Calistos by Felicity Heaton

Sportochick's Musings ~ This author continually amazes me with how well she can write a book that is not like any of the others she has written.

Calistos 

Guardians of Hades #5

by Felicity Heaton

Genres ~ Paranormal Romance

Leap back into the Guardians of Hades paranormal romance series in this next thrilling instalment. Join Calistos and Marinda as they fight the desire that blazes between them, struggling against their feelings and the rising tide of danger closing in on the seven sons of Hades, their world and ours.

If you love Greek gods romance books featuring powerful dark lords of the Underworld and strong heroines who steal their hearts, this paranormal romance series is for you.

Seven powerful Greek god heroes. Seven passionate paranormal romance books. No cliffhangers. Just happily forever afters!

I love this Guardians of Hades Series by Felicity Heaton. This author continually amazes me with how well she can write a book that is not like any of the others she has written. Each book is robust in detail, action scenes, some humor and lots of love.

This book "Calistos" is no exception. It involves the younger brother, Calistos who is tormented with the death of his twin sister when they were young. Can you imagine being with her and being the one to survive? Of all the brothers he kind of annoyed me. I wanted him to buck up and get over himself. But while reading this book his character is fully exposed and he now makes sense to me. His behavior more understandable. I grew to like him more with the turn of each page.

Marinda moves quickly into a no-nonsense type of girl who is the perfect equal to Calistos. She sure keeps him on his toes and doesn't let him get away with anything. In fact it's a little scary how much they fit together in all ways. 

This time the seven brothers are challenged in a way that the reader isn't sure they can win. It creates an exciting read and I recommend this book and in fact, the whole series to readers who love action packed paranormal romances.

I give this book 4.5 STARS.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

Book 1: Ares      -   My Review
Book 2: Valen     -   My Review 
Book 3: Esher    -   My Review
Book 4: Marek -  My Review
Book 5: Calistos -  My Review

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A Change in Tide by Freya Barker

Sportochick's Musings ~ How the author handles everyone's messy life is believable and so realistic it's remarkable to read.

A Change in Tide

Northern Lights #1

by Freya Barker

Publisher ~ Spectrum Audio
Narrators ~ Charley Ongel, Tor Thom

Genres ~ Contemporary Romance

What impact would it have when everything suddenly faded to black?

For Mia, a crowded subway ride changes her entire life. Retreating to the wilderness helps her cope with a world that is suddenly too loud, too turbulent.

Her existence safely contained to the small cottage on the lake, she is unprepared for the neighbor that moves across the bay

A career-ending injury has Jared permanently benched. His reputation as The Enforcer won’t survive the unanticipated responsibilities awaiting him.

Away from the public eye, he adjust to his new reality, under the quiet observation of the intriguing hermit on the other side of the water.

This is the first time I have read or listened to this author and it is apparent she knows how to write a book dealing with emotional issues is a responsible manner. I was able to feel Mia's fear like they were my own. And quite honestly, I can't imagine living frozen and fearful like that for the rest of my life like some people do. Mia's character was hard for me to connect with because I have never felt the things she did so I couldn't relate to her till halfway through the storyline. Don't get me wrong.... her character was well written I just had nothing in my life that I could compare it to and create an instant connect with.

As for Jared's position I know the feeling of losing one's career due to an injury and know how it feels to be lost about the next move, so for me the author did an outstanding job in this area of her storyline. His care for his sister and her situation was so admirable and watching him change was very rewarding.

How the author handles everyone's messy life is believable and so realistic it's remarkable to read. Her ability to transition three people who felt powerless to people who were powerful survivors was remarkable.

I will have to say that the only area I got stuck was with the narrators. The transitions between male and female and all the different characters didn't always feel smooth to me. I am looking forward to the next audiobook in this series.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

A Change in Tide #1 - My Review
A Change of View #2 - My Review

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The Fiery Crown by Jeffe Kennedy

Sportochick's Musings ~ What a unique fantasy! I quite enjoyed this story with all its uniqueness and creative storyline.

                                    The Fiery Crown

by Jeffe Kennedy

Publisher ~ St. Martin's Press

Genres ~ Fantasy Romance, Sci-Fi & Fantasy

A queen and her rebel prince turn from enemies to lovers while evil forces plot to destroy them in this lush romantic fantasy.

Following The Orchid Throne, Conri and Lia’s marriage of convenience has turned into an uneasy alliance. If only the two leaders could agree on something. Driven by revenge, Conri wants to attack Emperor Anure before the tyrant gets to them first. But Lia needs to keep Calanthe safe, and refuses to sacrifice her kingdom. Their ongoing battle for control has built up tension they’re both more than happy to release in bed, the only place where they find common ground. But Conri and Lia are developing deeper feelings for each other that are complicating matters. In the second book in the Forgotten Empires trilogy, Conri and Lia find their loyalties torn, and with Emperor Anure’s threat growing, will they be able to risk everything with each other before it’s too late?

What a unique fantasy! I quite enjoyed this story with all its uniqueness and creative storyline. I haven't read the first book to this series though I want to go back to see how Conri and Lia’s marriage came about. 

There is a lot of tension between Conri and Lia in this book. From page one Conri seems like the typical alpha man wanting things his way but throughout the story your feelings will soften towards him as he begins to understand Lia's point of view. I applaud the author for how she is able to kept his the strong military leader personality and mindset while he softens towards Lia and her desires. 

Lia is quite amazing, her strength and what she hides from everyone is startling and I kept trying to get my head around it. I would really love a visual of her to see if my mind created the right image of her from the authors description. This character is the hardest to get my mind wrapped around. I can only imagine how hard it has been for her to lead and keep her people save.

Emperor Anure is a great villain! His desire to possess Lia is felt throughout the book and adds the suspense needed to keep this storyline from going flat.

I can’t wait the read the final book to this trilogy. I do recommend this series to Sci-Fi & Fantasy readers.

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

The Orchid Throne #1 - My Review
The Fiery Crown #2 - My Review
The Promised Queen #3 - My Review

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To Catch An Earl by Kate Bateman

Sportochick's Musings ~ This is one of those exciting books that keeps the reader guessing how it will end.

To Catch An Earl

The Bow Street Bachelors #2

by Kate Bateman

Publisher ~ St. Martin's Press

Genres ~ Historical Romance

A case of secret identities finds reunited lovers on opposite sides of the law in this fun, flirty Regency romance.

There's only one case Bow Street agent Alex Harland, Earl of Melton, hasn't cracked: the identity of the mysterious woman who stole a kiss from him before he left for war. He's neither forgotten--nor forgiven--her for leaving him wanting. When he starts investigating the Nightjar, an elusive London jewel thief, he keeps running into the alluring Emmy Danvers, who stirs feelings he hasn't felt in years.

Even though Emmy's loved Alex for years, she can't risk revealing her heart, or her identity as the Nightjar. With Alex on her case, Emmy knows that her secrets are in danger of being discovered. Their cat and mouse game heats up with every interaction, but when Emmy's reputation--and life--is at risk, will Alex realize that some rules are made to be broken for love?

This is one of those exciting books that keeps the reader guessing how it will end. The Prologue did an outstanding job of setting up the storyline that is part of the main story.

Emmy's character is exciting and fun. Her commitment to family and keeping promises is commendable. I do find it interesting how she accomplishes all the Nightjar feats set before her and yet she still contains her personal belief system intact.

Luc, Emily's brother plays a key part in this book as he helps her navigate through the danger to their family caused by an unknown blackmailer. His character is well developed and sensitive to his physical limitations due to being wounded at Trafalgar. His frustrations to help due to this physical limitation is handled in a manner that is believable for this reader. For me it was done to perfection.

By far my favorite character in this book is the tortured Alex, he is quite mercurial due to his life experiences and it makes him very desirable. The author does a stellar job of portraying his personality growth changes throughout the book creating in the reader a desire for both he and Emmy to have a HEA.

For me the plot moved smoothly and didn’t have any areas that lacked interest. I was curious to see if Emmy would have the strength to do the right thing and this kept me on the edge of my chair as I read the ending,

This is a book worthy of reading and I give 4.5 stars

Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.

This Earl Is Mine #1 - My Review
To Catch an Earl #2 - My Review
The Princess and the Rogue #3 - My Review

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