Monday, November 25, 2024

Evangeline Anderson, Cruel Union: A Dark Alien Mafia Romance (Brutal Universe Book 1)

Title: Cruel Union: A Dark Alien Mafia Romance (Brutal Universe Book 1)

Author: Evangeline Anderson

Rating: Five Siren Stones

 

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Sub-Genre: Erotic Science Fiction, Dark Alien Mafia Romance

Keywords: Mafia, Clans, Goddesses, Humanoids, Humans, Enemies to Lovers, Protective Alpha, Brutal Universe

Page Count: 376          

Print Book: 979-8300298821

Price: $19.99

Page Count: 352

ISBN E-Book: Amazon Digital 

Price: $4.99

Publisher: Self-Published

Buy-Link: https://www.amazon.com/Cruel-Union-Romance-Brutal-Universe-ebook/dp/B0DNFQH6YX/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ihzL--PpsWieJa39UhM3ZiTsZpypPnvxxSsh5CTxIpqLGrVY66s1_tmVdVPqfRpCHUCnC7xEYwkZLTLyJGECpSI_C_jj7MjE3C1xZp1d1NY.4UsxP4tKRwNV99h5lhoTWS3g0LseebWJ1qn-zqR7Ep4&qid=1732571063&sr=8-1-fkmr0

Reviewer: Stacey Krug  

Blurb/Summary:

SLADE

I knew as soon as I saw her that she was MINE.

It's called The Lightning Strike--the feeling a Brute gets when he finds his Fated Mate. I knew Aurora was my Fated Mate, but how could I get her?

She's a Princess but worse, she's Untainted with pure human DNA--they don't want anything to do with my kind. I guess I can't blame her--I'm a criminal after all. A member of the Four Families--Clan Cruel to be exact. Sure we dabble in extortion, gun-running, gambling, and illegal cloning. But that doesn't mean I won't do anything in the universe to make the curvy little human mine and taste her until she moans my name and tugs my horns.

Aurora

All I knew about Slade was that he was the Enforcer from Clan Cruel who collected our Tribute every six months. Muscles strained the expensive suits he wore and his golden eyes followed me everywhere. The way he looked at me made me quiver inside so I tried to avoid him.

I had no idea he had decided I was his Fated Mate.


Apparently, he's been watching me for years and now he sees his opportunity--my foolish younger brother has gambled away all the tribute money. With no other way to pay, I'm forced to accept his proposition--Slade wants to marry me and make me bear his heir. For six months he gets to try to impregnate me. If I get pregnant, I have to stay.

I'm not staying.


I might have to marry the huge Brute, but I'll never have his child.


Author's Note
--Cruel Union is a forced marriage, Dark Mafia Romance--the first book in the new Brutal Universe Series.

Enter The Brutal Universe


Years ago everyone who could afford it left the dying Earth and traveled to the stars. There, humanity found that they were not alone—there was plenty of sentient life to connect with…if they wanted to.

A core group of humans refused to have anything to do with the aliens. The Untainted, as they chose to call themselves, have pure human blood in their veins—their DNA has remained unchanged for centuries. They marry each other and do their best to ignore the outsiders—but there are some who are hard to ignore…for instance, the Brutal Crime Lords.

The Brutal Crime Organization operates like the Cosa Nostra back on Dying Earth. Made up of four different Alien Crime families, they rule over whole sectors of the Imperium Galaxy and extract tribute from anyone living in their territory. The Brutes, as they are called, have inhuman lusts. Always searching for their Fated Mate, once they find her, they develop 
The Thirst which compels them to taste her juices. Some have tails and most have horns. All of them have special equipment that’s big enough to split a woman in two…or give her pleasure beyond her wildest dreams.
When a woman enters a Permanent Binding with a Brute, she can never, ever be free of him.

*Author's Note--I hope you'll enjoy this new series--I wanted to take Mafia Romance themes and tropes and put them in a sci-fi setting filled with cruel and irresistible Alien Mafia Enforcers. Expect to find Love and Betrayal, Enemies to Lovers, and growly, grumpy Morally Grey Heroes determined to find their Fated Mates at all costs.

The Four Families

Clan Cruel--
these Alien Mafiosos carry a Darkness inside them that other Clans fear
Clan Savage-- 
Serpentine blood ensures these Alien Enforcers have fangs and a desire to taste their woman's blood
Clan  Vicious
--Moving neon tatts and an ability to read their enemy’s intentions are the characteristics of these Morally Grey Alien Capos.
Clan Ruthless -- 
These Alien Crime Lords have bat-like wings and burning red eyes.

*All Four Clans have 3 things in common
-- Horns, Knots, and The Thirst--an insatiable desire to taste their Fated Mate

Review:

Great beginning to a new series. This is NOT set in the Kindred universe. This is a whole new series with a new universe and characters. There are some science fiction similarities in the Brutal Universe that Evangeline Anderson has used before, so it will not be a complete shock to her regular readers.

I really enjoyed the power dynamic between Slade and Aurora. Even though Slade had the upper hand from the very beginning, he never forced their relationship past getting married. This is not spoiling anything for future readers as the whole point of the book is that he claims and marries her. It is what he does after the claiming that was so much fun to read. Their developing relationship journey was entertaining.

Cruel Union has a good plot, action, lots of chemistry, and strict relationship/vow rules. I like the new clan characters. They each have a distinctive look to them and an unusual moral code. The ending had a pleasant surprise. I look forward to the next book in the series. 

Monday, November 4, 2024

Dakota Cassidy, The Accidental Witch: The Accidentals, Book 16

Title: The Accidental Witch: The Accidentals, Book 16 
Author: Dakota Cassidy

Rating: Five Siren Stones

 



Genre: Paranormal Romance

Keywords: Witch, Werewolf, Demon, Vampire, Zombie, OOPs, Manservant, Mystery, The Accidentals

Page Count: 207            

ISBN E-Book: Amazon Digital Services, LLC

Price: $4.99

Publisher: Self-Published

Buy-Link: https://www.amazon.com/Accidental-Witch-Accidentals-Dakota-Cassidy-ebook/dp/B0D81BCTFF/ref=sr_1_1?crid=29D9R8XTX1H7Y&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.9G2SvY4BS66KxI8XkfL_-xZVZTEwuuddqaygNWuNCDW19y59yZ68oT3DKv_V1fAzkOOAI2WnD4FvY5TnTzNZrboGY1U4xzpLLP_VWsiUCWa_zhjgDB-byl-b-PK88ZFir6ffBv1D8ITSVU8nuhy0OHcieEFg7PwdQ4p1_ongEtMcaDhMmYmRq3h0udsBQgcM54PzSpFqJqftP6rGLLxPjN1QD3Gn6lDSMT5vYslZ0KM.tigXoJp7UhBmlrjsQFte5HmoBCwSHqFH6bhSB1fqWds&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+accidental+witch+dakota+cassidy&qid=1730776531&sprefix=the+accidental+witch%2Caps%2C322&sr=8-1

Reviewer: Stacey Krug  

Blurb/Summary:

Who knew a silly game of Twister would turn into this?

After a spirited game of Twister with her fellow apartment mates, wherein the absence of the cardboard "spinny thing” forces them to use an old planchette from a Ouija board as a replacement, Roberta Tisdale’s left hand can, among other fun stuff, set things on fire—namely, her hair.

And right after meeting her, Nina’s hair, too.

Imagine how that conversation goes...

Just when Robbie was adjusting to her new life after turning her back on her wealthy family and their evil machinations, this happens, but she throws her whole body into this crazy magic she's happened upon, learning how to cast spells without taking out an entire country, and getting acquainted with her new ride, a talking broom named, HervĂ© (yep. Like the guy on 
Fantasy Island). All this in the hopes she can become a part of a community who’ll welcome her—a place where she can belong...

Greer Winthrop, a former male witch who’s lost his powers and placed a self-imposed isolation from his coven on himself, has an ugly past and an even uglier secret he’s carried with him for five years. Five painful years. When he gets wind of the scent of his dead grandmother’s magic, now lodged in Robbie’s hand, he’s all about teaching her how to use it while he waits to hear from his coven for advice.

Except, he never hears from his coven and he can’t figure out how his grandmother’s power is still floating around the universe when she’s supposed to be dead… Her magic should have died with her. Now, he’s got a fledgling witch on his hands with some mighty hefty power in her possession—power an insidious monster of a witch once owned. With his powers gone, Greer can only take Robbie so far without the help of his fellow witches.

But how can you do that when your coven members have literally disappeared and you can’t find them—
anywhere?

As Robbie and Greer embark on her witch journey, and they find themselves fighting an undeniable attraction—an insidious evil lurks.

And that evil wants Robbie’s magic—no matter the cost!

Review:

Thoroughly enjoyed the non-stop action and the wonderful characters in The Accidental Witch. We get to meet Roberta (Robbie) Tisdale after she is turned into a witch. I don’t think that’s giving anything away considering the title. Robbie has had a rough go of it lately and a horrid family life. She is struggling but persevering in the face of adversity.

Greer Winthrop has had his own struggles and devastating grief to deal with. However, he drops everything to help Robbie transition to this new phase of her life while also helping to protect her.

In true Accidentals fashion, Robbie and Greer grow close as they help each other through this incident. Of course, the OOPs ladies are there every step of the way with their entire entourage. We also get to meet some new characters that hopefully will feature in the upcoming spinoff series, The Accidental Detectives.

The Accidental Witch is a fantastic addition to the series and an uplifting story.


Evangeline Anderson, To Quench Her Thirst: Kindred Tales (Beasts of the Kindred Book 9)


 Title: To Quench Her Thirst: Kindred Tales (Beasts of the Kindred Book 9)

Author: Evangeline Anderson

Rating: Four Siren Stones

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Sub-Genre: Erotic Science Fiction

Keywords: Dragon, Kindred, Goddess, Humanoids, Humans, Enemies to Lovers, Protective Bodyguard

Page Count: 240           

Print Book: 979-8343965100

Price: $14.99

Page Count: 247

ISBN E-Book: Amazon Digital 

Price: $4.99

Publisher: Self-Published

Buy-Link: https://www.amazon.com/Quench-Her-Thirst-Kindred-Beasts/dp/B0DKJF928G/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qa6Ed-7T8TX-RO7h11EmNx4CGHobpFg7Gx10ITeqZpI.ubbe1owkcWTKEstrK2oaSHscp9dh13LuPdEgoLHa0TU&qid=1730774096&sr=8-1

Reviewer: Stacey Krug  

Blurb/Summary:

Dr. Addison Hollister is a curvy Xeno-anthropologist who's thirsty for adventure...but what happens when she also acquires a thirst for blood and only her grumpy Kindred Protector can Quench it?

When Addie gets invited to a mysterious planet called Crimson Moon to observe their religious rituals, she jumps at the chance. Her grumpy Kindred protector, Drago, disapproves but Addie won’t listen. Of course, she starts to feel differently when she gets to Crimson Moon she finds out she’s supposed to participate in the ritual, which involves giant spiders and a cup full of poison. But by then it’s too late to back out.

Drago is a Drake Kindred with a Primal Drake inside. Since it can’t be tamed, he doesn’t dare to let it out. The problem is, the Drake has decided that Addison is their Fated Mate. Drago knows he can never claim her—he can only act as her Protector. But can he keep her safe from the deadly consequences of the Crimson Moon Choosing ceremony where she will soon be crowned the Queen of Night? And what happens when she develops a taste for blood and some urgent sexual cravings that must be satisfied?
You’ll have to read…To Quench Her Thirst to find out!

***Tropes you'll find in this book***
Enemies to Lovers
Grump/Sunshine
Bodyguard Romance
Protective/Possessive Dragon who is determined to claim his Fated Mate
Lots of hot and spicy S3xual Healing

*Author's Note--I will be straight up with you--this book is *slightly* shorter than the books I usually write. This month I had to have extensive dental work and I was also displaced from my house for a week and a half because of Hurricane Milton. So, not a fun month. However, writing To Quench Her Thirst took me away from a lot of the trauma and helped me forget the outside world. I hope it will do the same for you if you're going through a tough time. It may be a little shorter but it's got a great plot, a LOT of spice, and a very satisfying conclusion at least IMO. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!
Hugs and Happy Reading,
Evangeline

Review:

Couple of interesting plot twists to the story and very appropriate for the Halloween season. Addison and Drago had been working together for a long time before the mission that changed everything for them. Their working and personal relationship was already established before readers meet them in To Quench Her Thirst.

This build-up of tension, between Addison and Drago, over time allowed the author to jump ahead in the romance department. This is a super spicy story with lots of chemistry.

To Quench Her Thirst has a solid plot and likable characters. I was drawn to the story because there is a dragon. The drake does not disappoint. If you like the Kindred series, then this a nice addition. I appreciated the follow up epilogue on the moon after they left the planet.

This is part of a series of books and some things are assumed the reader already knows. This story does not elaborate on background information as others in the series. To Quench Her Thirst is an enjoyable read that will probably have you wanting to check out Evangeline Anderson’s other stories. 

Tuesday, September 3, 2024

Dakota Cassidy, Witched and Hitched in Seattle: The Case Of Trish The Dish And The Birthday Wish (Witched and Hitched Mysteries Book 2)

Title: Witched and Hitched in Seattle: The Case Of Trish The Dish And The Birthday Wish (Witched and Hitched Mysteries Book 2)
Author: Dakota Cassidy

Rating: Five Siren Stones

 



Genre: Cozy Mystery

Sub-Genre: Paranormal Fiction

Keywords: Ghost, Spy, Cop, Witch, Bat, Dog, Turkey, Mystery, Murder

Print Book: $11.99

ISBN Print: 979-8337717340

Page Count: 228              

ISBN E-Book: Amazon Digital Services, LLC

Price: $4.99

Page Count: 177

Publisher:  Self-Published

Buy-Link: https://www.amazon.com/Trish-Birthday-Witched-Hitched-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0CWG8C44G/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&dib_tag=se&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.eK9PmmidBdMdP9qPOxVNG1CeWL9dbN1KvDGIUJLMVRTYTESyODc3QOOSAs1_TEDNumH9_KPuU-faP-sIOqqH3A.KeH4E_ZE9EjP7Wzch-AiKhMzh2phHSfcUBBPy8D5_RY&qid=1725393661&sr=8-1

Reviewer:  Stacey Krug 

Blurb/Summary:

***Note about this book***

Witched and Hitched in Seattle is a spinoff of Witchless in Seattle Mysteries. Though all of the characters remain the same, their relationships have grown and evolved, dictating the beginning of a new series.

It takes two to solve a murder right!

Stevie here and it’s my fortieth birthday. Woo-hoo!


Win’s prepared a low-key evening for me (see no acrobats and jugglers) at one of my new favorite places and new business in Eb Falls--Trish the Dish Pottery!

You read that right, 
pottery. There’s nothing like getting my hands covered (my clothes, too) in wet clay as I work the wheel. It’s my latest passion, and while I stink at it (I really do), I love it and my goal to make a canister to house my beloved Twinkies was well on its way.

Win prepared an evening of pottery and friends for my birthday and it was beautiful. Except for one small thing, Trish Lemmon, owner and all ‘round amazing pottery teacher, ends up dead.

It’s my party and I’ll cry if I want to—and I do, but once I dry my tears, I’m determined to find out who killed Trish. Yet, as we unravel Trish’s personal life, her past, we find deep, dark secrets she worked hard to keep buried and hidden—forever.

Things go from bad to worse as we stumble on secret after secret while we try to catch a killer. Join me and the gang for yet another adventure filled with magic, mayhem and mystery!

Review:

Stevie and Win keep evolving in their marriage and sleuthing relationship. In book two of Witched and Hitched in Seattle, readers are treated to a more confident Stevie. She is using and controlling her magic more and mixing it into the investigation. Gone are the days of her being a scared novice in investigations.

We also get a glimpse of how incredible Win must have been as a spy. This investigation had more physical violence that involved him. Win’s abilities keep revealing themselves with each new obstacle.

The Case Of Trish The Dish And The Birthday Wish jumped right into the action and didn’t stop. It was entertaining to see Officer Dana rolling with the punches! This was a great page-turner with a solid plot and fun characters. Book two was highly entertaining and a wonderful addition to the series.