Review ~ His Lullaby Baby (The Baby Saga, #5) by Airicka Phoenix

eARC received via the author in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: October 16th 2015

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
Nothing ever happens by accident.

Ex-combat search and rescue officer Toby McClain had seen all aspects of humanity in his ten years of service until friendly fire took him out of action. But bitterness was something Toby could never do. He was alive. He had his family and, after being ambushed by a door, he had his eyes on the sexy new innkeeper.

Adelaide Nixon had felt the burn of love once already. It was a mistake that cost her six years of her life. It was a punishment she never wanted to feel again, especially when there were two little people who depended on her to keep them safe. The last thing she wanted or needed was the attention of a guy whose family kept the gossip mills turning.

But no secret ever stays hidden in a place like Willow Creek. Even as Toby breaks through Addy’s walls, a new threat comes to town, leaving her no choice but to put more than her heart in Toby’s hands and trust him not to destroy her.

My Opinion

I have no idea what it is about this series that has captivated me and kept me coming back for more. In theory I should hate it because of the kid angle. I'm not a fan of small towns who are up in everyone's business, young children, and relationships between parents. However, in this series each book is more endearing than the next and so I've been excited to read His Lullaby Baby.

Just like all of the other books in this series it held my interest and had me unable to put it down. It was a cute read that although has its tough moments, was mostly a heart-warming read of a woman overcoming her past and learning to love.

I admired Addy. Although her past is a little predictable, she's a hard character not to like--and so were her kids. Their little family was isolated until Toby enters their life and turns it upside down. I like that even then she still wanted to do things for herself and not take advantage of him or his family.

Similarly, I enjoyed reading Toby's persistence. He slowly broke down Addy's walls and gained her trust. Just like all of the other guys in his family he had a good heart and was an all round good guy. I will admit it took me until around 20% to remember who he was. The McClain's family tree is confusing as hell, but I got there in the end...I think. Just don't ask me to explain it, you're on your own for that.

As for the story, it's a heart-warming read. Some of it is predictable, but it's a gentle book that I got swept up in. The whole life of the town, closeness of the family, and tightness of the relationships drew me in.

Overall another great instalment. If you like sweet reads you'll want to check this series out.

 4.5

Review Tour ~ Transcending Darkness by Airicka Phoenix

eARC received via tour company in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: August 31st 2015

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
One: Sign the contract.
Juliette Romero had a debt to pay, a debt that wasn’t even hers. But it was the only way to keep her family safe and all she had to do was sell her body and soul to the devil.

Killian McClary wasn’t called the Scarlet Wolf for nothing. He’d been the head of the McClary Organization since he was fifteen and had built a reputation for being a ruthless son of a bitch when it came to running the city’s underbelly, not to mention merciless when it came to punishing those who betray him. He didn’t believe in weaknesses. Only results. Juliette, with her shy smiles and hot little body was a weakness unlike any other and yet he was powerless to resist one more taste of her sweet flesh.

Two: Become his for a year.
When given the choice between her life or her body, what could Juliette possibly do, but submit to a man whose very name invoked fear in the hearts of others? She just never anticipated falling for his dark, hungry eyes and clever hands, or the way the beast in him made her feel oddly safe and cherished.

But what will happen when Killian’s dark past finally catches up to him and threatens the woman he can no longer imagine himself without? What will happen when both sides find themselves caught in a web of passion, lies and broken promises? Can Juliette tame the wolf or will her love for him devour them both?

Three: Don’t fall in love.
Boundaries will be crossed, loyalties will be tested and lives will be changed forever.

My Opinion

I've been looking forward to getting my hands on this ever since I saw the cover. Having enjoyed Airicka's Baby Saga, I was intrigued to see how she'd handle a darker contemporary romance, and in the end it was just as addictive.

Transcending Darkness was a read that pulled no punches. It was dark, gritty, and at times hard to read due to the subject nature, but it made it all the more captivating to read. I liked that the author didn't shy away from the harder truths. It gave the book an authentic quality and made me believe in the characters, especially Killian.

In general I liked the characters. I thought Juliette was a good mixture of strong and vulnerable, and she complimented Killian well. I liked that she was his voice of reason yet he struggled to accept her. Of course there is some predictability in their relationship and they're dense at times, but I felt for them both. I could understand Killian's motives and I liked the balance between his softer side and the Scarlet Wolf side to him.

As for the plot, it kept me engaged and entertained. Sometime ms I did feel the writing was a little long winded, but the story more than makes up for any tiny issues I had.


Overall this was a dark, addictive read. It drew me into the author's world and I'd definitely recommend it. I'm not sure it would happen, but I would love to read about Maraveet.

4.5

Blog Tour Review ~ Always Yours, Baby *Damon & Willa* (The Baby Saga #4) by Airicka Phoenix

eARC received from the author in exchange for an honest review

Release Date: May 25th 2015

Publisher: Self-published

Description:
How could someone so pure want filth like him?
Damon Comb was no stranger to pain, hunger, loneliness, and abandonment. Being given a family that would die for one another didn’t erase six years of torture. It didn’t take away the nightmares. She did. She was everything someone like him should never be allowed. She was goodness and strength and she made him human.

How could someone so broken complete her?
Willa McClain had it all, a family that adored each other, the love of an entire town and a future she worked her butt off to get. But all she wanted was the boy with the sad blue eyes and the crooked smile. He was her best friend, her protector and the only one who really understood her.

How could a love like theirs be extinguished?
But nothing ever lasted forever. Damon knew better than anyone how quickly the tides could change. Can he keep his past at bay before it consumes the only light in his dark world? Can he finally tell Willa the truth, or will his fears tear them apart forever?

How could love so strong ever fail?

My Opinion

This is the book I've been eagerly waiting for. I've loved Willa and Damon since they were introduced in Bye-Bye Baby and couldn't wait to start their story.

Willa and Damon's bond is something special. Unlike with the other books they've grown up together and been in love for nineteen years without telling each other. That love has grown and evolved as they've grown up and because you see this in the other books it's easy to understand and feel the strength of their emotions for one another. They've been tied at the hip their whole lives and it makes this a touching read because of the strength of their emotions.

When the author combines this with Damon's troubled past as well and the guilt and lack of self-worth it tugged on my heart strings. He's a great guy and I hated that he felt that way about himself. Both Willa and Damon are easy characters to love and engage with, and I think the author did them justice.

As for the story it was a sweet read until the tension in the end. Whilst parts were predictable I didn't expect the twists near the end. I knew things were going too well and something was going to happen but I could never figure out what. The book was paced well and held my interest just like all of the others.

Overall, I started this series with a gamble. Books centring around babies aren't usually my thing, but I love the tightness of this author's cast. They're enjoyable reads with great characters.

4.5

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