Review: Renegade Love: An Alien Bounty Hunter Romance

Renegade Love: An Alien Bounty Hunter Romance by Ann Aguirre
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

We met Toth Krag at the end of the previous book. He is one of many bounty hunters to inherit the name "Toth Krag." The name instills fear. Those he goes after know that he wins. Always. Until the events of book 2. To please the guild, he goes after Yara Duncan for a debt to a large collective. Except things don't go as planned.
Yara was kidnapped from Earth. It appears aliens have an appetite for cattle and will periodically come and steal some. She was caught in this last group while stargazing. She's been able to adapt to survive and her latest gig is as a circus attraction. The circus owners apparently have taken out a loan in Yara's name and defaulted. So, now the collective wants Yara alive so they can sell her for parts.
Yara and Toth talk. Toth is really Oren and was sold by his family to the mercenary guild as a child where his debt grew and grew with training, gear, etc. He's tired and wants out, but how? Yara wants to pay off the loan because she feels she owes the circus company for taking her in (very nice of her), but how?
They agree they need help and want to form a group to do a big heist to get enough to pay off debt. She reunited with her mom, who disappeared when she was a child. It turns out her mom was also abducted by aliens and has been making her way through the galaxy ever since. Nice group of individuals; different alien beings, and AIs.
This was fun. The romance was a bit fast, but considering the situation, it felt believable.
View all my reviews

Review: The Conspiracy to End America: Five Ways My Old Party Is Driving Our Democracy to Autocracy

The Conspiracy to End America: Five Ways My Old Party Is Driving Our Democracy to Autocracy by Stuart Stevens
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Stuart Stevens was a GOP consultant. This was depressing, but necessary to read. While I was aware of the many issues/problems addressed in this book, it was important to hear it from someone "on the other side of the aisle." I also liked how it was presented; with background and what the concern is now.
Anyone who doesn't vote at this point, assuming they vote for no one (because they think Biden hasn't done enough at the border and/or Gaza; and yes they are right, but....) needs to suck it up and vote. Those in the middle and on the left need to start thinking long term, but short term. Look at what the GOP has been able to do playing the long game- they overturned Roe vs Wade, stacked the Supreme Court (and the other judicial appointments), etc. Compromise isn't a bad word.
Regardless, Nov 2024 is going to suck. Either Trump wins (and unless something happens between the time of the writing and the election- he IS the GOP Republican nominee; a party of mostly spineless fuckers who kiss Trump's ass) and we see an unprecedented crack down on people who disagree with him, further eroding of voting rights (ie making it even HARDER to vote), and a trend to autocracy (think Viktor Orban's Hungary or even Putin's Russia). Or Trump loses. Then I would not be surprised to see a repeat of Jan 6, 2021. And these individuals will be more emboldened.
Educate yourself on the issues. Get your news from multiple news sources. (The Guardian, The New York Times, Haaretz, The Washington Post, PBS to name a few). And make your voice heard.

View all my reviews

Review: A Prince on Paper

A Prince on Paper by Alyssa Cole
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Nya is Ledi's cousin (from the first book). Nya's father was caught up in shenanigans that lead to his imprisonment for poisoning Ledi (and Nya, her grandparents). Her father isolated her and due to the poisoning, she was frequently sick. She was able to go to NYC and further her education after her father's imprisonment. She was able to spread her wings and began building her confidence.
Johan's stepfather is a king and his 1/2 brother is heir to the throne. He loves his brother and does what he can to protect him. That means playing the playboy and doing stupid shit to keep the attention on him. Johan secretly admired Nya and she him.
They both spend time together while attending Ledi and Thabiso's wedding. Things happen (and they could be interpreted differently depending on context). They end up being fake engaged. This helps Nya since she has a crush on Johan and needs to figure out her next step in life. This helps Johan since he has a crush on Nya and he needs to figure out what is going on with his brother & put out good press since his country is having a referendum to abolish the monarchy.
I thought they both complimented each other well. They do talk and each has baggage from the past. Johan realizes he needs to make the next step. I liked the epilogue, it's mentioned they are in therapy to be able to deal/cope with past events and better communicate. Excellent series!

View all my reviews

Review: With Any Luck

With Any Luck by Ashley Poston
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

3.5*

Audrey has an interesting ability.  She and her family have luck.  It's described as "small" luck- like hitting all green lights, finding the only parking spot.  She also finds out she helps other people find their 'person."  Kiss me and you will find "the one" the next day.  It is both neat and sad, since Audrey wants a partner too.

Audrey's BFF is the groom.  She is the best woman.  Told in past to present, past to present, you get a sense of what happened and a good feel for the characters.  Theo is the bride's BFF and the man of honor.  The groom is missing and Audrey and Theo need to figure out what happened.  I liked this, but wanted a bit more at the end.  

View all my reviews

Review: Drop, Cover, and Hold On

Drop, Cover, and Hold On by Jasmine Guillory
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a fun forced proximity short story.
Daisy loves her local bakery and the awesome goodies they have. The problem is the baker, Harris. He always has a sneer on his face when Daisy stops in. She feels he hates her. But does he?
After an earthquake, Daisy and Harris are trapped together. They get a chance to talk (and eat!). Harris apparently has RBF (resting bitch face). This was a bit faster paced (in regards to the romance).

View all my reviews

Review: Rosie and the Dreamboat

Rosie and the Dreamboat by Sally Thorne
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Different- Rosie is treating her sister Bree to a day at the spa to celebrate Bree's promotion at work.  Rosie is a bit unconfident.  She compares herself to her sister (who seems to have it all).  Rosie works in retail, Bree is a lawyer.  Rosie is clumsy, Bree is graceful (you get the picture).  

So, following this pattern, it is Rosie who gets stuck in the spa's new "pod."  She is rescued by a firefighter, Leo.  While stuck, they banter back and forth for a couple of hours.  

This was nice, but would have worked better had there been an epilogue (IMO).  

View all my reviews

Review: Tempest Rising

Tempest Rising by Nicole Peeler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Interesting concept; Jane is 1/2 human (dad) and 1/2 selkie (mom). Her mom appeared (and disappeared) during a stormy night. Jane was 6 when her mom disappeared. At the start of this book, Jane is 26 and has no idea what she is. She is also dealing with trauma from her past; her mother's disappearance, the death of her high school boyfriend that she blames herself for, and the judgmental small town that she lives in. Jane loves to swim in the ocean; no matter the time of year. She swims. Cold doesn't affect her.
I feel like I should have liked this more than I did. It's a good mix of supernatural creatures (you have goblins, gnomes, kelpies, vampires, etc). But I hated the town. I was indifferent to Jane. I wish Jane had been motivated to leave her shitty, judgemental town. Her dad was too dependent on Jane. I get he had heart issues. Issues that kept him from holding down a job, but he could still leave the home to hang with his friends. She did the cooking, cleaning. She even served him his food while he sat at the table. He was a grown ass man.
An average read, no desire to find out what happens next.

View all my reviews