The Druid Next Door by E.J. Russell

***1/2

From Riptide:

Professor Bryce MacLeod has devoted his entire life to environmentalism. But how effective can he be in saving the planet when he can’t even get his surly neighbor to separate his recycling?

Former Queen’s Enforcer Mal Kendrick doesn’t think his life could get any worse: he’s been exiled from Faerie with a cursed and useless right hand. When he’s not dodging random fae assassins in the Outer World, he’s going toe-to-toe with his tree-hugging neighbor. And when he discovers that the tree hugger is really a druid, he’s certain the gods have it in for him—after all, there’s always a catch with druids. Then he’s magically shackled to the man and expected to instruct him in Supernatural 101.

All right, now things couldn’t possibly get worse.

Until a mysterious stranger offers a drunken Mal the chance to gain back all he’s lost—for a price. After Mal accepts, he discovers the real catch: an ancient secret that will change his and Bryce’s life forever.

Ah, what the hells. Odds are they won’t survive the week anyway.

Source:  An electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.  

The Bad:  

I don't love Mal and Bryce as much as I loved David and Alun from Book 1, Cutie and the Beast.  I mean, I like Mal and Bryce, but I LOVE David and Alun.  Especially David.  

The Good:

David, Alun, and Gareth all make appearances in Druid.  This makes me so very happy!  

I'm a big paranormal fan, so I love the supernatural elements to this series.  A world where the fae, shifters, druids, etc. all exist and are just as messed up as the rest of us.  

Someone recently asked me for recommendations on a sweet read and this and Cutie were among the first books to come to mind.  This entire series should come with a sweetness warning.  And while the stories are sweet, there are also elements of prejudice and racism faced by the couples.  In Druid, Bryce has no idea he's a powerful Druid until Mal tells him and sics David and his grandmother on him.  But fae hate druids.  And many fae won't take kindly to a fae dating a druid.  More importantly there's an old legend that a druid can make a fae a slave through mind control.  

Mal as a middle child, Mal has always felt invisible and just picking up the scraps from his older brother, who is the Queen's enforcer (a job Mal took over when Alun was banished), and his younger brother, who is the last true bard.  Mal likes how Bryce makes him feel special and let's him relinquish control.  Bryce is horrified that he sometimes feels tempted to control Mal, but knows he never actually would, especially as his feelings grow deeper.

So Mal and Bryce are trying to figure out who they are separately, and together, all while Mal ropes Bryce into helping him complete quests in order to end his curse.  What they get in to is much bigger than Mal's curse and could be deadly to, not just them, but all of the fae.    

Bottom Line:  Read this series.  Start with Cutie and the Beast.  Next is The Druid Next Door.  And then Bad Boy's Bard.  You won't be sorry.  It's sweet romance, paranormal fun, and throw in some mystery to complete the recipe for a thorougly enjoyable read!  

~ Shel  

The Talented Mr. Rivers by Helenkay Dimon

***1/2

From Random House (Loveswept):

HelenKay Dimon’s suspenseful, provocative series of double agents and dark desire continues with a novel featuring two men bound by a dangerous job—and by the cravings they feel for each other.

As the son of an international crime lord, Will Rivers only inherited one thing after his father died: trouble. The Pentasus organization deals in kidnapping and murder, and Will wants no part of the power grab that’s tearing leadership apart. But the only way he’ll be able to escape is with some help from his former bodyguard, Hunter Cain, whose sculpted body and brooding looks keep Will awake at night. Somehow, Hunter has resisted the tension between them . . . until, suddenly, he gives in.

As a German intelligence officer working deep undercover, Hunter has a very good reason to keep Will in the dark about his identity and his intentions. Although the sex is hot, Hunter’s true feelings are a growing liability. Now the only way to save Will from his old life is to push him deeper into danger. But when two strong men are each determined to protect the other, the heat isn’t just combustible—it’s a firestorm.

Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

SEE LESS

HelenKay Dimon’s suspenseful, provocative series of double agents and dark desire continues with a novel featuring two men bound by a dangerous job—and by the cravings they feel for each other.

As the son of an international crime lord, Will Rivers only inherited one thing after his father died: trouble. The Pentasus organization deals in kidnapping and murder, and Will wants no part of the power grab that’s tearing leadership apart. But the only way he’ll be able to escape is with some help from his former bodyguard, Hunter Cain, whose sculpted body and brooding looks keep Will awake at night. Somehow, Hunter has resisted the tension between them . . . until, suddenly, he gives in.

As a German intelligence officer working deep undercover, Hunter has a very good reason to keep Will in the dark about his identity and his intentions. Although the sex is hot, Hunter’s true feelings are a growing liability. Now the only way to save Will from his old life is to push him deeper into danger. But when two strong men are each determined to protect the other, the heat isn’t just combustible—it’s a firestorm.

Includes a special message from the editor, as well as an excerpt from another Loveswept title.

SEE LESS

HelenKay Dimon’s suspenseful, provocative series of double agents and dark desire continues with a novel featuring two men bound by a dangerous job—and by the cravings they feel for each other.
 
As the son of an international crime lord, Will Rivers only inherited one thing after his father died: trouble. The Pentasus organization deals in kidnapping and murder, and Will wants no part of the power grab that’s tearing leadership apart. But the only way he’ll be able to escape is with some help from his former bodyguard, Hunter Cain, whose sculpted body and brooding looks keep Will awake at night. Somehow, Hunter has resisted the tension between them . . . until, suddenly, he gives in.
 
As a German intelligence officer working deep undercover, Hunter has a very good reason to keep Will in the dark about his identity and his intentions. Although the sex is hot, Hunter’s true feelings are a growing liability. Now the only way to save Will from his old life is to push him deeper into danger. But when two strong men are each determined to protect the other, the heat isn’t just combustible—it’s a firestorm.

The Talented Mr. Rivers picks up where Mr. and Mr. Smith leaves off, this time we are getting the story of Hunter, the super smoking spy and Will, the brainiac would-be heir to a crime syndicate.  While these two burn up the sheets, their secrets could not only tear them apart but get them killed. 

Helenkay Dimon's foray into m/m romantic suspense is amazing.  This series keeps getting better and I may cry if there isn't a book 3.  Hunter and Will are distrustful, set in their ways, and are terrified of their feelings.  All of which make this a thoroughly entertaining story!  Please Helenkay, please give us more of these smoking hot spies and the men who distract them!  

~Shel

Elect by Rachel Van Dyken Launch Day Blitz

Today we celebrate the launch day for Rachel Van Dyken's Elect.  Check out the blurb, the excerpt and don't forget to enter the giveaway!

ELECT by Rachel Van Dyken (December 2, 2014; Forever Trade Paperback, $12.00)

Would you die for the one you love?

Nixon Abandonato made his choice. And now he has to pay the price. Tracey is the love of his life, but being with him has made her a target of his family's enemies. The only way to keep Trace alive is convince the world she means nothing to him.

Trace Rooks has fallen irrevocably in love with the son of her family's sworn rival, and she knows in her bones nothing can tear them apart. Until Nix suddenly pushes her away and into the arms of his best friend... But Trace isn't ready to give up on a future with Nix--and if he won't fight for them, she will. 

In the end, a sacrifice must be made. A life for a life. For what better way to cover a multitude of sins than with the blood of a sinner . . . 

Buy Links:

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Excerpt:

“Trace, we can’t be seen together right now.”

She jerked her hands away from mine and glared. “Oh no you don’t, Nixon Anthony Abandonato!”

Wasn’t expecting that. I laughed without really thinking, and then she slapped me across the face. It stung like hell. “What was that for?”

“You aren’t leaving me!”

“Did I say I was?” Although my cheek was throbbing I couldn’t  help but keep laughing at her response. And this was why I would never walk away. Who would walk away from such a little pistol?

“Oh.” Trace tugged her lower lip between her teeth and sheepishly looked up at my cheek. “You should probably put some ice on that.” I winced as she touched my cheek.

Covering her hand with mine, I winked. “Yeah, well, I’ve had worse. Promise.”

Her eyes welled with tears, but to her credit she kept them all in. If anything I fell in love with her a little bit more. Her strength was so damn sexy, I couldn’t even put into words what she did to me.

I kissed her softly and sighed against her still chocolate-tasting mouth. “Sweetheart, Chase was . . . well, today he was gifted with a stroke of brilliance. The head of the Nicolosi family talked with us this evening, and he had Phoenix with him.”

I quickly explained to her what had happened, leaving out all the violence, guns, and threats. So basically I censored everything and then dropped the bomb. “You and Chase need to pretend to be together. People will be watching you, they’ll be following you.”

Tracey swallowed and licked her lips. “And you’ll what? Pretend you hate me again?”

“Hell no!” I snapped, grabbing her ass and lifting her until her body was firmly pressed against mine midair. “I’ll just be the friend. Basically, Chase and I are switching parts. He gets to play the boyfriend, I get to play the jackass.”

That earned an eye roll and a laugh from her. I dropped her to the ground and kissed her nose. “If they find out how much you mean to me, they’ll use that against our family and against your grandfather.”

She was silent for a moment. Her hands traced circles around the tattoo peeking out from underneath my white t‑shirt. The writing was in Sicilian, but it said, “Every Saint has a past, every sinner has a future.” I had always wondered which I was. The saint or the sinner?

It was Trace’s favorite tattoo, even though I had several down my left arm and a few on my stomach and back. Her favorite had always been that one, on the left side of my chest. She said it gave her comfort. I guess she was using it for comfort right now.

“Okay,” she whispered, “I’ll do it.”

I was waiting to feel relieved, but all I felt was tense. My muscles literally tightened underneath her touch the minute the word “okay” had fallen from her perfectly pouted lips.

“I’m going to apologize in advance, though.” Tracey sniffed as a tear ran down her cheek.

“Why are you apologizing?”

Her eyes met mine. “Because I’m going to break your heart.”

About the author:

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romances. When she's not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor. She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband and their snoring Boxer, Sir Winston Churchill. She loves to hear from readers! You can follow her writing journey at www.rachelvandyken.com

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Stone Cold Touch by Jennifer L. Armentrout

****1/2

From Harlequin:

Every touch has its price 

Layla Shaw is trying to pick up the pieces of her shattered life—no easy task for a seventeen-year-old who's pretty sure things can't get worse. Her impossibly gorgeous best friend, Zayne, is forever off-limits thanks to the mysterious powers of her soul-stealing kiss. The Warden clan that has always protected her is suddenly keeping dangerous secrets. And she can barely think about Roth, the wickedly hot demon prince who understood her in ways no one else could. 

But sometimes rock bottom is only the beginning. Because suddenly Layla's powers begin to evolve, and she's offered a tantalizing taste of what has always been forbidden. Then, when she least expects it, Roth returns, bringing news that could change her world forever. She's finally getting what she always wanted, but with hell literally breaking loose and the body count adding up, the price may be higher than Layla is willing to pay….

I LOVE the Dark Elements Series. JLA hooked me with Bitter Sweet Love – Dez and Jasmin's story is sweet and snarky, just the way I like them. Then White Hot Kiss – holy cow! It's super steamy for YA and I ADORE Roth! I was devastated at the end of White Hot Kiss, which made me crazy psyched for his return in Stone Cold Touch. I don't get the whole Zayne – Roth debate, to me, there is no triangle, it's Roth all the way. I was told I would feel differently after SCT, but I don't. The "relationship" between Zayne and Layla seems forced and unnatural to me. Roth and Layla just fit, so all this argument over Team Roth or Team Zayne seems like much ado about nothing to me.

Putting aside my giddiness over the wonderfully dysfunctional and frustrating Roth and the romance elements, the events of STC were shocking. The story was amazing, with love, betrayal, twisty turns and a truly emotional and wild ride. I was reeling at the end of it and have so many awesome ideas for how the trilogy will end (though none as awesome as how it WILL actually end, because I totally could not have predicted SCT). JLA is currently writing Every Last Breath, the finale of the Dark Elements Trilogy and I cannot freaking wait!!! It will be out July 2015 – I am greatly looking forward to Layla and Roth's happily ever after (I refuse to even think it may end any other way!)…

~Shel

As Long As You Love Me by Ann Aguirre

***1/2
 

From Harlequin:

Most people dream about getting out of Sharon, Nebraska, but after three years away, Lauren Barrett is coming home. She has her reasons—missing her family, losing her college scholarship. But then there's the reason Lauren can't admit to anyone: Rob Conrad, her best friend's older brother. 

Football prowess and jaw-dropping good looks made Rob a star in high school. Out in the real world, his job and his relationships are going nowhere. He's the guy who women love and leave, not the one who makes them think of forever—until Lauren comes back to town, bringing old feelings and new dreams with her. 

Because the only thing more important than figuring out where you truly belong is finding the person you were meant to be with.

Aguirre's 2B Series is one of my favorites of 2014. They are incredibly well written, with fun characters, romance and steamy sex. Book 1, I Want It That Way also had a super cute kid – and really how can you resist a romance with a cute kid or pet? I can't.

In Book 1, Lauren leaves college to return to her tiny home town of Sharon, Nebraska, because she has some fairly crippling social anxiety that she's kept hidden for years. She's always been in love with her best friend's brother, Rob and knows she needs to just get over it, but the heart wants what it wants. Rob's involved with a girl Lauren went to high school with, so Lauren knows she can't have him, but when she starts helping Rob with some renovations on his house, she can't help wanting him.

Rob has some pretty intense self-esteem issues because everyone only sees him as a dumb jock and otherwise completely discounts him, even his parents. Not Lauren though, she never treats him like that. She makes him feel special and like he can succeed at anything, including his dream of a custom-made furniture business or a home improvement web series.

Can these two crazy kids figure it all out or is their burgeoning relationship destined to fail? As Rob's career takes off it becomes more and more difficult for Lauren to be around because of her anxiety. And when they reach the breaking point, what will they be willing to risk for true love? 

This book will keep you hooked until the very end! Any fan of contemporary romance, or new adult should check out the 2B Series.

~Shel