Undying Stars by Anna Carven [Review]

Undying Stars (Darkstar Mercenaries #6) by Anna Carven
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: October 24, 2022

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

When Kora Williams wakes up inside the dark alien warship called Silence, fate has spun completely out of her control.

She doesn't understand why she was abducted by a vicious, depraved Kordolian, and she can't believe she was rescued by an even more dangerous one. A big, armor-clad brute of a warrior, who lifted her into his arms far too easily, as if she weighed next to nothing.

She should be dead, or at the very least, doomed to a terrible life as a slave.

But she's been saved, and now she's on a ship full of dangerous silver-skinned aliens and their surprisingly human mates. She wants nothing to do with this strange new reality. She doesn't want to dwell on her horrific ordeal. All she wants to do is return to a normal life on Earth; to her cozy little house, her job, her son...

But these Kordolians have other ideas. To her dismay, it turns out there's a reason she was taken.

And the big, lethal warrior who rescued her?

He's been assigned to protect her.

Thoughts on Undying Stars: One of the last of the unmated First Division warriors is about to fall and I am here for it. I mean, I've been here for all of them (MAN, do those warriors fall hard and fast!) and Jerel needs to find his happy place.

As it turns out, his happy place is with a rescued human woman who handles everything thrown at her surprisingly well. She was abducted and abused, rescued by the very imposing First Division, and then had to figure out how to keep her teenage son safe form his own stupidity. She's quick thinking and she doesn't crumble under pressure. Which works nicely because not only has she been through a lot, the First Division isn't known for shying away from dangerous missions and if she's going to be in a relationship with Jerel...well, you can see where that's going.

While Kora is showing us what human women are made of, Jerel is succumbing to the call of the mating fever. Which sounds ominous, but his biggest drive is to protect Kora and keep her and those she cares for safe. Given that Kora's son is involved in something dangerous to him and the aliens (you now, if they weren't the most terrifying warriors in all the worlds), keeping everyone safe means big changes for the humans.

More answers, a very dastardly plan by desperate aliens, a daring mission, a coolly competent woman, and the warrior who makes her feel ALL THE THINGS. *thumbs up*

Hyperspeed Dreams by Anna Carven [Review]

Hyperspeed Dreams (Darkstar Mercenaries #5) by Anna Carven
Format: ebook
Source: borrowed through Kindle Unlimited
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: October 17, 2022

Darkstar Mercenaries
0.5. A Darkside Interlude
1. Taming Chaos
2. Shattered Silence
3. Fractured Souls
4. Decadence
5. Hyperspeed Dreams - Paperback | Kindle
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):

Lodan Vorkan has been called many things in his lifetime—perfectionist, control-freak, monster.

As one of the Kordolian Military’s infamous First Division, he’s one of the most feared warriors in the Nine Galaxies.

As a pilot, his skill is unmatched.

He doesn’t like the unpredictable, and humans are exactly that.

One by one, he’s seen his brothers fall to these confounding creatures. Even the most battle-hardened and ruthless of them have succumbed to the Mating Fever.

Humans are trouble.

Humans bring chaos. Always.

When he encounters the strange human called Tasha, all his warning alarms go off. She isn’t anything like the other humans. She’s faster; stronger—artificially so. She has secrets; she tells lies.

A trail of blood-scent lingers around her.

She is not the kind of human he would imagine as his mate.

But Lodan’s control is about to be sorely tested—in more ways than one.

Thoughts on Hyperspeed Dreams: An augmented lady and the superstar First Division pilot are up and...things aren't easy. Not that I expected them to be. I mean, Tasha was augmented against her will as a child and has done everything she can to keep her remaining family safe. Lodan is First Division and they're not known for taking the easy path on anything.

So, yeah. These two have a few speed bumps to get past. Tasha's distrust in everyone (for real. Being kidnapped and experimented on as a kid kind of caused some long term trust issues she's working on getting past) is one of the big ones. She's been on her own in a hostile situation for so long, the idea that she can lean on Lodan and his First Division brothers throws her. Throw in her kidnappers' way of controlling her and she's VERY slow to let down her guard.

Meanwhile, Lodan wasn't looking for his biologically compatible mate, but he's fascinated by Tasha from the first. Fighting against his instincts is only the first of his issues. He also has a persnickety AI to contend with. Plus, there's the group who stole and abused Tasha and put her in a terrible position. In other words, Lodan has quite a bit on his plate and his mating instincts aren't making things easier.

A reunion, a few answers, a surly AI, a well-planned incursion, and a couple who smolder whenever they get close. *thumbs up*

Death Dates the Oracle by Kristen Painter [Review]

Death Dates the Oracle (Nocturne Falls #15) by Kristen Painter
Format: ebook
Source: purchased
Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Date read: May 6, 2023

Nocturne Falls
1. The Vampire's Mail Order Bride
2. The Werewolf Meets His Match
3. The Gargoyle Gets His Girl
4. The Professor Woos the Witch
4.5. The Witch's Halloween Hero
4.6. The Werewolf's Christmas Wish
5. The Vampire's Fake Fiancée
5.5. The Vampire's Valentine Surprise
6. The Shifter Romances the Writer
6.5. The Vampire's True Love Trials
7. The Dragon Finds Forever
8. The Vampire's Accidental Wife
9. The Reaper Rescues the Genie
10. The Detective Wins the Witch
11. The Vampire's Priceless Treasure
12. The Werewolf Dates the Deputy
13. The Siren Saves the Billionaire
14. The Vampire's Sunny Sweetheart
15. Death Dates the Oracle - Paperback | Kindle

Related Series:
(find all the books in the series on the 1st book review)
Jayne Frost
1. Miss Frost Solves a Cold Case

Kristen Painter
| Website | Amazon |

Synopsis (Goodreads):

Welcome to Nocturne Falls, the town that celebrates Halloween 365 days a year. The tourists think it's all a show: the vampires, the werewolves, the witches, the occasional gargoyle flying through the sky. But the supernaturals populating the town know better.

Living in Nocturne Falls means being yourself. Fangs, fur, and all.

Eamon Underwood isn’t what you’d call a social butterfly. In fact, he avoids people altogether, outside of his job at his uncle’s funeral home, where Eamon is the mortician. For him, being around the dead is easier than being around the living. Mostly because of his very curious gift that enables him to see just how long a person has left to live. That knowledge makes personal interaction far too difficult.

Until he meets Troula Kouris. And sees…nothing.

Troula comes to Nocturne Falls to join her crazy-cat-lady aunts as an oracle, one of the rare descendants of the original Greek oracles. She’s been preparing for it all of her life. Unfortunately, just before she leaves for Nocturne Falls, she gets an ominous prediction that leads her to believe becoming an oracle could be fatal. Or maybe the real danger is the darkly handsome neighbor who lives next door.

When Troula and Eamon make a curious connection that leads to romance, it seems the fates want them together, despite the risks. Can a little orange kitten really solve all of their problems? Or will it all end in a catastrophe?

Thoughts on Death Dates the Oracle: We have new supernaturals in town and MAN they have some things they have to work through. Of the supernatural variety, I mean. Eamon's gift is not so great and it's pretty much made him into a hermit so he interacts with as few people as possible because seeing how long someone has left to live? Not fun IN THE SLIGHTEST.

On Tru's end, she's dealing with trying to decide if she wants to go through with the ritual that will bring her into her power. Thanks to her mom's sudden death years earlier, she has some reservations. Throw in a fortune teller's prediction that sends her spinning and she's on the fence about what she wants. The fact her next door neighbor could be danger the fortune teller spoke about AND that Tru finds him wildly attractive just muddles her even more.

Yeah, there's kind of a lot going on here. We have cats, cats, and more cats. The potential for romance between Eamon's uncle and one of Tru's aunts. A few familiar faces. A little danger. A not-so-great supernatural gift. A witchy gathering. And...well, romance between Eamon and Tru that might have to end before it even begins.

MAN, I like spending time in Nocturne Falls!

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*