Amy's 5 Bazillion Stars ARC Review of Counter to My Intelligence (The Heros of The Dixie Wardens MC #7) Lani Lynn Vale

Sometimes the heart wants what it can’t have. 

That’s the motto Silas Mackenzie, the president of The Dixie Wardens MC, has lived by since he was a young man. 

Now he’s well on the way to middle age, has three grown children and he’s lusting after a woman he should definitely stay away from. 

Especially not one that his ex-girlfriend had given birth to, and happens to be only twenty-nine years old. 

Sawyer isn’t a young girl at heart, though. 

She’s seen the inside of a jail cell for eight long years, and every one of them was spent paying for a crime she didn’t commit. 

Silas Mackenzie knows as soon as he sees her that the she has sacrificed enough. 
And maybe…just maybe…so has he. 

It’s time for Silas Mackenzie to get what he deserves, and, in the process, put a little bit of happy back into Sawyer’s world, one rough, bearded kiss at a time.

Counter to My Intelligence (The Heros of The Dixie Wardens MC #7)
Lani Lynn Vale
5 bazillion stars

Lets quickly talk about the cover. Once again Lani has nailed it. Alfie G. is the PERFECT Silas in all ways. His personality, his kindness, that he would do anything for those he cares for is exactly the same as the character he is portraying on the cover of Counter to My Intelligence -- Standing ovation for the cover alone.

Sawyer Berry’s life changed forever the night Bristol and Issac talked her into going to that party. Never in her wildest dreams would she imagine eight years of her life would be gone shattering her and tainting her forever. Only 28 years old and time lost behind bars. Thank goodness for Ruthann Comalsky, her cellmate. She would have never gotten out alive much less for the most part untouched. Sawyer owes this woman her life and when she gets out she will make sure she repays her. Ruthie is her best friend. She understands her … but now Sawyer is on her way home without Ruthie by her side. She doesn’t know what to do or who to turn to. Bristol is still there, now married to her brother but Issac, not so much. Rude awakening there … how is she supposed to handle the day to day grind knowing what she did? How is she supposed to survive now?

Silas McKenzie is President of the Dixie Wardens MC, a volunteer firefighter and much more. He was on shift with the volunteer fire department eight long years ago. He remembers the body bags. He knows Sawyer will never be the same. Silas wasn’t always “just a biker. “ He originally was thrown into the MC deep undercover by the CIA. He lost everything because of it. His kids aren’t fond of him to put it nicely, well at least half of them. His lies and his deep betrayal has turned them off of being a part of his life. So yeah, Silas knows heartache and suffering and he also knows Sawyer has done her time. Coming home isn’t going to be easy for her. Sawyer may only be 28 years in age but her soul is much older. Prison and traumatic events do that to a person.

And we are off ….. I cant being to express the beauty in the story between these two exceptional characters. Not only do I love this MC as they are all made up of “community helpers” but they are true family men who protect their own not matter the costs to them. Silas is the man that every girl wishes would stand by her side protecting her from the bad and showering her with undeniable committed love. In a remarkable love story two characters who have endured enough find something that most of us only uncover in our dreams while we are sleeping.

Every page isn’t filled with hearts and flowers though friends. Silas knows something is off with the time Sawyer spent in prison. He also knows she suffered on the inside and he plans to find out at the hands of whom. An evil from Silas’s past also comes back slithering through the shadows. The claws dig in and tear into his soul moving onto those he loves forcing him relive his darkest moment. Im telling you that you will become a “stoplight reader” with this one; meaning you will be picking up your Kindle at every red light! Yup that’s me! And yes its only at red lights, but also waiting in line, any gym equipment that I can run on without killing myself while reading …. You name it .. I didn’t put it down.

You don’t need to read the entire series to read any of these books but I recommend that you do eventually pick them all up. They will make your essence sing ladies or make you sneer at your husband because you want a Lani man.

Thank you Lani for the ARC! Thank you Alfie for the amazing cover you gifted us. Get this one on release day friends -- January 6th. BRILLIANT – Review to post to Ramblings From Beneath The Sheets.

Next in this series: Right to My Wrong - Sterling

Other books in the series:

Lights to My Siren: Sebastian
Halligan to My Axe: Kettle
Kevlar to My Vest: Trance
Keys to My Cuffs: Loki
Life To My Flight: Cleo
Charge to My Line: Grayson

There is also her KPD SWAT series and Freebirds series. I know this is a ton of books but I can promise you there is not one bad story in any of these. Click them up when you get the chance and meet all of the men given to us by Lani Lynn Vale.


**** This is NOT a full review as it will come closer to release day.***

HOWEVER let me say if you have not planned to click this book up or preordered you need to do it now.

Not only has Lani written another brilliant 5 star story but she also has given us a fantastic cover with Alfie Gordillo portraying the one and only Silas Mackenzie, the president of The Dixie Wardens MC. Silas is everything and much more than we ever imagined ladies. I can, with all the confidence in the world, tell you that Silas will reign as one of my top three favorite characters.

I have rambled enough. Full review to post closer to release day on Ramblings From Beneath The Sheets. Lani I cannot thank you enough for the ARC. Alfie ... you nailed it. 

Amy's 5 Free Spirited Stars ARC Review of The Run (The Hell’s Disciples MC Book 4) Jaci J

The Hell's Disciples MC series book 4 

Lennon 
A passionate free spirited girl with a constant need to run,’ or ‘Unsettled,’ is how my mother would describe me. I call it an eternal eagerness to roam. My feet always seem to carry me along the path less traveled, sometimes leading me into trouble, and every once in a while, they lead me to something fu****g great. That something great might just be a bike riding, cut wearing hard-ass. Buck might just be worth slowing down and hanging around for. 

Buck 
Uninteresting―that’s what I’d say about anything outside my club. An old lady, uninterested. Bitches beyond the bedroom, uninterested. A roommate, definitely not fu*****g interested. I ran, like a bat outta hell, from one bad situation two years ago and I’m not looking to repeat the same goddamn mistake twice, but Lennon doesn’t make it easy on a man. Crazy beautiful, a wild heart, and an infectious spirit, Lennon might just be enough to pique my interest. 

18+ 

The Run (The Hell’s Disciples MC Book 4)
Jaci J
5 free spirited stars

Jaci J has really continued to make a mark with this series. Creating characters that we have become family with is something every reader wants when opening to that first page …. Jaci has created characters you can connect with and love. 

Lennon Rose Page is a wild and free spirit according to her friend Lil. Needing to find a place to settle for a short bit, Tank opens up his home to her until she is able to travel and get to Lil’s Uncle Dan’s chapter. Returning from a long run and ready to hang his hat up for a few days Buck doesn’t want to retrieve the “package” and become a babysitter but when his President asks him to do something he would never say no. 

Heading to Washington, Buck has never seen a more intriguing, sassy and quick witted woman ever …. Outside of his club there isn’t much in the big world that holds his interest … maybe all of that is about to change. Lennon isn’t sure what to think of the gigantic biker standing in front of her. He has a smart mouth and is extremely bossy. Its nothing she hasn’t ever dealt with before but she needs to hold her own but at the same time be polite. He is taking her into his home for goodness sake. 

Buck and Lennon weave their way into an amazing banter of friendship and respect for the other. As time moves on Buck and Lennon both begin to see the other for what they are. Buck has been played before by Jess but Ben sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong … that just doesn't sit right until maybe Ben is on to something. Letting his past smear his judgment he might not be able to fix this. He knows Lennon will run but just how far and when? 

There are some really fantastic secondary characters in this release .. some new and some old. I am dying to know what is going on with Sammy and Tags. Tinker, Gin, Peaches, Lil, Tank, Dan, Rock .. the entire crew is still here and still going strong. I LOVE THIS MC! 

Click it up friends. Although this is considered a standalone I would definitely click up the previous books. They are really good and get better as we move along through the series. The next release is the continuation of the rival between the Raiders and the Oregon crew. I have a feeling its about to get intense. A member of the HD is still missing and someone needs to start talking. 

Thank you Jaci J for the ARC! Review to post to Ramblings From Beneath The Sheets.

Amy's 3.5 star ARC Review of Ryker (The Powers That Be #4) Harper Bentley

Ryker Powers was the biggest prick I'd ever met.

He was also my biggest mistake.

He'd taken what he wanted then left, and I detested him for it. Not that the jerk had cared to stick around long enough to know how I felt.

Everyone thought he was a perfect gentleman with all his quiet intensity but I knew better.

I knew he had a filthy mouth. That he liked things dirty.

He may have had people fooled into thinking he was a nice guy but I knew exactly who he was.

He was a bad boy who'd ask for a light from the devil himself.

And I wanted to see him burn.

Until I realized--to my utter horror--that what I really wanted was him.

Who was going to get burned now?

New adult. Not recommended for readers under 18

Ryker (The Powers That Be #4)
Harper Bentley
3.5 stars

So love the cover .. a lot but I'm bummed to find out that this is the last book in the series and I didn’t of course get to read the previous three releases. I'm not a fan of knowing everything there is to know about the characters even though books are standalones. The Powers boys are all mentioned in this book and we actually have interaction with Loch. Bums me out not knowing their stories and it makes me personally feel as a reader that I missed things. 

Ryker is a decent read but the story felt rushed to me. Ryker has a past that he has a death grip on .. a past that drives him. However you don’t find out about any of that until you are almost ¾ of the way through the story. I felt as important as this was it should have been addressed and brought more to the front of why Ryker was and is the way he is. It might have not made me want to beat the crap out of his character and grab Frankie by the arm to shake some sense into her. 

Speaking of Frankie (Francesca Mangenelli) I found myself calling her a stupid girl through most of the story. What I did LOVE about the book is Frankie’s neighbor Mrs. Bertonlini and I also loved that the kids in her class called her Coach Manjajelly because they couldn’t pronounce her name. Being a teacher myself .. yeah that’s awesome. Something like that makes the worst day a great day. Kids are brilliant. 

There was a also a character named Cole that I don’t know if we got to meet prior or what his story was but he was a snake and I wanted to know more. All in all its not a bad read but it’s a quick read. If I would have had the opportunity to read the other releases maybe it might have had more of an impact on me. Not sure though. The storyline panned out and the ending was good – Love the epilogue but something was for sure missing for me in the middle. If you have read the other books then click this one up. For me, I think I missed too much to have a connection with the characters in this read. 

Thank you for the ARC! Review to post to Ramblings From Beneath The Sheets

Amy's 4.5 star ARC Review of Pain by Amanda Mackey

Life is sweet in The Sanctuary—until Lillian Harris is thrown the curveball of her life. 

Lillian is perfectly happy cocooned within the lofty perimeter fence of The Sanctuary. Her Sanctuary—a vast oasis for rescued lions, tigers, and elephants. The animals are her world. So when Lillian’s dad tells her a nineteen-year-old criminal who’s fresh out of prison is coming to The Sanctuary as part of a rehabilitation program, Lillian is more than a little apprehensive. She interacts with animals more than humans—and definitely not criminals. 

Justice Armstrong is more arrogant than a Silverback, but something darker lurks behind his eyes… 

It isn’t until Justice swaggers toward her from the parole officer’s car—pierced, confident, and more than a little hot—Lillian knows she has her work cut out for her. His stare has the power to rob her of all thoughts. His words, although crude and nefarious, bring a part of her to life she never knew existed. How is this criminal suddenly turning her world upside down? 

He has the power to drag her to the dark side.... 

Pain is his drug of choice, a vice he can’t survive without. Then he meets Lillian Harris. Little miss hellcat. Fiery, strong, and all woman. She challenges him at every damn turn, and watching her tame those fierce big cats makes his need for her that much stronger. He wants to do things to her…wicked things. She makes him crave pain in a whole new way. 

When a teen with a dark past bumps heads with a feisty rescue worker, will it be love over lust—or a matter of life and death?

Pain
Amanda Mackey
4.5 stars

Zowie! First of all let me say I am opinionated in rescue because that is part of what I do and who I am so this book was right up my alley in the where the setting and drama took place. LOVE THAT! Thank you Amanda for bringing light onto animals who need us through Lil and her father. 

Lil Harris was in her heaven on earth. The Sanctuary housed elephants, lion, Bengal tigers and more. All rescued from abuse or unethical living conditions. She is a warrior fighting for those with no voice – YES! Needing help Lil’s father puts in with the local sheriff to start a program for troubled youth and young adults. It was the perfect solution for enlisting help around the property and in turn hoping the interaction would change the lives of those coming to them. The new guy was to come tomorrow and her Dad felt since he was close to Lil’s age she could show him around until things settled down a bit. … YUP … 

Justice Armstrong is not pleased that he is heading to a zoo of all places. He was first introduced to the life of crime at age nine by his legal guardian, Jeffrey O’Dowell. It was a laughable waste of money. Justice was never going to care about anyone or anything. He was who he was thanks to his wonderful crap hand in life. Meeting the little spitfire named “Lil” just brightened his day. She was feisty and he loved the fact that she stood up to him. Maybe moving from one prison to another wasn’t so bad after all. When the past tears him apart again the voice of an angel is the only thing that might just bring him back. 

This is a really fantastic read. Its not because of the rescue part but the storyline of giving someone a chance, not judging and holding on to someone you know who can be better is magnificent. Too many people play judge and jury tossing those who have made mistakes aside with no regard. Lil’s father Tom saw something good in Justice as did Lil. I love love love this type of read. There is a bit of a shocker near the end of the story that kind of put things a little over the top but again Justice deserved it. 

No cliffhanger and a great story with phenomenal characters. I would love a book about a couple of those secondary peeps. 

Thank you Amanda for the ARC! Review to post to Ramblings From Beneath The Sheets.

Amy's 3 star ARC Review of If Only Beckie Stevenson

They say the truth can set you free... 

Our story started like the fairytales you grew up reading, but it doesn’t end like them. 


I was fifteen when I realised I was in love with Cole. He was the foster kid who wore scruffy clothes and never had any money. He was the bad boy, the fighter. The boy who took all the dares—and won. He was the boy that scared me but excited me at the same time. He was the boy I shouldn’t have wanted, but, of course, he was the one I wanted the most. 

In the beginning, he was mine. And I was his. 
Cole and Evie. Evie and Cole. 

But then a lie was told. Lies break people. And broken people shatter into little pieces of tortured pasts and fractured futures. 

And then our fairytale beginning morphed into a story of heartache and sadness, instead of happiness and hope. A story that ended with lost love, friendship, and a never-ending cycle of what ifs and if onlys. 


Our ending broke me. Shattered me. Destroyed me. 


When a story ends like ours did, is it any wonder I never wanted to start a new one again?

If Only
Beckie Stevenson
3 stars

Cole and Evie have been the one for each other since the day they laid eyes on each other. That was when Evie was fifteen. Cole was in foster care. He was fighting the odds that goes with having no real family but Evie didn’t care. Her brother didn’t care either. They were best friends until tragedy struck. Evie had to push Cole away. She loved him but hated him .. she wanted him but refused him. Cole knew it had to be this way. The only two people that ever mattered to him were lost; both gone but in different ways. Lies brought them to where they were now. Moving forward years later Evie has done well for herself but never truly forgotten Cole. Cole has never forgotten her but in a chance meeting through their profession things are about to be thrown back to the surface. Evie and Cole have their hearts torn back open and neither may survive. 

This book was okay for me. Unfortunately this is not my choice of genre so having said that if you like second chance love then its for you. There are numerous secondary characters; one who particular intrigued me who if he gets his own story I would certainly click it up. Aiden is more my cup of tea – description and all. 

There is a lot and I mean a lot of drama on these pages. I found myself thinking not again a few times. I also like more action as far as romance and betrayal. Yes that is good stuff too but you have to throw me some hard nose characters in the mix and a few threatening situations. 

Please don't not click this one up. In fact I love it when someone else reads the story and puts their spin on it. This is definitely a love story and of course has an HEA for your ladies. I would assume this is a standalone but hopefully we will get some stories from the rest of the crew along the way .. especially that swaggery man Aiden. 

Review to post to Ramblings From Beneath The Sheets. Thank you for the ARC!

Amy's 5 star Review of Harder (Stark Ink #1) Dahlia West

Life leads you away... 

Adam Stark loves two things-- his art and his family. Years of hard work and single-minded pursuit have set Stark Ink well on its way to becoming the most prestigious tattoo parlor in Rapid City. His success has been hard won and it came with a hefty price tag. 


Blood brings you back... 

Tragedy strikes and leaves Adam reeling in its wake. His mother's last request seems simple enough: Keep the family together. But Adam's been gone way too long, and this isn't the family he remembers leaving behind. Old wounds have never healed, and dark secrets churn just below the surface. No matter how hard Adam tries, the deceptively easy task of saving the Starks just keeps getting... 

Harder

Harder (Stark Ink #1)
Dahlia West
5 stars

Dahlia West please don’t ever never ever ever quit writing. Wow … The Stark family. Swoon. I cannot believe I'm just not getting to this series. However between ARC’s appearing daily on my kindle I continued to push these back. I'm so glad I clicked this up yesterday because I consumed Adam and his life. If you remember we meet Adam when Daisy (Easy’s woman) befriends him in The Burnout series. And yes you get a short quip into the guys. Alone that had me bouncing on my heels. This series is going to prove to be no different. 

Adam Stark has just lost his mother. Leaving him a letter to hold the family together he has no idea how distant he has been – time only seemed like a minute but it was much longer than that. Stark Ink was just on its way to turning the curve; making enough money to hire some additional artist but life just hit a brick wall and everything is sitting on Adams shoulders. 

In this first release we meet the entire Stark Family and it’s a beautiful one. Each Stark sibling is fighting against something even their father. Thank goodness an angel appears to help Adam sort through his demons. Maybe he can make this work. Maybe he can change the train wreck that is unfolding right before his eyes. 

I absolutely love this book and have already clicked up and dove into Dalton’s story; book two; Better. I'm going to read on, hold my heart into my chest, hold my breath and press on. I have a feeling I'm going to be jumping for joy, wiping away tears and wishing I was a part of the Stark crew even more so than I do now. 

Miriam and Douglas Stark .. you have done well. All you have to do according to Calla ……. is have faith. Pop Stark .. you crack me up .. the meaning of Army .. bwwwaahhhhh! LOVE this character. 

These books are free on Kindle Unlimited as well as The Burnout series featuring shooter and the boys. Click them all up! Review to post to Ramblings From Beneath The Sheets.

Amy's 4.5 star ARC Review of Unleashed (Volume 1) Callie Harper

Declan 
I never thought I’d see her again. The one I couldn’t have, the one I’d never forget. When I met her I had nothing, a lowly ranch hand working on her daddy’s land. She was the golden girl up on the hill, sexy as hell but beyond my reach. Now, like all my fantasies realized, she’s come to me for help. 
I’m a bastard, ruthless in pursuit of my goals. My cold, hard drive has made me what I am today, amassing wealth and power. A good guy would help her, then send her on her way with a handshake and a smile. I’m not a good guy. I’m going to make a bargain and hold her to it. 
One week. I’ll bail her out, pay off all her debts, but only after she gives herself to me completely. Seven days and seven nights of no-holds-barred submission to my dominance. I’m a demanding man with dark, relentless appetites. She’s unleashed the beast in me and I won’t stop until I possess all of her. 

Kara 
Six years ago he broke my heart. Now, with nowhere else to turn, I’ve put myself at his mercy. He’s the ultimate alpha male, commanding and controlling, and I’ve agreed to let him use me as his plaything for a week. I’m terrified of how he’ll take me, what he’ll make me do to serve all of his needs. 
I’ve got to keep this week all business. It needs to stay a transaction, pure and simple, no emotions in play. I’m scared as hell about the power he wields over me. 
Because I have a dirty secret. I’ve never gotten over him. I’ll fight hard to keep up all my defenses even as he melts them down. But the truth is that the thought of serving him has me panting, wet and practically begging for everything he has planned. 


NOTE: Unleashed is a four-volume story launching the Beg for It series about the hot, alpha males in Declan's family and the battles they wage with the strong, sexy women who make them finally meet their match. 

Unleashed (Volume 1)
Callie Harper
4.5 stars

Wowza – Okay reader friends first of all we get four books in this series. Im guessing that each book is going to be fairly short but they are very well worth the read. Now I was a little frustrated that we kept flashing back in Volume 1 because Im not a patient person. However the back story that was being given is necessary. The lesson here though is that Callie pretty much did her job keeping me glued to the pages. 

Kara Brooks was young when she first saw Declan Hunt. He had come to work on their Ranch. Now 24 years old, scared to go to him, after six long years she has no other choice. Her father Harlan has passed away and she is about to lose everything. Kara is afraid of how she will react to the man who turned her away all those years ago. She thought he felt the same or at least something but she had made a fool of herself. If there was another option Kara would take it but she is broke and her job at the Chat n Chew isn’t enough. Declan Hunt had to be her savior. She just hopes she doesn’t lose herself in the process and Declan doesn’t see that she still isn’t over him. 

Declan Hunt is the CEO of Obsidian Investors. He took the dreams he had, his visions and turned them into money. Big money … At 27 the world was just something easily held in his hands. He never thought he would see Kara again but now she was coming to him for something. Declan had no idea why or for what but seeing her again may just make his fantasies come true. Finding out that Kara desperately needs his help, he plans to make the most of her situation. He will definitely help her but in return she has to agree to his terms. 

Lawd …. So the theme here is not a secret of course but the writing is extremely charismatic and keeps you on your toes. This Declan Hunt is a bad bad boy. This is like Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf .. that is the only way I know how to describe these two characters. I could feel Kara’s heart in her throat and envision Declan stalking towards her. Holy Moly friends! 

I am cant wait for round two. There is one heck of a cliff hanger and you know there are going to continue to be some doozies in the next releases as well. This is a fantastic read. Click it up and hold on this wicked man. EEEEKKKKKKK! 

There is a note on Callie’s page that states this is a four volume set that will catapult us into a series called Beg For It …. Uh what?!?!?!?!? Whoop Whoop! 

Thank you Callie for the ARC! Review to post to Ramblings From Beneath The Sheets