An Alisa Review: Soul Bonds (Common Powers 1) by Lynn Lorenz

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

It’s not how big the power, it’s how you use it.

Mitchell’s tired of one night stands and casual encounters.

Sammi is a runaway sex slave who’ll do anything to stay free.

When they meet in a bar, Mitchell can’t believe his luck. Sammi is sex on two legs and seems to know just what Mitchell wants from a lover. But Sammi’s owner Donovan isn’t going to let him go so easily. He’s prepared to destroy anyone who stands in his way to get back his prized slave.

Is the bond between Mitchell and Sammi strong enough to stand up against the damage Donovan inflicts on their lives, or will it shatter?

This was such a sweet story. Sammi and Mitchell’s connection is instant and it kind of scares Mitchell a bit but even with that he refuses to think of not having Sammi in his life. Sammi has been abused and used his whole life and can’t wait to live his life for himself but he has to face his past first.

I loved Mitchell’s determination to keep Sammi even when Donovan does his best to ruin his life. I loved the relationship he has with his best friend Brian and how he is fully supportive and willing to help both of them.

Even with the support of Brian and Mitchell it’s heartbreaking to see Sammi determine that he just needs to leave in order to keep Mitchell safe. I loved Sammi’s openness and how willing he is to put others first and help someone. I am looking forward to seeing Brian’s story in the next book.

The cover art by Posh Gosh is nice and give good visuals of the characters.

Sales Links: Pride Publishing | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 176 pages

Publication: 2nd edition, December 20, 2016 by Pride Publishing

ISBN: 978-1-78651-512-4

Edition Language: English

Series: Common Powers #1

An Alisa Review:Saved: An Omegaverse Story (Breaking Free #1) by A.M. Arthur

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

He didn’t want an alpha to save him, but fate had other ideas…

Braun Etting was raised to know his place as an omega by his alpha father’s cruel words and fast fists, and he expects nothing but violence from the alpha who may one day mate him. His older brother Kell mated a cruel alpha who abuses him daily, and Braun is terrified of that seemingly inevitable future. When Braun’s father dies in a car crash, leaving Braun an orphan, he’s sent to a halfway house for omegas. But on his fourth night there, he witnesses a horrifying crime that sends him fleeing to the streets alone—and edging into his first heat.

Tarek Bloom is settled in his workaholic, single lifestyle, even if it is somewhat embarrassing to be a twenty-eight year-old unmated alpha. He enjoys his job as a constable, helping people and solving problems, so he isn’t prepared for his life to flip upside-down when he walks into his beta friend Dex’s apartment to help with “a problem.”

The problem turns out to be an unmated, nearly in-heat omega orphan who Dex and his husband rescued off the street last night. The even bigger problem is that Tarek feels the mating bond for this terrified omega immediately—and he’s pretty sure the omega feels it, too. But Braun hates alphas as a general rule, and no way is he giving in to the bond. All mating leads to is violence and suffering, so no thank you. But Tarek’s gentle kindness slips under Braun’s emotional shields, and Braun begins to want. To dream. All Braun has ever known is violent alphas, but Tarek is determined to make Braun trust him—and to trust in the idea of their happily ever after.

NOTE: This is a non-shifter Omegaverse story with alpha/omega/beta dynamics, heats, knotting, and mpreg. In this world, omegas are second-class citizens with few civil rights and almost no protections under the law. Trigger warnings for physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. 67,000 words.

This was an emotional story. Braun has pretty much lived his life in fear of his first heat because that would mean he is then eligible for mating. His father’s death is a relief but then it send him into an even worse situation to contend with.

Braun is scared of his future when he is rescued by Dex and Serge but they promise to help him find a solution that doesn’t involve going back to the group home. He and Tarek both fight the mating bond initially but agree to take it slow and see if them having a relationship would be viable. Tarek isn’t like any alpha Braun has ever met but they will really have to pull together to help Braun’s brother, Kell.

I could feel Braun’s unhappiness with the world he live in; he is thought of and treated as a second class citizen by many. He wants to change things but doesn’t know how but get lucky with friends who will help him find some solutions. Tarek has never really wanted an omega until he meets the feisty Braun. It takes some trial and error but he soon learns the way to his omega’s heart, but his omega isn’t like most and throws a wrench into a lot of things. I continued to hurt for Braun and Kell as life just kept beating them down but when a lawyer comes to help Kell the future will hopefully start to look up. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series when it comes out and hope to see more of Braun and Tarek but I also want a happy ending for Kell.

The cover art by Sloan J Designs is very nice and eye catching.

Sales Link: Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 316 pages

Published: September 12, 2017 by Briggs-King Books

ISBN13: 9781999706722

Edition Language: English

Series: Breaking Free #1

An Alisa Release Day Review: Why I Love Bodyguards (Why I Love… #3) by T.A. Chase

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Hilton Burke might be one of the most powerful men in the world, but he can’t get what he wants the most. Every time he sees Cathal McKinley, his head of security, Hilton wishes they could be more than just employer and employee. In fact, he might be in love with Cathal, even though they’ve never slept together.

Cathal McKinley accepts how much he wants his boss, but he’s pretty sure Hilton will never date him. They come from two different worlds. Now that he has to return to Sunburst, Montana, to deal with family problems, Cathal knows there is no chance for them to get together.

Hilton and Cathal spent years dancing around each other, but when Cathal needs help the most, Hilton comes to Montana to support him. Soon they’re struggling with children and an old friend who won’t take no for an answer. Finally admitting their love out loud might be the least of their worries.

This was another sweet story. While this is in the series and we see Chuck and Herb again this book had a very different feel than the previous ones did. There weren’t really outside forces affecting them in the story most of it had to do with Hilton and Cathal finally admitting and acting on their feelings.

Cathal and Hilton have spent years working together without actually letting the other know how they feel, even though Herb often comments on their actions. Cathal has spent his whole adult life believing that his father has hated him and gets the surprise of a lifetime when he goes back to his hometown to take responsibility for this sister’s kids when his father gets very sick and passes away. Hilton quickly follows and becomes the perfect partner and support for Cathal, surprising those around him.

Cathal has been hurting silently though a friend from high school keeps him up to date on what is happening in his family. He already knows a bit about the kids from a distance but Cathal’s father has prepared them for Cathal coming to be with them, they have been cast aside by their mother and now they are losing their grandfather as well; you can’t help but hurt for them as they go through this. I loved seeing Hilton really being the down to earth guy that he doesn’t really show to others, but he’ll get right into the mess with everyone else. It was great to see Chuck and Herb again and how they all interact with each other and the kids.

Cover art by Anne Cain is nice and I like the visuals of the characters but it didn’t call to me like the others in the series.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 200 pages

Published: 2nd Edition, September 22, 2017 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN-13: 978-1-63533-579-8

Edition Language: English

Series: Why I Love…

An Alisa Release Day Review: Cataclysmic Shift (The Aloysius Tales #3) by Tara Lain

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Aloysius, the magical black cat and powerful witch’s familiar, isn’t afraid to go into battle to protect his master, but the outcome of the fight turns his feline world upside down. A direct hit of magic steals not only his memories and power, but even the body he’s lived in for several centuries. When he wakes up naked on the floor of a veterinarian’s office, it isn’t as the cat Aloysius, but as the sixteenth-century French gentleman Alain Bellarose. And when Alain sees sexy and enigmatic veterinarian Luke Elliott, he decides he’ll make the best of his time as a human.

Luke is a man with secrets who generally prefers the company of animals—though the flamboyant boy who washes his face with the side of his hand and tries to lick his own privates might prove an exception.

Meanwhile, Witch Master Killian Barth and his secret weapon, Sammy, struggle without Aloysius’s power to draw on. Two evil females are circling, and seeing the coven’s weakness, they’re about to move in for the kill. When Alain’s memories return, he’s faced with the ultimate dilemma: protect his community or stay with the man he loves.

I had no idea what to expect with this story in the series, I was even a bit wary for some reason, but I am so glad I was wrong and I really enjoyed this book. Luke has been hiding in plain sight for years not really letting anyone get close until the innocent and captivating Alain appears. Alain can’t remember anything other than his name but has a strong sense to protect Luke along with some of his friends but doesn’t understand it.

Killian looks out for Alain but continues to miss Aloysius and when they are attacked again needs his amped up powers. Alain is hit with magic again they all need to look at what is more important: power or love.

We see the story from both characters so it allows us to see their feelings and emotions better. Alain grows on Luke quickly even as he tries to tell himself it is all temporary. I connected with Luke a little better because I could feel his fear of having his past coming back to haunt him and his heart break when he thought he would lose Alain forever. I loved when Alain “accidentally” learned how to become Aloysius and he was able to keep his duty to his community and also build a life with Luke. This was a very nice way to wrap up this series.

Cover art by Reese Dante is beautiful and gives a great visual of Alain’s beauty.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 200 pages

Published: 2nd Edition, September 13, 2017 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN-13: 978-1-63533-543-9

Edition Language: English

Series: The Aloysius Tales #3

An Alisa Review: Talk Bunny To Me (Hoppity Shifter #2) by A.R. Barley

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

When werewolf hunter meets bunny shifter, romance is the last thing either one of them expects to find… but

Benjamin Holland is a werewolf hunter–and a pretty successful one. He’s hunting a rogue wolf in Minnesota when he trips over a bunny shifter and takes the twitchy nosed little dude back to Illinois. It’s strictly catch and release. He needs to get laid, but after getting his heart crushed by his best friend Peter he’s not looking for a forever mate.

Mating is the last thing on Justin’s mind. He’s just escaped an arranged marriage to his warren’s next Rex. He wants to make up for lost time and build a life for himself in Chicago, but the more time these two spend exploring the city together the better they get along. When Justin’s ex-fiance tracks him down to the city, they’re going to have to decide if forever might just start with one magical night.

This was a great follow up to Chasing His Cottontail. Benjamin has been dealing with the rejection of his best friend but can’t help but want to protect another bunny shifter when he rescues him. Justin is running away from the man he has been promised to and the violence he has been living in.

Justin will do anything he can to prove to Benjamin that he is a worthy mate while at the same time Benjamin loves to take care of Justin. I loved Benjamin realizing that is he had ended up with Peter it would not have been right so there was no reason for him to be upset. They definitely look forward to their future together and making a family. We get to see glimpses of Peter and Luke too which was nice. I couldn’t help but think that Justin would want to see his family but maybe after being promised to an abusive jerk he doesn’t feel the need.

The cover is wonderful and gives a great visual for Benjamin and Justin’s bunny.

Sales Links: MLR Press | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 100 pages

Published: July 13, 2017 by MLR Press

Edition Language: English

An Alisa Recent Release Review: Dude Mama by Michael P. Thomas

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

When button-down biracial lawmaker Cassidy Uematsu meets hardscrabble fry cook Buford “Jax” Jackson, it’s lust at first sight. They’re only too happy to jump into the sack, and when Jax loses his condom mid-getting-to-know-you, Cassidy urges him forward, damn the consequences. What’s the worst that can happen?

After a couple weeks of morning sickness and a few months gaining weight, Cassidy learns an unfathomable secret about the men in his family that he’s pretty sure he was happier not knowing. Jax is a fan of Cassidy’s rapidly rounding belly, and of the sexy “Dude Mama” roleplay it inspires.

But the night he feels a kick inside Cassidy’s growing belly, Jax hightails it, certain at least one of them has lost his damn mind. A pregnant dude? That’s impossible. As the ninth month since the condom mishap approaches, Cassidy sure hopes he’s right.

I enjoyed this story. Cassidy loves having Jax around and once he learns the truth about his heritage hopes that he will be able to have him stick around. Jax loves seeing his boyfriend grow and role playing but it’s just too much for him when he realizes it isn’t just role play.

Cassidy couldn’t explain how he was gaining weight and then having a voracious appetite but it helped to have his boyfriend around to cook whatever he wanted. I couldn’t understand how Cassidy’s family never told him about the possibility of him getting pregnant let alone that his brother was the one to give birth to his nephews not his wife; that just didn’t quite sit well with me. I loved when Jax comes back after having some time to accept the truth and how much he wanted to help Cassidy and be there for them.

The cover art by Written Ink Designs is a great picture of the characters together.

Sales Links: JMS Books | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 43 pages

Published: July 22, 2017 by JMS Books

ISBN: 9781634864114

Edition Language: English

An Alisa Review: Wrong Place, Right Time (Roguefalls #3) by April Kelley

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

He only knows one way of life, and that’s hand to mouth, but when a soldier offers him something better, it’s difficult to trust something so freely given.

Uri Etters is very good at getting himself into trouble. Good thing for him he knows how to handle most criminals. He finds himself in need of a rescue when some territorial crow shifters think he’s an enemy spy. Virion might have swooped in and saved the day, but it’s been Uri’s experience that nothing comes free, not even from a respected Rogue soldier. Uri discovers love comes easier than trust.

This was a nice continuation of this series. Uri and his brothers have been relying on themselves since their mother’s death living as singles. Virion wants to take him away from that and help his brothers at the same time.

We see both Uri and Virion work through their own emotions and learn how to navigate a relationship let alone a mating. They both need a little bit of sense knocked into them but what stubborn male doesn’t. I was a bit confused on the conflict Uri was found in because I could swear it was the same conflict as before Christian went after Ward but they are both there and together in this book unless it was a different one but it left me scratching my head. I look forward to seeing more of those in Roguefalls.

The cover art by Erin Dameron-Hill is great and follows the pattern for the series.

Sales Links: Extasy Books | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 86 pages

Published: July 14, 2017 by Extasy Books

ISBN: 978-1-4874-1394-1

Edition Language: English

Series: Roguefalls #3

An Alisa Release Day Review: Bone to Pick by TA Moore

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Cloister Witte is a man with a dark past and a cute dog. He’s happy to talk about the dog all day, but after growing up in the shadow of a missing brother, a deadbeat dad, and a criminal stepfather, he’d rather leave the past back in Montana. These days he’s a K-9 officer in the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and pays a tithe to his ghosts by doing what no one was able to do for his brother—find the missing and bring them home.

He’s good at solving difficult mysteries. The dog is even better.

This time the missing person is a ten-year-old boy who walked into the woods in the middle of the night and didn’t come back. With the antagonistic help of distractingly handsome FBI agent Javi Merlo, it quickly becomes clear that Drew Hartley didn’t run away. He was taken, and the evidence implies he’s not the kidnapper’s first victim. As the search intensifies, old grudges and tragedies are pulled into the light of day. But with each clue they uncover, it looks less and less likely that Drew will be found alive.

I really enjoyed the banter and chemistry between the two MCs. Cloister follows his gut and keeps his cards close to his chest throughout the whole book while Javi keeps everything to himself but seems more preoccupied with getting the job done.

Cloister didn’t have the best time growing up and makes a point of not letting anyone get to close to see him completely. But his past actually does a lot to help him succeed in his job and help find what is missing. Javi is so focused on moving up the ladder he doesn’t even want to consider a personal relationship let alone letting anyone close to him.

I was able to connect with Cloister right away, even if he didn’t let others know his thoughts and feeling we were definitely able to see them. As I learned more about him I felt more and more for what he has gone through. And while we saw the story through Javi’s eyes too I couldn’t quite connect with him; most of the time I just thought he was acting like a jerk. This story doesn’t really have a nice happy ending but it is left open ended and I would be interested to see more about these two in the future.

The cover art by Anne Cain is absolutely perfect.

Sales Links: Dreamspinner Press | Amazon | B&N

Book Details:

ebook, 240 pages

Published: August 14, 2017 by Dreamspinner Press

ISBN-13: 978-1-63533-839-3

Edition Language: English

An Alisa Review: Up In The Air: Johannesburg by George Loveland

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Looking for love is the last thing air steward, James Foster, is thinking about when he swaps flights to save his hung-over best friend’s job. He doesn’t know that fate has other ideas and he would fall for the tall, bearded passenger, Darren Busby, sat in 14D. Up in the air, James finds that the connection he has with Darren is too strong to ignore.

After missing the opportunity to ask for Darren’s number, James’ jaw hits the floor when Darren walks into the same hotel he is staying at. Butterflies and nerves take over, but soon give way to excitement as they get to know each other on the ground.

When James’ ex, Richard, shows up and begs for forgiveness, James has to decide if going back to the man who broke his heart would be worth it, or if he should finally move on and take a chance on Darren.

I really enjoyed this story. James has been pouting over his ex and the truth about their relationship for awhile. Meeting Darren gives him the opportunity to actually put Richard behind him and see how a real relationship could work.

I loved James and how much he just wanted to be in love and loved like most do. And boy does he luck out, Darren seems like the sweetest guy and more than willing to work out their scheduling issues they may have. It was easy to connect with these characters even with the story being told through James’s eyes because Darren was very open with how he felt. I look forward to reading about Max’s story and more about Darren and James.

The cover art by Ethereal Ealain is great and gives a nice visual of the characters.

Sales Link:Amazon US | Amazon UK

Book Details:

ebook, 77 pages

Published: July 17, 2017 by LoveBow Publishing

Edition Language: English

Series: Up in the Air #1

An Alisa Release Day Review: Smitty’s Sheriff (Hope #3) by Cardeno C.

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

Todd is too flakey. Richard is too stubborn. Together, they’re perfect. A May-December couple get a second chance at love.

Retired soldier Richard Davis wants a stable life in a quiet town with a forever man. Becoming the sheriff of Hope, Arizona, accomplishes two of his three goals, but instead of finding a serious partner, he falls for too-young-to-be-committed and too-flakey-to-be-serious Todd Smitty. Richard won’t find the right man if he’s obsessed with the wrong one, so he walks away from Todd.

It’s lust at first sight when Todd meets his sister’s army friend. He sets his sights on the worldly, strong, stable older man, and the more time he spends with Richard, the harder he falls. But after three years together, Richard cuts off all contact with no explanation.

When a mutual obligation requires Todd to move into Richard’s house, he’s thrilled at the opportunity to earn a second chance. Ignoring Todd from across town was hard enough. Can Richard resist temptation under his own roof?

This was a sweet story even if I was frustrated with some of the characters actions. Richard is so sure that Todd isn’t the right man for him and doesn’t want to hold him back so he breaks off their relationship. Todd has been so confused as to why Richard broke off their relationship that when they have to work together and watch Todd’s niece he is so scared of doing something wrong.

This story definitely had a d/s undertone to it, Todd is completely submissive to Richard’s dominate nature and that is where some of the problems lie with these characters. Todd loves to be taken care of which makes sense considering what we learn about him in this story while Richard is afraid that he is making too many decisions for Todd and it isn’t what Todd wants. However, I still can’t understand Todd’s thought process about having sex with other guys before that since Richard didn’t specifically say anything that he could sleep with whoever, that part just didn’t work for me.

This story is told from both characters’ points of view which gives a nice look into both of their thoughts. It takes some work on Todd’s part but he finally gets Richard to talk about why their relationship fell apart and they are able to clear the air with each other. Richard is breaking his own heart staying away from Todd while Todd can’t help but hope they will be able to work it all out.

Cover art is great and I love the sweet visual of these two characters together.

Sales Links: Amazon | PayHip

Book Details:

ebook, 33,297 words

Published: July 17, 2017
ISBN: 9781942184737

Edition Language: English

Series: A Hope Story

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