WANNABE IN WYOMING by Samantha A. Cole & J.B. Havens

Title:  WANNABE IN WYOMING
Series:  Antelope Rock #1
Author:  J.B. Havens, Samantha A. Cole
Publisher:  Samantha A. Cole & J.B. Havens
Publish Date:   05.27.2021
Category /Genre:  Contemporary Romance
Recommended for:  18+ due to sexual content.
Grammar/editing:  A – near perfect
Received from:  Samantha A. Cole (as an ARC gifted copy)
Goodreads link: Wannabe in Wyoming
Date completed: 05.27.2021
 
Description from the publisher:
What does a tattooed chick from Philadelphia know about being a rancher? Absolutely nothing. But that’s about to change.

Willow Crawford never knew her father’s identity until she hears from his lawyer, advising her of his death. As the sole heir to his ranch in Wyoming, she has the chance to start anew following her divorce.

After losing his family in a devastating accident, mail call no longer brings a smile to Staff Sergeant Nathan Casey’s face, knowing his name won’t be shouted. But when he receives a letter addressed to Any Soldier, signed by Wannabe Rancher, he finds himself captivated by the fascinating and beautiful woman who’d written it.

As her unexpected fondness for small-town life and a certain pen pal grows, Willow discovers more about herself, her family, and her legacy. Will the attraction she develops for Nathan, through his letters and phone calls, still exist and intensify when they finally meet? Or will she risk her heart, only to have history repeat itself and deny Willow her soul mate?
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WANNABE IN WYOMING is the first book in the Antelope Rock series. 
 
I loved feeling the emotions with Willow.  The anger at an absentee father that morphs into understanding and (belated) love.  Feeling shunned by the small town to slow acceptance.  The instant friendship with the neighbor, Jeremiah, that grows and grows.  Then there is Staff Sergeant Nathan Casey.  A bit of nostalgia has Willow choosing to send a pen-pal letter to Any Soldier, Inc. after seeing a poster on the grocery bulletin board.  Fate has Nathan receiving the letter, and what starts as a simple pen-pal, soon turns to flirting.  Then the flirting has their hearts growing together as one.
 
This is one of the best romances I have read this year.  Hands-down wonderful, emotional, heart-breaking, and heart-warming.  This is a feel-good read that had me glued to my Kindle. 
 
Note:  While I received this book as a gifted ARC via Booksprout, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
 
Antelope Rock Series:
1.      Wannabe in Wyoming
 
Also from Samantha A. Cole:
·         Going, Going, Gone (Bid on Love #2)
·         Jack Be Nimble (Heels, Rhymes, & Nursery Crimes #2) (releases 04.02.2021)
·         The Road to Solace 
·         The Ultimate Price
Blackhawk Security Series:
1.      Tuff Enough
2.      Blood Bound 
Deimos Series:
1.      Handling Haven
2.      Cheating the Devil
Doms of the Covenant Series:
1.      Double Down & Dirty
2.      Entertaining Distraction
3.      Knot a Chance
Hazard Falls Series:
1.      Don’t Fight It 
2.      Don’t Shoot the Messenger
Largo Ridge Series:
1.      Cold Feet  
Malone Brothers Series:
1.      Take the Money and Run
2.      The Devil’s Spare Change
Master Key Series:
1.      Master Key Resort
2.      Master Cordell
Steel Corps / Trident Security Crossover Series (with J.B. Haven):
1.      No Way in Hell, Part 1
2.      No Way in Hell, Part 2
Trident Security series:
1.      Leather & Lace (Devon & Kristen)  
2.      His Angel (Ian & Angie)
3.      Waiting for Him (Ben & Kat)
3.5  Not Negotiable: A Novella (Parker & Shelby)
4.      Topping the Alpha (Jake & Nick)
5.      Watching from the Shadows (Marco & Harper)
5.5  Whiskey Tribute: A Novella (Curt & Dana)
6.      Tickle His Fancy (Brody & Fancy)
7.      Absolving His Sins (Carter & Jordyn)
7.5  Option Number Three (Mitch, Tyler, & Tori)
8.      Salvaging His Soul (Jase & Brie)
8.5  Torn in Half (Ian & Angie)
Trident Security, Omega Team series:
0.5 Mountain of Evil
1.      A Dead Man’s Pulse  
2.      Forty Day and One Knight
3.      Summer’s Fall
 
Also from J.B. Havens:
·         Beyond the Night
Finding Love in Green Springs Series:
1.      Be Brave with Me
Steel Corps Series:
1.      Core of Steel
2.      Hardened by Steel
3.      Forged by Steel
4.      Bound by Steel
5.      Solid Steel
Zombie Instinct Series:
1.      Molly:  The Beginning
1.5 Ashes and Madness
2.      Molly:  Immersion
3.      Molly:  Reemergence
 

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EXES, HEXES, AND STRATEGY by Kimberly Forrest

Title:  EXES, HEXES, AND STRATEGY
Series:  Hunter Training #1
Author:  Kimberly Forrest
Publisher:  Kimberly Forrest
Publish Date:   05.28.2021
Category /Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Recommended for:  18+ due to sexual content.
Grammar/editing:  A – near perfect
Received from:  Kimberly Forrest (as an ARC gifted copy)
Goodreads link: Exes, Hexes, and Strategy
Date completed: 05.26.2021
 
Description from the publisher:
Welcome to Hunter Training
A golden opportunity…
When his father decides to send an operative into the ranks of trainees at the new Hunter training facility to recruit vampires for his private army, Rafe DeMarco jumps on the chance. It was the perfect opportunity to get away from the heartbreaking memories of the woman he loved – the woman who had abandoned him without a word, only to discover that she was one of the new trainees. Would he finally find out why she had left? And more importantly, could he somehow win her back?

A twist of fate…
Hunter training has always been limited to vampires, so when Nina Errani learns that it is now open to other supernaturals, she immediately signs up. To be one of the first witches to graduate from the program would be an honor, but the school also provides a welcome escape from Rafe DeMarco, the man she’d been forced to leave behind. So why was he here, screwing up a perfectly good plan? And how could she possibly avoid him, so he never learns the truth?
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EXES, HEXES, AND STRATEGY is the first book in the Hunter Training series.  This is a continuing series and IMHO you will want to read them in the order of release.  For even better understanding, though not necessary, read the Hired Hunters Series first.
 
This is a page-turner of unrequited love, action, and magic.  Plus, we get to spend more time in New Orleans in this fun spin-off of the Hired Hunters series with plenty of interaction with characters from those books.
 
The attention to detail is always superb when Kimberly Forrest releases a story.  And the chemistry between the main characters of this particular story steams off the pages.  From scene one, I was invested in them finding their way back to one another.  I knew they both wanted it, too. 
 
The story is fantastic, and this is just the beginning of what is sure to be another wonderful series.
 
Note:  While I received this book as a gifted ARC via Booksprout, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
 
Hunter Training Series:
1.      Exes, Hexes, and Strategy
2.      Mayhem, Magic, and Tactics
Also from Kimberly Forrest:
·         Forget Me Not
·         Silver Wolves
Hired Hunters Series:
1.      A Hunter Born  
2.      A Hunter Turned  
3.      A Hunter Found  
4.      A Hunter Cursed  
Malsum Pass Series:
0.5  The Rearrangement
1.      Malsum Pass
2.      Until You
3.      For Her
4.      Meant to Be
5.      Whole Hearted
6.      Small Moments
7.      Soul Deep
8.      Christmas in Malsum Pass
9.      Fifty, Furred, and Fabulous
Misfits & Rogues Series:
1.      Tea with Monsters
2.      Dinner with the Wolf
3.      Chocolates from a Vampire
4.      Brunch with an Angel
4.5 A Gift from the Vampire  
 

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BEAR MOUNTAIN SHIFTERS by Sloane Meyers

Title:  BEAR MOUNTAIN SHIFTERS: THE COMPLETE SERIES
Series:  Bear Mountain Shifters #1-#5
Author:  Sloane Meyers
Publisher:  Sloane Meyers
Publish Date:   05.25.2021
Category /Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Recommended for:  18+ due to sexual content.
Grammar/editing:  A – near perfect
Grammar/editing:  received as an unedited ARC / errors excused.
Received from:  Sloane Meyers (as an ARC gifted copy)
Goodreads link: Bear Mountain Shifters: The Complete Series
Date completed: 05.15.2021
 
Description from the publisher:
Head to Bear Mountain, where a tight-knit clan of shifters is searching for their happily-ever-afters.

Hot shifters, sizzling romance, and fast-paced adventures - what more could anyone ask for? You will love this sizzling shifter romance, because it’s full of fierce bear shifters who will stop at nothing to claim what’s theirs.
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I read the fourth and fifth books, before I received this box set.  I am so glad I got to catch up on this community and find out about more of these beloved friends.
 
RESCUED ON BEAR MOUNTAIN is the first book in the Bear Mountain Shifters series and it is a wonderful introduction to the shifters and this world that Sloane Meyers is creating. 
 
Joel and Anna touched my heart as they meet and slowly realize that the insta-attraction that they felt is real.  I fell in love with them as they fell in love with one another. 
 
I love when the title is completely in tune with the story.  Joel rescued Anna – literally – when she was caught in a snow storm.  They each are rescued by the other with their relationship bringing them together.  A new home for her.  A house that is now a true home for him.
 
This story does more than introduce Joel and Anna.  It also introduces the feud between the Pine Valley humans and the Bear Mountain shifters that will be a continuing story arc though the rest of the series.
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CLAIMED ON BEAR MOUNTAIN is the second book in the series.  This is a continuation of the feud between the humans and the bears, but could be read as a stand-alone story.
 
Caroline is only in Pine Valley for the tourist season.  She has a booth in the local mall where she sells her hand-made jewelry.  On a rare night out at the local club, she meets Scott.  Scott is security – at the club and later her security.
 
The feud between the humans in the valley and the bears on the mountain is easily comparable to the prejudices we see around us every day. 
 
I really liked this story.  Perception, judgement, but more so emotion-filled romance.  There is steam and sweetness as Scott and Caroline come together against the odds that have been stacked against them.
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SEDUCED ON BEAR MOUNTAIN is the third book in the series. 
 
I loved Jackie and Evan.  Evan has been one of the most vocal bears about not mating with shifters.  Fate, like God, laughs when you try to make those kinds of decisions.  Fate will not be thwarted.  His mate is one of those humans, and when he falls, he falls HARD.
 
Jackie is a peacemaker in all things, but especially in her job as a wedding planner.  She was on her way to Pine Valley for a destination wedding with one of the worst Bridezillas ever.  Jackie puts up with a lot, … until the little witch tries to control Jackie’s choice in friends.  In Jackie’s opinion, there is no reason to be prejudiced against those people on Bear Mountain, especially one growly handsome one.  As to what happens:  I won’t spoil, but I will say that Karma pays good to the good and wicked receives their just rewards.
 
~~~~~~~~~
DESIRED ON BEAR MOUNTAIN is the fourth book in the Bear Mountain Shifters series.  Though it stands on its own, I think it would be stronger if you have read the full series.
 
Why, oh why, do so many shifters (and humans) try to tell fate they know better who their mate should be?  Wyatt puts up so much of a wall he almost misses the boat…err... flight!
 
In the end, this is a romance, and they are destined to be together.  I loved that the mating pull was irresistible even for the human.  I loved that Lacey was strong and sassy.  She was the perfect mate for a hardheaded alpha flightboy!
 
~~~~~~~~~
FATED ON BEAR MOUNTAIN is the fifth book in the Bear Mountain Shifters series.  Though each will stand on its own, I think it would be stronger if you have read the full series.
 
I love when we have a stranger with secrets who is the perfect mate for a beloved community icon.  Poppy is that paragon within the Bear Mountain Clan and Kent is an orphan bear raised by wolves.
 
I took off one star for the fight scenes that are unfathomably unrealistic.  For example, when Poppy first meets Kent with Scott, she and the two men are having a conversation in the middle of a bar fight and the townspeople seem to just stand back while the bears decide what they should do.  Then this tiny little woman drags a big old bear of a man through the crowd, and nobody protests or tries to stop them.  I get it; Getting bogged down in the bar fight wasn’t instrumental to the story, but this was beyond this martial artist’s ability to suspend all reality… and it’s not the only instance.  Still, I took off only one star for fight scenes, because that wasn’t the most important part of the story.
 
What was important, then?  Romance, emotion, and community.  I loved the slow release of information regarding Kent’s past.  I also loved that Poppy and Kent had insta-attraction, but slow(ish) realization of each being the other’s mate.
 
It looks like this is the end of the Bear Mountain Shifters series, but we may next be going to Wolf Mountain.  So, perhaps we’ll see more of these bears, their mates, and their cubs.
 
Note:  While I received this book as a gifted ARC via Booksprout, my opinions are my own and are given freely.
 
Bear Mountain Shifters Series:
1.      Rescued on Bear Mountain
2.      Claimed on Bear Mountain
3.      Seduced on Bear Mountain
4.      Desired on Bear Mountain 
5.      Fated on Bear Mountain
Also from Sloane Meyers:
·         Bear Mates
·         Fresh Air
·         Heart of the Bear
·         Snowed In
·         Wild Things
Air Bear Shifters Series:
1.      Grizzly Flying High
2.      Grizzly Flying Free
3.      Grizzly Flying Home
Billionaires of Driftwood Island Series:
1.      Craving Him
2.      Seducing Him
3.      Tempting Him
4.      Distracting Him
5.      Trusting Him
Fire Bear Shifters Series:
1.      A Blaze to Bear
2.      A Spark to Bear
3.      A Burn to Bear
4.      A Flame to Bear
5.      An Ember to Bear
6.      Beary and Bright
The Fur Coat Society Series:
1.      Trouble in a Fur Coat
2.      Alpha in a Fur Coat
3.      Mischief in a Fur Coat
4.      Danger in a Fur Coat
5.      Courage in a Fur Coat
6.      Homecoming in a Fur Coat
7.      Christmas in a Fur Coat
Ice Bear Shifters Series:
1.      Bearing the Frozen Night
2.      Bearing the Whiteout
3.      Bearing the Midnight Sun
4.      Bearing the Black Ice
5.      Bearing the Late Thaw
6.      Bearing the Long Road Home
Redwood Dragons Series:
1.      Defiance and the Dragon
2.      Summer and the Dragon
3.      The Commander and the Dragon
4.      Determination and the Dragon
5.      Destiny and the Dragon
6.      Escape and the Dragon
7.      Stealth and the Dragon
8.      Fury and the Dragon
9.      Courage and the Dragon
10.  Victory and the Dragon
The Shifter Games Series:
1.      The Misfit and the Bear
2.      The Rebel and the Wolf
3.      The Risk Taker and the Wolf
4.      The Warrior and the Snow Leopard
5.      The Princess and the Bear
Shifters in the Heart of Texas Series:
1.      Lone Star Dragon
2.      Lone Star Tiger
3.      Lone Star Magic
4.      Lone Star Secret
5.      Lone Star Hunter
6.      Lone Star Unicorn
7.      Lone Star Defender
Torch Lake Shifters Series:
1.      Dragon Returning
2.      Dragon Proposing
3.      Dragon Rescuing
4.      Dragon Protecting
5.      Dragon Discovering
6.      Dragon Shielding
7.      Dragon Defying
8.      Dragon Guarding
9.      Dragon Resisting
10.  Dragon Battling
Water Bear Shifters Series:
6.      An Alpha’s Storm
7.      An Alpha’s Lightning
8.      An Alpha’s Thunder
9.      An Alpha’s Tempest
Zocrone of the Seven Galaxies Series:
1.      Claimed by the Alien Chief
2.      Craved by the Alien Alpha
3.      Chosen by the Alien Doctor
4.      Taken by the Alien Rebel
 

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