Decadence by Anna Carven [Review]

Decadence (Darkstar Mercenaries #4) by Anna Carven
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: October 9, 2022

Darkstar Mercenaries
0.5. A Darkside Interlude
1. Taming Chaos
2. Shattered Silence
3. Fractured Souls
4. Decadence - Paperback | Kindle
5. Hyperspeed Dreams
6. Undying Stars
7. Radiant Darkness
7.5. Stronghold

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Dark Planet Warriors
1. Dark Planet Warriors

Anna Carven
| Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

The retrieval mission was supposed to be simple. Get in, get the human females, kill the slavers, and get out. As a former High Commander of the Kordolian Imperial Military, Ikriss Peturic has seen--and done--much worse.
But one female in particular has been treated a lot more badly than all the others.

As he took her away from her tormentors, carrying her in his arms, she hovered between life and death.
Now she is safe. He should be able to forget about her. A new threat has appeared, and he has work to do.
So why is he so angry and restless all of a sudden?
Why can't he focus?
Why do the bases of his horn-buds throb?
What is this cursed madness?

Thoughts on Decadence: We're back with the Kordolians and their special someones and things aren't easy for these guys, are they? Actually, it's not the Kordolians things aren't easy for. I mean, sure, they have to fight their mating urges and all, but it's the human females who have to make the big adjustments.

To start, the big guys don't have the best reputation in the galaxy thanks to their (now defunct-ish) empire and the aggressive way they worked on dominating the known worlds. The core of the empire might have been dismantled, but the nobles aren't quietly stepping aside. No, sir. They're doing very bad things in the name of their cause and, unfortunately, it's the human women who seem to catch the brunt of that. On the plus side, we get some answers to what's going on and why the women are being targeted. On the downside, those Kordolian nobles are NOT NICE PEOPLE. At all.

But let's talk about Ikriss and Sienna. Ikriss isn't First Division (like others we've met), but he's still a force to be reckoned with. He's focused, lethal, and he's absolutely not about to be caught in the mating dance he's seen befall others. Heh. Right. As for Sienna, she survived her abduction, but it left its marks on her and now she just wants to get back to the life she had before. Having a former High Commander hanging around to provide security is NOT on her list of normal things from before.

One run-in with a deadly assassin later and Sienna's finding out a whole lot about the Kordolians who rescued her and how she fits into the big picture. Throw in a shady human organized crime ring, some stolen Kordolian weaponry, and a former commander who will do anything and everything to keep her safe and things get downright wild. Am I ready for more? YOU BET!

RtP's Week in Review (09/24/23)

Reading the Paranormal's Week in Review

• Terror at the Thornbridge Hotel by London Lovett [Review] - We're back in Firefly Junction!
• Chocolate Festival Felony by London Lovett [Review] - More dead bodies in FJ!
• Beauty and the Beast by Grace Goodwin [Review] -Alien love!
• Movie Night Madness by London Lovett [Review] -EVEN MORE dead bodies!
• Game of Gravestones by Gena Showalter and Jill Monroe [Review] - Jane & Conrad!
• A Damsel and a Demigod by Annette Marie [Review] - Kai!
• Stronghold by Anna Carven [Review] - Kordolian love!

Bookish Delights

• Books added to the pile
• Good Girls Don't Misbehave (Inked & Kinked #3) by Jodi Redford - For review!
• All Mixed Up (Common Threads #8) by Heidi Hutchinson - For review!
• Currently reading 
• Bourbon Bliss by Claire Kingsley

Stronghold by Anna Carven [Review]

Stronghold (Darkstar Mercenaries #7.5) by Anna Carven
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: February 8, 2023

Darkstar Mercenaries
0.5. A Darkside Interlude
1. Taming Chaos
2. Shattered Silence
3. Fractured Souls
4. Decadence
5. Hyperspeed Dreams
6. Undying Stars
7. Radiant Darkness
7.5. Stronghold - Kindle

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Dark Planet Warriors
1. Dark Planet Warriors

Anna Carven
| Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Abbey's thrown in the deep end.
Tarak creates an alliance with a furry being.
Ami has her father wrapped around her tiny little finger.

It's just another day in the life of our fearsome Kordolians and their human mates. A light-hearted peek into Tarak and Abbey's life on Earth.

Thoughts on Stronghold: You know what? I thought we'd just be getting a little slice of life between Abbey and Tarak and maybe some quality time with their rambunctious kiddo. I must say I was wrong. We got a little slice of life, quality time with the kiddo, and A WHOLE LOT MORE.

As in, setup for the future, Tarak being his usual Kordolian-warrior self (with everyone except his mate and child, that is), and channnnnges, Of the good type, I can only guess. I mean, sure, Tarak is planning on locking down the planet, which sounds a little terrifying on the surface, but he's doing it to keep his family safe and make sure Abbey and the other human women have a planet to return to. You know, at some point in the future.

In other words... *THUMBS UP* I like these Kordolians and their straightforward approach to making things happen. And making sure their other halves are cared for and safe.

A Damsel and a Demigod by Annette Marie [Review]

A Damsel and a Demigod (The Guild Codex: Spellbound #0.5) by Annette Marie
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: October 6, 2022

The Guild Codex: Spellbound
0.5. A Damsel and a Demigod - Kindle
1. Three Mages and a Margarita
2. Dark Arts and a Daiquiri
3. Two Witches and a Whiskey
4. Demon Magic and a Martini
5. The Alchemist and an Amaretto
6. Druid Vices and a Vodka
7. Lost Talismans and a Tequila
8. Damned Souls and a Sangria

Annette Marie
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Only one thing matters to Kai: getting the job done, and doing it better than anyone else.

But when a beautiful thief crashes his security gig, claiming she's trying to protect the valuable artifact he's guarding, all his careful plans go up in flames. He doesn't believe a word she says—until the item is stolen right out from under them.

Recovering the artifact before the real thief can unleash its ancient magic requires insider knowledge—information the mysterious trespasser possesses. Teaming up with a stranger isn't Kai's idea of smart, but he'll need all the help he can get to take on a notorious rogue and arcane power from the time of the gods.

Thoughts on A Damsel and a Demigod: Ahh, yes. The first meeting between intensely focused Kai and the beautiful, slightly sassy Izzah. Except, she's not quite at the sass levels we know her at later, yet. Which is cool because it means she'll grow into herself and her confidence and I LIKE THAT.

As for Kai, the guy is very good at being in charge. He doesn't like to leave things to chance and Izzah's not quite defined plan to hunt down a thief has Kai in knots more than once. That said, he does hand over the reins and let her use her knowledge to track the person they have in their sights.

A botched security detail (which isn't really the guys' fault since the thief had abilities at his disposal they weren't aware of), a race against time, a harrowing journey through a tunnel, and a very BIG display of power. *thumbs up*

Game of Gravestones by Gena Showalter and Jill Monroe [Review]

Game of Gravestones (Jane Ladling Mystery #3) by Gena Showalter and Jill Monroe
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: October 3, 2022

Jane Ladling Mystery
1. Romancing the Gravestone
2. No Gravestone Left Unturned
3. Game of Gravestones - Paperback | Kindle
4. Twelve Graves of Christmas
5. Conrad: Falling for the Gravekeeper
6. Grave Wars

Gena Showalter
| Website | Amazon |

Jill Monroe
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

She suspects everyone of everything. Except her oldest friend. Who's found next to a body. Holding the murder weapon.

For the first time, things are just right for cemetery owner Jane Ladling. Her cat only kind of hates her sort of boyfriend, Special Agent Conrad Ryan, and she isn't flat broke. When she's asked to host a murder mystery fundraiser for the people of Aurelian Hills, Georgia, she'd totally on board. Champagne, intrigue, and community. Yes, please. Then game night happens and a fake murder turns into a red one, leaving her mentor and knitting buddy Fiona at the top of the suspect list, with heir best pal Beau a close second. Oops?

Jane's not about to leave the fate of her loves one to, well, fate. On the hunt for clues, she turns the small town upside down. As scandalous secrets surface, a single truth becomes clear: if she doesn't solve the murder fast, Jane will be the next victim.

Thoughts on Game of Gravestones: Marvelously suspicious Jane Ladling is at it again. Because when her pancake-making mentor is found with a dead body, Jane KNOWS she's innocent. Which naturally means everyone's a suspect. Every.one.

Well, everyone except Conrad and Beau and Beau's buddies in his security business. (To be fair, Beau's one buddy did have a spot on assessment of one of the other suspects, but not at all in the way I was expecting. But that's another story for another day. Probably.)

While proving Fiona's innocence, Jane is also (still) running from admitting her feelings about Conrad. Which is a little difficult when he keeps making her fall in like with him by setting up romantic picnics and bringing her along on "stakeouts". What? The lady likes what she likes and if Conrad is wise to her ways.

A little case of murder, a whole lot of suspicious characters, a cat who rules the roost, and Conrad being the most supportive dude in existence. Heh. I like that guy. He's fun and he knows how to kiss the socks off Jane.

Movie Night Madness by London Lovett [Review]

Movie Night Madness (Firefly Junction #17) by London Lovett
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: August 15, 2023

Firefly Junction Mystery
1. Death in the Park
2. Killer Bridal Party
3. Murder at the Inn
4. A Humbug Holiday
5. Calamity at the Carnival
6. Double Trouble
7. Havoc at Wildwood Manor
8. Fatal Feud
9. Trick or Trouble
10. A Crafty Killing
11. Death at the Museum
12. Murder at the Pumpkin Patch
13. Founders' Day Fiasco
14. Heat Wave Homicide
15. Terror at Thornbridge Hotel
16. Chocolate Festival Felony
17. Movie Night Madness - Paperback | Kindle
18. Figgy Pudding Disaster

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Port Danby
1. Marigolds and Murder

London Lovett
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Sunni Taylor and her boyfriend, Detective Jackson, have big plans for a family farm at her home, Cider Ridge Inn. A barn plan has been chosen and the site’s been cleared. Their dreams are getting closer. But when the usual rift between Jackson and his long dead ancestor, Edward Beckett, grows wider and more thorny, Sunni finds herself in an impossible situation—how can the three of them ever be happy under the same roof?

With her own troubles abounding, Sunni finds herself distracted by the town’s latest tragedy. A wealthy and well-known (but not well-liked) land developer is shot during Firefly Junction’s annual end-of-summer movie night. Sunni sets aside her personal problems and resolves to find the killer. But solving a murder is never easy when the victim has a long list of enemies.

Thoughts on Movie Night Madness: Things are a little tense between Sunni and her hunky boyfriend and it has everything to do with the ghost inhabiting the Cider Ridge Inn. Which makes things a little complicated because it's not like Sunni can kick the poor guy out. Heck, even if he wanted to, Edward couldn't go haunt somewhere else.

In other words, these three are in a bit of a pickle.

Fortunately (although it's probably unfortunate for the victim), a dead body pops up (not literally) to give Sunni something to work on other than fretting about the state of her relationship. That said, the hunky detective is on the case, too, so it's not like she can entirely escape her relationship woes. (As an aside, these two are perfect together. I mean, the couple who chats with ghosts together, stays together, amirite?!?!)

A dead body, some not-so-great building practices, longing looks, a heat wave, some sisterly time, a ghost who doesn't understand modern slang, and Sunni doing her investigating thing.

Beauty and the Beast by Grace Goodwin [Review]

Beauty and the Beast (Interstellar Brides Program - The Beasts #3) by Grace Goodwin
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: October 6, 2022

Interstellar Brides Program - The Beasts
1. Bachelor Beast
2. Maid for the Beast
3. Beauty and the Beast - Paperback | Kindle
4. Big Bad Beast
5. Beast Charming
6. Bargain with a Beast

Grace Goodwin
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

No one denies the beast.

I am a Warlord. A beast.
An assassin for the Intelligence Core.
Even so, I've been sent to Earth for a simple mission: Find a mate.
I hold no hope. Who would want me? I'm scarred... inside and out.

But one look at the human beauty and there is no question, she’s mine.
When she is taken from me, I will use all my training to save her from my enemies.

Nothing on Earth—or any planet in the universe—will keep me from her.
She. Is. Mine.

Thoughts on Beauty and the Beast: The next Altan Warlord is up and (as you might expect) things don't go as the human producers of the dating reality show expect when one of their potential bachelors finds his special someone and pledges himself to her during her newscast. What can you say? A Warlord knows when he's found the one and Bahre wasn't about to let Quinn slip through his fingers.

On the downside, they're still kind of dealing with the fallout from what happened with Braun and Angela which means Bahre has to be extra super careful with his actions. After all, nobody wants to cause another incident like the last one and potentially lose their shot at finding mates on earth.

On the plus side, Quinn is VERY into Bahre. She doesn't mind his scars or his size and she's never felt safer than when the big Warlord is close by. Considering she's dealt with (and sort of still is dealing with) a human stalker, having someone completely dedicated to making sure she's safe isn't off-putting in the least.

One little case of abduction, a not-so little Warlord who isn't about to let his special someone be put in danger (until, you know, she insists), a whole lot of interstellar politicking, and a couple who figure things out quickly and get down to business. Boom!