Early Review of Till Death by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Title: Till Death
Classification: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Romantic Suspense
Format: Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: William Morrow (February 28, 2017)
ISBN-10: 006236278X
ISBN-13: 978-0062362780
Notes:  Any and all quotes need to be checked against the final copy as they are subject to change before publication. I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

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When a serial killer makes his presence known he strikes fear into the masses. When he's captured or stopped, everyone breathes a sigh of relief because his or her reign of terror is finally over. For the survivors, however, it never really ends, it just gets easier to persevere on. For the past 10 years that is exactly what Sasha Keeton has been doing. Taking life one day at a time, one step at a time, trying to put the nightmare behind her. Held by a madman the press nicknamed "The Groom", she's finally going home to the very place where her ordeal began. Her dream had once been to take over her family's Inn and she's decided she won't let the madman identified as Vernon Joan take that away from her too. Taking back her life at this point should be easy, but almost from the moment she steps foot back in town, someone seems bent on making her feel unwelcome...

'I hit the cobblestone roundabout and made a beeline for the car I'd Parked outside the carriage house, grateful none of the guests were early risers. Thinking I would  have just enough time to help Mom do the continental breakfast, I stopped in front of my car.

My mouth dropped open. "Oh my God."

I blinked, because I couldn't believe what I was seeing, but my eyesight was just fine. Stomach twisting and turning sour, I took a step toward the car. Glass crunched under my feet.

Glass that belonged on my car and not on the ground. 

Every single window of my car had been shattered. Every one.'

Broken windows, however, are only the beginning, Bigger and much worse things have yet to come...

This was a very suspenseful roller coaster thriller of a ride with a gernerous slice of romance to go with it. This one had me scratching my head as to who was causing all the chaos, although it was pretty clear from the first page that the person had ties to the original killer. The big question was who, and how entangled were they in everything that happened ten years ago. A trail of breadcrumbs exists, but the path to the killer wasn't obvious to me until the big reveal. Then of course I did a huge head smack. lol

Cole, Sasha's love interest, was a bit too much of an eager beaver for my tastes. His seeking her out and wanting to date her so soon after finding out she was home, didn't sit well with me. The two had been dating when she was abducted all those years ago, and he's never gotten over her or what happened. Luckily, I soon got over my discomfort with him as I quickly ruled him out as being the bad guy. When bad things start happening, he's right there to help her in a way he couldn't years ago. You see Cole now works for the FBI and he uses his connections to make sure nothing that happens to Sasha is dismissed as being insignificant.

Sasha is a strong woman who is ready to conquer her fears. Unfortunately someone is not going to make that easy for her. She has supportive friends and her mom to help her face the past, but when things turn deadly, I'm not sure how Sasha managed to keep her cool or her head. If it was me, I'd have turned tail and run--fast.

Overall, I gave this one 4 1/2 roses out of 5 roses. There was plenty of suspense. drama, romance, and mystery. I enjoyed all the red herrings, twists and turns in this fast-paced novel. It was one of those books that you pick up and don't want to put down until you finish. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed. This one is definitely a nail bitter with some disturbing violence geared towards women. I definitely recommend this one.

Till Death by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Bedmates (American Royalty #1) by Nichole Chase

Title: Bedmates: An American Royalty Novel
Classification: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: American Royalty
Format: Paperback; 384 pages
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks (October 4, 2016)
ISBN-10: 0062405195
ISBN-13: 978-0062405197
Author's Website: http://www.nicholechase.com/
Notes: I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

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Maddie McGuire is America's First Daughter. No longer a child but still living at home, she's just gotten herself in trouble and proven she still has a lot of growing up to do. Actions have consequences and while her father has managed to keep her from doing time for her crime, she's not getting off scot-free. She'll be spending the next several months working with the Vice President's son, Jake, promoting and working for the RCVA--Returning Combat Veteran Affairs program.

Jake Simmons is the vice president's son and he has a soft spot for the RCVA. Being an injured veteran himself, he knows how the homes they build can help injured veterans and their families in a big way. As he and Maddie begin work on their first house they become close as they put their differences aside. As Jake's mother notices the change in their relationship she reminds him that Maddie is off limits. That's one of the many rules she's laid out for her son over the years. The problem is Jake isn't a little boy anymore and this may be one rule he'll just have to break...  

When I realized this was a romance about a fictitious president's daughter I had some reservations about reading it. I wasn't sure I'd be pulled into the story, and it took a while for me to warm to the idea. Thankfully, after reading a handful of chapters which toggled between Jake and Maddie's viewpoints, I was pleasantly surprised to find myself enchanted with this pair. Both were thrust at an early age into the political arena with every move, decision, and  mistake scrutinized by the world. Every choice, good or bad, reflecting poorly or favorably not only upon themselves, but upon their parents as well. Not many could understand or handle the pressure these two have been under, and that is partly what brings them together.

Maddie wears her heart on her sleeve, but is no wilting flower. When push comes to shove, she'll shove right back and give as good as she gets. In a world where everything comes with strings attached, she's managed to keep herself from being caught up in them. She just needs to learn to think before she acts on things she's passionate about.

There is no doubt Jake's mom is grooming him to be a political powerhouse. Already at ease at any   social function he's used to being in the world spotlight. Over the years he's learned to maneuver through the political landscape and verbal landmines with ease. Handsome, young, and charismatic, he has no problem using those traits to his advantage. While he's used to living in a world where everyone wants something from him, his mother included, he's a little tired of it all. Maddie is one of the few people he's found who is genuine and he can be himself around.

Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. It was a cute story that also brought to light the fact there are many unsung heroes out there in need of help. Unfortunately, I couldn't find any reference to the RCVA other than a store that had nothing to do with Returning Combat Veterans. I wish the author had used this book as a springboard to drum up support for a real program, but apparently she didn't. The relationship between Maddie and Jake was sweet, but got a bit complicated as Jake worked through some emotional issues that dealt with survivor's remorse and the death of a close friend. While by no means a lighthearted read, it did have its moments and I enjoyed the story. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Her Renegade Rancher (Montana Men, #5) by Jennifer Ryan

Title: Her Renegade Rancher: A Montana Men Novel
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Western
Series: Montana Men
Format: Paperback; 400 pages
Publisher: Avon (September 20, 2016)
ISBN-10: 0062435353
ISBN-13: 978-0062435354
Author's Website: http://www.jennifer-ryan.com/
Notes: I received an eARC loan from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

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"Take it from an old man, don't put things off. Time slips away so quickly, before you know it, it's gone."

Those were some of the lasts words of wisdom Wayne Traverse imparted to Luna Hill. He'd been encouraging her to talk to Colt Kendrick and fix thing with him. He silently predicted the two would be perfect for each other and, with what he was about to do, Luna could use a good man at her side. Over the years an unlikely friendship had developed between Wayne and Luna and they'd found they were two like minded individuals. He was always giving her fatherly advice and she'd enjoyed the time they spent together as well as his advice. It was a surprise, however, when upon his death he left the majority of his estate to Luna instead of his family, but he had his reasons. The will stipulated there was a way the family could earn back half of that estate, but they'd have to go through Luna to get it. Wayne may have known he'd open up a can of worms on Luna, but it's doubtful he realized it would quickly morph into a barrel of vipers. Luna's life was about to get complicated.

This was another great story by Jennifer Ryan. The position that Wayne puts Luna in was by no means ideal, but, interestingly enough, provided the perfect situation to test one's mettle. In this case, Colt stepped up to the plate. Talk about your accelerated courtships, this one definitely wins the prize. I was equal parts appalled and impressed by what Wayne did. His relatives showed just how low some people will stoop when they get mad about an inheritance that goes to someone they don't believe deserves it instead of them.

I felt so bad for Luna, but admit Wayne chose his successor well. Luna was more than generous when it came to dealing with Wayne's disappointed family. Wayne wanted the land he loved to go to someone who would love and tend to it as he would when he was gone. He found a kindred spirit in that regard with Luna. Thankfully for Luna when things got rough and a tab bit scary, Colt was there for her to lean on.

Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. It had a high dose of suspense paired nicely with equally high dose of romance and embellished by a touch of mystery. I've actually begun reading 'Stone Cold Cowboy' to see if there were any sneak peeks into how this relationship began. While Luna and Colt have known each other for a while, she'd been his friend's girlfriend. It kind of brought to mind the 1981 song 'Jessie's Girl' by Rick Springfield...

'Jessie is a friend, yeah
I know he's been a good friend of mine
But lately something's changed that ain't hard to define
Jessie's got himself a girl and I want to make her mine'

On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed. There was definitely some major chemistry going on between these two. FYI, it should be noted these two didn't get together until after Luna broke up with the other guy.

Order of the Montana Men Series:

Early Review of Wild at Whiskey Creek (Hellcat Canyon, #2) by Julie Anne Long

Title: Wild at Whiskey Creek
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Hot in Hellcat Canyon
Format: Paperback; 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (November 29, 2016)
ISBN-10: 006239763X
ISBN-13: 978-0062397638
Author's Website: http://www.julieannelong.com/
Notes: I received an eARC loan from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

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Glory Greenleaf knew she was destined for greatness. Everyone who listened to one of her songs or heard her sing knew she had talent. Her plan after graduating from high school had been to leave town and get discovered. She'd been saving for years to do just that, but life had other plans. Just days before her planned exit her brother was arrested and in order to keep her mother from losing her house, she'd had to use her savings to help pay what she could on the mortgage.  Now, several months later, Glory is still living in the same small town hoping to one day make it big.

Deputy Eli Barlow had known the Greenleafs for years and Glory's brother, Jonah, had been his best friend. He'd once harbored a crush on Glory and, truth be told, still does. After arresting Jonah, he'd known she'd never forgive him and the one kiss they'd shared would likely be his last. While romance seems off the table, he's determined to gain her friendship back. He'll try to earn her forgiveness all the while knowing it won't be easy. Glory is fiercely loyal to her friends and family and she believes what Eli did was an all out betrayal. 

When I first started reading this story, I thought it would be your average run of the mill girl makes it big in the music industry type of romance story. After pressing on for a couple of chapters, however, I started to get drawn into the story by a surprisingly multifaceted, complex, and real to life set of characters. It soon became clear this was a surprisingly heartwarming and touching story that had individuals with clear cut dreams, goals, set backs, disappointments, and issues. In other words, I became totally hooked.

Glory is the type of person who is tough as nails, determined, loyal to a fault, and tenacious as they come. While her family is far from perfect, it has always been filled with love and affection. When Eli arrested Jonah he was doing his job, but to Glory it felt like a betrayal. The two have never talked about what happened and the arrest hangs between them like a barrier they can't get past. While Eli is determined to make it up to her, he needs to get her to talk to him first.The thing Glory doesn't realize is that Eli feels betrayed as well. His best friend put him in a position he never wanted to be in. 

I couldn't help but give this one 5 out or 5 roses. I fell in love with this couple, It was like watching two good friends you know are meant to be together finally get it right. Glory's journey to get noticed and gain a break in the music industry was like being on an emotional roller coaster filled with highs and lows accompanied by a lot of twists and turns. As I always say, little things (aka details) mean a lot, and this tale was jam packed with them and a gesture on Eli's part that turned the story into something special. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed. A wonderful story I HIGHLY recommend.

Order of the Hellcat Canyon series:

Early Review of Along Came Love (Shades of Love, #2) by Tracey Livesay

Title: Along Came Love
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre:  Contemporary Romance/Interracial
Format: Paperback; 384 pages
Publisher: Avon Impulse (November 29, 2016)
ISBN-10: 0062497820
ISBN-13: 978-0062497826
Author's Website: http://www.traceylivesay.com/
Notes: This one had a few word choices that lead me to believe it should be labeled erotic. I received an eARC loan from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

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India Shaw is not the type of person who settles down or stays in one place. Nor is she the type to attach herself to anyone or anywhere. Some might call her a free spirit, but truly she's just flighty--afraid that if she commits to someone or something she'll be disappointed. She graduated with honors from  the school of hard knocks and she's still in a perpetual state of the fight or flight. She, of course, prefers the latter. The only exception being, Chelsea, her sister not by blood but by circumstances. The foster sister who is the only staple in her life. So when Indi finds herself in the delicate position of being pregnant, she turns tail and runs to her. The only problem is Chelsea's on her honeymoon, and when Indi finds herself in jail after breaking into Chelsea's posh San Francisco apartment she is forced to call the last person she'd want to have help her--Michael Black. He's the guy who is responsible for her current predicament. Can anyone saw awkward?

This was a sweet and sexy little story that could have turned out badly for India. Luckily, Michael was an absolute darling and handled everything quite well. While many men would question the paternity, he really didn't have a problem believing her. Michael had been free of a relationship when the two had gotten together, but since he'd gotten back together with his ex. This complicates matters as Michael was on the cusp of proposing to his long term girlfriend, Skylar. While Skylar seemed like his perfect match in so many ways, something was missing from the relationship. It's why Michael and Skylar had broken up at the time of Chelsea and Adam's wedding.

What was fun about the story was the reversal of roles between men and women. Three months prior, when Indi and he had gotten together, Indi had snuck out the morning after their fling and Michael hadn't heard from nor seen her since. Usually it's the other way around. Likewise, usually there are meddling mothers in books, but this time there were a couple of meddling dads.

Indi was a likable, complex individual with a lot of emotional baggage to deal with. Michael was an absolute doll who'd grown up with the knowledge that family came first and helps Indi to trust again. These two seemingly opposite individuals counterbalanced each other to make a great match. Her wildness counterbalancing his serious and controlling nature and vice versa. Interestingly, Indi wasn't the only one with some baggage and Indi helps Michael regain some of the joy in life he'd been missing.  

Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. It was a lovely story that brought a smile to my eyes and a grin to my face. The chemistry between these two was scorching and they lit up the pages. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Order of the Shades of Love series:

Early Review of The Viscount and the Vixen (The Hellions of Havisham #3) by Lorraine Heath

Title: The Viscount and the Vixen
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Romance
Format Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Avon (November 29, 2016)
ISBN-10: 0062391054
ISBN-13: 978-0062391056
Author's Website: http://www.lorraineheath.com/
Notes: I received an eARC loan from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

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Killian, the Viscount Locksley, is in no hurry to marry. His father, the Marquess of Marsden, fears he never will, so he devises a plan to get a spare. He places an advertisement in the paper for a wife, but not many are willing to marry, much less conceive a child with, a man thought to be mad even if he comes with a title. In fact, only one woman answers the ad-- Portia.

Portia is young beautiful widow who was left penniless with no living relatives when she decided to take the Marquess up on his offer of marriage. Almost from the beginning, however, her story doesn't seem to add up. She wants protection from something or someone the question being what or who? When she meets the Marquess' handsome son, however, things get complicated. 

This was a wonderful story from beginning to almost the end, The shaky ground started when Portia's big secret was finally revealed. It was hinted at from the very beginning, but the extent of the deceit behind it was massive. While Killian's response was a bit harsh, I don't consider it unreasonable given the time period the book takes place in. If anything it's only a sliver of what could have been dealt out, and given it was only a verbal lashing it would probably be considered quite a mild response at the time. 

Strangely, Killian's response isn't what gave me such mixed emotions, but rather Portia's betrayal. We live during a time when Portia's secret, while still scandalous, wouldn't be to the extreme it was back in the 1800's. Things have changed so much it's sometimes hard to comprehend just how women were once treated. Could Portia have handled things differently and still have ended up with a satisfying ending? I'm not sure. I truly wish I'd read this one in a book club setting because I would so love to know what other people's response to this situation would be. It definitely opens up a Pandora's box for discussion. 

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5. While it had a bit of a rocky ending, I very much enjoyed the overall story. The chemistry between these two was sizzling hot and practically scorched the pages. While I understand why Portia did what she did, it didn't particularly sit well with me. I love how Killian was able to overcome his initial feelings of shock and betrayal and realize that, in the long run, it didn't matter. What mattered was how he and Portia felt about each other. This is definitely a book which will stir up some controversy, but I think that's a good thing. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a SHOWER rating - a cold shower is necessary (need I say more?). Some books should come with a warning - make sure your significant other is handy or your shower is in working order. lol  

P.S. While this is the third book of the trilogy, you can definitely read this one with no prior knowledge of the series.    

Order of the series:

Early Review of The Scottish Duke (Duke Trilogy #1) by Karen Ranney

Title: The Scottish Duke
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (November 29, 2016)
ISBN-10: 0062466879
ISBN-13: 978-0062466877
Author's Website: http://karenranney.com/
Notes: I received an eARC loan from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

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Lorna Gordon just wanted to have a little fun. To go to the ball like Cinderella. She already had her Prince Charming picked out, and when she found a beautiful old dress and wig in a trunk in her employer's attic she took it as a sign. So with costume on, she slipped in unnoticed with all the other guests. The problem was she didn't really go unnoticed. The gentleman of the ton noticed her quite well, or rather her nicely displayed decolletage, but, thankfully, no one realized she was just a lowly house maid. Two years before when her father was still alive, she might have ended up at such a party as this, but those days were gone.

What Lorna was doing was improper. What Lorna was doing was forbidden. What Lorna was doing could get her fired, but the head strong chit did it anyway. She'd had a tendre for the handsome young nobleman for some time. So when the ninth Duke of Kinross joined her on the terrace and later led her away by the hand she went with willingly....

Much to her regret she soon learned real life is not a fairy tale. Confound it.

This was a fun read where the main male character started off being more of a cad than a hero. It took quite some time for him to redeem himself in my eyes, but he was a man who had some major issues. Dukes are notoriously sought after by conniving young misses and their families trying to better their positions. He's already been a victim of one such liaison and refuses to be one of another. The experience left him bitter, so much so that his mother fears he'll never remarry. Described as being devastatingly handsome, aloof, and unapproachable he was somewhat of a mystery to the household staff. 

Lorna is an independent, bold, proud, strong, and intelligent young woman who finds herself in a precariously dangerous position, After her night with the Duke, she finds herself with child. Instead of approaching the Duke for help, she leaves and tries to make her own way in the world. Unfortunately or perhaps fortunately, depending on your perspective, a close friend of Lorna's reveals all to the Duke's mother who then confronts her son. What ensues makes for an extremely delightful read. There is a depth to this story that I truly loved. 

Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. There is mystery and suspense associated with an attempt on Lorna's life. There is plenty of drama associated with the predicament Lorna and the Duke find themselves in. Although this one didn't follow the traditional order of love, marriage, and a baby in a baby carriage, it did have a happy ending. As we begin to find out more about the main characters and their stories, I realized these two were just what the other needed. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a  STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed. I definitely enjoyed this one, and loved the Duke's mother.

Early Review of Taken (LOST #5) by Cynthia Eden

Title: Taken: LOST Series 5
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Series: LOST Series (Book 5)
Format: Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: Avon (November 29, 2016)
ISBN-10: 006243747X
ISBN-13: 978-0062437471
Author's Website: http://www.cynthiaeden.com/
Notes: I received an eARC loan from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

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"Everyone thinks it's over. I get that--six months have passed. Six long months. It should be over."
His brows lowered as he studied her.
"It's not."
Asher just waited. He sure wished she'd look at him again and--
Her head turned toward him, her strawberry blond hair sliding over her shoulders. Her long lashes swept up as Bailey's gaze zeroed in on him. "There's another victim."

Bailey Jones is a survivor. Six months ago she managed to escape the hands of a serial killer. She is the only known survivor. But before she was rescued, she recalls seeing another victim. A woman who was never found, and most likely ran off into the woods and has yet to be found or worse, identified among the dead.

The police say she imagined the women as a coping mechanism. Bailey knows differently. With no help from the police forthcoming, she decides to hire the Last Option Search Team, aka LOST, to find the woman she knows exists because her conscious will not allow her to do otherwise.

What Bailey doesn't realize is that all hell is about to break loose for a second time as another victim, not the one Bailey remembers, is found. Did the true serial killer not actually die in the cabin fire as the police said or is a copycat killer attempting to pick up where the last one left off? Only time will tell--something Bailey has precious little of as it soon becomes clear that the murderer's next target is her...

This was a very suspenseful read that had so many twists and turns to it I felt like I had whiplash after reading it. There were so many things I didn't see coming. So many pieces to the puzzle we didn't have access to at the beginning. So many holes that I didn't even know would need to be filled. If you haven't already guessed, I utterly enjoyed the ride. 

Bailey is a beautiful woman who made headlines when she disappeared. Her stunning good looks and rescue plastered her face all over the news making it virtually impossible for her to go anywhere without someone recognizing her. She has a long way to go in her journey to recovery, and hopes finding the woman who was trapped in the same nightmare as she was will grant her some closure to it all. She knows she'll never be the same, but until the woman is found she doesn't think she can move on.

Asher Young is an ex navy SEAL who LOST assigns to Bailey's case. He has some ghosts in his own closet which is what ultimately led to his working for LOST. Right from the start he feels a strong attraction to Bailey, and his protective nature goes on high alert. He will work closely with her to try to find the missing woman, and protect Bailey from harm while doing so.

I couldn't help but give this one 5 out of 5 roses. If you're looking for a book with a heaping dose of danger, mystery, suspense, drama, romance and action, in equal parts, then this is the book for you. The relationship between Bailey and Asher is both sweet and complicated. In some ways, their relationship dynamics reminded me a little of the 1992 film 'The Bodyguard'. Their past experiences, however, bond them while Asher's ability to see her not as a victim, but as a strong individual is what seals the deal. I will warn you that this one does contain violence toward women, although it doesn't go into any overly graphic detail, so if that type of story doesn't appeal to you, you may wish to pick up another book. This one is not for the faint of heart. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Order of the Lost series:

Early Review of Good Vampires Go to Heaven (Deadly Angels #8) by Sandra Hill

Title: Good Vampires Go to Heaven
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Deadly Angels
Format: Paperback; 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (November 29, 2016)
ISBN-10: 0062356569
ISBN-13: 978-0062356567
Author's Website: https://www.sandrahill.net/
Notes: I received an eARC loan from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating.

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Over a thousand years ago, when Vikings were at their most powerful, God decided he could no longer ignore their many sins. One family in particular, the Sigurdssons, caught his attention when they raided Lindisfarne, a Saxon monastery. Each of the seven sons in the family had "offended God by committing one of the Seven deadly sins in a most heinous manner." Just as God was handing down a judgement that would condemn the men to an eternity in Hell, the archangel Michael intervened to his everlasting regret.

"I agree that these Sigurdsson men have gone too far, but maybe they would change if given a second chance..."

And so a different judgement was handed down...

"This I say unto you, the Viking race will dwindle off into nonexistence, but not by death. No, they will blend into other cultures, losing their identity. Their pride is too great to stand alone. Hereafter, no one will worship Norse gods ever again."

"As you say, Lord, "Michael paused before asking, "And the seven Sigurdsson sons?"

"These seven sinners must prove themselves sevenfold. By sins they were judged, by grace they will be saved. For seven hundred years, they must roam the earth doing good works. If they fail, Satan may have them for his unholy domain."

And so Michael's and the Sigurdsson's fates were sealed. To make sure their penance was a little more difficult, the seven brothers were turned into Vampires, and so the first Viking Vampire Angels (aka Vangels) were created. Their mission to thwart the plans of Lucifer's Vampires (aka Lucipires) whose goal was to collect the souls of sinners before they had a change to repent. Because Michael was the one who suggested they be given another chance, they were put under his guidance.

As the years passed, more and more years were added on to the Vangels original sentences because boys will be boys and Vikings will be Vikings. The day of their final judgment, however, is finally upon them and, as promised, all good vampires will go to heaven. With the final showdown between good vs. evil , or at least Vangels vs. Lucipers, finally at hand, one couple will find love in the midst of all the chaos...

(The above quotes were taken from the first book of the series, Kiss of Pride.)

When I read the first book of this series, Kiss of Pride, back in 2012, I stated that the humor of the series just wasn't my cup a tea and I gave the book a rather low rating. You can imagine my surprise as I found myself truly loving this, the final and last book of the series. The humor still at times had me shaking my head, but just as before, I found myself laughing despite myself. What I really enjoyed about this book, and ultimately won me over was the dynamics of the relationship between Zebulan "Zeb" and Regina.

Regina is a female Vangel witch who, as you can imagine, is trying to make her way in the very male world of Vangels. Fed up with being mocked for being a witch and overlooked on assignments due to her gender, she finally decides to take matters into her own hands and attempts to save Zeb. While Zeb is a demon vampire, he has proven he isn't all bad. If anything, he's proven himself to be the exact opposite by helping the good guys out as a double agent and trading his life for Cnut's. Knowing every day a rescue is delayed means more pain and suffering for Zeb from Lucifer and his Lucipires, Regina decides to act sooner rather than later. The loophole she takes to be her invitation to rescue Zeb is in what the Archangel Michael said, or rather didn't say... "You men, all of you, are forbidden from rescuing Zebulan." Using her gender, for once, in her favor she sets out to do the seemingly impossible all by herself.

Zeb the Hebrew has always wanted to be a Vangel. His fate as a Lucipire, however, seems pretty well sealed. When the sexy red haired Vangel witch, Regina, finds him he is not in good shape, and believes he's gotten what he deserves for his past sins. Regina, however, sees things differently and slowly, as they get to know each other, these two come to have feelings for one another.

I gave this one 4 1/2 out of 5 roses. A wonderful story about two lost souls who find each other and help each other heal. I loved Regina with her "I am witch. I am vangel, I am woman. Hear me roar. or cackle."  attitude. Ms. Hill stated at the end of the book she wanted to do something special with Zeb's story and I, for one, say she nailed it, A wonderful ending to this series. The two together, Zeb and Regina, just made sense. On the Lisarenee romance rating scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed. I may have to go back and read a couple more of these books. At the very least I'll probably end up reading Cnut's story because now I want to know exactly what Zeb did.

Order of the Deadly Angels series:

Early Review of The Danger of Desire (Sinful Suitors #3) by Sabrina Jeffries

Title: The Danger of Desire (The Sinful Suitors Book 3)
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Sinful Suitors
Format: Paperback; 416 pages
Publisher: Pocket Books
Publication Date: November 22, 2016
Sold by: Simon and Schuster Digital Sales Inc
ISBN-10: 1501144448
ISBN-13: 978-1501144448
Author's Website: http://www.sabrinajeffries.com
Notes: I received an eARC loan from the publishers in exchange for an honest review.

Miss Delia Trevor is on a mission to find the man who cheated her brother at cards sending him into financial ruin shortly before his death. As a result, his young widow and son are currently swimming in debt and dealing with the repercussions. Using her debut in London as a shield, every night she dresses like a man and stalks the local gambling establishments in hopes of finding the thief. Armed with a keen mind for cards and a flair for winning, she sets out. Consequences be damned.

Warren Corry, the Marquess of Knightford, is notorious for his bad behavior but is, ironically, a member of St. George's Club. St. George's is known for providing its patrons with a place where they can discreetly inquire about the character and financial status of their female relation's suitors. While Miss Trevor is not a relation, when his cousin, Clarissa, asks that he inquire about any gossip concerning  surrounding Delia, he feels duty bound to do so. Clarissa worries an unsuitable gentleman has stolen Delia's affection. Surprisingly, Warren finds Delia to be nothing like the simpering Misses of the ton, and soon it looks like Knightford's attention may be what Clarissa should really be concerned about.

This was the third book in the Sinful Suitors series by Sabrina Jeffries. While you can read this one as a standalone, I don't recommend doing so. There is a lot of history you won't be aware that would be a shame to miss out on.

Delia is an unconventional woman for her time. She's not really interested in marrying, although she has nothing against it. She just doesn't believe its right thing for her. Her main goal, at the moment, is to make sure she and her sister-in-law can marry whomever they want or no one at all. That is why she is so desperate to find the person who cheated her brother. By catching that person in the act, she is convinced she can shame them into paying back what they stole. Incidentally, she, as was her brother, is practically unbeatable at cards. That's how she knows that whoever won the money from her brother didn't play fair.

Warren is a self proclaimed bachelor. Delia, from the beginning, surprises him at every turn. She's smart, witty, and constantly does the unexpected.She also utterly confounds him. She brings out his protective nature, and he finds himself thinking marriage doesn't sound half bad when he thinks about it with her. There is an obstacle that needs to be addressed and dealt with before a happily-ever-after can ever be achieved.

I gave this one 4 1/2 out of 5 roses. A fast paced, charming, and fun filled romance that left me with a silly grin on my face. I loved watching these two lead each other on a merry dance before finally giving in to the inevitable. I also love a good story where the female goes masquerading as a male to get something she wants. On the Lisarenee Romance Scale this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

The order of the Sinful Suitors series:

At Fairfield Orchard (Fairfield Orchard #1) by Emma Cane

Title: At Fairfield Orchard
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Fairfield Orchard
Format: Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (August 30, 2016)
ISBN-10: 0062411357
ISBN-13: 978-0062411358
Notes: I received copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I am also an Avon Addict which means I love the books that Avon publishes enough to volunteer to read as many ARCs and books as they can send my way. So you'll be seeing a lot of books reviewed by me from this publisher. Please note, however, that if I don't like a book, it will be truthfully reflected by a low rating. Please note that as I read an ARC and quotes are subject to change, they will need to be checked and verified against the final version.

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Amy Fairfield's family has owned and operated the family orchard for years. She's come home to help run the place with her siblings, and heal her broken heart. In order to make the orchard profitable, they need to find their niche in the market and stand out from the many other orchards in the area.

Dr. Jonathan Gebhart is an associate professor history writing a book about Thomas Jefferson. He's attempting to prove his theory that Thomas Jefferson hid from the British during the American Revolution on the land he owned in Virginia--namely that which is now Fairfield Orchard. He's asking the Fairfields if he can do some figurative and literal digging in the area in an attempt to unearth some proof of his theory.

The two will form an unlikely partnership, one helping the other, that will quickly turn into friendship. With an attraction brewing between them will it bloom into something more? Only time will tell.

This was a story that didn't instantly hook me in. Instead it lured me in gradually, page by page, as the story became increasingly more intriguing and addictive. In a way, it mirrored Amy and Jonathan's relationship in that respect. I rather enjoyed how these two were attracted to one another right from the start but, each being a little relationship shy, didn't immediately act upon those feelings. They gradually got to know one another and became friends before taking the plunge into something more.

Johnathan was a brilliant child who could have followed in his parent's footsteps, but instead became enamored with history. His last relationship ended badly and, never having been adept with other people, he's since kept to himself. We don't learn a lot about him or his background until later in the story and that's when we finally get a real glimpse as to the type of man he is.

Amy comes from a very close knit family. While they appear to be the ideal family there is a skeleton or two in their closet. She's on the mend from a long term relationship that went sour, but hasn't told anyone the extent of what happened. She's not looking for a relationship, but there's just something about Johnathan she can't seem to resist.

Overall, I gave this story 4 out of 5 roses. A sweet and touching story that warms the heart. It started off slow, but ended strong, and I totally connected with the characters. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Order of the Fairfield Orchard series: