Four-Letter Words by Gabrielle Evans

Gabrielle Evans

Four-Letter Words

Haven 8
Word Count: 55,404

Genre: M/M Paranormal

Publisher: Siren-BookStrand

 

Heat Rating

Zasha Gershwin lives a rigidly controlled life. He doesn’t see anything wrong with being prepared and organized, and he certainly doesn’t have time for such frivolous things as love. He cares for Thane, and he’s certainly attracted to the witch, but that’s just how the mating bond works.

While his mate may not remember their previous life together, Thane Braddock has no trouble recalling every moment, right up to their tragic end. Now, he has a second chance to make everything right. Unfortunately, he’s making all new mistakes this time around.

Evil lurks to the west, spreading its shadow across the desert, and the races hover on the verge of war. When the Braddocks are called to answer the rising threat, Thane and Zasha’s turbulent relationship will be pushed to its breaking point. Can they rekindle the old flame before it’s too late? Or is history destined to repeat itself?

Four-Letter Words is the eighth installment to the Haven series by author Gabrielle Evans. This book is everything, I as a reader, would want in a story to keep me glued to the pages and wanting more.  Ms. Evans is a master storyteller, and she proves it in this book.

Emotionally charged from the get-go, I was hanging on to the edge of my seat waiting to see what was going to happen next.  Four-Letter Words is a rollercoaster ride that I never wanted to end.  I laughed, cried, and screamed at the screen, wanting the characters to find love and have their happy ending.

Zasha Aleric Gershwin is a vampire and more than a bit jaded. He believes in destined mates, just not the concept of love. Brave, loyal, fearless, and one of the most complicated men I have read lately, Zasha has such heart and soul that sometimes he gets in his own way. His need for control and organization sometimes messes him up, too, because he overthinks everything.

His mate, Thane, is an infamous Braddock witch, but unlike his brothers, he is a bit frail when we first meet him. It’s to be expected, however, since he was being held captive by an insane vampire. There is an inner strength to him, though, and he won’t allow his body’s limitations to stop him from getting what he wants. He clearly remembers the past life he and Zasha had together, and he knows, given the chance, they can have that again. This sure knowledge sees him through a lot in this book.

I loved the angst in this book, the emotional connection, and the engaging storyline. I have not been this drawn to a novel in a very long time. The twists and turns in this book are heartbreakingly beautiful. Be sure to have a few tissues on hand while you’re reading.

If you’re looking for an emotional rollercoaster ride that pulls you into the story and won’t let go, Four-Letter Words is the book to pick up.

5 Stars and a Stardust Recommended Read

Always Been You by Jess Buffett

Always Been You

Author: Jess Buffett

Word Count: 24,305

Genre: M/M Contemporary

Publisher: Silver Publishing

 

Heat Rating

Seth returns home and Jared is determined to finally make Seth his. Unfortunately not everyone wants that to happen.

Seth Hall returns to his hometown for the first time in eleven years. Now a father of two, he vows not to let his past intervene when he sets up a happy, stable life for them. That is, until Jared, the boy who had broken his heart all those years ago, turns up wanting a chance with him.

Jared Stewart thought he had lost his only chance to be with Seth. When Seth finally comes home, Jared makes it his mission to catch Seth once and for all but unfortunately not everyone wants that to happen.

Will they be finally able to make a life for themselves together? Or will they be torn apart again, by people they thought they could trust?

Jared knows it was a big secret that made Seth run before, but he’s determined to get things straightened out and ensure Seth stays with him forever this time around. Unfortunately, there is someone in town who doesn’t want Seth and Jared together—someone who tried to get Seth to go away eleven years ago and intends to finish what was started now that he’s back.

Watching these two grow and find themselves, as well as love, was so sweet and emotional. Jared has a dominant personality, is determined, and will plow through whatever he needs to get his man.  Seth is quieter and more sensitive. He panics a lot when things get to be too much, but over the course of the story he learns he has an inner strength that can see him through anything. He can fight. He just has to learn how.

I felt this story was really about growing up and learning to accept yourself just as you are. Ms. Buffett did a great job making me fall in love with her characters and really cheer for them.  The storyline is believable and more than once, I found myself smiling as I read. There is plenty of heat and angst to keep me turning the pages as well.  This sweet, emotional story will stay with me for a very long time to come.

5 STARS AND A SHINING STAR REVIEWER'S CHOICE AWARD!

Untamed Hunger by Aubrey Ross

Untamed Hunger

Alpha Colony 1

By Aubrey Ross

Genre: M/F, Paranormal, Sci-Fi

 

 HEAT RATING

Major Sasha Young has been stationed at Alpha Colony for the past three years, part of an elite military team assigned to maintain order and resolve conflicts between the shapeshifters. She has watched the hostile morphs, secretly fascinated by their predatory grace and animal magnetism. The colonies were established to protect defenseless humans from these genetic anomalies. So why does she feel like the morphs are the ones being victimized?

Grayson Evans, a rare white-tiger shifter, is frustrated and appalled by how little their human keepers understand the average "morph." After an especially violent altercation between leopard and tiger shifters, he decides it's time to educate them. He's had his eye on Sasha ever since she arrived at Alpha Colony and introducing the feisty beauty to the full potential of a felidae-morph is going to be his pleasure -- and hers!

Untamed Hunger is the first book in the Alpha Colony series by author Aubrey Ross. This book is the promise of a great series to come. Sasha Young is a major stationed at Alpha Colony to help monitor the colony of feline morphs. Sasha believes she’s been stationed on Alpha Colony to help, but little does she know the truth behind what is really happening.

Grayson is the only white tiger morph in the colony. He has a real interest in Sasha, but so far, she has eluded him. After all, it is forbidden for humans and morphs to mate. 

Sasha feels safe with Grayson, and longs to give up control to him. She knows it’s wrong, but she can’t help wanting the sexy tiger to claim her as his own. When Grayson kidnaps her, Sasha quickly realizes things are not always as she was taught.

She also learns cats love to play, to pounce, and to stalk. Grayson wants to do all that to Sasha, slowly thoroughly and completely. She needs information only Grayson has, but his cooperation will come at a price—her submission until dawn.

Though Sasha desires a release to some of her rigidly held control, a lifetime of habit will not be pushed to the wayside so easily. There is a wealth of pleasure in submission, though, something Grayson steadily pushes her to discover.

The emotional connection and heat between these two really jumps off the pages. They are both strong people who get caught up in a situation that ends up being bigger than the both of them.  The ending of Untamed Hunger left me with more questions than answers, and I can’t wait to find out more. The felines are poised on the brink of war, but who will come out the victor is anyone’s guess.

5 SHOOTING STARS!