. But those same instincts kick into high gear when the fire is ruled an arson, and he discovers Kennedy’s got secrets of her own.

The only thing that matters more to Kennedy than her bar is her brother. When she finds out he’s in over his head with a dangerous arsonist, she’ll do anything to keep him safe—even if it means teaming up with Gamble, who’s too sharp-eyed and hard-bodied for his own good. With every step, their attraction flares hotter and the risks grow more dangerous. Can Gamble and Kennedy face their fears—and their secrets—to catch a terrifying enemy? Or will they go down in flames?

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ARC Review: Midnight Wolf by Jennifer Ashley

Shifters Unbound #11. Man, I love this series. Jennifer Ashley’s writing is always so consuming, I open the book and I’m sucked into the work of shifters, fae, and humans. The characters in this book, Angus and Tamsin, both have quite a bit of character growth through the book. Angus and Tamsin start off one way; Angus very stern and quite, very set in his ways and willing to do just about anything for his son, Ciaran. While Tamsin an uncollared shifter on the run still maintains a very optimistic view on the world. These two opposites balance each other out and bring out the best in each other, and Ciaran (I just love that name) is such a cute kid, so open and honest. I enjoyed the story and think you can probably read this as a stand-alone but there is enough past book stuff to tantalize you into reading the other books, at least the last two or three books.

Angus Murray is a scowling and grumpy shifter when he’s not working as a bouncer he is raising his cub, Ciaran. Angus’ brother, Gavan, was an idiot who tried to go against the Shifter Bureau and it ended in his own death as well as that of Angus’ mate. Angus had nothing to do with his brother’s movement but still managed to lose his position in the pack. Tamsin Calloway has managed to avoid detection, she’s been lucky enough that she always manages to escape undetected or leave just before something goes wrong. But the death of two Bureau agents has finally brought her into the spotlight and now a sinister Bureau agent has his sights set on Tamsin. Agent Haider kidnaps Ciaran and forces Angus to hunt down Tamsin or else he’ll never see his son again. Finding her was easy enough it’s catching her that gave Angus trouble and if the alligator hadn’t of caught her first Tamsin would have probably gotten away. Tamsin, now severely injured, has no choice but to go with Angus, instead of taking her straight to the Bureau he takes her to Ben and the sentient house (I so love this house!) and calls Zander down to heal her, while he comes up with a plan. There is no choice in not turning her in because of Ciaran but that doesn’t mean she can escape right after the hand off. It doesn’t quite go as planned once Haider admits to Tamsin that he plans to dissect her to find out how she works. Now all three of them, Angus, Tamsin, and Ciaran are on the run. They end with an uncollared shifter, Dante (who I can picture as Jason Momoa) and his half fae/half human mate, who run a carnival and travel with them for some time.

The attraction between Tamsin and Angus is pretty much instantaneous but it takes them a bit before they act on it. Angus mate claims Tamsin in order to protect her but afterwards he realizes just how much he wants her to stay in his life. Once Tamsin completely trusts Angus she reveals the reason everyone if after her, and together with their friends Ben, Zander, and Tiger they must figure out what to do about this and make it to where the only ones who want Tamsin are Angus and Ciaran. Overall, I positively loved this book, it’s not my favorite of the series but it’s really up there in the list. The characters are fantastic and of course it’s the strong silent type for me again Angus really fits the bill for a book boyfriend. Tamsin is so wonderfully optimistic even when her life is falling apart she still singing along to the radio and smiling. I am so happy that Ben is going to get his HEA finally.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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Feature and Giveaway: Stand & Deliver by Rhenna Morgan

Live hard, f*ck harder and make their own rules. Those are the cornerstones the six Men of Haven bleed by, taking what they want, always watching each other’s backs and loving the women they claim with unyielding tenderness and fierce

Security expert Beckett Tate has met his match in colleague Gia Sinclair. He longs to run his hands over each and every one of her lush curves. She’s wicked smart and wicked hot. He’s given her time to get used to the idea of “them,” but her time is up and he’s ready to go all in on claiming what’s his.

Despite her love of all things girlie, Gia’s no typical Southern belle. She’s built her skills and reputation in a field normally dominated by men, and now she has a kick-ass career she loves. She certainly doesn’t need a man to take care of her—especially not one who’s pure alpha. Still, Beckett’s the one man who can satisfy the desires she’s hidden under her tough exterior, and she’s hooked.

Letting Beckett take the lead in the bedroom comes naturally to Gia—not constantly proving herself to him professionally is more of a struggle. And when someone attacks her character and career, Gia and Beckett will have to find a balance: her willingness to let go just a little, with his trust in her abilities and his deep, primal need to protect his woman.

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ARC Review: Down With Love by Kate Meader

Kate Meader is an automatic read for me whenever I see one of her books available for review and/or purchase. I first discovered her when I won a book on Goodreads. “Flirting with Fire” part of her “Hot in Chicago” series is one of my favorites. If you are recently discovering her, there are many series written by her. Her most recent is “Chicago Rebels.” Whether she is creating hockey players, firefighters, divorce attorneys or wedding planners Meader always writes interesting, multifaceted characters that are of all different backgrounds and races! So, kudos to her for that! To add to her already wonderful writing her storylines are always unique and intriguing. Once I start reading about one of her couples I can’t wait to see how their story will evolve and how the characters will work out their differences.

“Down With Love” is not different! Our heroine, Charlie Love ( how fantastic is that name?) is a wedding planner. She is planning the wedding of the hero’s brother. Max Henderson is a divorce attorney and a sync when it comes to love. When they meet there is an instant attraction but Charlie is focused on finding her partner in life and she already has Max pegged as a bachelor that is enjoying being single. Max also jumps to the same about Charlie, although he finds her attractive he already “knows” about the type of person that she is. As Max and Charlie spend more time together they begin to realize that they are not over past hurts that they both have endured. They also realize that as they begin to get to know each other more, they are also more attracted to each other.

For me, this is a classic book by Meader. She writes about diverse characters ( yippee!). Her characters always evolve and she strips away the layers and we get to really see not only past events that shaped these characters but we, as readers, get to have a new way of looking at these characters. One of my favorite things about reading Meader is that she is so funny, her characters have such funny, witty and enjoyable dialogue! The scene with the dog in the park- so funny 😊 That is my teaser. The worst part of reading Kate Meader is that now I am counting down to her next book and already hooked on Grant and his ex-wife! Happy Reading!

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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Feature and Giveaway: A New Orleans Threesome by Louisa Bacio

Haunted by paranormal abilities she can't control and plagued by nightmares about a demon that seeks her soul, Lily Anima travels to New Orleans in search of salvation. She enlists the help of an unlikely couple: a vampire, Lawrence Justice, and a werewolf, Trevor Pack. The attraction is immediate and fierce.

There's only one problem.

Lily's a virgin. And whatever paranormal problem she's having is what has kept her that way. Every time she's tried to do the deed, something stops her.

Together, the trio encounters magic and unspeakable evil, and Trevor and Lawrence attempt to help Lily turn her powers into a gift rather than a curse. Ultimately, to get the demon off her back, Lily's men will have to show her all the wicked ways the three of them can come together.

Warning: Read at your own risk. This book is filled to the brim with steamy m/m sex, a virgin who wants in on the action, and a c*ckblocking demon.

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Guest Post with Author Kat Martin and Giveaway

New York Times bestselling author Kat Martin is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara where she majored in Anthropology and also studied History. Currently residing in Missoula, Montana with her Western-author husband, L. J. Martin, Kat has written sixty-five Historical and Contemporary Romantic Suspense novels. More than sixteen million copies of her books are in print and she has been published in twenty foreign countries. Her last novel, Beyond Danger, hit #4 in Mass Market fiction on the Bookscan National Bestseller list.   

Kat is currently at work on her next Romantic Suspense.

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