Dancing with the Devil (Nikki & Michael #1) by Keri Arthur

Private Investigator Nikki James grew up on the tough streets of Lyndhurst and believes there's nothing left to surprise her. All that changes the night she follows teenager Monica Trevgard into the shadows-and becomes a pawn caught in a war between two very different men. One fills her mind with his madness, the other pushes his way into her life-and her heart. Nikki knows how dangerous love can be, but if she wants to survive, she must place her trust in a man who could easily destroy her.
Michael Kelly has come to Lyndhurst determined to end the war between himself and another brother of the night. For 300 years he has existed in life's shadows, gradually learning to control the life from death cravings of a vampire. Nikki not only breaches his formidable barriers with her psychic abilities, but makes Michael believe he may finally have found a woman strong enough to walk by his side and ease the loneliness in his heart. But will his love be enough to protect her from a madman hell-bent on revenge? Or will it drive her into his enemy's deadly trap?
Only together can they overcome the evil threatening to destroy them both. But the secrets they keep from each other might prove to be the greatest threat of all.

4.5/5 stars

 I had this book on my TBR pile for awhile and just never got around to it for one reason or another so once I got an ARC from Netgalley I no longer had an excuse for not reading it. I can honestly say I should have read this book much sooner. I really liked it. While it had the usual traits of vampires, drinking blood, sunlight aversion, and invitations to enter a residence, it also had a few new ones that I thought were pretty cool. Nikki's was a strong woman that had a bit of vulnerability to her that meshed really well. Her mysterious new friend, Michael, was just as vulnerable when it came to love. Good thing they hooked up together to figure it all out. Oh, and they solved the problem of a power hungry vampire while trying to deny their feelings. Jake was a great fatherly character too that held his own against vampires and irate fathers/clients. Can't wait to start the next book cause this one left me hanging about their relationship. Definitely recommend this to PNR lovers.

Archer (Hard Body #1) by Debra Kayn

She's on the run . . .

Jane Beaumont currently has in her possession: a cat, a hundred grand in cash, and a pistol. She's on her way home to Bay City, Oregon-and away from the nightmare of her violent ex-boyfriend. She'll lay low at Beaumont Body Shop, a car detailer that runs a private investigation agency in the back. The only wrench in her plan is Kage Archer: sexy, strong, and intent on protecting Jane at all costs. She's wanted Kage forever, but putting him in harm's way is not a risk she's willing to take.

He's not going anywhere

Kage is no stranger to the dark side of life, but he's always walked on the right side of the law. Yet when Jane expressed her interest in him years ago, he pushed her away for her own good. Now, after learning of all she's endured, Kage can't leave her side-or hide his need for her. When a frightening situation turns dire, can Kage convince Jane that the safest place to be is in his arms?

4/5 stars

 
I liked this book and look forward to reading more about the guys of Beaumont Body Shop. The series will be about the four best friends that work together at the body shop and also run a private investigation business. This book was about Kage Archer, a total alpha, who is trying to help his best friend's sister, Jane, who also happens to be the love of his life. He was a man who was also trying to stay clear of his family's legacy of running the criminal underground and so far it has been working. Enter Jane. Jane has finally left her abusive boyfriend and needs all the help she can get to stay away from him, although she doesn't think so or at least won't admit it. At times she does the dumbest things that actually puts her in more danger and drives Kage insane.

The relationship between Kage and Jane was a sort of rekindled romance that made it easier to see how they could jump into a relationship so fast after her recent breakup. It was hot at times and definitely sweet at other times. I thought at times Kage had the patience of a saint for putting up with her and some of the stuff she said or did. I liked the interaction between all the guys in the shop and can't wait to read their stories.

I recommend this to people who like to read Kristen Ashley and Julie Ann Walker. The guys are very alpha and know what's best for everyone especially their woman. Be warned the prologue is a scene of domestic violence that was pretty brutal.

Unseen (Will Trent #7) by Karin Slaughter

Karin Slaughter’s New York Times bestselling novels are utterly riveting and masterfully drawn. Her latest thriller, Unseen, pits detectives, lovers, and enemies against one another in an unforgettable standoff between righteous courage and deepest evil.

Bill Black is a scary guy: a tall ex-con who rides to work on a Harley and trails an air of violence wherever he goes. In Macon, Georgia, Bill has caught the eye of a wiry little drug dealer and his cunning girlfriend. They think Bill might be a useful ally. They don’t know that Bill is actually a Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent named Will Trent. Or that he is fighting his own demons, undercover and cut off from the support of Sara Linton—the woman he loves, who cannot be told of the risk Will is taking.

Sara herself has come to Macon because of a cop shooting: Her stepson, Jared, has been gunned down in his own home. Sara holds Lena, Jared’s wife, responsible: Lena, a detective, has been a magnet for trouble all her life, and Jared’s death is not the first time someone Sara loved got caught in the crossfire. Furious, Sara finds herself involved in the same case that Will is working without even knowing it, and soon danger is swirling around both of them.

In a novel of fierce intensity, shifting allegiances, and shocking twists, two investigations collide with a conspiracy straddling both sides of the law. Karin Slaughter’s latest is both an electrifying thriller and a piercing study of human nature: what happens when good people face the unseen evils in their lives.


4/5 stars

 This book brought out so many emotions in me while I was reading it. There was disgust, not for the book or the writing, but because of some of the actions of a few characters. Sadness was the emotion I felt the most of as the book opened to a very sad exchange between husband and wife followed by more sadness with the hospital. Will and Sara were also dealing with feelings that were depressing, but very much needed. Happy wasn't something I felt a lot of while reading this, but there were a few times when it came up. Relief was felt as I finished because I could then go back and buy the first six books of the series. As per my usual habit, I picked up this without having read any of the Will Trent or Sara Tipton series beforehand and while it would've made the book a 5 star rating if i had due to the fact all the characters had been central figures in past books, I had no problem following along. I highly recommend this book, but be aware that it's very dark at times and there are parts describing non- consentual sex.
 

Fire Inside (Chaos #2) by Kristen Ashley

Lanie Heron isn't looking for love-no surprise, considering her last serious relationship nearly got her killed. So when Lanie propositions Hop Kincaid, all she wants is one wild night with the hot-as-hell biker who patrols with the Chaos Motorcycle Club . . .

For Hop, Lanie has always been untouchable. She's too polished and too classy for his taste. But when she gives Hop the once-over with her bedroom eyes and offers him a night in paradise, he can't say no. And he doesn't regret it when he finds that Lanie is the best thing that's ever happened to him-in or out of bed. Now the trick will be to convince her of that.






4/5 stars

 
I love Kristen Ashley and have loved every one of her books that I've read so far, but I wasn't as excited by this book. It might be because I never warmed up to either character. Lanie was always the dumb bitch that followed her equally dumb ass boyfriend who was on the run from the mob. I've watched enough movies and read enough books to know that dealing with the mob in any fashion is a huge fucking mistake. And for some reason I always pictures Hop as an older overweight biker, so imagine my surprise to find out he was a tight hot guy who's just misunderstood. There also wasn't really anything going on but sex and fighting. Where was the kidnapping, the bad guys doing bad guy stuff, the gunfights and explosions? Granted there was a tiny gunfight (that had already been dealt with in the last book) and Benito's guys showed up for a couple paragraphs, but the usual KA drama wasn't there. Hopefully in the next book we'll get the over-the-top drama that I've come to relate to Ms. Ashley. Will I recommend this book? Absolutely. Will I read it again? Probably not, cause there are too many other KA books that are much better. At this point all the guys are starting to run together (they all look alike, talk alike and act alike) while the ladies are nice, polite, put together. Where are the crazy ladies like the Rock Chicks?