The Elder Races Book 9.9: The Unseen by Thea Harrison

The Elder Races Book 9.9

Saying goodbye to their old life in the Wyr demesne in New York may be hard, but Dragos and Pia are determined to create a new life in the Other land of Rhyacia.

At first, everything seems idyllic. Rhyacia is paradisiacal. Accompanied by old friends and new allies, the future looks safe and bright for Dragos, Pia, and baby Niall.

But strange things are happening beneath the picturesque façade. Items move unaccompanied, buildings collapse without justifiable cause, and even the most Powerful residents of Rhyacia can provide no logical explanation for the events transpiring. Whispered rumors point to something called the unseen.

As Dragos and Pia investigate, they uncover a greater mystery than they could have imagined, and they realize the startling truth…

They’re not alone in Rhyacia. The land Dragos had thought was uninhabited hides many secrets, a shocking history that’s not quite ready to be buried, and something more.

Something ancient, evil, and hungry. Something that wants to consume Dragos and take everything he holds dear.

Something that just may be powerful enough to overcome the dragon…

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54281116-the-unseen

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

So a warning for those who do not know. This is part 1 of what is going to be a 4 novella set. That's important because there is a cliffhanger at the end of this one. And I have to say the cliffhanger could have been A LOT worse than it was. It was acceptable one if such things exist. :) With that said, this book was a great addition to this series. I have always loved this series and getting to dive back into this world again is always a blast. Especially when we follow Pia and Dragos. This book is about the two of them making their move to Rhyacia. And there are a ton of fun surprises and appearances by beloved characters as they make this change. I loved seeing so many of the characters from the series pop up. Always the best part to me when everyone is all together. And like I said, there are a ton of surprises! So the main point of this book is their move. They are about to leave and cue some unexpected revelations, but then they actually make it to Rhyacia. Just in time to run in to some trouble. It looks like the land wasn't empty like they originally thought. When things are being moved without anyone seeing who is doing it, these unknown creatures are dubbed the unseen. And it looks like Pia can sense them. With the urge to protect her baby at all costs, Dragos and Pia investigate. But things take a sour turn and a big plot twist comes at the end of the story that changes everything. And of course no spoilers here, so i can't say much. But let's just say things just got a lot more complicated. Great, great start to this 4 book set and I cannot wait for the next part! 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 

Tahoe Dragon Mates Book 3: The Dragon's Bidder by Jessie Donovan

Tahoe Dragon Mates Book 3

In exchange for favors to help his clan, PineRock’s dragon leader Wes Dalton agrees to participate in a charity auction. After all, one evening dining or dancing with one lucky bidder shouldn’t be too hard to endure. Then he notices the true mate he can never have in the audience—Ashley Swift. When she wins him for the night, the battle begins between what his dragon half wants and what his human half tries to deny.

Ashley Swift worked her way up the ranks of the American Department of Dragon Affairs and knows the ins and outs of dragon-shifters in her area. And while it’s against the rules and she knows it, Ashley is drawn to PineRock’s clan leader. They’ve danced around each other for years, but Ashley finally found a way to spend an evening with Wes—a charity auction. Nothing in the rules prevents her from bidding, and she wins. One night is all she needs to get him out of her system, or so she tries to tell herself.

As the pair dance around their undeniable attraction to one another, more than Ashley’s job or Wes’s position is at stake. They stumble upon something brewing in Reno and it’s up to them to stop it. Only then can they think of a way to skirt the rules and be together.

NOTE: This is a quick, steamy standalone story about fated mates and sexy dragon-shifters near Lake Tahoe in the USA. You don't have to read all my other dragons books to enjoy this one!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52295099-the-dragon-s-bidder

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Been waiting for Wes and Ashley's book since we met them in book one of the Tahoe Dragon Mates series and now we finally have it! In the previous book, Wes makes a deal with Ashley that he will attend a charity auction after Ashley helped Wes and PineRock out of a tough situation. Over the years Wes has known Ashley, he knew that she was his true mate. But with the complications of him being a clan leader and her working for the ADDA, the chances of them having a future was slim and even maybe impossible. So for years, he shut down the urge to claim her as his mate. Until now. Ashley has always had feelings for Wes and even months earlier realizes she had to break up her engagement because of those feelings. With Wes agreeing to be in the charity auction, she decides this is her one chance to have a night with him to herself. Where neither of them are working and they can just be themselves. The night proves to show more than either had ever hoped for. With feelings out in the open, things get more complicated when a human dragon hate group finds them on their night out. Together, they have to juggle this new threat and find a way to be together. Loved their story! Especially that I have loved their characters since book one. So it was nice to see how they get their happily ever after. Can't wait for the next one!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Ivy Years Book 2.5: Blonde Date by Sarina Bowen

The Ivy Years Book 2.5

A blind date. A nervous sorority girl. A mean-spirited fraternity prank. What could possibly go wrong?

As a sorority pledge, there are commandments that Katie Vickery must live by. One: thou shalt not show up for the party without a date. Two: the guy shall be an athlete, preferably an upperclassman.

Unfortunately, Katie just broke up with her jerkface football player boyfriend. Even worse, her last encounter with him resulted in utter humiliation. She’d rather hide under the bed than attend a party where he'll be.

Yet staying home would mean letting him win.

Enjoying herself tonight was out of the question. She could only hope to get through the evening without her blind date noticing that he was spending the evening with a crazy person.

Andrew Baschnagel is living proof that nice guys don’t finish first. He’s had his eye on Katie since the moment her long legs waltzed into his art history class. So when her roommate sets Andy up to be Katie’s date, he’d be crazy to say no. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have a lot of practice with either girls or parties. Yet.

BLONDE DATE is a 23,000 word novella covering a four hour span of Katie & Andy's night. ALSO INCLUDED: a sneak preview of the third novel in the Ivy Years series, THE UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE YEAR.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22444651-blonde-date

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

I loved this novella! It was such a cute and fun story about Katie and Andrew. Both of whom you meet in The Year We Hid Away. Now we get a story with their point of view and their story. And both of them are adorable. You learn about Katie asking Andrew to be her date in the previous book and now we get to see how it went. At first Katie is worried about running into her ex at the party, but after confessing an embarrassing secret with Andrew, he surprises her and turns the night into a fun one. As they get to know one another and enjoy their date, they realize that something is definitely sparking between the two of them. A really cute story about two characters that I definitely wanted to learn more about after meeting them. If you liked the books so far in the series, make sure you don't skip this one! 

The Ivy Years Book 2: The Year We Hid Away by Sarina Bowen

The Ivy Years Book 2

She’s hiding something big. He’s hiding someone small.

Bridger Macaulley used to be a player both on and off the ice. But now, while his teammates chase the next hockey victory, Bridger worries that the dean will discover he’s housing his eight-year-old sister in his dorm room. Juggling a full course load and a big secret, it’s only a matter of time until the other skate drops.

Scarlet Crowley is the only freshman at Harkness College who had to sneak past TV news trucks parked on her front lawn just to leave town. Her name is as new as the shiny student ID it’s printed on. The only way to survive college will be to conceal her identity, even if it means lying to the green-eyed boy she's falling for.

Bridger and Scarlet form a tentative relationship based on the understanding that some things must always be held back. But when grim developments threaten them both, going it alone just won't work anymore. And if they can't learn to trust one another now, the families who let them down will take everything they've struggled to keep

goodreads.com/book/show/46019051-the-year-we-hid-away

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Another great book in this series! You meet Bridger in the first book, now it's his turn for his own story. Bridger has had it rough. His father is dead and his mom is a drug addict that has brought herself down a path where Bridger is left with no choice but to get his little sister, Lucy, out of their home. He hides Lucy in his dorm as he struggles college, jobs, and full time parenting to an eight-year old. Any semblance of a life is gone this year but as long as he can protect Lucy he'll deal. What he doesn't expect is fall head over heels for Scarlet. Despite the chaos in his life, when he is with her, those moments are all wants. The downside is juggling everything and keeping it all a secret. He doesn't want to ask for help because he knows his friends will drop everything for him and it is too much for him to ask. Meanwhile, Scarlet has her own secrets. She runs hard and past to college to escape her toxic home where her father is accused of horrible things. She gets to Harkness with a new name and a plan to keep her head down and hope no one will ever recognize her. Too bad she can't keep her eyes off Bridger. 

The two of them fall into a friendship that leads to more but it is only a matter of time when secrets come out. This story was really great for so many reasons. Their romance was sweet and their relationship was built off a friendship that turned to more as they slowly confided in one another. The pacing was really great and not rushed. There wasn't a big reveal and then things blow up and a rush ending and happily ever after. I liked that we saw things come to light and how they actually had to work through ALL the problems. It was more real and it hooked me in to see how they would get past all the hard things and find a solution that would leave everyone happy and in one piece. There was drama and romance and even some suspense. And like i said, i was hooked. I read it fairly quickly. Just a great story! 

The Ivy Years Book 1: The Year We Fell Down by Sarina Bowen

The Ivy Years Book 1

The sport she loves is out of reach. The boy she loves has someone else. What now?

She expected to start Harkness College as a varsity ice hockey player. But a serious accident means that Corey Callahan will start school in a wheelchair instead.

Across the hall, in the other handicapped-accessible dorm room, lives the too-delicious-to-be real Adam Hartley, another would-be hockey star with his leg broken in two places. He's way out of Corey's league.

Also, he's taken.

Nevertheless, an unlikely alliance blooms between Corey and Hartley in the "gimp ghetto" of McHerrin Hall. Over tequila, perilously balanced dining hall trays, and video games, the two cope with disappointments that nobody else understands.

They're just friends, of course, until one night when things fall apart. Or fall together. All Corey knows is that she's falling. Hard.

But will Hartley set aside his trophy girl to love someone as broken as Corey? If he won't, she will need to find the courage to make a life for herself at Harkness -- one which does not revolve around the sport she can no longer play, or the brown-eyed boy who's afraid to love her back. 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/46019039-the-year-we-fell-down

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

I really enjoyed this book! And I read it so quickly, I was so into it. Corey Callahan has just arrived at Harkness College to start her freshman year. What she never planned on doing was arriving in a wheelchair. After an accident earlier in the year, she lost the ability to walk on her own and had to give up her life as a hockey player. Determined to go to school and give her parents a break, she doesn't know what college will bring her. Though she doesn't mind her good looking across the hall neighbor, Adam Hartley. Hartley is a hockey player too, except he is missing the season after breaking his leg in two places. An unlikely alliance and friendship forms between them, and it isn't long that Corey realizes that she is falling for Hartley. Too bad, he has a girlfriend. Sort of. This story was really good! After everything Corey has been through she really pushes herself to be brave and find herself again. She has such a huge change in her life and it comes with a ton of challenges. But despite all that she reminds everyone she is not fragile and to stop treating her as such. She makes great friends like her roommate Dana. And being around Hartley who can understand what she is going through even if it is not the same is a big help. Their romance is sweet and slow. The chemistry between them sparkling despite her constant heartbreak that they probably can't be more than friends. But slowly things begin to change between the two of them and it's only a matter of time before Hartley opens his eyes and stops trying to be anything but himself.  

The Dare by Elle Kennedy EXCERPT!

Briar U Book 4

THE DARE

Get ready for another binge-worthy romance from New York Times bestselling author Elle Kennedy!

College was supposed to be my chance to get over my ugly-duckling complex and spread my wings. Instead, I wound up in a sorority full of mean girls. I already have a hard time fitting in, so when my Kappa Chi sisters issue the challenge, I can’t say no.

The dare: seduce the hottest new hockey player in the junior class.

Conor Edwards is a regular at Greek Row parties…and in Greek Row sorority beds. He’s the one you fall for before you learn that guys like him don’t give girls like me a second glance. Except Mr. Popular throws me for a loop—rather than laughing in my face, he does me a solid by letting me take him upstairs to pretend we’re getting busy. 

Even crazier, now he wants to keep pretending. Turns out Conor loves games, and he thinks it’s fun to pull the wool over my frenemies’ eyes. 

But resisting his easy charm and surfer-boy hotness is darn near impossible. Though I’m realizing there’s much more to Conor’s story than his fan club can see.

And the longer this silly ruse goes on, the greater the danger of it all blowing up in my face.

The Dare purchase links:

Amazon: https://geni.us/TDrAmz

Apple: https://geni.us/TDrAp

Kobo: https://geni.us/TDrKobo

Nook: https://geni.us/TDrNook

Other Links:

Briar U series: https://geni.us/BriarU

Elle’s Newsletter sign-up: http://geni.us/EKNL

Blogger Newsletter sign-up: http://geni.us/EKBlog

Here is a sneak peek of The Dare:

“Thank you,” she breathes the moment we’re alone.

“No problem. Mind if I make myself comfortable?”

“Um, yeah. I mean, no. I don’t mind. Sit if you want. Or—wow, okay, you’re lying down.”

I grin at her visible nervousness. It’s cute. While I stretch out my six-foot-two frame amid the stuffed animals and decorative pillows on the bed, she remains the startled rabbit plastered against the door and breathing heavily.

“Gotta be honest,” I tell her, entwining my hands behind my head, “I’ve never seen a girl so unhappy to be locked in a bedroom with me.”

This has the desired effect of loosening her shoulders and even eliciting a shy smile. “I have no doubt.”

“I’m Conor, by the way.”

She rolls her eyes. “Yeah, I know.”

“What’s the eyeroll for?” I ask, playing wounded.

“No, sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it. Just, I know who you are. You’re, like, campus famous.”

The more I watch her, hands braced at her sides against the door, one knee bent, dirty-blonde hair a little messy and draped over one shoulder, I can’t help picturing myself holding her arms above her head while I explore her body with my mouth. She’s got very kissable skin.

“Taylor Marsh,” she blurts out, and I realize I don’t know how long we were silent until then.

I scoot to the far side of the bed and put a pillow beside me as a divider. “Come on. If we’re going to be in here awhile, let’s at least make friends.”

Taylor laughs out a breath and with it she releases a bit more tension. She’s got a nice smile. Bright, warm. It takes a bit more coaxing, however, to get her on the bed.

“This isn’t like a move,” she tells me, lining up stuffed animal guards to patrol the pillow wall between us. “I’m not some sort of weirdo who tricks men into getting in bed with her and then mauls them.”

“Sure.” I nod with mock seriousness. “But a little mauling would be okay.”

The Harbinger Series Book 2: Rage and Ruin by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Harbinger Book 2

Dangerous secrets and forbidden desires lead to shocking consequences… Don’t miss book two of the fantastical Harbinger trilogy from #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout.

“Jennifer L. Armentrout’s intoxicating new fantasy is her best yet!” — New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter on Storm and Fury

A half human, half angel and her bonded gargoyle protector must work with demons to stop the apocalypse while avoiding falling in love. The Harbinger is coming…but who or what is it? All of humankind may fall if Trinity and Zayne can’t win the race against time as dark forces gather.

As tensions rise, they must stay close together and patrol the DC streets at night, seeking signs of the Harbinger, an entity that is killing Wardens and demons with no seeming rhyme or reason. Forbidden to be with each other, Zayne and Trinity fight their feelings and turn to unusual sources for help—the demon Roth and his cohorts. But as deaths pile up and they uncover a sinister plot involving the local high school and endangering someone dear to Zayne, Trin realizes she is being led…herded…played for some unknown end. As anger builds and feelings spiral out of control, it becomes clear that rage may be the ruin of them all.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52170922-rage-and-ruin

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

Holy llamas!!!!! This book was insane!!!! So many ups and downs. And plot twists. An emotional rollercoaster. And that cliffhanger ending!!!!!! I cannot believe how that book went down and I need book three right now please. (No surprise, JLA books always end with me demanding for the next or crying that the series is over. 

So Rage and Ruin picks up where Storm and Fury basically left off. Trinity is still hurt by Misha's betrayal and when Zayne is made her new Protector (as apparently it should always have been) she struggles with her feelings for him because Protectors and Trueborns cannot be together. As the two of them fight their very intense attraction, they are still searching for the Harbinger. Especially when Wardens are being killed. When it comes to the Harbinger issue, let me tell you, there are so many twists and turns there. And a whole lot of surprises. Luckily, for Trinity and Zayne, they aren't completely alone. Roth, Layla, and even Cayman are there to help. And a favorite we have been waiting for and let's just say she's quite familiar. (See what I did there? ;) ) 

When it comes to Trinity and Zayne, their connection is insane especially when you add the literal bond between them. The question Trinity faces is can they break the rules and be together or are there truly consequences to breaking that rule? I really loved the way their relationship developed in this story. It was raw and real and really had to build as the story went on. 

Now, the ending. And I promise no spoilers. It was the biggest surprise at all (bigger than even the revelation of the Harbinger). First it took me through an emotional rollercoaster, just to leave me with hope with a mixture of oh man what does this mean and what is going to happen now? No idea, but I seriously cannot wait. 

Overall, the book is excellent addition to this series. And has everything we JLA fans love. Adventure, awesome characters, kick ass heroines, and romance that makes us swoon! Definitely ranked as a favorite from JLA. And I cannot wait for book three!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Briar U Series Book 4: The Dare by Elle Kennedy

Briar U Book 4

College was supposed to be my chance to get over my ugly-duckling complex and spread my wings. Instead, I wound up in a sorority full of mean girls. I already have a hard time fitting in, so when my Kappa Chi sisters issue the challenge, I can’t say no.

The dare: seduce the hottest new hockey player in the junior class.

Conor Edwards is a regular at Greek Row parties…and in Greek Row sorority beds. He’s the one you fall for before you learn that guys like him don’t give girls like me a second glance. Except Mr. Popular throws me for a loop—rather than laughing in my face, he does me a solid by letting me take him upstairs to pretend we’re getting busy.

Even crazier, now he wants to keep pretending. Turns out Conor loves games, and he thinks it’s fun to pull the wool over my frenemies’ eyes.

But resisting his easy charm and surfer-boy hotness is darn near impossible. Though I’m realizing there’s much more to Conor’s story than his fan club can see.

And the longer this silly ruse goes on, the greater the danger of it all blowing up in my face.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52918684-the-dare

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My Review: 5/5 Stars

I'm not even surprised that I finished this book in a day. Like seriously, I could not put it down. I've been a fan of Briar U since the Off Campus series. We have arrived at the final book of the Briar U series and it did not disappoint. We've met Conor in previous Briar U books and I'm so glad he got his own book. Especially after the previous book The Play. There was something more to his story and I'm so glad we got to jump into his point of view and watch him meet his match. And that match is Taylor. They are ridiculously cute and just perfect together. The moment they meet, something sparks. When Taylor is dared to seduce Conor at a party, she surprises him by telling him that she doesn't want an actual hook-up but she would appreciate him playing along. Immediately intrigued, he does. Truly a gentleman and quite a sweetheart, he won't hesitate to help someone. Their fake hookup turns in to two people getting to know one another and having a real connection. Though Taylor at first doesn't believe that anything will come from it. But soon they find themselves drawn back together. And next thing they know, they are pretend dating to get Taylor's petty sorority sisters off her back and for Conor, he is genuinely curious to where this could go. But there is more to either of them. 

Taylor has always been self-conscious of her body. So she finds it hard to believe that Conor sees beautiful when he looks at her. Conor has put on many masks. He never felt like he was good enough. He grew up with nothing until his mom married this guy. He made mistakes as a teen and the guilt of some bad choices has weighed heavy on him through the years. But when Conor and Taylor are together, for the first time they both feel like they can just be themselves. As they find themselves slowly realizing that what they have is real, trouble finds them. Conor's past comes back to haunt him and Taylor finds her in a situation she never asked to be part of. Both will try and pull away, yet their connection is too strong to truly keep away from another. Instead they fight for one another. Their story was just really great. Romantic and real and I couldn't put it down. I laughed so hard at their banter and of course all the hockey boys and their craziness. I cheered for the Conor and Taylor slowly overcoming their deepest insecurities that are just so relatable. Great, great book. Never a disappointment with this series. And I'm so sad it's the last one! (Though I will always hope that changes.) 

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.