Under The Lights

Under the Lights by Rebecca Royce

12 Authors. 12 Zodiac Signs. 1 Explosive Series. 

What seductive, contemporary romance will you find today? 

VIRGO. 

If Virgo Teirney Mitchell could run her personal life as smoothly as she stage-managed the hit Broadway show Loopy, she’d be a happy woman. With her grandmother dying, she needs movie-star Ian MacKenzie to be on time for his performances and to stop turning her ordered work world into chaos every night. Movie star Ian Mackenzie has decided to make some changes in his life and the first one is to get Teirney to stop treating him like a pest and see him as the man she wants by her side. However dating someone in the spotlight isn’t for everyone—especially for one who has spend her life hiding behind the curtain. Despite the odds, their passion burns as the show must go on. Can these two see there is love to be had both under and away from the lights?

A quick read by yet another good author in this series. This time Rebecca Royce lends her skills to a busy stage manager who whilst juggling her sick mother's care, finds herself attracted to the lead actor in the play she is managing. A tender heartwarming tale that is complete with a happy ever after.

La Patron Series

The first three books in Sydney Addae's La Patron series were on special offer so I just could not resist grabbing them and reading.

Birthright

When you’re the top wolf on the continent with the backing of the Goddess, how does an enemy topple your kingdom? By challenging you to a fight?  No. By changing the rules.  After three hundred years of fighting and service to the Goddess, Silas Knight is the Patron, Alpha to the Alphas on the North American continent. As the top wolf, he fears little and has seen most things. But when he discovers someone or something has been quietly disturbing the natural order of things, he’s surprised. Certain human women have the ability to birth fully functioning wolves, and that’s a major problem.  Jasmine Bennett has no idea her deceased husband was a wolf shifter or that her twin sons are shifters. Her life changes when she rushes to her son’s bedside after he’s wounded in Afghanistan and returned stateside. Now her life’s in danger because of her ability to give birth to a breed of beings she never knew existed.

This was a brilliant start to a new series.  There were strong characters, and interesting plot with a novel twist on the Alpha and his abilities.  I loved the spunky heroine and disliked the hero’s attitude but it all added to the story.  With some of the characters being similarly named it was confusing identifying who was who at times but beyond that it was a well-written story. 

This had been the first time I had read anything by Sydney Addae and I really enjoyed my first visit to La Patron's world.

BirthControl

After sending out a mating call which Silas answered, Jasmine’s pregnant and depressed. Her life has spiraled out of control. Silas is angry that his first “litter of pups” are half breeds. A group of human breeders offer her a chance to leave Silas, offering a strange brand of protection. When a human breeder enters the compound using a weapon the wolves are helpess against, Silas and Jasmine understand the true meaning of Birth Control.

This, the second book in La Patron’s story and it is better than the first.  Whilst I disliked Silas’s attitude in the first novel, as he struggles to realise just what Jasmine means to him, we also come to realise his motives and drive and in doing so, come to like him.  The background plot continues to develop allowing some of the lesser characters to have greater depth and adding to the overall enjoyment of the story.

BirthMark

Silas and Jasmine learn they are being targeted for destruction. Their enemies are desperate to stop Silas before he finds them. With the backing of the Goddess, a nation of wolves, two bad ass step-sons, and a mate who has his back, Silas is fast on their trail. To slow him down, an onslaught of problems are unleashed, one right after the other barely giving him room to breathe before the next catastrophe hits. But as the Goddess’ top Wolf, Silas rises to the challenge in this fast paced tale, proving he is LaPatron, the Alpha’s Alpha.

As the dangers mount, Silas and Jasmine bond closer together to protect their family.  This continues to be a fast paced tale, with a well-written interesting plot.  You are dragged into La Patron’s world and want to know how they tackle their common enemy.



I now just have to read the last three books in the series which I have just purchased.  They are loaded on the reader ready to go.

Redemption

Redemption by Cara Carnes

Mira grew up in a savage tract of existence known as Hell’s Highway—a parcel of land for genetically impure humans (Impures) cast out during a savage battle between humanity’s government (the NAH) and the Paraspecies. When a cease fire was declared, the two opposing sides retreated and regrouped, but the fight for survival had just begun for Impures forced to exist within a kill or be prey existence.
As a runner for The Alliance, Mira ran messages and provisions back and forth between her camp and Redemption—a bartering outpost created by the Paraspecies to help Impures within Hell’s Highway. But for the past two years Mira has been a prisoner of war, detained and tortured in an unsanctioned NAH facility within the lawless lands of Hell’s Playground. Now free, she must risk her life to fulfill a promise made to a fellow prisoner—travel to Redemption and enlist the aid of the Paraspecies. Returning to the outpost, though, means reuniting with the Alpha wolf she’d once hoped to have a future with.
As Quadrant Alpha of the most dangerous section of Paraspecies land, the last thing Adrik needs is the Impure from his past suddenly returning. He ripped apart Hell’s Highway searching for her two years ago, and his pack reaped the consequences. Now, with a civil war threatening on his southern border, the constant battles with the succubae on his eastern border, and the latest political nightmare from Command Central he doesn’t have time to wander Hell’s Playground searching for a secret facility that doesn't exist.
But the opportunity to spend time with the Impure he’d once intended to mate proves too tempting. Together they must heal the wounds and find a way to survive the dangers awakened.

Redemption featured some complex world building and a multitude of characters.  I was glad of the glossary at the beginning that once bookmarked, I was able to refer back to. There was plenty of action, with lots happening and a good focus on the plot. Also the many differing paranormal species present in the story gives lots of scope for interesting future books.  This would be an excellent story for all those who like paranormal, not just of the shifter variety.

Shifting Ground

Shifting Ground by Tabitha Conall

A new BBW shifter romance in the White Fir Bend Cult series from New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Tabitha Conall...

Army Ranger and bear shifter Tiger Kane got kicked out of the cult he grew up in when he was fifteen. Now he's back to rescue his estranged mom from the clutches of the cult leader.

BBW Dr. Piper Holmes thought she was going to be studying dropping fertility rates in a rural shifter town. If she'd known she'd be trapped in a cult compound where grown men married twelve-year-olds and grown women wore bruises, she never would have agreed.

Thrown together, Kane and Piper work to help two women escape the cult. But other forces are at work, and Kane and Piper don't know who they can trust.

They're not even sure they can trust each other.

Book two in the series by Tabitha, gave an easy flowing story where the principle characters met trying to help different people. I liked it as there was not an immediate attraction unlike so many of the shifter tales where the pairing is instantaneous. The cult setting for the plot although a difficult topic, gave a different feel to the book though this may not appeal to some, I appreciated the different slant. Overall, an enjoyable story.

The Billionwere

The Billionwere by Elle Valentina

“The Billionaire has more then one secret.....” When Malinda Rose accepted a job as a live in nanny at a plush mansion in Manhattan it sounded easy. Room, board and a nice paycheck, however she had no idea what she was letting herself in for.. The owner of the mansion is reclusive billionaire Garrett Millieur. A man who surprises her with his youthful good looks and attractively authoritative nature. Amongst other things, he makes an odd request, that his son Brandon must NEVER leave the mansion. EVER. It is clear to Malinda that the stunning Garrett has many secrets and as she gets closer to him, it seems she is going to find out everything she ever wanted to know about his dark and furry side. And she might just like what she finds… 

This was a standalone story with great characterisation and depth to the tale, along with plenty of action and suspense.  I enjoyed this easy flowing shifter tale with a difference and should appeal to others who enjoy paranormal romance stories.

To Love a Mate

To Love A Mate by Krystal Shannan

Surviving charity functions by day and automatic weapons and death threats by night, Emma Carrington learned to be as hard as the men her daddy hired to protect her. Hell, she even carried a military grade stun gun in her Prada bag and could shoot just as well as any of her ex-military bodyguards if the need arose.
When a failed kidnapping attempt forces her to hide out in Somewhere, Texas, Emma finds herself stranded, floundering through cow patties, and desperate for a car. Who better to “borrow” from than the sexy naked man she sees turn into a wolf and leave his perfectly good pickup truck available for use. It’s not like he can drive it in his current condition, right?
College senior Noah VonBrandt knows the pack law better than anyone ---only a bonded mate can know his secret. He watched his brother find the mate of his dreams and he wants the same thing, but you can’t just make the “right” girl appear out of thin air. To his surprise, lightning does strike. When a beautiful blonde woman trespasses on the ranch and sees him transform, he knows he only has two choices ---claim her or let the pack erase her memories. But even as Noah fights to save her, Emma’s past is hot on her heels and out for more than memories.

This is the second book in the VonBrandt family saga and is full of action and thrills. It is a relatively quick read, finishing it in one afternoon but has sufficient development with characters you can love. It was an enjoyable read that comes complete with a HEA.

Love Beyond Expectations

Love Beyond Expectations

by Rebecca Royce

Christophe Roux has always known he was different. Born to a wealthy French family, he has never told anyone that he is frequently thrown through time and space to visit with ghosts and other terrifying creatures. But now he knows he is an Outsider and moreover that he has a soul mate somewhere out in the world waiting for him. When his brother is taken, he heads to Maine to search for help, never expecting that his love is the woman he has lusted after for years.

Ruby Brannon lived her childhood on the run and her adulthood trying to make sense of the strange things that happen to her. Now, she's with the Outsiders but she is still unsure if she'll be able to step up when it's her turn to fight the evil seeking to destroy them all.

Together, Ruby and Christophe will change the fates of the Outsiders. Or die trying.

Book 5 of the Outsiders series sees a corporeal Sebastian attacking the island directly whilst Christophe not only finally finds Leonardo but meets up with his solemate Ruby.  In this book several more of the Outsiders are also introduced and have started to be woven into the plot. With all the setbacks that are presented to the Outsiders, it is nuclear how they will overcome Sebastian in his corporeal form. Ms Royce continues to be able to write a romantic tale whilst managing to engrosse the reader with a beautifully crafted back story. Roll on Love Beyond Oceans.

Alpha's Truth

Alpha's Truth

by Rebecca Royce

Montana Alpha Beaux Nelson believes in living his life the way werewolves were meant to—as naturally and free as possible. He honors the moon with every hunt and breath in his body. When he discovers his true mate is the healer of another pack, he’s determined nothing will come between them—not even her kidnapping. Pursuing her across the continent, Beaux will take any risk to claim the woman meant for him…but surviving her rejection is another matter.

Lake Fennell has never thrived as a healer should, her gift acts out, she changes others without their permission and has failed to save those precious to her. When she discovers Beaux may very well be her true mate, she flees rather than face the possibility. In her haste, she falls into the arms of the True Believers. Months of torture later, she can barely believe it when she wakes to find herself with the one man she shouldn’t want and can never have. In order to save them both, she must leave her true mate, knowing she might not leave his heart in tact. But if she doesn’t do what she was born to do everything will be lost…including the world she’s fought the hardest for.

As with most of Rebecca's books there is a good back story and this is no exception.  The war with the True Believers has been escalating over the series and is coming to a head with Lake being found by Beaux.  Whilst there is obvious attraction between Beaux and Lake she refuses to allow Beaux to mate with her, which only adds to the complications and makes the story that bit more convoluted with the extra twists to the tale.
This was listed as the conclusion of the Fallen Alpha tales however I felt that there were still some unanswered questions and there was the potential for more to be written about the upcoming war especially with the split that may form between the differing packs.  There was also the suggestion of an insider… is there?
Yet again Rebecca has succeeded in capturing my interest in a paranormal community filled with interesting, strong well developed characters.  I hope at sometime there will be a revisit to these wolves and their mates as I feel they still have a story to tell.

Love Beyond Sight

Love Beyond Sight

by Rebecca Royce

When Eden Roan awoke in a mental hospital, she was nearly discovered by a demon, but a comforting voice in her mind offered safety. The voice told her she was his but that they could never, ever meet. Now, Eden is more and more convinced that the voice is just her imagination. It can't possibly be her destined soul mate. Or can it?

Samuel Quinn, damaged by the demon when he was child, doesn't want Eden to see the real him. Luckily, his powers allow him to hide using others' features as his own. But when Eden needs him, Samuel will have to step forward to save her even if it means showing the real him. Can there be love without sight? Or will the demon finally have them all just where he wants them?

What a wonderful continuation of the battle between the Outsiders and the evil Sebastian.  In this the fourth of the series, another two Outsiders find each other and form their soul mate bond.  Along with the action, there are twists and the evil Sebastian seems unstoppable.  Yet another fantastic read, Rebecca you continue to develop an unputdownable story.

Rebecca's books are available on Amazon, Google Play and ibooks

Love Beyond Loyalty by Rebecca Royce

The Outsiders: Book 3

Gabriel Ward has no problem with the fact that he's an Outsider. Hell, he's always known he was different. What he takes issue with is the idea that he has to follow any destiny at all. He's always taken care of himself, and there's no way he's going to start following rules now.

Loraine Peacock can speak to animals. Other than that, she thinks she's just a regular woman making her way in the world. She figures it's not that weird. Many people have unusual abilities.

But when Gabriel and Loraine are forced together by the very destiny he denies, they will both have to accept their legacy and join the Outsiders in their quest to defeat the ultimate evil. That is, if they can survive long enough to find their way to their most important destiny of all: love.

This series is developing into one of those that the only key annoyance is how long to wait for the next one.  I started to read this as soon as putting down the previous.  Yet again the tale focuses on two of the 18 outsiders as they find themselves thrown together and having to come to terms with the fact that they are part of a bigger destiny.

Exciting twist in the plot as new elements and players are introduced in this book and I am eager to see how they play out in the next installments.  Also with the growing number of Outsiders that are coming together it will be interesting to see how the ‘family’ dynamics change.