The Closer You Come by Gena Showalter - The Original Heartbreakers #1

New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter introduces the Original Heartbreakers, where three not-quite-reformed bad boys are about to meet the women who will bring them to their knees.

Just released from prison, Jase Hollister has a dark and twisted past. And now, he has only one goal: stay out of trouble. Strawberry Valley, Oklahoma, sounds like the perfect place for him and his two brothers-by-circumstance to settle down and live a nice, simple life. But model citizen isn’t exactly this rugged bachelor’s default setting—especially when it comes to a certain hot-blooded Southern beauty…

Brook Lynn Dillon has always been responsible. Not that it’s done her much good. The down-on-her-luck waitress is broke, single and fun-deprived. Until Jase comes along. He is dangerous, stunningly protective, breathtakingly sexy and as tempting as sin, and the passion sizzling between them is undeniable. But can it melt her resistance? After all, the right kind of trouble might be just what they both need.

I think with this new series, "The Original Heartbreakers", Gena Showalter wanted a little change, leaving aside the world of paranormal romance, in which she usually likes to set her stories.

"The Closer You Come", first installment in the series, is a contemporary romance that has all the numbers to win new readers, perhaps even among younger people, and certainly Gena's fans will not be disappointed. Ms Showalter hasn't lost her magic touch, giving life to a story and characters that, in my opinion, leave their mark.

I loved the beginning of the book, the encounter/clash between the two protagonists, Jase and Brook Lynn, puts them in an awkward situation and their reactions are unpredictable to say the least.

You can read the point of views of both of them in the story and it makes everything amazing, addictive and it is impossible not to be impressed and fascinated by Jase or not to love Brook Lynn, who is irresistible right away and a lot of fun to read. She is young, but always used to be that reliable and responsible one in the family and she really struggles to keep tabs on her sister who is her exact opposite. Brook Lynn is sensitive but tough and throughout the town is well aware of her temperament. When she's close to lose her temper she starts to count to three, as warning for the people that she's going to unleash  the "beast in her", well ... everyone run like hell and it's too, too funny to see her having this effect on others. Everyone except him, Jase, who has faced in his past so many demons, and isn't a bit intimidated from her.

After a terrible childhood and making a big mistake that has ruined his life, his motto became: Feel Nothing. Want Nothing. Need Nothing..

He builts around himself an armature of apparent coldness and indifference, to try to hold off his worst nightmares and keep away the others and he became very good at it, but Brook Lynn nicks this armor without realizing it and after that, instead, with full knowledge of the facts, she decides to pull out the nails and fight her way to get him, why he's worth fighting.

He is a complex and troubled character, full of secrets and dark sides, but I have a real soft spot for this kind of male protagonists.

Actually, I love him, but also his two friends, Wess and Beck, and the bond they share. Having lived a difficult childhood joined them, they become for each other the family they never had, and nothing seems to be able to divide them. Their relationship is unique, special and solid. Brook Lynn manages to sneak into their lives and earn little by little her space, creating a truly entertaining interludes in their company and transmitting that warmth missing in their home.

It was very particular the author's choice to pick us for protagonist a young girl with a disability that creates problems, and not the classic beautiful and perfect one, a problem that doesn't make it any less burning the passion between Brook Lynn and Jase. 

The attraction and tension that lingers between the two is so palpable that it is difficult to  not being trapped in it and when I arrived to their first kiss ... let's say I could breathe again, and what a kiss ... Yes, it was worth waiting a little.

Well done Gena! It was so good! I was a bit hesitant before starting  to read the book, but now I have high expectations for this series, because the stories of Wess and Beck are very promising. Their "curriculum" in one-night stand could embarrass Casanova and for taming two subjects such them, the female protagonists of the books will certainly be extraordinary.

Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for the book.

RATING: 5 stars

An Alpha's Choice by Carrie Ann Ryan - Talon Pack #2

Brynn Brentwood has spent the whole of her life protecting the Talon Pack through terrors only she will ever know. She’s never asked for more in life other than to live to take her next breath and to ensure her family is safe. Regardless of her selfless wishes and the atrocities the former Alpha committed, she has always known that fate would provide for her as it had countless others. Fate is what has carried her through with one exception—upon meeting the one wolf who could be hers, he doesn’t feel their bond.

Finn Jamenson has been broken more than once, left beaten and half dead—and that was before he was an adult and Heir of the Redwood Pack. When called upon to work with their allies, the Talons, he finds himself intrigued with a woman who his wolf doesn’t claim as his own. Though he knows there could be something there, he refuses to tempt himself with a wolf who could never be his when his own mate could waiting for him.

The world changed in a blink of time and now the two wolves must fight as one—ignoring the burning temptation between them—when their people are threatened. With one wrong move, their homes could be destroyed and its up to Finn and Brynn to save them all…if only they could save themselves.

The story beetwen Brynn and Finn is beautiful and heartbreaking.

Carrie Ann Ryan created two amazing characters.

The nature of Brynn's wolf, so dominant, put her somewhat in an ambiguous position within her pach, the Talon: her brother is the alpha and his mate has become the female reference figure. Brynn hasn't a well-defined role in the group, and she is constantly challenged from other females to prove their dominance.

With the males is another story, no one is strong enough for her, and it's what her wolf needs, until she meets Finn the heir of the Redwood pack and she find out this gorgeous, dominant young wolf is her mate. So far everything would be perfect, but he shows no sign of noticing "the mate thing" ... and this is a devastating for Brynn, an incredible suffering.

Everything is complicated when the two are forced to work together to try to create a good façade in order to bring together humans and wolves. Recently, in fact, and in the worst way, the existence of werewolves was revealed to the rest of the human population and the situation is very delicate, on the brink of an all-out war between races.

I really like the world so complex in which the author has set this series, the tensions and the problems the two pack,Talon and Redwood, must face. Two groups of wolves who have a very different past, but want to stand together and defend their loved ones.

The attraction between Brynn and Finn is thrilling, although he doesn't know anything about the truth of their situation, but he feels a strong push towards Brynn, who keeps him at a distance and rejects him.

Finn is funny, sexy, strong, but he becomes truly amazing when he discovers the reason why Brynn seems to hate him. 

The intensity of his emotions is breathtaking when you read their stories and I love so much his bond with his family, their affection, closeness and ability to show their emotions without shame.

 Brynn isn't so lucky, because her family has a painful past behind, with abuse and a lot of suffering and everything between them is more complicated.

The fact remains that this is one of the most beautiful and intense love stories I have ever read. 

RATING: 4.5 stars

I received an arc from the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Carrie Ann! I really enjoyed your "An Alpha's Choice"

La storia di Brynn e Finn è veramente meravigliosa.

Carrie Ann Ryan ha dato vita a due splendidi personaggi.

La natura di Brynn, il suo lupo così dominante, la mettono in una posizione un po' ambigua all'interno del suo branco: suo fratello è l'alpha a capo di tutti e la sua compagna ne è diventata la figura di riferimento femminile. Brynn non ha un ruolo ben definito nel gruppo e per lei si presentano di continuo sfide lanciate da altre femmine che vogliono affermarsi.

Al contrario con i maschi è tutta un'altra storia, nessuno è abbastanza forte da contrastarla, cosa du cui ha bisogno il suo lupo, fino a quando non incontra Finn del branco dei Redwood e scopre che quel magnifico, giovane lupo dominante è il suo compagno predestinato. Fin qui sarebbe tutto perfetto, ma lui non mostra alcun segno di accorgersi della cosa... e questo è una situazione devastante da affrontare per Brynn, una sofferenza incredibile.

Tutto si complica quando i due sono costretti a lavorare insieme per tentare di creare una facciata per poter riuscire a far convivere umani e lupi. Da poco infatti e nel peggiore dei modi, l'esistenza dei licantropi è stata svelata al resto della popolazione umana e la situazione è molto delicata, sull'orlo di una vera e propria guerra tra razze diverse.

Mi piace molto la realtà così complessa in cui l'autrice ha ambientato questa serie, le tensioni e i problemi che devono affrontare i due branchi dei Talon e dei Redwood, due gruppi di lupi che hanno un passato molto diverso, ma vogliono affrontare insieme i problemi e difendere i loro cari.

L'attrazione tra Brynn e Finn è elettrizzante, anche se lui è all'oscuro di tutto, comunque sente una forte spinta verso Brynn, che lo tiene a distanza e lo rifiuta in modo deciso.

Finn è divertente, sexy pieno di ironia, ma diventa veramente meraviglioso quando scopre il motivo per cui Brynn sembra, e dico sembra detestarlo. 

L'intensità delle sue emozioni è lascia senza fiato quando si legge la loro storia e adoro come il rapporto che ha con la sua famiglia, il loro affetto, la vicinanza e la capacità di mostrare senza vergogna le loro emozioni.

In questo Brynn è meno fortunata, perché la sua famiglia ha un passato doloroso alle spalle, fatto di abusi e sofferenza e tutto tra loro è più complicato.

Resta il fatto che è una delle storie d'amore più belle e intense che abbia mai letto. 

TITLE: An Alpha's Choice

AUTHOR: Carrie Ann Ryan

SERIES: Talon Pack #2

Wild Whispers by Cassie Edwards - Wild Tribes #3

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Cassie Edwards unfolds a passionate tale of two souls destined to find forbidden love. . .

Kaylene Shelton's home had always been wherever her father's carnival pitched its tents across the wild frontier. It was a lonely upbringing save for the companionship of Midnight, the black panther she had raised from a cub. But she always knew in her heart that somewhere, someone was waiting to end her deep, unspoken longing--if she could only find the dark-haired warrior she had seen in her dreams. . .

Nothing could stop Chief Fire Thunder from freeing his sister from the carnival owner who had abducted her for his sideshow. But when he laid eyes on the beautiful Kaylene, he felt it only right to steal her back to his people's hideaway. Soon, the fierce warrior knew that he was the one who had been caught--by an irresistible passion. . .

A Note From the Publisher

Don't miss this wonderful reissue in the American Historical Classic Romance Wild Series by Cassie Edwards!

Books featuring Native Americans in this historical period have always fascinated me.

Wild Whispers is a nice book, well written, and I loved the story of Fire Thunder and Kaylene.

The connection between them it's from the very beginning, love at first sight, despite the cultural differences that exist between the two.

It must be said that Kaylene's life is not exactly similar to that of other white women, her family is always on the move with their caravan, to represent their shows and showcase their attractions around America, but not just only for that.

The passion they Feel for each other is unexplained, but both don't seem to have the will to object, even though the circumstances that made them meet in person are far from pleasant and romantic.

Thing that will create some obstacles between Kaylene, who is taken prisoner from Fire Thunder, who despite being attracted to the young woman, must put on the first place his responsibility as Chief of the tribe and his choices aren't always easy to make, even at times he must be tough and uncompromising, for the good of all.

Thanks to the story you can learn some aspects of native American culture and is one of the things I loved most in the book, you can read their traditions and beliefs and rules.

A nice book to read for fans of the genre, romantic and full of passion, written in a simple way, making the reading smooth, but the plot has various mysteries and secrets to solve concerning Kaylene's past while her bond with Fire Thunder is getting more intense.

Wild Whispers is actually a republication, and I must say they made a great choice with the new cover.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the book.

RATING: 3 stars

TITLE: Wild Whispers

AUTHOR: Cassie Edwards

SERIES: Wild Tribes #3

PUBLISHER: Kensington Books

I libri che hanno per protagonisti i nativi americani in questo periodo storico mi hanno sempre affascinato.

Wild Whispers è un libro molto carino, ben scritto, e ho trovato la storia di Fire Thunder e Kaylene appassionante.

La connessione tra i due è immediata, un amore a prima vista, nonostante le profonde differenze culturali presenti tra i due.

Bisogna dire che la vita di Kaylene non è esattamente simile a quella delle altre donne bianche, la sua famiglia è sempre in movimento con la sua carovana, per rappresentare i suoi spettacoli e mostrare le sue attrazioni in giro per l'America, ma non solo per quello si scoprirà poi.

La passione che spinge l'uno verso l'altra i due è inspiegabile, ma entrambi non sembrano avere la volontà di opporsi, anche se le circostanze che li ha fatti incontrare di persona sono tutt'altro che piacevoli e romantiche.

Cosa che creerà un po' di ostacoli tra Kaylene, che viene fatta prigioniera, e Fire Thunder, che nonostante sia attratto dalla giovane, è costretto a mettere al primo posto le sue responsabilità di capo della tribù e non sempre le sue scelte sono facili da fare, anzi a volte deve mostrarsi duro e intransigente, per il bene di tutti.

Grazie al racconto si riescono a conoscere alcuni aspetti della cultura dei nativi americani ed è una delle cose che ho amato di più nel libro, poter leggere delle loro tradizioni e credenze e regole.

Un bel libro da leggere per gli amanti del genere, romantico e pieno di passione, scritto in modo semplice, rendendo la lettura scorrevole, mentre si svelano i vari misteri e segreti che riguardano il passato di Kaylene e il suo legame con Fire Thunder si fa sempre più intenso.

Questa di Wild Whispers  in realtà è una ripubblicazione, e devo dire che è stata fatta un'ottima scelta per quanto riguarda la nuova cover.

Ringrazio Netgalley e la Kensington Books per il libro.

VOTO: 3 stelle

Laird Wolf by Vivian Arend -Takhini Shifters #2

He’s a wolf in a kilt. That pretty much says it all…

Pulling off a rescue mission at a remote castle in Scotland should be an easy task for lone wolf Damon Black. He’ll flash some muscle, show a little Alpha power, and do whatever it takes to ease Addie MacShay’s fears. But the woman who throws herself into his arms and cries boyfriend is more intriguing than anticipated. The sexy she-wolf’s got more curves, more tantalizing scent, more of everything he desires.

Addie’s job cataloguing an estate at the Sterling-Wylde Manor is complicated by the ongoing discovery of new wills and the two creepy heirs who won’t leave her alone. But her fake boyfriend turns out to be a far greater threat—not only is he fun and flirtatious, he looks delicious in a kilt. She craves his touch, but with her empathic skills on overdrive, touch is the last thing she needs.

Damon’s fighting his unruly inner beast. Addie’s fighting their incredible sexual pull. They'll both have to lower their guard to make this more than a Highland fling.

I really enjoyed reading this story.

A nice read, funny and also very hot.

I liked a lot both protagonists, Addie and Damon, they're are an amazing couple. It's the first time they meet each other, but they are forced to pretend to be in a relationship and they are not so sorry about that.

Both are shape-shifters, two wolves, and the physicality is one of the characteristics of their species, they love the physical contact, they have an innate sensuality, but the dialogue between them and the situations are always very playful, they love to tease the other in a fun way, with jokes that made reading light and easy.

Addie has a particular capability, that usually creates some problems in her interactions with other people, but Damon, despite he known her a few hours before, immediately feels attraction for the beautiful she-wolf, and his intentions to the protect her and keep her safely are really sincere, but he has also the right amount of creativity to overcome the barriers between them, because of the special skills of Addie.

Very nice also the plot of the story, with a hint of mystery about the legacy about Addie is doing the inventory, coming with two heirs a bit weird with their behaviours.

This is the second book in the series Takhini Shifters by Vivian Arend, but you can also read the book as standalone . I'm going to continue to follow this series, I love the shifters, Scottish and kilts and occasionally reads like this, so nice and easy are real gems for a break from it all.

Thanks to Netgalley and CrushStar Multimedia LLC for the book.

RATING: 4.5 stars

TITLE: Laird Wolf

AUTHOR: Vivian Arend

SERIES: Takhini Shifters #2

PUBLISHER: CrushStar Multimedia LLC

Mi sono veramente goduta questa lettura.

Molto carina, divertente e anche molto hot.

Mi sono piaciuti un sacco entrambi i protagonisti, Addie e Damon sono una splendida coppia. Non si conoscono, ma per causa di forza maggiore sono costretti a fingere di avere una relazione e diciamo che non sono affatto dispiaciuti delle circostanze.

Entrambi sono dei mutaforma, due lupi, e la fisicità è una delle caratteristiche della loro specie, l'amore per il contatto fisico, la sensualità innata, ma i dialoghi tra di loro e le situazioni sono sempre molto giocose, si stuzzicano in modo divertente, con battute che hanno reso la lettura leggera e spensierata.

Addie ha una capacità particolare, che le crea di solito un po' di problemi nelle sue interazioni con le altre persone, ma Damon, nonostante si conoscano da poco, da subito si sente attratto dalla giovane, e le sue intenzioni nel voler la proteggere e tenere al sicuro sono davvero sincere, e ha giusta dose di creatività per superare le barriere presenti a causa delle capacità particolari di Addie.

Molto carina anche la trama del racconto, con un pizzico di mistero riguardo all'eredità di cui Addie sta facendo l'inventario, venendo contatto con due eredi un po' inquietanti.

È il secondo libro della serie Takhini Shifters di Vivian Arend, ma si può leggere anche come libro a sé. Io ho intenzione di continuare a seguire questa serie, amo i mutaforma, gli Scozzesi e i kilt e ogni tanto letture di questo tipo, così piacevoli e leggere sono dei veri gioiellini per staccare un po' la spina.

Ringrazio Netgalley e la CrushStar Multimedia LLC per il libro.

VOTO: 4.5 stelle

The One by Annaliese Plowright - The One Saga #1

After refusing to provide an alibi for her unhinged, tyrannical husband all that Brook Davenport desires is to feel safe - Witness Protection is her only hope.

Moments into her new life on the west coast of Scotland, Brook encounters the staggeringly beautiful and reclusive Arwan Jones... 

The distantly familiar, compelling but belligerent Mr Jones seems to take an instant dislike to Brook, until one morning when he saves her life under inexplicable circumstances. Soon after Brook is haunted by a series of vivid dreams and visions all centred round Arwan and a strange nebulous world every bit as mysterious and intriguing as he, leaving her to question who, or what, is Arwan Jones and why does she feel such a fundamental need to be near him?

When their relationship takes a surprising turn Brook resolves to learn the truth about Arwan and what lies between them, while unwittingly becoming embroiled in the sinister goings on of a not so sleepy village.

Will Brook be able to live with the reality that Arwan is no mere mortal; or indeed, the discovery that she has a history of running from her past? And the past has its way of catching up . . .

Blending Celtic mythology, passion and suspense, The One will keep readers who love fantasy romance gripped until the very end.

I have mixed feelings about this book.

I liked it, the story is full of mystery and absolutely intriguing.

The male protagonist Arwan unpredictable and fascinating, until the end all my assumptions about who and what he could be in fact, remained open. Needless to say I didn't got it right.

Brook is fun and a pleasant character, she's sweet and strong, and I liked a lot her connection with the sculpture and the nature.

Between them there is a strong bond and a unexplained,  very strange relationship, though no doubt compelling, as the mystery surrounding the sensations Brook feels for Arwan.

I was not convinced, however, although coming to the end of the book, it is revealed very very little about their past and the reasons that caused their separation. It's like a long big prologue waiting, and hoping, that we can read more about their true story in the next book, seeing that this is just the beginning of The saga.

I would rather see something more now.

Thanks to Netgalley for the book.

Rating: 3 stars

TITLE: The One

AUTHOR: Annaliese Plowright

SERIES:The One Saga #1

Ho dei sentimenti un po' contrastanti nei confronti di questo libro.

Mi è piaciuto, la storia è piena di mistero e assolutamente intrigante.

Arwan il protagonista maschile imprevedibile e affascinante e fino alla fine tutte le mie ipotesi, su chi e che cosa potesse essere in realtà, sono rimaste aperte. Inutile dire che non ci avevo azzeccato.

Brook è divertente ed un personaggio piacevole, dolce ma forte e mi è piaciuta per il suo amore per la scultura e la natura.

Tra loro c'è un legame forte e inspiegabile, un rapporto molto strano, però senza alcun dubbio affascinante, così come il mistero che avvolge le sensazioni che prova Brook.

Non mi ha convinto il fatto che, comunque, pur arrivando alla fine del libro, venga svelato veramente ben poco sul loro passato e sui motivi che hanno causato la loro separazione. È come un lungo e grande prologo in attesa, e con la speranza, che si possa scoprire di più nel prossimo libro, visto che questo è solo l'inizio della saga The One.

Avrei preferito scoprire qualcosa di più adesso.

Ringrazio Netgalley per il libro.

VOTO: 3 stelle