A Grave Robbery by Deanna Raybourn

Veronica and Stoker make a gruesome discovery when the wax figure of a young woman is not what it seems to be.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Veronica and Stoker’s compelling interviews with witnesses had me glued to the pages. They had this uncanny way of playing off each other and extracting all the information they needed (and some they didn’t know they needed). Through that and their shrewd investigative efforts, the mystery of the girl unfolded in a very riveting way. Of all the secondary cast of characters, this time round, I found Mornaday the most amusing. I loved the silent communication between the two of them and their (closed-door) intimate moments. Stoker may be the strong, silent type, but he certainly has a way with words when he deigns to apply himself. This was another exciting installment and I can highly recommend this series if you like historical romance that leans heavily towards suspense and mystery.

Genre: Historical, Suspense
Published: March 12, 2024
Sensuality Rating: Subtle
Series: Veronica Speedwell

Watcher in the Woods by Kelley Armstrong

When a US Marshal shows up in Rockton demanding the release of one of the residents, Casey and Eric are skeptical. And yet only hours later, the marshal is shot dead and the only visible suspects are the townspeople and her estranged sister, in town for just the weekend. It’s up to Casey to figure out who murdered the marshal, and why they would kill to keep him quiet.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Who knew a small town hidden in the wilds of the Yukon could have so many secrets and so much drama? Eric and Casey put the residents under the microscope yet again after a US Marshall is shot while looking for his quarry in their town. Casey is a hard person, shaped by her past, but this just means she is perfect for Rockton. Her only soft spot is Eric, and her dog, and maybe her sister. She harbors no illusions about the people living in town and treats pretty much everyone as a potential suspect. And despite the turmoil in the council, Eric and Casey do their best to keep everyone in line and safe. I love April’s addition to the story and can’t wait to see more of her interactions with Casey. I can recommend this series if you like nail-biting action, where nothing is black-and-white, and characters with more secrets than common sense. It is best to read the books in order.

Genre: Suspense
Published: February 5, 2019
Sensuality Rating: Subtle
Series: Rocton/Casey Duncan

The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson

Two wolf shifters agree to be fake mates but unexpectedly find something real in this super steamy paranormal romance.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ The story started out really strong and I loved the light-hearted, humorous writing. The fake relationship turned real was also done really well and it was believable. Werewolves are portrayed differently here than what you would normally expect, which was interesting, but I feel that the Alpha and Omega roles weren’t fully explained. Mostly the Alpha role. And because of some of the world setup and what I could glean from their thoughts, Noah’s actions later on frustrated me to no end. I wanted him to be more assertive. Mack was a strong character all throughout. This was overall a very enjoyable read.

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Published: December 5, 2023
Sensuality Rating: Hot

Any Duke in a Storm by Amalie Howard

Famed spy Lady Lisbeth Medford is on a ship bound for the West Indies, and the only thing more dangerous than her mission is the elusive Duke she’s trying to capture.

⭐⭐⭐⭐ Lisbeth as Bonnie Bess was a surprise in many ways. She kept her title as Countess of Waterstone and took her role as spy very seriously. But she had also cultivated quite the fearsome reputation on the high seas and embraced a very progressive stance towards her sexuality. Bonnie Bess had the upper hand over Raphael from the start, except when it came to the unexpected strong attraction between them. Their chemistry sizzled just as much as the suspense and action. I enjoyed it all as it unfolded and the way that the villain got his comeuppance was very satisfactory. This is book 4 in an exciting, super steamy historical romance series. It’s not necessary to read the books in order, though it might help somewhat, as some of the characters make repeat appearances.

Genre: Historical Romance
Published: January 9, 2024
Sensuality Rating: Hot
Series: Daring Dukes