Audiobook Review: When a Scot Ties the Knot by Tessa Dare

Author: Tessa Dare

Narrator: Carmen Rose
Title: When a Scot Ties the Knot

Series: Castles Ever After #3

Genre: Historical Romance
Published: August 25, 2015

Where I Got It: Borrowed from the library

Summary: 

On the cusp of her first London season, Miss Madeline Gracechurch was shyly pretty and talented with a drawing pencil, but hopelessly awkward with gentlemen. She was certain to be a dismal failure on the London marriage mart. So Maddie did what generations of shy, awkward young ladies have done: she invented a sweetheart.

A Scottish sweetheart. One who was handsome and honorable and devoted to her, but conveniently never around. Maddie poured her heart into writing the imaginary Captain MacKenzie letter after letter … and by pretending to be devastated when he was (not really) killed in battle, she managed to avoid the pressures of London society entirely.

Until years later, when this kilted Highland lover of her imaginings shows up in the flesh. The real Captain Logan MacKenzie arrives on her doorstep—handsome as anything, but not entirely honorable. He’s wounded, jaded, in possession of her letters… and ready to make good on every promise Maddie never expected to keep.

Review:

Tessa Dare is the author of the month for September. ;) I may or may NOT have another book waiting in the wings.....may wait a hair but I am itching for more. 

Here we have Maddie and Captain MacKenzie. On the cusp of her first London season, Maddie lied and she has been living that lie for years. She told everyone she has a Scottish sweetheart....a man who is a hero....who is handsome....honorable....and conveniently never around. She has written letter after letter to this fake beaux. In order to stop the lie she told one more big lie.....he died in battle. Years later, there is a knock on the door and there is the real Captain Logan MacKenzie. He has her letters and he has a proposal she would be hard-pressed to decline. 

This was so much fun. I loved the premise...the couple....the side characters...the castle...and Scotland *sighs*. All fun and you are just rooting for their fake marriage/love to be real. You know it will happen, but WHEN!? HOW?! There are a lot of feelings and hurts and past trauma between them. They have a lot to wade through. 

Awww I loved the side story Maddie has. It made me awww. She loves her drawings and she loves her lobsters. It was cute and very metaphorical. 

I did read the last of the series and I am BUMMED that we do not get to see Logan's pals find happiness. You know they will get it, of course, but I would've liked them to be in the next book or simply in the epilogue. Maybe we will see them in some sort of spin-off? *fingers crossed*

Now, the narrator is the same and she rocked it. Loved all the voices. All the accents *chef's kiss* perfection. 

In the end, I wanted a HAIR more at the end. I wanted to see Logan's friends find happiness. Yes, we can imagine they do, but I wanted to see and hear it! *shakes fist* Besides that I really enjoyed this one a lot. 4 stars. 

 

Challenge(s):

- #38 for Audiobook challenge

DNF: The Charm School by Susan Wiggs

Author: Susan Wiggs

Title: The Charm School

Series: The Calhoun Chronicles #1

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: ebook

Pages: 384

Published: April 1, 1999

Where I Got It: Borrowed from the library

Summary: 

An awkward misfit in an accomplished family, Isadora Peabody yearns to escape her life as a wallflower in Boston society. Fate intervenes when she learns that a ship bound for Rio de Janeiro is in need of an interpreter—a pursuit she very much enjoys. The only problem? The surly and handsome captain is adamantly opposed to a woman taking the role.

Sea captain Ryan Calhoun used to have a good family name. But he’d purposely walked away from everything it afforded him, driven by his quest to right an old wrong. When he finds himself falling for the meek young woman who comes aboard his ship, he’s determined to stay away from her—if only to keep her out of his secretive, dangerous plans.

As the tides of attraction flow between them, Ryan and Isadora must risk it all for love. For a true lady must learn to speak her mind, and Isadora is ready to put her newfound charms to the test.

Review:

Randomly saw this while looking for something else in the ebook section at the library. Seemed interesting enough so I grabbed it and downloaded it. 

I got to about page 102. I struggled to even get there, so I did what I normally do....I stepped away for a couple of days and tried to return with fresh eyes and a fresh brain. I I read a page or two and stopped. 

To be honest...I can't really point at WHY I didn't care. Ryan seems like the type I normally drool over and Isadora seems like a fun heroine. However, I just couldn't buy anything or care what was going to happen next. 

Sadly, I am returning this to the library early and unfinished. I have enjoyed this author in the past so I am bummed. However, you can't be charmed by everything.

DNF. 

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: A Lady by Midnight by Tessa Dare

By: Tessa Dare

Narrated by: Carolyn Morris

Series: Spindle Cove, Book 3

Length: 10 hrs and 51 mins

Release date: 12-17-13

Publisher: HarperAudio

Bookbeat.fi and Storytel.fi/historical romance

So I have been reading a few Dare books, and when I had 2 hours left of this one my subscription was finished. And I could do nothing until October!! I know I know. Obvi I said F it and went to the competition. But that was a week only offer so it is soon finished with Dare for a while.

But before that, Kate teaches piano in Spindle Cove. Corporal Thorne has been giving her the cold shoulder for a year. She wonder about her past, he wants nothing to do with his past.

And then they are thrown together. And they fancy each other, and things happen.

And the past comes knocking!

Omg Thorne, just tell her! Men!

Fun times. I was curious about one person but that person has no book so far...hmmm

Great narration as always

After years of fending for herself, Kate Taylor found friendship and acceptance in Spindle Cove—but she never stopped yearning for love. The very last place she'd look for it is in the arms of Corporal Thorne. The militia commander is as stone cold as he is brutally handsome. But when mysterious strangers come searching for Kate, Thorne steps forward as her fiancé. He claims to have only Kate's safety in mind. So why is there smoldering passion in his kiss?

Long ago, Samuel Thorne devoted his life to guarding Kate's happiness. He wants what's best for her, and he knows it's not marriage to a man like him. To outlast their temporary engagement, he must keep his hands off her tempting body and lock her warm smiles out of his withered heart. It's the toughest battle of this hardened warrior's life . . . and the first he seems destined to lose.

Audiobook Review: Say Yes to the Marquess by Tessa Dare

Author: Tessa Dare

Narrator: Carmen Rose
Title: Say Yes to the Marquess

Series: Castles Ever After #2

Genre: Historical Romance
Published: December 30, 2014

Where I Got It: Borrowed from the library

Summary: 

After eight years of waiting for Piers Brandon, the wandering Marquess of Granville, to set a wedding date, Clio Whitmore has had enough. She's inherited a castle, scraped together some pride, and made plans to break her engagement.

Not if Rafe Brandon can help it. A ruthless prizefighter and notorious rake, Rafe is determined that Clio will marry his brother—even if he has to plan the dratted wedding himself.

So how does a hardened fighter cure a reluctant bride's cold feet?

● He starts with flowers. A wedding can't have too many flowers. Or harps. Or cakes.

● He lets her know she'll make a beautiful, desirable bride—and tries not to picture her as his.

● He doesn't kiss her.

● If he kisses her, he definitely doesn't kiss her again.

● When all else fails, he puts her in a stunning gown. And vows not to be nearby when the gown comes off.

● And no matter what—he doesn't fall in disastrous, hopeless love with the one woman he can never call his own.

Review:

I am def on a Tessa Dare kick. I already have another one of these ready to go. Hehehehe

Here we follow Rafe and Clio. Clio has been engaged to Piers, Rafe's brother, for 8 long years. She is told to be patient and keep waiting for him to return home. Now she has inherited her very own castle and now she is done waiting. She plans to end her engagement. Enter Rafe who will not let her break this wedding off even if it means he has to plan it himself. He made a promise to Piers to keep an eye on Clio and his dog. How will a hardened fighter like Rafe cure a bride's cold feet? He has a plan. 

This was so much fun. I loved Rafe and I loved Clio. They are so opposites but they fit together so nicely. They have known each other since they were kids but after she was engaged to his brother, their friendship went stale. Now they are back together and Rafe is trying to make sure Clio's cold feet don't end the wedding. I LOVED watching these two interact. I loved watching them get to know each other as adults. It was beautiful. They actually talked a lot. It was nice.

Whoops. Feelings happen. Kisses happen.....you can't stop love!

There were some mini-dramas here, but nothing over the top. Even when the inevitable happens of the wedding being called off, I liked how that was handled. 

I did want to slap Daphne and their late mother though. Terrible, terrible. So dang mean!!! Who cares if Clio is a little heavier????? Let her eat cake dammit. 

The narrator was fantastic. Loved how easily she flowed with different genders and even different accents. It was lovely here. 

In the end, this was one of my faves of Tessa Dare I think. Cute and fun and a great couple. 5 stars from me. 

 

Challenge(s):

- #37 for Audiobook challenge

Book Review: The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Author: Charlotte Perkins Gilman

Title: The Yellow Wallpaper

Genre: Classics, Short Story, Fiction, Horror, Gothic

Format: ebook

PagesL 63

Published: January 10, 1892

Where I Got It: Borrowed from the library

Summary: 

Diagnosed by her physician husband with a “temporary nervous depression—a slight hysterical tendency” after the birth of her child, a woman is urged to rest for the summer in an old colonial mansion. Forbidden from doing work of any kind, she spends her days in the house’s former nursery, with its barred windows, scratched floor, and peeling yellow wallpaper.

In a private journal, the woman records her growing obsession with the “horrid” wallpaper. Its strange pattern mutates in the moonlight, revealing what appears to be a human figure in the design. With nothing else to occupy her mind, the woman resolves to unlock the mystery of the wallpaper. Her quest, however, leads not to the truth, but into the darkest depths of madness.

Review:

This was a completely random book. I was looking for something else and came upon this ebook at my library. Why not...PLUS we just finished de-wallpapering our dining room SOOOOO? Yah. 

We follow a woman who is writing in her private journal. She was diagnosed by her husband with temporary nervous depression with some hysteria mixed in after she gave birth to their child. She is forced to rest the entire summer in their new home. She starts recording her growing obsession with the horrid wallpaper. It is a strange pattern that mutates in the moonlight revealing what appears to be a human figure. She decides to investigate the mystery of the wallpaper which will lead her down to find the truth, but a huge deep depth of madness. 

Okay. This was extremely weird and different. There were times I found myself very, very confused. I won't lie there....I had to research and read other reviews before I could get myself to type something up. I honestly think this needed to be longer. I think we needed more time. The ending was cool, BUT we needed more. 

Screw that husband and brother of hers. You can't help but feel bad for this lady. This does show the truth of the times....mental health was not taken seriously, especially for women. 

I'm curious about other writing from this author. I do wish this was longer to really get the point made. 

3 stars from me. 

Audiobook Review: Parental Guidance by Avery Flynn

Author: Avery Flynn

Narrator: Tim Paige
Title: Parental Guidance

Series: Ice Knights #1

Genre: Contemporary, Sports Romance, Chick Lit
Published: May 31, 2019

Where I Got It: Audible

Summary: 

It wasn't me.

It was my team.

But as almost co-captain I raised my hand to fix it.

Never imagined they'd arrange a PR stunt to make me look like Mr. Right to someone my mom picks out on some new dating app.

Then my salvation walks into the restaurant.

Zara Ambrose.

The five-foot-nothing redhead with more freckles than inches that I convinced to go on five dates with me for all the world to see.

She's got her own reasons for our set up--and her own rules.

But somewhere between the couples' obstacle course, wrestling matches with her Great Dane, and fights over mashed potatoes, Zara went from means-to-an-end to something so much more.

What happens when you start to fall for the one girl you can't have...on live TV?

Review:

This author is always fun so I was excited to get some more!!

Two people couldn't be more different. Zara is a small redhead who has big dreams of making it with her miniature figurines! Caleb is a tall rough and tough hockey player. They both find themselves forced to join a new dating app where their parents pick their dates. This is the only thing they have in common, so they decide to make rules and just fake it for the world to see. Get their 5 dates done and be free. However...things will not go as planned.

This was a lot of fun. There wasn't a crazy amount of drama here so that was nice. The biggest drama bubble was near the end. Some personal and professional stuff popped up, but no insane exes, and even the parents were pretty mellow. It is nice to get a romance once in a while that isn't too drama-filled. 

I liked Zara and I liked Caleb. Good people who deserve all the love! Caleb is pretty dreamy for sure. hehe.

Not sure why, but lately I have been loving the Fake Love to Real Love has been a hit for me. It's just so dang fun. I loved watching these two muddle through their dates and the interview afterward. So fun. 

I would NEVER EVER use this app. I wouldn't trust my folks to pick my dates. Not that I don't love and trust my folks....I could never tho. It's so weird! It's interesting for sure. I would be curious WHO my parents would pick for me, but I'm also curious about a lot of things that would not be safe or beneficial LOL.

The side cast was fun esp Caleb's hockey teammates. I am curious to read more if they get some love story next!

To be honest, I had two small-ish issues. One was how quickly Zara forgave her father. Don't get me wrong...he's not a bad dude, but I think the two need therapy. Maybe they did but we didn't see it at the end? Second, the fight Zara and Caleb had was a hair too over-the-top. I get WHY they fought but it escalated a little too much for the situation. I'm glad that the recovery and talking afterward didn't take too long. I was worried it was going to drag on and on. Thank goodness. 

The narrator was good. Even his female voices weren't bad at all. I liked him. I think I heard him before. The name and the voice seem familiar. 

All-in-all, I did enjoy this. A couple of issues, but nothing that destroyed the story for me. I liked these two a lot. Caleb was dreamy and Zara was adorable. It was fun. It had some humor and a lot of heart. Def recommend it! 4 stars. 

  

  

Challenge(s):

- #36 for Audiobook challenge

Blodeuedd's Monday Review: A Night to Surrender by Tessa Dare

By: Tessa Dare

Narrated by: Carolyn Morris

Series: Spindle Cove, Book 1

Length: 11 hrs and 25 mins

Release date: 12-17-13

Publisher: HarperAudio

From: Bookbeat

Historical romance

Spindle Cove is a safe haven. Whether it is to hide from men, hide your flaws, get better from an illness, or find yourself. Spinster cove is the place to be.

Everyone looks up to and asks Susanna for help. And she likes the way this quiet village is.

Until an obnoxious soldier shows up. He is to form a militia, but where are the men?! Then he becomes an Earl too, and takes her castle.

Bram and Susanna butt heads through out the book. Until they start to butt heads in other ways.

I liked the village, the people, and yes I have read books in this series before so I know with whom some of the people end up with.

Their romance was more lusty, they had some drama to get over and then they lived happily ever after

Good narration too

Welcome to Spindle Cove, where the ladies with delicate constitutions come for the sea air, and men in their prime are . . . nowhere to be found.Or are they?

Spindle Cove is the destination of choice for certain types of well-bred young ladies: the painfully shy, young wives disenchanted with matrimony, and young girls too enchanted with the wrong men; it is a haven for those who live there.

Victor Bramwell, the new Earl of Rycliff, knows he doesn’t belong here. So far as he can tell, there’s nothing in this place but spinsters . . . and sheep. But he has no choice, he has orders to gather a militia. It’s a simple mission, made complicated by the spirited, exquisite Susanna Finch—a woman who is determined to save her personal utopia from the invasion of Bram’s makeshift army.

Susanna has no use for aggravating men; Bram has sworn off interfering women. The scene is set for an epic battle…but who can be named the winner when both have so much to lose?

Book Review: Fake It Till You Bake It by Jamie Wesley

Author: Jamie Wesley

Title: Fake It Till You Bake It

Genre: Contemporary, Sports Romance, Chick Lit

Format: ebook

Published: June 21, 2022

Where I Got It: Borrowed from the library

Summary: 

A reality star and a cupcake-baking football player pretend to be a couple in order to save his bakery in this sweet and sexy romance from Jamie Wesley, Fake It Till You Bake It.

Jada Townsend-Matthews is the most reviled woman in America after turning down a proposal on a reality dating show. When she comes home to lick her wounds, Jada finds herself working at San Diego's newest cupcake bakery, Sugar Blitz, alongside the uptight owner and professional football player Donovan Dell.

When a reporter mistakenly believes Jada and Donovan are an item, they realize they can use the misunderstanding to their advantage to help the struggling bakery and rehabilitate Jada's image. Faking a relationship should be simple, but sometimes love is the most unexpected ingredient.

Review:

Randomly stumbled upon this while looking for a book with food on the cover (for this reading challenge). It's a fake romance and a sports romance JUST in time for the start of Football season....perfection. 

Here we follow Jada and Donovan. Jada is the most hated woman in America after her stint on a reality show. She turned down the proposal of America's sweetheart and now she is in hiding and nursing her wounds. Her grandmother decides enough is enough and forces Jada to go back into the world and get a job or she will take away Jada's trust fund. Enter in Sugar Blitz. Sugar Blitz is owned by Donovan who is a football player and Donovan owes a lot to Jada's granny so he agrees to take on this employee who doesn't know a lick about working in a bakery. When a reporter mistakenly believes Jada and Donovan are an item, they realize they can use this misunderstanding to their advantage. Help Jada's image AND get more customers for his bakery. Win-win.

This was a lot of fun. Two unlikely people who are SO made for each other. She is a hot mess and chaotic. He is a strict and uptight dude. They even each other out for sure. 

I loved the backdrop of the bakery. It made me want to munch on some cupcakes while reading this!! Seems unlikely a football player would own a bakery because we all know they rarely get to indulge. As unrealistic as this is.....it oddly was fitting after getting to know Donovan. He loves to bake and this allows him to be creative. It's an outlet of sorts.

Now....the ending felt..........off. I didn't agree with Jada's decision. Yes, they get their HEA but Jada HAD to throw in a last-minute dramatic impulsive decision. One would think she would've learned her lesson since all her troubles have been caused by decisions like this. Granted, it all works out in the end, but still. Seemed like an unnecessary moment. 

Other than that, I really did like this book. It had a fun set of characters and a fun bakery. I'm curious to see if we'll get a second book. The ending made it seem one of our sides might be getting their own love story! One can hope! I'll give this 4 stars. 

Challenge(s):

- #22 for Romance Reading Challenge - Food on cover

Book Review: Georgina by Clare Darcy

Author: Clare Darcy

Title: Georgina

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: Paperback

Published: January 1, 1971

Where I Got It: Flint Library Book Sale

Summary: 

A dead bore! Miss Georgina Powers concluded after shutting the door in the face of her latest suitor, announcing to one and all that spinsterhood was preferable to a life with a dimwit twice her age. She longed for a love match, not the humdrum offers that came her way. But as the granddaughter of Lady Mercer, Georgina was expected to make a shrewd alliance of the first order. And now after refusing this most eligible suitor she was being shipped off to distant relations in the wilds of Ireland, where sheer boredom would force her to reflect on her folly.

To the surprise of both Georgina and her disapproving grandmama, the Emerald Isle yielded the roguish Mr. Shannon, a handsome Irishman with a most scandalous past. Georgina was sure to set the ton on its ear with her choice of a groom, but for all the wrong reasons!

Review:

I picked this up at the annual Flint Library book sale a million years ago. I haven't gone in a long while but it is a lot of fun. They give you a huge paper bag for $5 and you can take as many books as you want so as long as they fit in the bag. It is a chaotic fun time! There were some books I literally just took because of the title and the cover. No time to read the summary. Thus is the case with this one. It is finally time to dust this bad boy off. 

Here we follow Miss Georgina Powers. She is done with suitors. She would rather be a spinster than marry a bore, idiot, or someone twice her age. She wants love, but there is none to be had with the list of suitors calling her. After refusing the prize of a suitor, she is sent off to live with distant relations in the wilds of Ireland. Enter in Mr Shannon....a handsome Irishman with the most roguish and scandalous past. 

Okay. I am going to be 100% honest here. When I shoved this book in my paper bag...I assumed this was going to be a P&P variation. Georgina is the title and the author's name is Darcy.........lo' and behold I was wrong. LOL.

To quote Georgina....what a bore! The beginning had me nodding off while attempting to read this. Things spiced up a bit when Mr Shannon entered in but that fizzled out after a few. 

I just could not care about anyone in this. I just couldn't connect. I did finish this though but I'll admit I skimmed here and there just to move things along. 

Oh. The ending wasn't too shabby. It seemed very organic and fit.

Sadly, this wasn't for me. There was that one golden section and the ending wasn't too bad, but other than that? Eh. I will give this 2 stars. I'm feeling generous today.

Challenge(s):

- #6 TBR Pile Reading

Joint Review: Do You Want to Start a Scandal by Tessa Dare

Hello all! We will be discussing "Do You Want to Start a Scandal" by Tessa Dare. Blodeuedd is in red and Carole is in purple.

Author: Tessa Dare

Title: Do You Want to Start a Scandal

Series: Castles Ever After #4

Genre: Historical Romance
Published: September 27, 2016

Pages: 272

Summary:

On the night of the Parkhurst ball, someone had a scandalous tryst in the library.

• Was it Lord Canby, with the maid, on the divan?

• Or Miss Fairchild, with a rake, against the wall?

• Perhaps the butler did it.

All Charlotte Highwood knows is this: it wasn’t her. But rumors to the contrary are buzzing. Unless she can discover the lovers’ true identity, she’ll be forced to marry Piers Brandon, Lord Granville—the coldest, most arrogantly handsome gentleman she’s ever had the misfortune to embrace. When it comes to emotion, the man hasn’t got a clue.

But as they set about finding the mystery lovers, Piers reveals a few secrets of his own. The oh-so-proper marquess can pick locks, land punches, tease with sly wit... and melt a woman’s knees with a single kiss. The only thing he guards more fiercely than Charlotte’s safety is the truth about his dark past.

Their passion is intense. The danger is real. Soon Charlotte’s feeling torn. Will she risk all to prove her innocence? Or surrender it to a man who’s sworn to never love?

Discussion:

I have been reading Dare for so many years, and she is always fun 🙂

I’ve read some. She is fun! And I like that I could skip to this one. I think I’m missing a book or two of the series but it did well as a standalone which is always nice. 

I just took a look again, and it is Spindle Cove nr 5, but! Castles nr 4! No wonder it works like a stand alone. And yes I have read some here and there. At the moment I am reading a book where Charlotte is 14

Awwwwww I do plan on backtracking. This was fun and I want to see the others fall in love. 

I am going to do Spindle Cove the missing ones :D I fear September will be a Dare month, but that is good.

I’m beginning to feel that too. I crave more of her books! :D 

I liked this one cos omg that beginning. I had to hide my face in laughter and giggled as I was out walking

This was very funny!!!!! Especially with the aubergine! LOLLLLL

It was just the perfect mix of funny and cute

It really was. The drama was there but it didn’t take too long to fix. I loved this couple. 

I kept trying to solve the mystery too, but I honestly suck at solving mysteries

There wasn’t much given to solve it. I think the author did it on purpose. The solution had me rolling in laughter.

It was a tricky one! 

Cute couple, good times, I even liked her mother. Sure, meddling for sure, but she wanted the best. The one I could not stand was her besties sister, ugh!

Oooh that friend Frances or something another. She can rot for all I care. She was mean and terrible. I GET that she was looking out for her sister, but was she? I think she was just jealous of Charlotte. 

I did like Edmund? Though. Omg honestly all the times he was shouting murderer made me lol

Bless him. That little boy just wanted to solve the murder so bad. A part of me thought maybe he wasn’t wrong. Hahahahaha. 

I think he will solve crimes when he grows up!

Awww I hope so. Maybe we’ll get a book for him ;) Maybe Piers will take the lad under his wings.

I could see that in the future. I really do not have a lot to say about this book cos I was amused all the way through. Def read it, listen to it, and do not give one thought which order it is in.

I’m sure the audio is a lot of fun. I did the ebook and I enjoyed it immensely!! I bet the audio is fun ;) But yes, this was a gem. It was funny, had heart, and a great cast of characters. 

Awesome narration. Nothing to complain about there

Love that! Maybe I’ll try and see if my library has the audio for one of the others of the series. I do plan on reading the others. Maybe, like you said, this might end up being the month of Dare. Darempter. Hehe

I have a mix of things coming up, spindle cover and castle ever after. Good times ;D Oh and one from a series that I loved, but I never read one of the books. Gotta catch them all

Hahahahaha I choose you Dare!

I dare you to Dare

Yessss!!!!! The end?

The end

About the Authors

Carole and Blodeuedd have been blogging for a long while now. For the last few years the epic duo has been discussing books, watching movies, and even wetting the pen and sharing their stories with the worldwide web. They both love cats, chocolate, and a good story.

Audiobook Review: Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews

Author: Ilona Andrews

Narrator: Renée Raudman
Title: Magic Breaks

Series: Kate Daniels #7

Genre: UF, Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Published: July 29, 2014

Where I Got It: Library

Summary: 

No matter how much the paranormal politics of Atlanta change, one thing always remains the same: if there’s trouble, Kate Daniels will be in the middle of it…

As the mate of the Beast Lord, Curran, former mercenary Kate Daniels has more responsibilities than it seems possible to juggle. Not only is she still struggling to keep her investigative business afloat, she must now deal with the affairs of the pack, including preparing her people for attack from Roland, a cruel ancient being with god-like powers. Since Kate’s connection to Roland has come out into the open, no one is safe—especially those closest to Kate.

As Roland’s long shadow looms ever nearer, Kate is called to attend the Conclave, a gathering of the leaders from the various supernatural factions in Atlanta. When one of the Masters of the Dead is found murdered there, apparently at the hands of a shapeshifter, Kate is given only twenty-four hours to hunt down the killer. And this time, if she fails, she’ll find herself embroiled in a war which could destroy everything she holds dear…

Review:

Kate!! Curran!

Things are coming to a head. Roland's long shadow is looming over everything Kate loves. The pack, Curran, her friends, her adopted kid, her business, her city, and her life. While Curran is out dealing with an issue, Kate is called to attend the Conclave, a gathering of leaders from various supernatural factions, and things are not what they seem. When one of the Masters of the Dead is found murdered, Kate is given 24 hours to hunt down the killer. She'll find herself in dead water of war. 

This was intense from page 1. Things are dark. Things are scary. Who will survive? Between finding the killer and now Roland knowing she exists. Things are not looking great for Kate and her people. 

TBH I had to take a day break after a certain scene. It made me so sad. But I plugged on. 

The ending gives us hope but things are not settled....not by a long shot. I can't wait to get my hands on the next one of the series. Roland is a slippery bastard. 

The narrator is fantastic as per normal. She knows how to make scenes extra amazing. 

In the end, this is getting a 5. SO good. 

  

Challenge(s):

- #35 for Audiobook challenge