ARC Review: White Tiger by Jennifer Ashley

This is book eight of Jennifer Ashley’s Unbound Shifters series and woo it is a doozie. From the previous books I wasn’t sure that I would like Kendrick, he was kind of a bastard; this book really gives new insight on why he acted the way he did. Addie couldn’t have been a better match for him, and the three boys absolutely adorable. I love this series, it is one of my favorite shifter/paranormal series. This one I believe can be read as a stand-alone the little bit of background you need for Kendrick is given pretty much in a nutshell. There was a little bit of an almost love triangle going on and usually I’m not a fan of those but this one was different (more on that later). Kendrick is a little hard headed at times and oblivious but his love and devotion to his sons and to his pack is what drives him and makes him loveable. Addie fell in love at first sight with Kendrick and his sons; with doing that she is willing to risk her life for their safety. Addie’s strong will can deal with Kendrick’s hard head and she proves that even as just a human she can handle her own.

Addie was just a waitress working third shift in the isolated diner in the middle of Texas when she fell in love. Kendrick would come in with his three son’s right at closing and they would each have a slice of pie. Kendrick knows that he should keep moving, as an uncolored shifter without a home he is constantly on the run from being found out. But there is something about the beautiful waitress that keeps him coming back for more. It all changes when the diner is attacked one night and Kendrick must protect his sons and Addie by any means necessary. Addie’s life is now in danger and she willingly goes with them. The relationship between Addie and Kendrick isn’t easy. Kendrick has had a mate in the past and isn’t looking for another one. He feels responsible for putting her life at risk so he keeps her with him thinking only he can protect her. Addie earns her place not only in is heart but that of his sons too. And with him being hesitant to start a relationship because of his previous one she knows she has to make the first move and show him it’s ok to love again.

This new threat is an old friend of Kendrick’s who was presumed dead. Kendrick must gather up the loyal pack members and seek help from the Austin Shiftertown shifters to keep his pack, his sons and Addie alive. Kendrick claims Addie as his mate not only because he wants her and can’t let her go but also to show the pack she is his and not to be bothered with. That’s supposed to be the unequivocal final word; however, Jaycee one of his seconds and has been in love with him for almost forever isn’t making things easy for Addie. With the way the pack system works with shifters Addie has to prove herself stronger then Jaycee thinks she is and knows that things will not get any easier if Kendrick puts Jaycee in her place for her. I think that’s why I liked this aspect of the story Kendrick is all about Addie, and Addie is strong enough to handle Jaycee on her own.

Overall, this is yet another outstanding action packed, sexy Shifter Unbound book. The conclusion of the book was very emotional and intense action. I hope our wandering polar bear gets his own story soon.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Take Me by Sophie Holloway

Take Me is the second installment in the Lessons in Seduction series from Sophie Holloway. These have to be read in order as the story continues from one installment to the next. Take Me picks up right where we left off with Teach Me. Eva and Jack are doing lessons together to teach her how to please a man. But someone is watching Eva and is out to get her. Jack is determined to do whatever it takes to protect her, but can they figure out who is behind it all before something happens to her? 

I had a few issues with Teach Me that kept me from really loving it, so I was hoping that this one would deliver a bit more and in some aspects it did. The chemistry and attraction between these two is undeniable, and I love how hot they are together. That is the one thing that I can say without a doubt that there is no problem with. I had felt in the first installment that their connection wasn't strong though, and for the majority of this part I felt the same way. I did see more of that start to develop towards the end of Take Me though, and I was glad to finally start to see them getting somewhere. As much as I want to love these two together, their relationship is taking a bit too long to really show any progress for my liking. I am not a huge fan of insta-love relationships, but I do need to see something happening in order to keep my interest. So it was nice to see them connecting on an emotional level a bit here instead of just in a physical way. 

It was also nice to see Eva taking the threats a bit more seriously here rather than coming off as naive as she had in the first installment. It was obvious that there was definitely someone out to get her, and Jack was determined to protect her. I loved seeing that side of him come out as well, and I felt like that helped a lot to seeing that his feelings for her are beyond what he ever expected. His ex Lucy made a few appearances here, and I seriously want to hit her. She was absolutely awful, and I really hated how horrible she was to Eva. I wish that Eva had been able to ignore her and see exactly what she was doing because it led to Eva doing something really stupid at the end of the story here. It will be interesting to see what happens from here, and I am curious to find out who is behind everything happening with Eva. I am hoping for a strong finish in the third installment, Trust Me, with more depth and development to their relationship. Though their chemistry is every bit as strong as it was in Teach Me, I still find myself struggling to believe that it is much more than sex between them.

**ARC Provided by Gossip Girls PR**

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RFTC I've Got a Secret Event with Author Stina Lindenblatt

Born in England, Stina loves to travel, and has lived in England, the US, Canada, and Finland. She spent a semester in graduate school living in central Finland, and a summer during her undergrad degree working in Helsinki. She has a Master’s of Science degree in exercise physiology and has worked with elite athletes. In her free time, Stina is a photographer, mother of three adorable kids, and devoted wife. She currently lives in Calgary, Canada.

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ARC Review: Waylaid by Kim Harrison

In this novella brought to readers from the awesome Kim Harrison, we get to see the wondrous Rachel Morgan and her partner Jenks the pixy work with Peri Reed from her new series: The Peri Reed Chronicles. Peri Reed has the confidence, and vulnerability with sass that we’ve all grown to love in Rachel from The Hollows Series with a little bit more edge to her, and when these two come together they offer a few laughs, and a fun ride of adventure.

When Jack, Peri’s partner with Opti imitates a spell with the proper ingredients everything goes awry and Rachel, as well as Jenks, are catapulted into Peri’s world. In the year 2030 where technological advancement and spies mingle while decimating populations of people, and also stopping terrorism, everything Rachel once knew is completely gone. No magic. No Inderlanders, just humans. Even crazier, some humans like Peri who can draft back in time. What? That’s right! Talk about intriguing!

Naturally, Rachel and Peri are both the type of heroines to take charge, so there is a bit of unease and fighting before the partnership begins which was fun to watch unfold. Jenks, the pixy is of course a welcome addition, and we even get to see Al a bit. Who doesn’t love them both? Exactly! With Jenks and his naughty mouth as well as humor, there is a little bit of everything in this novella for any fan to love, or even those who have never escaped into the world of the Hollows or The Drafter.

In the race to get Rachel and Jenks back to their time, Peri and her have to work together to recreate the spell utilizing a crystal accelerator that Opti (the covert/spy operations that Peri works for) wants. Peri, who never believed in magic before witnessing it before her very eyes, is forced to choose between saving a new ally or betraying everything she stands for. She stole the accelerator for Opti, but can she steal it back from her boss and ultimately Opti themselves? In order to save Rachel and Jenks she has to risk herself. Will she?

Let me just say, I love love love Rachel, and I’ve grown very fond of Peri after reading The Drafter, so I was excited to read this novella. I got see my old friend Rachel with my new friend Peri, and it was amazing! There is excitement, betrayal, action, laughs, and a puzzle to piece together all wrapped up in this novella. The wait was worth it to spend time within this novella where both worlds collided. If you haven’t read it yet, I suggest you do. Better yet, pick up The Hollows Series and The Drafter as well. You won’t regret stepping into these worlds. Trust me.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: This One Moment by Stina Lindenblatt

I really don't even know where to start this review as my thoughts are a bit all over the place kind of like this book was. I was immediately drawn to This One Moment because I absolutely loved the cover. I have read books by Stina Lindenblatt before and enjoyed them, so I figured this one was worth the read. I did enjoy parts of this book, and I like Stina's writing style. But I did have some issues here and unfortunately those kept me from loving this book.

Nolan Kincaid left town to pursue his music dreams, leaving behind his best friend Hailey Wilkins, the girl he was also in love with. Though they were both in love with each other, nothing had ever happened between them to cross the line of friendship. But when Nolan finds out that Hailey has been attacked, he drops everything to return home to her. Upon returning home, Nolan learns that Hailey's attacker is still out there and he knows that he needs to be there for her unlike he was before. Though Hailey wants to believe this is finally her chance with Nolan, she also wonders if he will stick around this time or if he will once again leave her. Is Nolan ready to give up everything to prove to Hailey that this is their chance, or will he once again leave her behind? 

I really did like Hailey and Nolan together. I felt their connection and chemistry, and I loved the solid foundation of friendship they had. Even with all the time and distance between them, their connection really came through here. I hated that Nolan had left Hailey behind without a word and didn't contact her for the entire time he was gone, and a part of me was really annoyed with him for coming back and acting like nothing had happened. But I also couldn't help but love the fact that he dropped everything when Hailey really needed him so that he could be there for her. It didn't completely make up for everything, but it did go a long way in helping me forgive him. I have to say that there were times that I really didn't like how he acted though, and while I understand that there is a certain amount of women and flirting to be expected with a musician, I also felt like he didn't handle things right a lot of the time. He didn't seem to discourage any of that, and I didn't like that Hailey had to endure some of that. I also didn't like the fact that Hailey just sort of acted like that was to be expected and didn't really demand more of him. The whole thing just sort of rubbed me the wrong way and I didn't like it. 

I also have to say that what really kept me from loving this book was the fact that it was all over the place. So much was happening and it just got to be too much. Some things were flat out unbelievable, and I had a hard time finding much of this story realistic. Unfortunately, the relationship between Hailey and Nolan really took a backseat here to everything else that was going on and I didn't care for that at all. I wanted more of them and the relationship they were forming because those moments were the highlights of this story, and they just got lost in everything else that was going on. This story had a lot of potential, but it just didn't quite live up to the expectations for me. I will look for more from Stina Lindenblatt in the future though as there were still several things to like here. I think if you like rockstar romance stories or friends-to-lovers relationships this is one worth giving a chance.

**ARC Provided by Publisher**

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