Review For HOT AND BADGERED by Shelly Laurenston-* * * * * Plus Deleted Scene

Title: HOT AND BADGERED

Series: The Honey Badgers #1

Author: Shelly Laurenston

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Shifters

Rating: * * * * *

Publishers: Kensington

(Mar 28, 2018)

Paperback: 432 pages

ISBN: 978-1496714343

FTC Disclosure: ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley

Copy provided for the purpose of providing an honest review.

 This does not affect my opinion of this book.

It’s not every day that a beautiful naked woman falls out of the sky and lands face-first on grizzly shifter Berg Dunn’s hotel balcony. Definitely they don’t usually hop up and demand his best gun. Berg gives the lady a grizzly-sized t-shirt and his cell phone, too, just on style points. And then she’s gone, taking his XXXL heart with her. By the time he figures out she’s a honey badger shifter, it’s too late.
 
Honey badgers are survivors. Brutal, vicious, ill-tempered survivors. Or maybe Charlie Taylor-MacKilligan is just pissed that her useless father is trying to get them all killed again, and won’t even tell her how. Protecting her little sisters has always been her job, and she’s not about to let some pesky giant grizzly protection specialist with a network of every shifter in Manhattan get in her way. Wait. He’s trying to help? Why would he want to do that? He’s cute enough that she just might let him tag along—that is, if he can keep up ...

One of the funnest reads I've enjoyed so far this year. I love a good paranormal romance and when the author can entertain you with laughter too, that's worthy of another star! Though this book centers mostly around Charlie MacKilligan, it's definitely as much about her sisters and her love for them. 
Laurenstein infuses her characters with the animal traits of their shifter animal and they are above awesome and fascinating. This book had a lot of characters in it that I'm sure were from her earlier Pride series (which I have not read but will definitely dig out now) but it in no way lessened my enjoyment of this fabulous cast of shifter characters. 

Shelly Laurenston

Originally from Long Island, New York, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shelly Laurenston has resigned herself to West Coast living which involves healthy food, mostly sunny days, and lots of guys not wearing shirts when they really should be. Shelly Laurenston is also The New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author G.A. Aiken, creator of the Dragon Kin series. For more info on G.A.’s dangerously and arrogantly sexy dragons, check out her website at www.gaaiken.com.

A Deleted Scene from Hot and Badgered

After a quick shower, a change of clothes, and a much-needed thermos of coffee, Charlie headed out with her sisters. Instead of going directly into Manhattan, though, they went to Brooklyn where the shifter-only division of NYPD had its offices.

She’d had no idea what to expect from such a thing. A shifter-only NYPD? She didn’t know that sort of thing existed, but here she was. To meet with a “Polar bear named Crushek,” Britta had told her. Then she’d added, “Don’t worry. He only looks like a serial killer. He’s actually quite nice. You know…for a polar bear.”

Charlie had thought Berg’s sister had been joking or exaggerating about the serial killer thing. Or maybe it was some sort of bear-on-bear bigotry. But as she gazed up at the six foot nine, three-hundred-plus polar bear glaring down at her and her sisters—while sitting no less—with impenetrable black eyes from under thick white hair tied in a loose ponytail that was long enough to hang over one shoulder…she began to seriously question Britta’s idea of what “actually quite nice” might mean.

“So…ummmm…in conclusion…” Charlie, rarely at a loss for words, glanced over at Max who, for once in her entire life, seemed to be stunned into complete silence, simply staring at the giant.

“Anyway, we need information about that jewelry heist in Manhattan,” Charlie rushed to finish.

There was more silence for another full minute before Crushek finally asked, “Who are you people again?” He leaned across his desk a bit and sniffed. “I don’t recognize the scent.”

Charlie cleared her throat. “Well, um, I’m Charlie MacKilligan and this is—”

“I don’t want your name. I know your name. Your name is meaningless. Who are you?”

Max leaned into her a little. “I think he means—”

“Right! Right. Such an interesting part of our lives now.” Charlie cleared her throat. “I’m a honey badger-wolf.” She pointed at Max. “Honey badger. Only.” She then gestured to Stevie. “Honey badger-tiger.”

“Really? Tiger?” He glared harder at Stevie. “She’s so tiny.”

That’s when Stevie burst into tears.

Mortified, Charlie looked at her baby sister. “Are you sobbing? Why are you sobbing?”

“He’s going to kill us all,” she squealed through her tears.

“What’s wrong with her?” Crushek asked, appearing faintly disgusted.

“She’s mentally ill.”

Max snorted and quickly looked away, but Stevie slammed her hands down into her lap.

“I am not mentally ill!” she screeched, and all the shifters in the room turned to look at them. “I have a panic disorder and bouts of depression! I do not hear voices!”

The polar abruptly stood and walked away.

“Is he coming back?” Charlie asked Max, but her sister was too busy doubling over in her chair, laughing hysterically. Of course, she did manage to spit out, “I love our family!”

Resting her elbow on the arm of her chair, Charlie leaned her head into her hand so she could rub her temples with her fingertips. “I’m getting one of my headaches.”

Stevie placed her backpack into her lap and began digging inside. “I’m sure I have something for that.”

Charlie quickly placed her hand over her sister’s, stopping her from pulling out the plastic bag of drugs she kept with her at all times. All of them were prescribed and never abused, of course, but she also knew a room full of cops—shifter or otherwise—would be way too interested in that stash for Charlie’s comfort.

“Let’s hold off on that,” Charlie gently suggested, not wanting to set her sister off again.

“Are you sure?”

“I’ll be fine. I just wonder—”

A slamming phone had the three sisters looking at the corner office, and the clear glass allowed them to watch as the woman inside picked up her phone’s receiver and then slammed it down six more times before storming out into the main room. She shut the office door behind her. So hard that Charlie was shocked the glass didn’t break.

“They put reinforced glass in a few years back after they had to replace it for the fourth time,” a detective sitting at the desk behind them quietly explained.

“Where’s Crushek?” the woman bellowed and Charlie watched the shifters not in the woman’s line of sight make a desperate run for it. “Was my question unclear?”

“He went to the file room, boss,” someone called out. “You know how he feels about computers.”

The woman stalked over to Crushek’s desk. She grabbed a notepad and pen and began writing something out.

Stevie said against Charlie’s ear, “She’s full-human.”

“No way.” Charlie shook her head. “No way.”

“I don’t have allergies,” Stevie reminded her. “Trust me. She’s got lion all over her but she’s not a shifter.”

And yet the shifters in the room—whether bear, cat, or canine—appeared terrified of a not particularly tall or in-shape Latina woman.

Finishing her note, she tossed the pen—accidentally hitting one of the nearby cops in the back of the head—and picked up the pad so that she could slam it down again on the desk.

As she straightened up, she asked the room, “Can anyone explain to me why I decided to have a child?”

“Love?” someone called out.

“That cat gave you no choice?” another asked.

“Biological need?” Stevie suggested. When her sisters gawked at her, “I thought she really wanted an answer.”

Ignoring everyone, the woman continued, “All I can say is never mate with a lion. Because you’ll have a son and he will make it his business to make your life and the life of every one of his teachers absolute hell.”

“I warned you,” one of the female detectives stated. “I told you when we first met. You can love ’em, you can screw‘em, you can marry ’em, but do not have sons with ’em. And I should know.” She raised her hands, palms up as the full-human stormed off. “I’m head of my Pride.”

Stevie suddenly leaned forward. “I can tell by your tawny mane.”

The She-cat grinned at Charlie’s sister and winked. “Thanks, honey.”

“What are you doing?” Charlie asked Stevie.

“Enjoying the banter,” she replied with a happy smile.

The polar walked back to his desk and handed Charlie a thick stack of papers. “Here.”

Charlie glanced at the first page. It was the report she needed. “Oh! Thank—”

“Now get out.”

“Ooo…kay. Well, no need to get bitchy.”

“Maybe,” Stevie snarled, “we shouldn’t call the man-eating animal bitchy.”

“Or maybe you should just sack up. Besides, I doubt he’d eat your bony ass.”

“I have a high metabolism!”

Completely disgusted with everyone, Charlie started to get up, then realized Max was again doubled over in her chair, hysterically laughing.

“Seriously?” Charlie demanded.

“I can’t help it!” she squeaked back. “I just love our family!”

Release Day Blitz For HAUNTED By Shari Nichols

Haunted

Shari Nichols

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Liquid Silver Press

Date of Publication: 11/27-2017

ISBN: 978-1-62210-452-9

Number of pages: 234

Cover Artist: Valerie Tibbs

 No matter how he tried, he couldn’t give her up.

When medium Karly Matthews agrees to move into a haunted inn, she’s not sure what’s more dangerous, the ghost or the sexy innkeeper she tries to resist. She’s can’t deny the intense rush of desire she feels every time he’s near. When she agrees to embark on a no-strings-attached relationship, she finds herself thrust into a world of mind blowing pleasures. Now she must face the aching truths of her past.

Hotel heir Thayne Harper has a laser-like focus on success that doesn’t include the help of his family. He’s always been the black sheep, living in the shadow of his dead brother. His dreams are put to the test when a supernatural entity threatens to ruin everything. The one bright spot is the woman who intrigues his mind and heats his blood.

If only he can convince her that, despite his bad boy ways, he can change for the good. Her love becomes his only salvation. Passion burns white-hot as a dark threat looms. The ghost doesn’t want them to be together and sets her sights on Thayne, luring him to a place that goes beyond death. Will Karly be able to save him before it’s too late?

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Excerpt:

Release Day Blitz & Giveaway For DANGEROUSLY DARK By C.J. Burright

Dangerously Dark

The Dreamcaster Series #3

C.J. Burright

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Date of Publication: 11/13/17

ISBN:  978-0-9961472-4-8

ASIN:  B076PNNCR9

Number of pages:  321

Cover Artist:  Fiona Jayde

Some call him Purgatory’s Missing Prince. Demon Master.
 Overlord of Shadows. Only one woman may call him hers.

A master of dreams, a failure at life…

After another botched career attempt, Quinn Carmichael escapes to a remote lodge for a weekend recharge, needing respite…especially from the nightmares that haunt even her days. When a wounded, sexy-as-sin stranger faceplants unconscious on her kitchen floor, there’s something disturbingly familiar about him—as in he’s the boy from her childhood dreams. Mr. Dark, Dangerous, and Diabolical may be the key to unlocking the mysteries of her past and future, and Quinn isn’t about to let the opportunity—or him—escape without a fight.

His time is running out…

Known as Purgatory’s Missing Prince, Zaire’s existence has been one of endless pain, torture, and loss. Resigned to his fate, his final goal is simple—rescue his nephew before succumbing to the deadly darkness inside him. But when a fateful misstep brings him face-to-face with the one woman who could have saved him once upon a dream—the one woman he treasures above all else—he battles to keep his distance before he destroys her, too. But he would gladly sell his soul for just one taste.

Love draws them together, destiny will tear them apart.

With ruthless enemies closing in, Quinn and Zaire must fight to save each other and those they care for before it’s too late—even if it means they’re doomed to live apart forever.

Amazon          Kobo       Goodreads       BN       Google Play       iBooks

Excerpt

Release Blitz & Giveaway For BANISHING By Jax Jillian

Title: Banishing (Silent Cove #3)
Author: Jax Jillian
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: October 31, 2017
Hosted by: Buoni Amici Press, LLC.

GR

Ships in the night carry deadly deeds.

Jack Landry just wanted to do his job. Hired as the new deckhand for commercial fishing boat, “The Mist of The Sea”, Jack works under successful and elusive Captain Oliver Allister, an unknown distant relative of the cursed Cambridge family. When he begins to hear noises and see inexplicable things, Jack suspects there’s more to this fishing boat than meets the eye.

Claire Allister, the captain’s beautiful yet mysterious daughter, captivates Jack like no other. However, Claire carries with her the demons of her dead brother that threaten to push her and Jack apart. Terrorized by the ghoulish memory, the young lovers embark on a mission to lay his soul to rest.

Their journey leads them to the Silent Cove Bed & Breakfast just off the coast of Chistine, Maine. When Jack and Claire begin to unravel the truth about Oliver’s past and his connection with Silent Cove, they soon find themselves fighting for their love—and their very lives. What will they sacrifice to banish the ghosts once and for all?

The third and final installment in the breathtaking paranormal romance saga, the Silent Cove trilogy, Silent Cove: The Banishing forces readers once more into a world of mystery, romance, and one final exhilarating twist that may just be fatal

BuyNow

Amazon US:http://amzn.to/2ldVamy

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2gDhxwT

B&N: http://bit.ly/2y2FJ6F

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/banishing-1

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1278395082

Jax Jillian was born in Albuquerque, NM but before she turned a year old, her parents moved east to Harrisburg, PA where she was raised. After graduating high school in 1995, Jax attended La Salle University (1999, B.A., Communication), Temple University (2001, M.Ed, Sport & Recreation Administration), and Central Pennsylvania College (2005, A.A.S, Physical Therapist Assistant).

She settled in Philadelphia, PA with her husband and son before she became a writer. Jax found a passion for motion pictures at a young age when she remembers “getting lost” in films, and that passion ultimately led her down the path to writing. she loves “getting lost” in her writing and particularly loves writing heartfelt love stories with a touch of tragedy which she believes is the key to truly reaching readers.

Jax is the author of Larkin’s Letters and Ryan’s Letters, two contemporary romance novels that have seen early success from reviewers, with both averaging 4.8/5 stars on Amazon and Goodreads. She is currently writing her third novel and aspires to write a screenplay one day.

When not writing, she works full time as a physical therapist assistant and as a mom to her three-year-old son.

SocialLinks

Website: https://authorjaxjillian.com

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/JaxJillian/?fref=ts

Twitter:https://twitter.com/jaxjillian

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7089784.Jax_Jillian

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jaxjillian/

Purchase the other books in the Silent Cove Series Here

A MORTAL INDISCRETION By Barbra E. Ross- Haunted Halloween Spooktacular

A Mortal Indiscretion             

The Justin and Ambra Series #1

Barbra E. Ross    

Genre: Paranormal Romance,

Romantic Suspense, Vampire Romance

Date of Publication: 4/27/16  

ISBN: 978-1530762804

Number of pages: 632 pages

Cover Artist: ProEbook Covers

 A sexy vampire. A little deceit. A love worth dying for. What more could you want from a vampire romance?

A man. A vampire. A love story....

One night changed everything for bachelor Justin Bertolli. A womanizer at heart, never quite ready to settle down, he meets the woman who would change his life forever. Ambra Taylor is that woman, but is she all that Justin bargained for? Told from a male protagonist point of view, A Mortal Indiscretion delivers wholly unique narratives that don’t succumb to the same old recycled concepts. 
Everything unravels in Justin’s world. Although Ambra is a vampire, she is the vulnerable one of the two characters, providing a refreshing twist on standard tales. She is not waiting for her prince to come save her on his white horse. She simply desires love, to feel human love again and will do anything to protect the love of Justin. 
When Justin discovers the truth about who and what she is, will he still love her? Will he still want her? Find out, as their hearts collide in this epic tale of love.

Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/spyRnzDG8dI

Amazon     Createspace

Excerpt

Chapter 7:

 “Why did you not give her a chance? Then maybe 

you would be…”

“She isn’t you.

No one makes me feel like you do. No one,” I said and she looked over at me.

“You still 

believe that? After all I have put you through? After all I have done?”

“Yes. I believe

it. I know it.”

“But you must 

realize, that I am not what you thought I was. Don’t you?”

“Yes. I know 

that.”

“But, I do not 

understand. Does it not upset you?” she asked.

“Yes. It upsets 

me. But you owe me the truth, and you are going to 

tell me the truth now, 

right? No more lies?”

“Yes Justin. And 

then, maybe you will go running to that girl. 

Maybe you should go after her 

right now. There may still be a chance.”

“No. I don’t run 

away. That is your thing.”

She sighed and

sat on the edge of the bed, naked. She turned her back to me. 

I looked at her 

back, so sexy. Shoulders strong and defined. 

She had her arms across her chest.

She knew I was going to ask the questions. I think she was 

mentally preparing 

herself for the blows.

“Go ahead 

Justin. Ask.”

“First of all…

You’re not gonna tell me that you have to work in the 

morning, are you? Because 

I ain’t falling for that shit anymore,” I said. 

It just slipped out of my 

mouth. Like I didn’t have a filter between my 

brain in my mouth.

“No. I suppose 

you would not.” She turned to look at me.

“And you are 

staying here with me, right? I am going to have the 

pleasure of your company 

during the day? Right?” I pressed, as 

I felt my anger rising.

“Yes, I will 

stay. But I cannot go out with you during the day. 

will have to keep the 

shades drawn. It is just not that simple to explain.” 

She kept her head down as 

she spoke these words.

“Fine. I can 

handle that. Tell me, what exactly would happen if I did 

open the shades 

Ambra?”

“I would burn up 

and die,” she stated, flatly.

“What are you 

Ambra? Are you ready to tell me to my face now?” I was insistent. “Because I 

really need to know.”

“I am…” She 

started and then, she became silent again.

“Say it, dammit! 

I want to hear you say it to me,” I was really getting pissed.

“I am a 

monster,” she whispered.

“What? What kind 

of monster? You tell me God dammit!” I yelled.

“A vampire,” she 

said it so quietly, keeping her back to me.

“You turn around 

and say it to my face. You have kept this from me for 

so long. I want you to 

look me in the eye! I deserve it!” I grabbed her 

shoulders as I yelled at her.

She turned to me, tears flowing down her cheeks.

“Justin, I am a vampire.”

About the Author:

Barbra E Ross lives in Michigan. She is a nurse by day and a writer of fiction at night.

www.barbraeross.com    

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBarbraERoss/   

https://twitter.com/barbraeross

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1223154.Barbra_E_Ross/

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Blog Tour & Giveaway For BRANDED BY FIRE By Danielle Annett

 If you love Buffy the Vampire Slayer then you’ll love Aria Naveed. 

Kicking butt and saving people is kind of her thing.

Lovers of Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance do NOT want miss out on Danielle Annett’s BRANDED BY FIRE.  You must see why Cherry Adair calls BRANDED BY FIRE a novel with “[b]reakneck pacing, a strong fierce heroine, and a twist at every corner”!

Aria Naveed can’t decide what’s worse—being mate-bonded to Declan Valkenaar, the Alpha of the Pacific Northwest Pack, or owning up to the fact that she’s developing feelings for him. Her bond to Declan is the one thing keeping her grounded and preventing her new power from destroying everything and everyone around her. If Aria doesn’t tread carefully, especially where her heart is concerned, she’ll learn the hard way that if you play with fire, you'll always get burned.

Available at:  Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo | Books2Read

Add Branded by Fire  to your GOODREADS TBR pile!

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