ARC Review: Wheels Up by Annabeth Albert

Wheels Up is the first book that I have ever read from Annabeth Albert, yet it is the fourth book in the Out of Uniform Series. This series is one that has been on my TBR for awhile, and I am so glad that I made the time to read this book. I really enjoyed it and immediately wanted to read the rest of the books in the series. 

Lieutenant Dustin Strauss is no longer the playboy he used to be, settling into his leadership role on the way to more in his career. But he also keeps his private life a secret, preferring for his bisexuality and time spent on the hookup app Joe4Joe to remain his private business. But when his chat buddy pushes for an in person meeting, neither of them expect that they will soon be on the same SEAL team and forbidden to even be friends, let alone more. But as Wes and Dustin continue to grow closer through their chats and in person, neither can fight the attraction between them and the fact that they both want more despite all the reasons they can't be together. Can they figure out a way to be with one another? 

I really liked these two. It was obvious right away that they were good together and for one another. Their connection was strong and the chemistry between them smoking hot. Wes and Dustin's relationship was one that couldn't happen for so many reasons, and yet the entire time I was reading I just knew that there had to be a way because they belonged together. Each of them were easy to like and genuinely good guys. I loved their loyalty and the way that they were with those they cared about, especially Wes. His love for his family and sister was impossible not to fall for. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and can't wait to read more in this series. This cast of characters was great, and I wanted to see how they all wound up where they were here. This is a complete standalone, but the characters are interconnected to the previous books. I think readers will enjoy this sexy and sweet M/M story as much as I did, and I am looking forward to reading more from Annabeth Albert.

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: At Attention by Annabeth Albert

I actually have read this series completely out of order, but after reading Wheels Up by Annabeth Albert, I couldn't wait to read Dustin's brother Dylan's story. Each of the books in the Out of Uniform series is a standalone though, so you can read they in any order though they are interconnected. I enjoyed At Attention as much as I did Wheels Up and I am already anxious to read more in this series. 

Lieutenant Apollo Flores thought that he could handle it all, but after losing his husband and being left alone to raise his twin daughters, he knows he needs help. His best friend's younger brother is back in town and is looking for a place to stay, but Dylan is no longer his friend's kid brother he remembers having a crush on him. With both of them seeing each other in a new light and being around one another more, the attraction between them is more than they can fight. But Apollo will have to let go of his past if he hopes to have any kind of future with Dylan. 

I really liked these two. Seeing them in Wheels Up, I couldn't wait to see how they had got to the point they were. Their story definitely didn't disappoint, and I enjoyed seeing them figure out the attraction between them. I loved that they had some history, and I felt for both of them. Dylan had had a crush on Apollo when he was young, but the feelings only intensified as he got older and seeing him as a man with kids only made Dylan want him more. I felt for him though because Apollo had been married to someone else and had kids and a life with him, and that was hard at times for Dylan to get past. It would make anyone insecure at times and my heart went out to him. Same went for Apollo, having lost a man he loved and the future he thought was his. They each had things to figure out and move past, but I knew that these two were good for one another. Their connection and chemistry were strong, and I knew that they had to make it work because they belonged together. 

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. The characters were great, easy to like and relate to, with several layers to them. I really felt connected to them and invested in their story. I loved Apollo's girls and the way that Dylan was with them. They immediately took to each other, and their relationship was just as special as Dylan's was with Apollo. This series is one that I am really enjoying, and I can't wait to continue. If you like steamy, sweet and emotional M/M romance stories these are definitely books worth checking out, especially if you like sexy military heroes!

**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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Feature and Giveaway: The Guardian by Anna del Mar

Game Warden Matthias Hawking is a decorated ex-SEAL engaged in a grueling fight against ruthless poachers in Africa. He’s short on resources and long on enemies. There’s a price on his head. The last thing he needs is the unexpected arrival of a beautiful but stubborn journalist threatening to uncover his secrets, an alpha female challenging his alpha male and getting into trouble, a hurricane wearing boots.

Jade Romo is a veteran of several different kinds of war. She’s survived her heroin-addicted mother, the foster care system, and the conflict in Afghanistan. Jade’s tough, confident, cynical, and self-reliant, a woman who doesn’t believe in forevers. But when she defies the poachers and lands at the top of the warlord’s kill list, she’s forced to rely on the skilled, attractive but supremely infuriating game warden who has captivated her body’s undivided attention.

Haunted by his past but driven by his courage, her mysterious guardian will do everything in his power to protect the woman who has captured his heart.

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ARC Review: Long For Me by Stacey Lynn

Long For Me is the third book in the Luminous series by Stacey Lynn. Each book is a standalone story, and you can understand each without having read the previous books. I had only read book two in this series before Long For Me, but I really loved it and didn't have any problems here. I am really enjoying this series though and I am looking forward to going back and reading the first in the series to see where it all started. 

Rebecca has seen what giving everything to a man can do, and she has no intention of doing that herself. Though Bennett Ashby her boss is super sexy, she knows that he is the worst sor of man she could give herself to with how bossy he is at work. But when she goes to Luminous with her friends, she sees a side of him she never knew existed and as much as she doesn't want to be, she finds herself drawn to him. Bennett convinces Rebecca to give him one night to show her what being a Dom and sub is all about, and to show her pleasure unlike she has ever known before. But what happens when their night is over and Bennett wants more? Can he convince Rebecca that they belong together?

I thought that these two were great for one another. They had chemistry right off, but I loved seeing a connection form between them. Rebecca had always thought that Bennett was rude and cold, but seeing him show her that there was more there was really enjoyable. He had wanted her all along and it was clear that he had acted that way to try and keep his distance. I liked seeing her learn more about the BDSM lifestyle and see that what was happening at Luminous and in her friends lives wasn't abuse and was consensual. Seeing her realize what it was all about and finally come to understand it showed so much growth and Bennett was exactly what she needed. There were a few times that she frustrated me getting there, but in the end I was really happy with where things ended up. 

Overall, this was a really great addition to the series. I enjoyed it and liked the characters. I love this series so far and Stacey Lynn has created some fantastic characters with this world. While this series definitely brings the steam and has plenty of sexy times, each book is sweet and emotional as well. These books draw my attention right away and I have a tough time putting them down. If you are looking for a great story on the sexy side, I definitely recommend checking this series out.

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

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Feature and Giveaway: Taming the Lion by Kerry Adrienne

For Marco, heir to the lions' throne, seizing control of the Cave of Whispers from the bear clan is more than just a quest—it's fulfilling the legacy of his breed. But the latest crusade has left Marco gravely wounded in enemy territory and in the hands of Alicia, healer for the bears. An irresistibly sensuous adversary, Alicia presents a serious problem. She carries the scent of a mate.

Drawn to this dominant master of his den, Alicia knows her allegiance has been compromised. His brooding sexuality is testing her defenses, but falling in love with Marco means falling in league with a rival shifter. And turning her back on the bears in a time of war is a lethal move.

Two breeds united by destiny could inspire a peaceful new future for their opposing clans—or ignite the fiercest battle yet and destroy all of Deep Creek forever.

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Check out the Shifter Wars series:

  

“Go away.” His voice barely a whisper on the thick summer air. “I’ll kill you.”

Alicia gripped the scalpel. She could slide it across his neck in a flash, and it’d be over. No one would have to know. A mercy killing, of sorts. Though she’d be lying to herself to categorize it as such.

Her grandmother’s words echoed. Alicia was a healer, not a killer.

From the looks of the lion’s shirt, already dark, yet now wet with blood, he might not recover even with her best efforts to save him. The scent of gunpowder and burnt flesh peppered the blood-laden air. The lions had left him to die under a bush in bear territory, shot in the shoulder.

She shook her head and settled to the ground on her knees. “I’m not going anywhere.” The strength of her voice hid her fear, though he might sense it anyway. His scent was that of a strong and confident shifter, even in his current state.

He looked at her.

She blinked, trying to calm the adrenaline rush that shot through her. His eyes, mesmerizing and wide, lured her in, and she couldn’t turn away. Deep green or maybe brown or even both, they were a color she’d never seen and his gaze was magnetic. Her mouth went dry.

He was her sworn enemy. Sexy, but injured.

She glanced to the sky, but didn’t see Grandmother Hawk. Typical. Recently, she’d started leaving Alicia to figure out the moral decisions on her own, trusting that she would make the right one.

Part of the training.

“Shit.” The scalpel had warmed in her hands, and the sun glinted off the blade in a flash of silvery-white. What would her grandmother do? No doubt, she’d help the lion. Maybe she wouldn’t tell the bears, who she was loyal to, but she’d never let a lion die if she could heal him. She’d never intentionally let anyone die on her watch.

“War is for the weak minded,” she’d always said. Alicia was beginning to think she was right. Why couldn’t shifters all get along?

Because the damn lions wanted the bears’ territory. If they’d stayed in their own area, none of the bloodshed would’ve happened. Even though Alicia had heard the stories of the lions and bears and wolves sharing the cave, the actuality felt as foreign as items in an ancient history book. As remote as a fairy tale.

Fantasy.

“Go.” He turned away, but she could still see the strain on his face as he winced.

His black hair, falling to his shoulders, was damp and matted. How early in the battle had he been wounded? He was bound to be dehydrated.

“I’m here to help. Like it or not.” She slid the scalpel into its sheath and back into the pocket of her pack. Her earlier assessment was correct. The lion was no threat at the moment. He could barely move. The rise and fall of his chest showed his respirations were high and labored. Blood loss was nearing the severe level.

He needed help before his body went into shock.

She looked back toward the trail to make sure she was alone. If Griff or Derek found out about him, the lion wouldn’t need help anymore and her time as medic would be over.

She’d worry about that another day. She had a lion to save.

Copyright © Kerry Adrienne 2017

Kerry loves history and spends large amounts of time wondering about people who lived and walked on Earth in the past. She’s a mom to three daughters, six cats, and various small animals, including a panther chameleon. Her shoe horde will attest to her fine shopping skills.

In addition to writing, she’s a college instructor, artist, costumer, and editor. Her new love is her Mini Cooper Convertible, Sheldon, and they have already gone on many adventures.

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Feature and Giveaway: Called Out by Jen Doyle

Jack "Ox" Oxford is used to being alone. Granted, when you screw over your friends, being alone isn't always a choice. Playing for the Chicago Watchmen is a last-ditch effort to save his career…and right some of his past wrongs. He's not expecting a warm reception, but he's also not expecting a flat tire to change everything.

Recovering control freak, single mom and semiprofessional chaos wrangler Lola Deacon McIntire doesn't need an arrogant ballplayer to swoop in and save her from anything, much less her flat tire. And she definitely doesn't need her body to betray her and decide this is the guy to wake up her rusty libido. She isn't about to upset her sons' lives for any man—much less one who so clearly doesn't think he's dad material.

Jack never thought he'd find someone who wanted to build a life with him, but the more time he spends with Lola and her boys, the more it starts to feel permanent. Even tough-as-nails Lola concedes there just might be a future here—the big, beautiful, messy future neither of them was looking for—but only if Jack will accept he deserves it.

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ARC Review: Rebel Custody by Sarah Hawthorne

Before you get all worked up about me hurling my Kindle across the room and screaming "NO" before I could finish this book, let me explain a few things. First, this is the second book in the Demon Horde MC series that I have read. You don't need to read the first one if you want to read this one but based on the first book, I thought the series would be decent and I gave it another chance. The second thing you need to know, I can't actually tell you whether this book is good. It might be, I don't know because I didn't read it...hence the "DNF" rating. And that brings me to my final point, the reason I didn't get past the 20% mark.

Everybody has book triggers. You know the things that will cause you to accidentally crack your e-reader or spend all day googling how to return unsatisfactory products to Amazon. Well I have two very unexpected triggers. The first is ridiculous bullshit involving children. The second, which is ordinarily unrelated, is ridiculous bullshit involving lawyers. And wonders never cease because this book managed to hit BOTH of my book triggers in like the first 50 pages. And for me, that's a deal breaker. The males could be alpha heroes with gigantic cocks and dirty mouths (which you all know I LOVE) but I am not reading a book with both stupid lawyer and stupid kid crap. No, that's asking too much.

Ok, and I know I only mentioned two triggers but another thing about this book which wasn't a deal breaker but I also didn't love was that it took away the things I love about reading MC romance. I read MC romance books because I love super alpha males who don't take any shit and are also sorta criminals. Right from the beginning of this book I was confused about how Skeeter fit that mold. Some random dude rolls up on Skeeter and threatens him and his kid and Skeeter...gets a lawyer???? Instead of taking the guy to ground (i.e., killing him) as they would say in the MC world. I was like, WTF just happened. Skeeter let a guy threaten him and his kid and he seeks protection in the law? Since when do bikers do this??

And just briefly, here comes what I really didn't like- Skeeter and the "lawyer" (who I guess becomes his love interest. Again, I don't know because I didn't read the book) find Skeeter's child. Skeeter knows it's his kid because the kid is his clone. After they find the kid in some run down motel room being guarded by a crack whore (I mean REALLY), they just leave the kid there....I was like no, nope, nah, not doing this. Skeeter was a coward and the "lawyer" was an idiot who was not familiar with the actual law and I was done.

Oh by the by, if you find out that you have a child and the child is being held for ransom by strangers who have no legal right to the child, if you find the child unattended, just take the kid and walk away. Without legal documents to the contrary, paternity determines legal rights over children. So should the police come knocking at your door, just take a paternity test and voila, the kid is yours. Don't be a dumbass like Skeeter and his "lawyer."

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: His Alone by Alexa Riley

I don't know what happened here but I was really really bored with this book and somewhat confused by it. This is part 2 in a series and it's supposed to be a standalone but maybe it's not because I just could not pick up the thread on the plot. I felt like maybe if I had read part 1 I would have been able to get into this one but after reading this there is zero chance I would go back and read part 1.

Paige is on some mission to get back at her Father for killing her Mother at some point in the past. She's been plotting this grand revenge for years only she has no actual plan. When she's confronted with her Father, the whole thing turns into a big nothing burger. Paige is upset at herself but she doesn't do anything about it but keep her "plotting." As for Ryan, he comes into Paige's life as a result of being hired to befriend her brother. It's not entirely clear, in the beginning, what Ryan is hiding but he constantly refers to some dark secret that keeps him from acting on his attraction to Paige.

Paige knows Ryan wants her and she wants him too. Paige also knows that Ryan won't act on his feelings but she thinks its because he is her boss. And I don't know blah blah blah. Honestly, the book wasn't that long and it took me forever to finish it because I just kept losing focus. The drama in this book felt completely ridiculous and manufactured. I resented being made to wait forever for my freaky fill up and then when it got there I was deflated because I just didn't care anymore. I thought Ryan's reasons for staying away from Paige were way over hyped as was Paige's "darkness." Alexa Riley is usually good for some quick fun dirty but this time around it just didn't work.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Twice As Hard by Amber Bardan

It is really hard to give this book a numerical rating. It was a really strange trip. It's also hard to write a review without spoiling anything because....I don't even know how to say it without spoiling the big thing in this book. I'm going to do my best to pick around the edges but I'm warning you that it's difficult to give you a full view of what this book is about without giving away some pretty significant twists.

What I can tell you is that the premise of this book is that a married woman goes on a solo expedition. She is ordered to do so by her husband who sends her daily instructions on what to do. She meets two men in the woods and is immediately terrified of them and is also attracted to them. Both of them. Even though her husband is back at home and she loves him so much... The two men are clearly threatening but still let Gabby escape with a warning not to come back to their woods. When Gabby's dog runs off to the woods she has no choice but to venture back into the woods. Gabby immediately run into her two assailants who "force" her into rough sex. It turns out that Gabby has always had a fantasy of things happening the way they do with her captors. They control her completely even going as far as to feed and bathe her and she enjoys all of it.The two men plan to keep Gabby for their own which seems kinda far fetched. And then the book takes a shift and it's impossible to describe what happens next without spoilers. 

If you like very erotic stories with BDSM and control elements, this is a good book for you. Of course you need to also be in to 3 ways and ok with questionable extra marital activities. This isn't very long, I estimate it's about 150 pages and it really isn't a romance novel or novella. This is more like a longer version of a story you might find on literotica dot com. The writing is pretty good and I think maybe if the book was longer and included more contextual information I might have liked it more. As it is, I just got a really weird vibe from the first half of this story and spent the whole second half going wtf, wtf, wtf. If you are in to the super freaky stuff you might want to give this a try but pass this one up if you enjoy the storytelling aspect more.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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