Fated to the Hunter by Lynnea Lee [Review]

Fated to the Hunter (Xarc'n Warriors #13) by Lynnea Lee
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: September 27, 2025

Xarc'n Warriors
0.5. Pursued by the Hunter
1. Claimed by the Hunter
2. Wanted by the Hunter
3. Taken by the Hunter
4. Cherished by the Hunter
5. Rescued by the Hunter
6. Stolen by the Hunter
7. Captured by the Hunter
8. Protected by the Hunter
8.5. Hunter's Valentine
9. Desired by the Hunter
10. Coveted by the Hunter
11. Craved by the Hunter
12. Treasured by the Hunter
13. Fated to the Hunter - Kindle
13.5. Holly and the Hunter

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Xarc'n Warriors: Mountains
1. Hunter's Quest

Lynnea Lee
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

KIERA
Running the first-ever Trader’s Market is chaotic enough; I don’t need a horned, purple alien with fangs, claws, and zero chill crashing my party.

Bael’k says he’s here to help, but so far, all he’s done is scare away the one person I need to see. When I finally track down the elusive nomad and snag the map I’ve been hunting for, guess who volunteers to be my protector on a quest I never planned to take?

It’s my first time out of the settlement walls in years, and I’m woefully unprepared. But with my knight in shining loincloth by my side, I might just survive.

BAEL'K
They say the mate bond is absolute, eternal, and chosen by fate. But I don’t believe in fate. I believe in my blades, my shuttle, and the war I was bred to fight. I never wanted a mate… until I met Kiera.

She’s fragile, stubborn, and maddeningly fascinating. When she sets out to recover lost tech in a dangerous Dead Zone, I volunteer, thinking it’ll earn me glory. But the moment she steps into danger, every protective instinct I’ve got flares to life.

I soon realize she’s not just a mission. Kiera’s mine. And I’ll burn the stars down before I let anything take her from me.

Thoughts on Fated to the Hunter: Both Kiera and Bael'k are 100%, absolutely NOT looking for their special someone. Which we all know means THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN. Because you can't unequivocally announce you're not looking for romance without romance taking a running leap at your face. Figuratively speaking.

Anywho. Kiera isn't interested in dealing with the heartbreak of losing anyone else (not even romantically, just in general. She's dealt with too much loss already during this bugpocalypse and no thank you) and while the Xarc'n warriors are nice to look at, she's firmly off the market. As it turns out, Bael'k feels the same. He's a warrior bred to eradicate the bugs and he's planning on continuing to do that even after Earth gets liberated. He might not be against seeing what all the fuss is about with a human woman (physically speaking), but he doesn't think it's fair to engage in anything deeper when he's planning to head off-planet as soon as his mission is complete.

Fate (and their hearts) however has other plans for these two. Plans where they have to spend plenty of time together with a lot of tension simmering between them and THINGS HAPPEN. Such good things.

To back up, Kiera and Bael'k are doing the forced proximity thing because they're heading into a dead zone on a technological treasure hunt. The hunt might be a bust, but it also might help the survivors in their ongoing battle against the bugs. No lie, I liked the treasure hunt aspect and the creepy, abandoned mansion. Plus, you know, the forced proximity.

A treasure hunt, a rough journey, a little betrayal (sort of, I mean is it betrayal if it's programming?), a warrior who has to readjust his priorities, and a lady who realizes she might like adventure more than she thought she would. *thumbs up*

The Lone Cyborg by Honey Phillips [Review]

The Lone Cyborg (Cyborgs on Mars #6) by Honey Phillips
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: September 26, 2025

Cyborgs on Mars
0.5. High Plains Cyborg
1. The Good, the Bad, and the Cyborg
2. A Fistful of Cyborg
3. A Few Cyborgs More
4. The Magnificent Cyborg
5. The Outlaw Cyborg
5.5. The Cyborg with No Name
5.6. Cyborg Rider
5.7. The Cyborg Way
6. The Lone Cyborg - Paperback | Kindle

Honey Phillips
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Can a stubborn miner and a gruff cyborg ranger survive the dangers of Mars—and their growing desire?

Mattie is perfectly happy on her isolated mining claim, thank you very much. She and her cybernetic canary Sylvester are doing just fine—no matter what the big, grumpy cyborg responsible for her territory seems to think.

J-418 takes his job as a ranger very seriously. Frequent checks on the stubborn, annoying—and ridiculously adorable—woman living on her own are just part of his job. They certainly aren’t because he actually enjoys his encounters with the prickly little female.

When danger forces the two together, they make a series of startling discoveries, not the least of which is an unexpected passion. But life on Mars is about to change - for everyone!

Thoughts on The Lone Cyborg: We've been getting hints about the future (past?) on Mars and YESSSSS. I'm IN! But before that, our next cyborg ranger gets his chance at a happily ever after.

J-418/Jeb is drawn to Mattie, but he keeps his distance as much as he can. Which just means he only swings by her claim twice as much as the other homesteaders' claims in his territory. Mattie's prickly and independent and he likes how she makes him feel when they interact, as brief as those interactions are.

On Mattie's end, she likes J-418, but she also has some serious abandonment issues. So she gets a little snarly at him when he swings by and does her level best to make sure she doesn't have to rely on anyone, especially the hunky cyborg. Then he shows up with a warning about possible outlaws in the area and suddenly she kind of has to rely on someone other than herself and it's jarring. As it turns out, being around Jeb is not a hardship. AT ALL.

A little danger, an unexpected find in a lava tube, some forced proximity (gotta love those Martian storms!), a ranger who doesn't think love is in the cards for him, and a lady who has to learn to trust her honorable cyborg won't leave her in the lurch. No lie, I am EXCITED about the future on Mars with what happened here. *thumbs up*

Pastries and Pints by Allie Winters [Review]

Pastries and Pints (Aurora Bakery #2) by Allie Winters
Format: ebook
Source: provided for review
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: November 3, 2025

Aurora Bakery
1. Frosting and Flames
2. Pastries and Pints - Paperback | Kindle
3. Sugar and Secrets

Allie Winters
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

As the wildcard middle sister, Sydney is more used to hearing words like chaotic and sarcastic to describe her than responsible. But when her family’s small-town bakery is selected for a business initiative to attract customers, she sees a chance to finally prove she’s more than just flaky pastries and quick comebacks.

What she doesn’t expect? To be partnered with the town’s newly renovated bar—or its broody, frustratingly attractive owner, Pierce. Especially not after overhearing him say he’s not interested.

After inheriting his late grandfather’s bar, Pierce is barely holding his head above water figuring out how to manage it—let alone the rest of his life. He doesn’t have time for distractions. Especially not ones with sharp wit, killer baking skills, and a habit of getting under his skin.

But as beer meets dessert and the lines between bickering and banter begin to blur, Sydney and Pierce find themselves mixing more than just business. As the town rallies behind their unlikely partnership, they need to decide if they’re willing to let go of old hurts—and take a chance on the kind of connection that doesn’t follow any recipe.

Thoughts on Pastries and Pints: Aurora Bakery's middle sister is up and she's HARD on herself. Seriously hard. She uses her older sister Rachel as her yardstick and can clearly see all the ways she doesn't measure up. In her mind, even the smallest of mistakes is a glaring mark against her and she jumps to the worst possible conclusion (sometimes based on incomplete information) when she starts spiraling.

Pierce is a man caught between two worlds. Renovating and then running his late grandfather's bar gives him something to focus on and he doesn't know how to tell his family that he doesn't want what they want anymore. He likes making the bar work. He likes using his business degree to make something concrete with the bar. And he likes Sydney.

Of course, he doesn't tell her that (in fact he says the exact opposite while trying to deflect with one of his employees and ends up pricking the tender parts of Sydney with his words when she overhears) and, frankly, Sydney comes out swinging when they're paired together for a small business collaboration. yeah, our girl doesn't pull her punches. It isn't until she sees the unguarded side of Pierce that she starts to unthaw a little.

But it takes a lot to reach that point. On both their ends. Sydney always thinks she's not enough and Pierce can't see how he fits into this new town doing something he enjoys when his family doesn't approve and keeps pushing for different things.

A little snark, a few steamy encounters on a desk, an event that gets people talking, and two people who need to work through their issues before they can make things happen in the long term. *thumbs up*

Space Vampire by Ruby Dixon [Review]

Space Vampire (Scared Sexy #4) by Ruby Dixon
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: September 23, 2025

Scared Sexy
1. Hot for Slayer
2. Falling
3. Spicy Little Curses
4. Space Vampire - Kindle
5. Beautiful Nightmare
6. My Boyfriends Are All Monsters

Related Series:
(RD series containing clones or splices)
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Corsair Brothers
1. Corsairs: Adiron

Ice Planet Clones
1. R'jaal's Resonance

Sunrise Cantina
1. Only the Clonely

Ruby Dixon
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Dana, the overlooked human pet of an alien scientist, and Vlad, a genetically engineered vampire with a taste for more than just blood, find themselves unexpectedly alone on a deserted space station. As they plot their escape, they’ll have to navigate cramped quarters, steamy encounters, and the growing realization that they might be each other’s perfect match. But with their captors in hot pursuit, will their budding romance survive the vast emptiness of space?

Thoughts on Space Vampire: Vampires in space! YES! I really should have guessed that the Mesakkah scientists who like to Frankenstein custom-made gladiators would accidentally cobble together a creature who needs blood to survive and has an aversion to light. TO BE FAIR, Vlad isn't a creature. He's a fully realized individual who got sick of being poked and prodded and having his genetics manipulated. And now he's broken out of his containment, terrorized the scientists experimenting on him, sent them fleeing in terror, and has a human lady as a companion.

All valid responses to what he went through, if you ask me.

Anywho. Vlad and Dana. He's the aforementioned splice with a taste for blood. She's a human pet who got left behind when the scientists fled. He needs blood to survive and, as it turns out, Dana has blood to give. The fact the two of them already kind of like each other (even before the biting) is a bonus. After the biting? BIG BONUS. Because Dana doesn't mind Vlad's bit AT ALL.

A sweet, blood-drinking splice, a lady who isn't happy as a pet, and an abandoned space station the two can cavort in. Sure, the space station might only be a short term solution (because those scientists aren't likely to leave all their expensive equipment behind), but having free rein of the place as they learn about one another is no hardship. GOOD STUFF with VAMPIRES IN SPACE! YESSSS!

RtP's Week in Review (02/22/26)

Reading the Paranormal's Week in Review

• Bound by Flames by Jeanine Frost [Review] - More Vlad!
• Into the Fire by Jeanine Frost [Review] - Even MOAR Vlad!
• Shades of Wicked by Jeanine Frost [Review] - Ian and Verity are up!
• Wicked Bite by Jeanine Frost [Review] - More Ian and Verity!
• Wicked All Night by Jeanine Frost [Review] -The EPIC conclusion to Ian and Verity's romance!
• Spicy Little Curses by J.T. Geissinger [Review] - Curses in the French Quarter!

Bookish Delights

• Books added to the pile
• None!
• Currently reading
• The Inheritance by Ilona Andrews

Spicy Little Curses by J.T. Geissinger [Review]

Spicy Little Curses (Scared Sexy #3) by J.T. Geissinger
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: September 24, 2025

Scared Sexy
1. Hot for Slayer
2. Falling
3. Spicy Little Curses - Kindle
4. Space Vampire
5. Beautiful Nightmare
6. My Boyfriends Are All Monsters

J.T. Geissinger
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Petra is skeptical when it comes to the French Quarter’s creepy urban legends. Until she meets Dax Rousseau, the proprietor of the House of Ink and Blood. The eldritch markings on his flesh tell more than the tale of a doomed bloodline. They come slitheringly alive. And the nearer Petra gets to the maddeningly sexy Dax, the closer she is to being the next victim of his ancient family curse.

Thoughts on Spicy Little Curses: I REALLY liked this one. Petra is bringing some hardcore skepticism to the French Quarter and she absolutely doesn't expect to run into any REAL dark magic or curses or anything of that ilk. Then she meets Dax and...well, he's kind of a grumpy, nearly anti-social hunk and she's ABSOLUTELY NOT ATTRACTED TO THAT. Except, she is.

Petra's also not intimidated by his scowling demeanor or his sharp words. In fact, she kinda likes the dark edge he has. Well, until something ghoulish singles her out when she's around the big guy.

On Dax's end, he's perfected the art of driving people away. He snarls and grumps and Petra doesn't seem to be bothered by it. Honestly, he kind of likes all her prickles and sharp edges even though he tries his hardest not to. Considering what happens to women who fall in love with Rousseau men, he's ABSOLTUELY NOT GOING TO GET INVOLVED WITH HER. Except she's not one to back down and for all his growling, he's not one to leave someone to die if he can try to help.

Dark magic, nasty curses, tattoos, ghostly goings on, a grumpy tattooist with a whole lot of smolder, and a lady who doesn't know when to quit. In a good way. GOOD STUFF!

Wicked All Night by Jeaniene Frost [Review]

Wicked All Night (Night Rebel #3) by Jeaniene Frost
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: October 2, 2025

Night Rebel
1. Shades of Wicked
2. Wicked Bite
3. Wicked All Night - Paperback | Kindle

Related Series
(Find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Night Huntress
1. Halfway to the Grave

Night Huntress World
1. First Drop of Crimson

Night Prince
1. Once Burned

Jeaniene Frost
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

A gift from the gods...

Veritas and Ian have finally defeated their worst enemy, but the power it took to pierce through to the netherworld has unexpected consequences. Soon, Veritas is forced to rely on the last person she trusts---a golden deity named Phanes, who seeks far more than a temporary alliance with the beautiful vampire.

Can unleash hell...

But a supernatural escape soon pits Veritas and Ian against beings seeking to rule over mortals once again. Now, they must rally friends and foes alike--if the vampire council doesn't execute Veritas first. Plus, a wedge between Veritas and Ian threatens to destroy their love. Can they stand together against the unearthly powers about to be unleashed? Or does their love--and humanity--not stand a chance?

Thoughts on Wicked All Night: Man, Veritas and Ian just can't catch a break, can they? They defeated Dagon, but the demon left a parting gift and Ian is NOT doing well as a result. Which leads Veritas to agree to help Phanes because I'm pretty sure Veritas would have cheerfully agreed to burn down the world if it meant Ian would survive.

Except Phanes isn't the paragon of virtue he presents himself as. In fact, he kind of has that tricksy vibe going and he sort of left a few things out of his request for Veritas's help. Sure, Veritas was desperate enough to agree in the first place so she didn't have a whole lot of time to double check that what he offered was above board and all that. Let's just say that Phanes is kind of a jerk and leave it at that.

BUT...now that Ian is healed up and has regained his strength, he's not about to let his honey face anyone or thing on her own. So he does what he has to do (which is just as extreme as one would expect from Ian) and soon Veritas and Ian and trolling the underworld, fighting old gods, brokering deals between vampires and ghouls, and doing everything they can to fix the wrongs they had an unwitting hand in.

Yeah, these two have A LOT going on. Volcanoes and powerful friends banding together to stop imminent destruction and fundamental changes to the way the vampire council is run. Veritas and Ian are both making waves and THINGS ARE HAPPENING! (and MAN it was nice seeing all those familiar faces one last time!)