Review: The Wolf is Mine

The Wolf is Mine by Paige Tyler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

2.5 stars 

I received this book for free, this does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. 

There was no way out. They were trapped. 

A paranormal series about werewolves that work for the Houston SWAT team, The Wolf is Mine gives us Officer Connor Malone and Kat Davenport's romance. I'm new to the series and while I was surprised at how easy it was to pick up here, I think I did miss some world-building regarding the supernatural aspects of being a werewolf. There's obviously a wide cast of characters, this is book thirteen in the series, but I never felt overwhelmed with some issues and moments looking at past couples. This starts off, I imagine, right where the last book ended, with a couple from the pack missing and Connor and a few other pack members going to look for them. Paranormal can be fun with it's wild aspects and we definitely get that here with Kat, literally, having been a cat adopted by Connor and the pack after coming up to them at a scene they were working nine months ago. Kat is a witch who has been binded as a familiar by a power hungry warlock, Marko, after he killed her whole coven and only changes back to a human for fourteen days out of the year. When her change is coming up, she doesn't want Connor to see and leaves for three days. 

Magic simply existed. It wasn’t good or evil. But the people who used magic could sure as hell be good or evil. 

Kat's story gets intertwined with Connor and the pack's as Marko is responsible for the missing pack couple and a string of teenager kidnappings they have also been working. When Kat turns back into a human, she decides it's time to tell Connor the truth and suddenly she's saving him and other pack members with magic, revealing that she was the cat all along and a witch. The falling in love here was very rushed, it could make sense from Kat's point-of-view, she had her human mind in her cat body, so every time Connor was sweet to her and her falling asleep on his chest every night, gave her time and substance to fall in love with him, I found the speed of Connor falling in love with her less so. For the nine months, Connor has only saw her as a cat (I tried not to keep thinking about him cleaning her litter box, lol), so in a few days, this story takes place over fourteen days, when he's claiming she's his soulmate, I can't say I felt it. There was talk of The One for werewolves, so maybe I'm missing some previous paranormal world-building here but just using The One felt like a cop-out for putting in the work to give us the emotional building blocks to their romance. 

Taking a few careful steps forward, Kat threw herself into his arms, dragged his head down, and captured his lips with hers. 

The battling between the werewolves and witches and warlocks filled this with a good amount of action scenes. The scenes at times had cool descriptions, werewolves claws coming out, the magic creating sims monsters (magical stones in the middle of debris built up monsters) that provided some details that created visually dazzling scenes in my mind. There was also a lot of, what I call, tv show Supernatural-ish scenes of Connor and the others just being hit in the chest with magical blows that sent them flying off their feet over and over again, making you wonder if Marko and his coven are so powerful, why don't they do more than just throw them around? 

She refused to let the man she loved get hurt. 

By half-way through, Kat and Connor both consider each other soulmates and it's really just about the skirmishes they have with Marko and his witches and warlocks working for him as they kidnap kids and putting together Marko's final plan. Connor's sister Jenna shows up and we get some backstory about how when he was younger his sisters went missing for a time and only Jenna was found, she couldn't remember what happened to her older sister Hannah but talked about monsters, causing no one to believer her and call her crazy. It's a storyline that I thought might be incorporated with Marko but it looks like it was all set-up to bring Jenna and, who I'm pretty sure is going to be her love interest, Connor's packmate Trevor together. The ending gives us a final action scene and then a wrap-up with more than one happily after. 

I missed some supernatural world-building, both of the werewolves and witches, it seemed like witches and magic were new to the werewolves by how they reacted when Kat revealed herself and when she used her magic but then later in the story a character called Davina who was a witch who worked with the SWAT team occasionally gets called in to help them, so they knew about witches already, I'm not sure that all made sense to me. I enjoyed the action scenes but there wasn't enough to the falling in love for me. Even though I was new to the world, I had fun jumping in here and I'm sure readers of the series will enjoy the reveal of the SWAT team's cat being a human Kat.

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Reading Update: Page 1

 

Getting in an early lunch and some reading before the NFL games today! 

This is 13th in the Special Wolf Alpha Team series. Have I read book 12? No. Have I read ANY book in the series? No. Is this wild and crazy of me to start here? YES! 😂 

I've been diving into fantasy and paranormal more lately so when a story about a werewolf and his cat that goes missing, and the cat turns out to be a powerful witch, I had to pick it up. 

Readers of the series, anything I should know as I dive in? 

The Wolf is Mine by Paige Tyler purchase link

One Pot Coconut Thai Inspired Curry recipe

Review: Starting Over on Sunshine Corner

Starting Over on Sunshine Corner by Phoebe Mills
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I received this book for free, this does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. 

But Becca Hayes had never given him one single inkling that she thought of him as anything other than a pal. 

Third in the Sunshine Corner series, Starting Over on Sunshine Corner, has Becca and Jackson finally acting on their mutual liking. Both a sister and brother to past leads in the series, you could start here first as you'd mostly miss out on how other couples that make appearances got together, the relationships and friendships are explained well enough here. This series is a small-town romance and one character, humorously and poking a little fun, admits it's starting to feel incestuous with all the siblings of other siblings hooking up. If you enjoy that cozy atmosphere though, looking for more of a tone of this: The idea that their baby grew inside her didn't give him a hard-on; it gave him a heart-on., and enjoy mommy and baby talk, this surrounds you in that atmosphere. 

“Don't forget, I know every single thing about you, Jackson Lowe.” 

But here's the thing. She didn't. 

For example, as smart as she was, she had never ever gotten a clue that he'd harbored a secret crush on her in high school. 

This started off with the reader knowing that both Jackson and Becca have had a crush on each other since highschool. They've just remained friends because, as the younger son in his family and a little bit of a black sheep because of his take life as it comes, fun loving attitude, he struggles with not feeling good enough and Becca is a single mom who doesn't think Jackson sees her that way. When Jackson goes with Becca to a wedding as her platonic date, Becca's in the mind to put herself out there again with dating and after a fun night together, they end up sleeping together. They both agree that it was a one-night thing but when Becca ends up pregnant, they used a condom but we all know condoms and their effectiveness in romance, things obviously shift (there was not even a fleeting thought of abortion). This was a completely shut door romance. I'll admit I was a little disappointed that the chapter ended with them kissing and heading up to Jackson's hotel room only to have the next chapter immediately weeks later with Becca feeling queasy. 

It was a horrible idea to risk screwing up their friendship for a fling. 

The whole plot of the story was Jackson's dad trying to push him to be more responsible in the way he understood being a good provider to be and Jackson wanting to push back and retain some joy in living his life the way he wanted while Becca also had to learn to trust Jackson's ability to step-up and be a good dad. Becca grew-up with an alcoholic father and her first baby daddy lives in England and only sees their four year old daughter once a year, so the bulk of responsibility has always been on her. It got a little slow for me in the middle as the constant questioning if Jackson could be responsible was hashed and rehashed over and over. Mommy and baby talk fill in a good chunk of story, too. I'm the one at the office who always says they just got over a cold to avoid having to hold the baby, so more baby loving people would definitely like this more than I. Past heroines are either pregnant or dealing with newborns and all the issues with that were discussed. 

The thought both thrilled and terrified him. What if he wasn't enough for her? What if he couldn't be the man she deserved? 

But what if he could? 

The early second half had Becca and Jackson admitting their crushes and tentatively giving their relationship a go. Becca's worries about Jackson being responsible enough come to ahead late (94%) to give us that third act breakup but, obviously, with how much is left, they get resolved quickly. This had realizing that not everyone has to live their life the same way, oodles of mommy/baby talk, friends-to-lovers, and learning to trust.

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2022 Roms Wrap-up

 *Clicking on book cover brings you to the post with all the nominees

Favorite Cover                         Favorite Secondary Character

                    

Favorite Scene                                       Favorite Quote

                         

Favorite Leads

 

Favorite Couple

Favorite Contemporary                         Favorite Historical

                           

Favorite Book of 2022

2021 Wrap-up

2020 Wrap-up

2019 Top Ten

2018 Wrap-up

2017 Wrap-up

2016 Wrap-up

2015 Wrap-up

Happy Reading in 2023, friends!

The Roms: Part 7 - Fav Contemp, Hist, and Book of 2022

I had a lot of fun reminiscing about my 2022 reading year and hope me shouting out these 52 books out of the 127 I read leads you all to a favorite, too. 

Here's to 2023 reading!

The following are my top 12 contemporary and historical (did I cheat putting Ruthless in historical? maybe, but I like evenness) books I had the privilege of reading this year. 

(In no particular order) 

*The books eligible could be published in any year, they simply had to be read by me in 2022. 

Clicking on book cover brings you to my review if I wrote one or Goodreads page if I didn't.

Nominees:

  

  

  

  

Winner:

I had so many books vying for this contemp award this year, but I kept getting pulled back to this one. I think for how it took me off guard with how good the emotional pulls were in it, how it weaved in light and angst, how layered the characters were, and how I ached for the leads to get together, I had to give it the nod. I have the first in the series and the third comes out in March, I'm going to need it.

2021 Winner

Nominees:

  

  

  

  

Winner:

A few other historicals tried to have some say in this but, well, you all know if you've been following along on my awards month. The setting, the characters, The Emotion. I was a wreck reading this and it renewed my love of historical romance. Using the rich time period, the love fought for between Yue-ying and Huang, and introducing me to Mingyu, this book is a must read (then come talk to me about it because I'll never tire of it). 

2021 Winner

2020 Winners

2018 Winners

2017 Winners

2016 Winners

2015 Winners

2014 Winners

What were your favorite books you read in 2022?

20%

 

He gripped the railing on either side of her, his chest against her back. As he leaned in she could feel the thud of his heartbeat against her spine. Before she could react, his lips were against her ear. 

"You're my best friend, but if you think I have never noticed you are a woman, then you haven't been paying attention."

Reading Update: Page 1

 

A below zero day calls for some vegan chili and contemporary romance. 

A single mom who's one night with her sexy friend is about to change their lives. Sexy friend may have been harboring a secret crush though, and is now ready to prove that he's the man for her. 

A sexy man working to prove he's worthy of you, sign me up! 

Starting Over on Sunshine Corner by Phoebe Mills preorder (February 7th) link

Sweet Potato & Quinoa Chili recipe

The Roms: Part 6 - Favorite Couple

 

*The books eligible could be published in any year, they simply had to be read by me in 2022. 

Clicking on book cover brings you to my review

Nominees:

  

  

  

 

1.  Savannah and Noah - A Wedding on Sunshine Corner by Phoebe Mills

So she matched his stance and raised an eyebrow in defiance, ignoring the flip of her stomach when those whiskey-colored eyes bored into hers, the intensity enough to make her toes curl.

Brother's bestfriend, oil and water couple, is it any wonder they made the list? She's more dreamy and he's more practical but their chemistry had them pushing through preconceived notions. 

2.  Yue-ying and Lord Bai Huang - The Lotus Palace by Jeannie Lin

“Why—?” She paused to swallow. “Why did you offer to redeem me?” 

He approached her, watching every emotion that flickered over her face. Color rose to her cheeks as he neared. “Why can’t you be my concubine?” 

She gave a sharp laugh. “Isn’t it obvious? Look at you and look at me.” 

He caught her gaze and held it. “I’m looking.” 

Yue-ying tilted her chin upward in challenge. Not only to him, but to everyone who had ever stared at her. “Why would anyone pay for a concubine whose face was ruined like this?” 

“This face isn’t ruined.” He cupped her face in his hands and she flinched. He could see the tremor in her lower lip and how hard she fought to maintain her composure. She wanted to look away and hide herself, but she didn’t. And he fell a little bit more for her because of it.

Class differences, hiding of true selves that leads to only showing themselves to the other, just, EMOTIONAL. Huang had to grow and learn how to love Yue-ying the way she needed and Yue-ying had to learn to trust, a romance genre gold star couple.

3.  Lady Rosalind Kinwood and Ned Wentworth - Never a Duke by Grace Burrowes

“[...] Is that why you kissed me, because I exchanged some small talk with her and his loathsome lordship?” 

“Because you put her in her place,” Rosalind said, “because you got even with Lindy for me, because I can ask you to escort me, and because you read stories to little girls and pine over their lost affections, and because...” Rosalind fell silent, appalled that tears were threatening.

Right away, from their first meeting, Rosalind and Ned had that delicate reach and retreat, spark, and yearning for what's behind that glimpse of something more relationship. This couple was never loud but had that quiet, underneath those words, emotions are burning quality that make them a subtle treat to read.

4.  Mingyu and Constable Wu Kaifeng - The Jade Temptress by Jeannie Lin

His features were harsh with little to smooth out the rough edges, the hard cut of his chin, the unforgiving shape of his mouth that seemed forever locked in a grim line. Yet something about him compelled her. Whenever he was near, it was impossible for her to look away. There was so much more to him than what could be seen on the surface. Wu’s tone was gentle and his eyes, though not kind, were far from cold.

I've quoted this couple so much already, I had to search for a new one but I love this because it's more of that seeing under the surface that I love so much from couples. These two, my god fought for each other and I was swept up in it all.

5.  Velvet and Jaye - The House on Blueberry Lane by Brenda Jackson

Drawing in a deep breath, he just stared at her, willing her to read in his gaze what she would not accept in his words.

Jaye was a man fighting for a second chance, he realizes what he let get away. They had that spark that feels ready to ignite because of the anger and love mixed in it and gave me a couple that was sexy and sweet.

6.  Raven Moreau and Braxton Steele - To Catch a Raven by Beverly Jenkins

"The women back home rarely speak so boldly." 

"That's unfortunate. Their mothers should raise them better. Bland food. Meek women. Sounds fairly boring where you're from, Steele. Hopefully, the men are good in bed, at least." 

"Find us a bed and I'll give you dessert." Her heart stopped. 

Eyes blazing intensely, he added, "I can't speak for other men, but you'll remember my pleasuring you for the rest of your life."

Hellooooooooooooo!! In a year where I felt I just happen to pick books where the passion between leads was toned down, Raven and Braxton were a very welcome hit. They had that delicious sizzle of attraction and some of that pride warring with prejudice heat. They had emotional and physical intimacy and I was HERE for it.

7.  May Wu and Han Leung - Return to Cherry Blossom Way by Jeannie Chin

The only answer left was that he had to put his heart---and maybe his entire conception of his life---on the line. If he wanted to be with May, he had to make the decision and commit. 

Quite simply, he had to fight.

A second chance romance couple that have some hurt from choices they had to make when they were younger. This had some open door heat and I loved it because this couple had that hurt and tension that you just want to see explode on page in that way. A little bit of teeth gritting emotion couple.

8.  Theodora Ettings (Dora) and Lord Sorcier Elisa Wilder - Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater

Elias blinked at her. “I will admit,” he said, “you are proving to be far more interesting than I first assumed, Miss Ettings.”

A very sweet couple and, as everyone knows by now, my favorite seeing under the mask of the other person. They had that instant spark of attraction when they meet that had me giddy to see where it was all going to go. When Elias tells Dora he loves her exactly the way she is, readers will get a watery eyes.

9.  Sarah and Luke - The Rainbow Season by Lisa Gregory

The dangerous Luke Turner, indeed— blushing and scrabbling for his shirt because a lady had seen him barechested.

A man out of jail after serving time for raping a woman (spoiler - he didn't do it) and a sheltered woman who has the hots for her brother-in-law, all in an old school romance setting. Yeah, things could have really went off the rails here but instead we get the author doing something really great with the dynamics, having Sarah being the one in control and Luke almost afraid of her because of how much he respects her and doesn't want to lose her friendship. This was a very good story about impetuous young love, the newness of certain feelings having to be worked through because of immaturity and Luke not having a foundation and experience of love. What stuck out the most to me was how sweet, earnest, and gentle the tone of the story was, especially Luke's character. For me, a romance mostly shines by how much I believe in the leads' love, do they fit together, what draws and keeps them together, and their chemistry. Sarah and Luke had me tearing up and smiling, I felt and believed in their emotions.

10.  Olivia and Bennett - Lunar Love by Lauren Kung Jessen

I grip his hand tighter and pull him closer. Our cheeks graze as I bring my lips up against his ear. “I hope you’re ready to fall in love.”

Rivals-to-lovers that sparked from the get go, you'll remember their meet-cute was a nominee for Favorite Scene. They had fun, cute, and some sparking chemistry through their by-play and I was charmed by them.

11.  Harriet and Morgan - A Wicked Game by Kate Bateman

He slid his fingers down her arm and caught her hand, then gently turned her so her back was to him. His soft exhale lifted the hairs on her exposed nape and she could feel the heat of his body all along her back, even though they weren’t touching. And then his lips pressed her shoulder and his arms slid around her waist, his fingers spreading across her stomach, and even through the fabric of her stays and chemise, it burned. A heavy pounding started in her blood.

Another Raven and Braxton couple that stood out because of how satisfyingly steamy their chemistry was. Plot? WHO CARES! When you have spark and spine tingling attraction between leads like this and actually let them play it out, chef's kiss! Hot building tension and crackling chemistry.

Winner:

Yue-ying and Lord Bai Huang 

The sounds on the other side of the wall had quieted. In the darkness, he touched a hand against the wood, pressing lightly as if he could reach through to the other side. To Yue-ying.

This couple, just, inject it into my romance masochist veins. The trust that had to be built between them, the gentle probing, the reaching out, not giving up, fighting, and opening up. I loved Harriet and Morgan because of their more fun steamy chemistry but Yue-ying and Huang were that deep hurts so good couple that I become a mess over. 

2021 Winner

2020 Winner

2018 Winner

2017 Winner

2016 Winner

2015 Winner

2014 Winner

What couple can't you stop thinking about from 2022?

And finally, next time, Fav Contemp, Hist, and Book of 2022...