Code Name: Forever & Ever by Natasza Waters

(A Warrior's Challenge, #5)

I'm really struggling to put into words just how much I love the Warrior's Challenge series, and each book just keeps reinforcing that love and growing it!

This book takes us back in time to when Cobbs and Austen first join the SEALs and meet Marg and grow a forever and ever type of friendship - and love. Watching Thane and Cobbs friendship form from the beginning and seeing it forged in steel though deployments and trials and daily life is almost as good as watching the forever love grow between Cobbs and Marg. Friends like that are few and far between and meant to be treasured. Seeing this makes the present day part of the story in the series even more poignant. I fell even harder for Thane seeing the younger version of himself.

But Marg and Cobbs' relationship, their forever and ever love, wow, did that ever spark and the flames engulf me. Cobbs' strength, character, nobility, honor, and depth of feelings made me fall hard for him - loving him more than what I expected to. Marg's determination, confidence, feminine strength, and love poured out of the pages and into my heart.

Before I was done reading the book, I already wanted to start it over from the beginning and re-experience it all, and then after turning the last page and reading THE END, I wanted to immediately go back to Code Name Ghost and see the story with a whole new set of eyes. And a full reread is in my near future.

If you enjoy military romance, if you enjoy seeing a forever and ever type of love, you don't want to miss this. If you want to experience all the feels from laughter to tears, from freaking out scared to edge-of-seat intensity, you don't want to miss this. Natasza Waters knows how to take you on a beautiful journey through her stories.

Code Name: Luminous by Natasza Waters

(A Warrior's Challenge #4)

I finished this book about an hour ago and I'm still overwhelmed with emotions.

What I love most about Natasza's writing is how she brings her characters to life. Each one is real to me, and I feel a part of their SEAL family. The next thing is while this is fiction, she keeps things real. Very real. Painfully beautifully real. I feel everything deep inside.

I have enjoyed getting to know Tony through the whole series, and then absolutely adored him in his own book. Experiencing how he took one of the SEAL's mantras (never give up) and applied that to his lady - melted my heart. Watching Lumin bloom and blossom under Tony's care: breathtakingly beautiful.

I loved how even though Tony and Lumin were the main characters in this story and definitely stayed the primary focus, we got to spend lots of time with Thane Kayla, Mace, Nina, Cobb, and Marge. I kept giggling seeing how Thane was *still* having to chase down his woman!

This is a wonderful addition to the Code Name Warrior's Challenge series - you cannot go wrong with any of these books!!

And just as a side note: I loved how Natasza chatted with me through the story as I was sharing my thoughts, both filled with love and filled with growls. ;)

Code Name: Nina's Choice by Natasza Waters

(A Warrior's Challenge, #3)

Code Name Nina's Choice has easily become another one of my top favorite military romance books!! So far, Natasza Waters has rocked each one of her Warrior's Challenge books and I have faith she won't stop throughout the rest of the series! Her books definitely have a more realistic feel to them (which is such a welcome change from fiction, and yet sometimes is laughingly annoying how real it is! I love the contrast!)

CNNC has a different feel from the first two books. The first two had more action adventure - this one dealt with more relationships and the challenges both the warriors and their families/loved ones face when trying to build those relationships. Although there is some fun adventure mixed in towards the end (and if you listen to her playlist for this book (http://voicebetweenthelines.com/music-inspiring-my-writing/music-inspiring-ninas-choice), I was totally hearing the US Navy Tribute song as the soundtrack during the action scenes!) I enjoyed getting to meet back up with Thane and Kayla as well as get to know Tinman better (EEK! I am already falling in love with Tinman and am so excited that his book is next and it should be here soon!!!)

Nina impressed me with her unwavering faith and devotion to Mace. Mace impressed me with his strength and stubbornness and love for Nina and her daughter Gabriella. I could feel the tight-knit brotherhood between the SEAL team and appreciated seeing just how deep their love for each other ran.

If you like military stories that have more grit and depth and real to them, if you like romance, and if you like action you will enjoy this series! I definitely recommend it!!

Code Name: Kayla's Fire by Natasza Waters

(A Warrior's Challenge, #2)

I found the first book in the Warrior's Challenge series just a couple of months before Kayla's Fire was released - and it was a good thing seeing there was a cliff hanger, and while I knew that I'd eventually get to that HEA, the wait was hard!! I took a whole Saturday and planted myself on the couch to immerse myself back into Thane and Kayla's world and live with them through all the (crazy-drama-filled-just-wanna-shake-'em) ups and downs. There were several times I was crushed at the whole "oh no! What on earth are they going to have to deal with now??!!" and was just hanging on and begging for some good times for these two! And when they had those good times, whew, were they good and sweet and melt-y in my heart!! Man, did they need to have and store up those good memories for the bad times!! Luckily, Thane realized that with everything Kayla had lived through and was living through, she needed him to never, ever, *ever* give up - and while there were moments where I wouldn't have blamed him for throwing up his hands and saying never mind, he knew that he couldn't live without her and wouldn't ever let her go (even if it appeared he was, cause that's what Kayla said (but didn't really mean) she wanted him to do).

Natasza didn't disappoint in this story - and I'm on the edge of my seat anxiously awaiting the next books in the series!!!

This book has a permanent place on my keeper shelf and will definitely be re-read often! I enjoyed it even more the 2nd time I read it. :)

Code Name: Ghost by Natasza Waters

(A Warrior's Challenge, #1)

OH MY GOODNESS.

Two weeks later and I'm still lost in this story and am planning on my next re-read right before book 2 comes out in November!! (and am keeping my eye out for those bridge chapter(s)!) So glad when this book caught my eye in the Kindle Recommended reads - because this has got to be one of the best stories I've read.... ever!

Once I started this book, I couldn't look away! Kayla captured my heart and Thane, well... I want Thane (sorry, Kayla! You're gonna have to share!). So much of this story touches my heart. I have the biggest soft spot for military men/women and their families - I know life in/around the military is a huge struggle, and that there's something so much deeper than all the glam and frosting people tend to get caught up in. CNG brings so much of that reality out! While I sometimes want to holler at Thane and Kayla and tell them to just give in already, I can *totally* understand why they're acting the way they are!! The story is so much deeper than just the romance and fluff that so many military romance novels contain - and I greatly appreciate that! I absolutely love how their relationship grew slowly, even though the sparks flew from day one!

I felt just about every emotion along with them - I was crying, laughing, stressing, groaning (in frustration... oh, that still don't sound right! haha!), freaking out (I finished the book during a severe night thunderstorm, and was just a tad bit jumpy at the noises outside!).

I enjoyed building up friendships with the other members of Team One and look forward to their stories as well!

And I had to giggle - with as much complains about the ending (cliff hanger) I did go in with my eyes open - so maybe that's why it didn't bother me so much. Then again, sometimes I rather enjoy cliffys, and this one wasn't as bad as what I was thinking it was going to be!

SEALed with a Weekend by Natasza Waters

What a fun little novella by Natasza Waters!

Despite its short length, you will find yourself fully engrossed in the story and not feel like you're missing out on anything! What started out as a weekend blind date experiment moved quickly from lusty feelings to a more "insta-like-ya-now-let's-build-something more” emotional growth with not just one couple, but a couple more heas thrown in, too!

There were moments of heart-pounding, and not just in the steamy kinda way. There were also sweet moments and swoon moments and just plain feel good encouraging-should-listen-to-these-truths moments. If you're looking for a quick read that delivers on all the feels, you've found a great story to escape into.

Night of Magic by Stephanie Burkhart

Talk about goosebumps, surprises, and interesting -- Fin and Princess Aithne's story was totally unexpected! I was hooked into the tale right away, thinking I knew what I was gonna get, and each time I learned something new about the characters or the situation, I was trapped even more and couldn't stop reading! I can't say too much more without spoiling the fun, so... if you're looking for a quick, unique, lightly unearthly story to escape into, you've found it!

Cheat by Mayra Statham

This is a great story that fits in with the rest of the series. I enjoyed how Garrett learned to take care of Stefanie and I was so glad when Stefanie finally got the hea she deserved. I also loved how she had Kip in her corner.

If you've read and enjoyed Mayra Statham's other books and enjoy a dirty talkin' hero, this is a book for you!

Death Bakes a Pecan Pie by Livia J. Washburn

Death Bakes a Pecan Pie is my first adventure into a cozy mystery book, and it provided a cute and entertaining weekend read. It kinda gave me a feeling of nostalgia, drawing memories of the types of mystery shows I'd watch on tv with my parents growing up. And just like with those shows, I was kept guessing who-done-it and ended up just laying back to enjoy the ride.

Poor Phyllis isn't too impressed to find herself caught up again in a murder investigation, but with circumstances being what they are, she can't help but keep digging a little bit deeper and deeper. And she does all that while still making sure she's getting an amazing pie made for the Harvest Festival's best pie contest. Priorities, after all!! haha! With some laughter and awesome food and crafty twists, Death Bakes a Pecan Pie provides a pleasurable read. And even dishes out a little nugget of wisdom that really stood out to me right now: Life's always gonna have some surprises waitin' for us, some good, some bad, and we just have to do the best we can with 'em."

A Christmas Visitor by Sarah J. McNeal

What a cute Christmas story! Matilda and Sterling were sweethearts, but Sterling decided before he could marry her, he needed to make something of himself. Sadly, miscommunication left Matilda behind feeling lost and abandoned while Sterling strove and struggled to become worthy of her. Years past before Sterling returned, finding things weren’t quite as he expected.

Matilda used her stubbornness and strength to survive everything life had thrown at her after Sterling left, and your heart hurts for the depth of her dashed hopes and dreams. You also find yourself cheering for her as she works through her pride and reaches out to grab hold of her happy.

Good thing Sterling also had a stubborn streak to keep up with Matilda and kept proving to her over and over his love for her - and it’s a good thing his heart was in the right place! I loved how he refused to give up and gifted Matilda with something she desperately needed.

This second chance love story offers a sweet and short Christmas time heart-warming happily ever after.

Wallflowers: One Heart Remains by C.P. Smith

For as much as readers may love all sorts of books and have a shelf overflowing with favorites, there's something unmatched when you find 'that' book that you connect with on such a deep and special level. And in my lucky case, not even just a book, but an entire series has captured my heart.

Nate and Poppy's story picks up right where Wallflowers: Two of a Kind leaves off (you really need to read this whole series together to get the maximum enjoyment). And just like the cliffy ending of book 2, this one starts with a bang and doesn't let up. These Wallflowers just attract trouble and yet find that inner strength to keep going, no matter what's thrown at them -- and Poppy lives up to the Wallflower strength.

Nate's protectiveness of Poppy made him all the more amazing of a hero. And Poppy's strong but yet vulnerable heart made you want to hug her so tight!

Another thing I love about this series and book is that it's not just about a happily-ever-after for a couple, but it showcases the power and value of friendships - and not just between women, but even between men (guys need friendships too, and Devin and Nate's bro-mance is a thing of beauty) - and family. And family isn't always blood created. One other thing is that even though there's quite the crazy drama in their lives during the story, these women - Poppy/Sienna/Cali - are more like you and me - real women who have pasts and scars, who desire a man who loves them for who they are and through any stormy journeys, and who are just real.

I felt all the emotions -- from giggling to the point of belly-aches, to ducking from the angry alpha male vibes flowing off the page, from the tearful ache filled moments of hopelessness to the rejoicing in wins from little to huge. Bernice's presence also made an impact, offering a desperately needed safe haven for her girls.

I loved... absolutely melted over every moment living with Poppy and Nate, and then because where you have one Wallflower, you have them all: Sienna and Bo, Cali and Devin. My heart overflowed with goodness when I reached the last page. And I'm so, so glad that we don't have to say goodbye yet!!

CP Smith, with every tale she pens, provides not only hilarious entertainment and a heart-warming happily-ever-after story, but shares deeply touching nuggets of wisdom. If you're wanting a story to fall in love with and something to tug at your heartstrings, grab the Wallflowers series. You will not be disappointed.