Five Immortal Hearts: Harem of Flames by Savannah Rose

Five Immortal Heart is book one in the Harem of Flames Series by Savannah Rose

Summary:
Five immortal princes, each powerful beyond measures, but only one will have the rights to rule the world. A right to be bestowed upon them by a mere mortal. 

Misty didn’t see them coming; they entered her world without foreword or warning, shattering her glass cage of boundaries, forcing her to open her mind to parts of a world that should not exist. 

Five sets of blue eyes watched her closely. 
“We need you to make a choice, between the five of us, for the coming age,” they said, and they were serious. This was serious. Failure to choose would lead to Armageddon, a scorched earth piled high with the bones of elders and infants. 

All that power in the hands of a mortal. All that power in HER hands. She wasn’t sure she was ready, but then again, this is the kind of thing no one could ever truly be ready for. 

** This is a Reverse Harem Story. **

Review
Okay, so first, I have read many stories where I just did not like the MC for one reason or another, but Misty I liked straight away. I think it was more to the point that she did not spend her time bemoaning her lot in life. She was more of an "Oh, this impossible thing happened? Ok, so it may not be so impossible after all, moving on." She acknowledges that it was incredible, but does not allow it to slow her down. I really enjoyed this tale. Well done Ms. Rose!

Relationship Aspect
While we all know how important it is to build a strong foundation in a relationship, this tale had more at stake than who she will love. Misty spent time getting to know all five of the brothers and found that there are things she liked about them all, but the bottom line was not find who was best for her, but for the world as a whole. Given the situation was what it was she really couldn't have chosen any differently, and the fact that she personally liked them all was only a boon.

I give this a rating of Infatuation – You would read this story every chance you could.
Rated: 4/5 Stars

A Dance With Darkness (Otherworld Academy #1) by Jenna Wolfhart

A Dance with Darkness is Book 1 in the Otherworld Academy series by Jenna Wolfhart.

Summary:
I’ve always felt like an outsider. Until my eighteenth birthday, I didn’t know how true that was. First, I started seeing strange things. Then, the tips of my ears began to shift. Now, even touching something made of iron makes me sick.

Am I losing my mind?

When four mysterious fae males corner me in the street, they bring terrifying news: I’m not human. I’m a changeling, a fae swapped at birth.

Under their powerful yet infuriating guidance, I return to Otherworld to train at their academy and determine to which of the four faerie courts I belong. But there’s something much more dangerous than the four fae vying for my attention.

And if I don’t unravel the fae’s secrets, none of the changelings will survive. Including me.

** This is a Reverse Harem Story. **

Review:
A Dance with Darkness takes its readers on a wild ride! Stock full of Fae, magic, and love like no other. I love this kind of story, the kind that starts us off with your seemingly normal human girl until something happens or someone comes along and shakes things up. I definitely enjoyed this story!

Relationship Aspect:
As I am sure you know, as I have stated it enough in past reviews, that the foundation of a relationship is probably the most important part. I feel that the relationship between Norah and her fae males are progressing at a perfect pace. This book does have insta-connection vibe to it, but it does not overtake the mind of the characters and make them push the relationship along to fast. I feel like we got to know them pretty well by the end of the book. I am not sure I could even choose a favorite, Maybe Kael - he was someone Finn, I even liked Roarke with his quiet intensity and honor, he was a huge surprise as well.

I rate this an Obsession - Once you start you can’t stop. I recommend setting an alarm to let you know when to put it down

Rated: 5/5 Stars 

Her Secret (Bad Influence, #1) by Ivy Fox

Her Secret is Book 1 in the Bad Influence series by Ivy Fox

Summary:
“Our love is so much more than a mere catastrophic occurrence.”

My name is Freya Wilson.
I am not your typical girl next door.
I’m far from it.

As my mother likes to point out since I graduated high school, I should be planning my life instead of wallowing around the house, in my pajamas all day. Girls my age are either preparing for college or taking advantage of the warm summer days that California provides in spades. She doesn’t understand why I prefer to be stuck in my room, watching the world pass by.

But there is a reason to my melancholy that she will never know.

I’m in mourning. I morn a love I can never have. A love that if anyone were to learn about its existence, I would be judged and ridiculed. Branded with names too ugly to mention. Years ago, I had made the ultimate sacrifice so no one would discover my secret.

However, now my secret is being put to the test. I will need to overcome one last obstacle.

When fate brings me to live under the same roof temptation lies, I fear I might not be strong enough to hide my feelings. The moment I set foot inside it, my life takes an unexpected turn and the vision I once had of eternal solitude, seems out of reach. The chains I have weaved around me are no match for the allurement the house next door provides.

There is no running away from love, and I was a fool to think otherwise.

** This is a Reverse Harem Story. **

Review:
Her secret is basically about a girl who is in love with her childhood best friends, yes that is plural. The issue is that they are brothers.
Relationship Aspect:

Okay, so this story started with a prepackaged background. Everyone already knew everyone, they already loved each other and the only issue was that she loved brothers. The brothers already love her, already in the mindset to sharing her. So there really was no waiting or angst in regards to that. Once they pushed her boundaries in the sexual direction it was like a free season on her. It had felt like the story was written around the sex scenes. With that said, the sex scenes were awesome!

I rate this an Attraction – A promising Story, but nothing life-changing. You would read the sequel as more of a backup story when you run out.
Rated: 3/5 Stars

Cursed (The Gaia Chronicles #1) by Grace White

Cursed is Book One in the Gaia Chronicles by Grace White.

Summary:
It isn't easy being the girl who feels the world...

Isolation is all nineteen-year-old Terra Materson has known for the last six years. Hiding from the cruel whispers and judgmental stares of society, she suffers the pain of the world around her in silence. The air that moves … the water that flows …the fire that burns … the earth that grounds, Terra feels it all. Despite her grandmother’s insistence, it’s a gift, she knows it is nothing more than a curse in disguise.

When her grandmother dies, leaving her alone and guideless, she is forced to step out of the shadows and into the light. Atchison College is the perfect place for Terra to learn to live again. Until she meets four guys with strange connections to the elements that torment her.

Together they lead her on a journey to the answer she’s always craved: Who is she? But as Terra quickly realizes, the truth is far more than her head, and heart is prepared for...

** This Story is a Reverse Harem Story. **

My Review:
Cursed is a story steeped in magic and lore. You can not help but feel for Terra as she tries to learn about who or what she is and meeting roadblocks that impede her. I tend to enjoy stories that start with a normal girl - or a girl that believes she is normal. Then as the story progresses she learns she is anything but normal. This story provides me with everything I love in a storyline.

Relationship Aspect
As I have stated countless times the foundation of a relationship is extremely important, more so with Harem themed stories. Curse provides us with a slow steady paced building of the relationship between Terra and her Chosen. My favorite as of now is Ross with Cael and Endo a close second, Sol is someone I would have to learn more about before I can have an honest opinion of him.

I give this a rating of Infatuation – You would read this story every chance you could.
Rated: 4/5 Stars



Audio Version

Voodoo Knights (Black Magic Harem #1) by Amanda Rose

Voodoo Knights is Book One in the Black Magic Marem Series by Amanda Rose

Summary:
Four dark and dangerous spirits haunt me.

They're black magic manipulators, voodoo masters—and they say they're here to be my teachers.

But can I really trust a man who turns into a cat? A motorcycle-riding jerk with a bag of souls? How about his top hat wearing friend or the weirdo that lives in the tree in my backyard?

Don't think so.

Then again, I might have little choice but to accept their help.

Somebody murdered my grandma and now that same somebody wants me dead, too.

These four guardians borrow their powers from mine:

Kriminal LaCoste. Samuel Baron. Sebastian GranBois. Zandor Red.

If I reject them, I'll be left alone in a world of monsters, magic, and madness.

** This is a Reverse Harem Story. **

My Review: 
Voodoo Knights is looking to become one of my favorite reverse harem series to date. Right from the start, I enjoyed it! I have read many a story that promises to be about magic and whatnot, but we never actually see anything. A good book about magic will go into the details and this one more than fulfilled its promise.

The relationship aspect:
As I have stated many times having a strong foundation in extremely important. Especially for the reverse harem genre. I don't really agree with who Sera gave her V card to, I personally would have chosen either Bastion or Zandor. Even Krim under the right circumstances because he was the first of them to actually open up to her even though he is supposed to be the asshole of the group. Though I guess if you were going to choose according to 'right place. right time,' then the voodoo god of sex is an excellent choice.

I really enjoyed this story and would definitely recommend it with the warning of it being a reverse harem story. I should also add that many stories lately seem to end just as you are getting into it, but this one was a decent length. Great Job Ms. Rose, if this is your first attempt at writing, you killed it! Thanks to this story I will take a chance on reading any other stories you publish in the future.

I give this a rating of Infatuation – You would read this story every chance you could.
Rated:4/5 Stars




Audio Version

Snow Rises (Angels of Shadows, #1) by Larisa Long

Fearless. Soulless. Good. Evil. Angel. Demon. Warlock. Reaper.

I’ve met them all, but what am I?

My name’s Cassandra (Caz). At least that’s the name I’m going by this month. I’ve just aged out of the foster care system. I have no money. No memories. No future. No past. I was chased by an angel and a reaper who said I belong to them - they have my soul. I thought I was crazy until a demon and a warlock captured me and claimed I’m one of them. They say I don’t need a soul. I thought I was fearless. Didn’t know I was soulless. Now, I’m caught in the middle of an ancient war between good and evil, angels and demons, and both sides believe I was promised to them long ago. Am I even human? I don’t know who to trust. I don’t even know if I can trust myself

** This is a Reverse Harem Story. **

My Review:
Normally I could get behind a story like this one, with angles, demons, reapers, and warlocks. However, this one fell flat for me. I just couldn't get into it. I feel like she started the story in the middle and I am missing something. I understand that this is a mystery suspense, but I just could not get into the characters. I stopped reading it after 43%, maybe I will try again at another time and see if maybe it was my state of mind that kept me from being pulled in.
Rated: 2/5 Stars

River’s Run - Lords of Kassis, Book 1 By S.E. Smith

**Warning: I do not write reviews based on grammar or spelling issues, only on plot and overall story points and progression. I will only mention grammar if it is so bad that it distracts me from the story. **

River's run is book one in an adult Alien series called Lords of Kassis. This book is about 3 sisters, River, Jo, and Star, two of which was kidnapped by Alien's, while the last saw this and sneaked her way on board their shuttlecraft then the main spacecraft by using the air ducts as a way to travel unseen.

** Slight Spoiler Alert** 

While on the craft, still free, River witnesses the capture of large human-like men and decides that if she and her sisters were ever going to get home than they need to rescue them before any more of them were killed. Each of the girls was trained in a weapon as part of their circus act, River - throwing knives, Star - small handheld crossbow, Jo - a staff, using those skills the girls free the men then flee back to the air ducts to sabotage the craft.

**End Spoiler Alert **

I like how the heroine is strong and able to take care of herself, even in that situation. However, I disliked how the male lead kept on insisting that River needs to be protected because she was female. It's like he forgets he was the one who was rescued, and even when she points this out to him he conveniently forgets it or ignores the fact.

One thing about this story I did not understand was the almost instant "pull" they felt towards each other. His people do not find their mates by some kind of magical bond and neither does humans. So, without the soulmate twist why the hell would she put up with his shenanigans? Do you know? Because I don't.

I rate this Attraction – A promising Story, but nothing life-changing. You would read the sequel as more of a backup story when you run out.
Rated: 3/5 Stars

Brothers of the Flame - Ariel Kimber Book 1 by Mary Martel

Brothers of the Flame is book one in the Ariel Kimber series, and it's about a young girl whose life has been filled with abuse, thanks to her mother. Ariel's mother, who was described as a gold-digger, met a man online and decided to move in with him. Mr. Cole luckily was unlike any of her mother's past boyfriends.

Use to being invisible Ariel has to deal with the fact that now she no longer is. Life in a small town, where everyone knows each other, makes Ariel's "new girl" status all the more evident, something she greatly detests.

Though Ariel's detestable life starts to change when she meets the Rude Tyson. From the moment he bumped into her and commented rudely her life changed.

*This is a reverse harem story, though it does not have any explicit scenes it does have swearing. *

** Normally I do not make reviews based on grammar issues unless it is so bad that it distracts from the story and I am sad to say this one did. More than a couple times within the book I had to reread sentences because my mind picked up a word that did not belong. However, if you could get past those type of mistakes this storyline was awesome. **

What I liked about the story:
I like how the storyline progressed at a good rate. There really wasn't very much filler information that I found boring.

What could have made the story better: (beside the editing issues I mentioned above.)
I actually really enjoyed the story, so no complaints on that.

This series has great promise and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys the reverse harem genre, but I would warn them about the editing issues.


I rate this Attraction – A promising Story, but nothing life-changing. You would read the sequel as more of a backup story when you run out. It could also be classified as Light Reading as I did finish this story in one sitting. 
Rated: 3/5 Stars

Below you can find an audio version of this review:

Runes By Ednah Walters

Runes is about a Seventeen-year-old girl named Raine Cooper who is still recovering from losing her father in a plane crash. Raine is your average high school swim team teenager that likes to hang out with friends and have fun. Raine is also in-love with her childhood friend Erik who quietly feels the same. 

Raine's normal life comes to end when she meets Torin St. James - the mysterious new neighbor with a wickedly handsome smile and arrogant manner that makes her want to slap him.

Runes is a perfect blend of Norse Mythology, Magic, High School Drama, Death, and Possibilities. I thoroughly enjoyed this series and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves paranormal romances. 

Runes is the first book in a series of 7 full length novels. This series is completem so no waiting between books. 

I rate this book: Obsession - Once you start you can’t stop. I recommend setting an alarm to let you know when to put it down

Rated: 5/5 Stars

Existence By Abbi Glines

Existence is about a young girl named Pagan Moore who can see ghosts. Pagan could see ghost's for as far back as she could remember, and she learned quickly to never let on that she could see them. Normal people would think that she was crazy and the ghost would never leave her alone if they knew she could see them.

Seeing ghosts was Pagan's normal, however that changes when meets a ghost unlike any she had ever seen before. This ghost was special, he was as handsome as he was different. 

Pagan soon learns that the world she lives in is not as black and white as she had once believed, especially since he seems to be more than just a ghost.

This was an extremely easy world to get "pulled" into and stay in. I have read this one and book 2 and 3 in 3 days; one book a day. For me, this story held a nice blend of high school drama and supernatural intrigue. 

I fully enjoyed this series and I have re-read it multiple times, both in print and audio versions. This series has found itself on my top ten list!

I rated this book: Obsession - Once you start you can’t stop. I recommend setting an alarm to let you know when to put it down

Rated: 5/5 Stars

Introductions The Academy: The Ghost Bird, Book 1 By: C. L. Stone

Introductions (The Ghost Bird #1) is a short novel about a girl named Sang Sorenson, a young woman with an abusive domestic situation. Sang's life was filled with strange and unusual punishments and because she was forced - by her parents, into a life of isolation, she had no friends. Until one night she meets a boy from the neighborhood she and her family just moved to. From there she meets his friends whom then become important parts of her life.

Introductions is a perfect intro to the series as it gives the reader enough information to get you hooked. I was particularly intrigued with the elusive Academy that the boys were a part of.

** This series is a Reverse Harem - Sang has 9 love interests. ** It is also a Young Adult Series with no sexual content. **

I found this series to be completely addictive, even though it has no real "adult" elements that usually draw me towards the RH genre. I feel like I know Sang and her boys, which makes me feel invested in their story. I would totally recommend this series to anyone and everyone I speak with! This series as of now has 11 full-length novels with one on the way soon.

I rate this book: Light Reading - A Short story easy to finish in an hour or two.

Rated: 5/5 Stars

Thief The Academy: The Scarab Beetle Book 1 By C. L. Stone

Thief is the first book in C.L Stone's new spin-off The Academy series, The Scarab Beetle. The story is about a girl named Kayli Winchester. Like with Ms. Stone's other series, this one is also about a girl with an abusive home life. Unlike with Sang, Kayli is an adult, an older sister to a classmate of the original series heroine. Kayli is not your average everyday girl, she is an expert pickpocket and she uses her skill to help support herself and her little brother Will.

While she was out, looking for her next mark, Kayli is picked up by an Academy team that needed her special talent.

** This series is a Reverse Harem - Kayli has 5 love interests. ** This series is an adult series, but it does not contain erotica. **

It did take me a while to get into this series, but once I had I found it just as interesting as the original series. I liked the more adult themes that the spin-off offers because frankly, you can only passionately kiss someone so many times before (naturally) the boy will try for more.

Thief gave off more of a "spy" feel then the original series had and for me that made this story more interesting for me. Even though I was not crazy over Kayli, I continued to read because I liked the storyline - and the boys didn't hurt either!

I would recommend this series to anyone, but I would tell them to give it a few chapters first.

I rate this: Infatuation – You would read this story every chance you could.
Rated 4/5

Insatiable Darkness (Vigilant) by L.M. Preston

Insatiable Darkness is a short novel and can be read easily in a single sitting. The story is about Emvee a teenage girl who was forced to move to a new town because of her parents work. She soon learns -by eavesdropping on a conversation between her parents, that the reason for their move was not as clear-cut as she had first believed. This knowledge has led to a "need" in Emvee to know what is truly going on. It didn't take her long to realize that she may have bitten off more than she could chew.

*** Insatiable Darkness is the prequel to a new series that has yet to be published. ***

Forewarning, my review will be heavily based on storyline and plot, I will not ever mention grammar or spelling issues unless it is so bad that it distracts me from the overall tale.


What I liked about the story:
This is an interesting start to a promising series. I can't wait to learn more about Emvee and her coming trials. I have personally read many stories that take mythology and bend it to be used in many different ways, but I can honestly say that Insatiable Darkness bends mythology in a way I have not yet read. She had perfectly blended the idea of science and magic together so well that the idea was believable (if magic ever existed I could totally believe this could happen!) Emvee is a strong kiss-ass heroine that does not fall apart in the face of danger, she kicks it in the gonads!


Things that I believe could have made the story better:
The beginning of the story did not seamlessly bring me into it, it took the first chapter and some of the second before I could comfortably say I was all in. Once I was able to connect with the story I was sufficiently 'pulled in'. Though I do wish Ms. Preston could have expounded more on what a Soul Trainer is and what its purpose was.


The book did its job as a prequel and has left me wanting to know more about Emvee, her friends, and the dangers she will no doubt come to face.


I rate this light reading... You can finish this part within a few hours.
Rating: 4/5 Stars

Below you can find an audio version of this review:

Not Quite Terran Part One by Erin Tate

Rebecca's job is to keep unsanctioned aliens off Rilli Space Station. Then she meets Karru C'Hali, a male from a race that isn't supposed to exist. He's heavily muscled, gorgeous, seductive... and unsanctioned.

***Not Quite Terran is written in the short story serial format.***

“Not quite Terran is a five-part serial series with part one through three already published with part four and five on its way. Erin Tate has shown great promise as a new author in the sci-fi genre. She writes characters that are/can be realistic personality wise. Her female lead Rebecca is rather enjoyable as a character. Karru C'Hali is portrayed as extremely vulnerable, powerful, kind of bashful and in no way arrogant. He was one of my favorites in this series. I would totally recommend you pick up the series, you won't be disappointed.”


I rate this light reading... You can finish each part within an hour or two.


The series Not Quite Terran has a total of 5 books

1. Not Quite Terran Part One
2. Not Quite Terran Part Two
3. Not Quite Terran Part Three
4. Not Quite Terran Part Four
5. Not Quite Terran Part Five

Vados (The Ujal #1) by Erin Tate

A human woman, a tail-sporting alien, and a deadly hurricane… of course, they’re going to hook up!

Or rather, they did hook up. But that was then. This is now.

As a marine biologist, Maris Xayer is used to observing all types of marine life, but she never imagined she’d come face to tail with an Ujal. In the middle of a hurricane, Maris and Vados came together—ahem—and then he disappeared. She figured it was a one-storm stand with an Ujal and moved on. Except that Vados hadn’t really gone anywhere and now the sexy as sin, red-skinned Ujal is back, for her.

**This is a stand-alone 37-page SHORT STORY.**

This is a great but quick read for the sci-fi romance lover. This is the first book I have read by Erin Tate and I have not been disappointed. I will definitely return to this author for other books. The characters were well developed and dialogue well thought out. I would definitely recommend this story to others. Can't wait for the next in the series I will definitely read it.


I rate this light reading... You can finish it within an hour or two.
Rating: 4/5 Stars

VENOMOUS BY PENELOPE FLETCHER

Abducted from Earth and transported to a slave planet in an unknown galaxy, Lumen finds herself, shackled, naked and put on display before an alien horde. Told the males will battle for the right to slake their lusts with her body, she would become the slave of slaves.

Venomous One, a proud warrior enslaved, has given up hope of returning to his home world and finding a life mate. When a female is tossed into the arena his soul demands he claim her. Winning his mate by Right of Might, he vows to protect Lumen and be a good provider, no matter how ugly her human appearance.

Soon Lumen and Venomous One were rescued by Venomous’ people; the couple faces space pirates, the condemnation of an alien government, galactic war, and a deadlier threat from within the warrior’s own kindred. 

I like Lumen as a character; I found her funny, snarky, sarcastic, and mentally strong considering what she has been through. She is realistic and not to overly whiny as many female leads of this type of story can be. At least no whinier then a normal person would be when faced with the non-choices she was. I especially liked how she blossomed as a person under the love of her mates.

I wasn’t sure what to think of Venomous as a character at first, but the more I got to know him the more I liked him. My favorite characters of this book are tied between Venomous, Cobra, and Beowyn all for different reasons. You would most likely understand why once you give this book a spin, I would defiantly recommend.

Infatuation – You would read this story every chance you could.

Rating: 4/5 Stars