Dead By Midnight: An I-Team Christmas by Pamela Clare

2019 Dec reread (audio)
Still breathstealingly amazing.
Everything from warm feel goods to have-to-stop-because-I'm-crying moments.
This almost needs to become a Christmas tradition just like Die Hard is one. Haha!

And just to say, it's been years since I've read the Iteam books and I still love the characters so much. They're still with me.

=======

So I really struggled with starting Death By Midnight right away. I didn't want the book to end, I knew once I got started I wouldn't want to stop reading it, I know how much blood, sweat and tears Pamela Clare and her crew put into it, and I wanted to honor that amount of time and work and not have my part of it rushed. So I downloaded it yesterday and walked away. Went to bed late and figured with it being so late, I'd skip reading.... Then changed my mind, and cracked open my Kindle and eyed Marc's cover.... And tapped... And the rest is history!!

This is such a beautiful story that sucked me in and delivered all the feels!! I was laughing, I was crying, I was hiding under the covers in fear, and I was turning the fan up higher to cool down (whew, did it get hot!!)!!

I love Marc (oh my goodness!!) and his Sprite (they're still my top fav couple, with Zach and Natalie being right behind them), and of course the rest of the gang!! I enjoyed every moment of catching up with everyone and seeing the connection and bonds they've built. This novella is an absolutely totally perfect way to end this series! Perfect high note!

Someone said this was like ITEAM meets Die Hard - and I totally agree!!

So even though the book ended too quickly for me, I'll be rereading this story often! Now that is even more a compliment to an author!!

The cameo appearance of Kaylea Cross's HRT guys was a blast!

Baiting Him by Aurora Rose Reynolds

Baiting Him is a sweet, adorable, and lighthearted story, easy to fall into and not want to escape. There was just enough drama to keep the story moving, but it wasn't overwhelming or heavy-feeling. Loved the moments of tough love and how most of the conflict came from outside sources. Once Chrissie and Gaston got on the same page (which really didn't take long - another win!), it was them together against the trials.

Loved Gaston's pursuit of Chrissie, always being the safe spot she didn't even realize how badly she needed. Loved Chrissie's big heart and how she took care of the people in her life.

I'm loving this new series of ARR's and I'm looking forward to what the next book has in store.

A Husband for Christmas by Sarah J. McNeal

Teekonka and Jane's (and Rob!) happily-ever-after delivers a preciously sweet and heartwarming Christmas story, perfect for a quick read amidst the busy of the season.

Teekonka embodied patience and gentleness pursuing Jane, and built a special relationship with her son. He knew what he wanted and he was willing to do what was necessary to get the family he needed, and provide them with their dreams as well. Jane showed beauty and devotion while she sorted out her head and embraced the gift of a future she craved.

It was fun getting to reconnect with previous characters from the Wilding series and see what they're up to.

The Snow Bride by Lindsay Townsend

The Snow Bride delivers a thrilling tale of magic, adventure, and love.

I adored Magnus!! I loved how he was not the flashy knight-in-shining-armor, but instead was battle-scarred and weary, was someone who's proved himself and could be counted on to keep fighting through any and every battle. He desperately sought after a seemingly unattainable dream and watching him realize Elfrida was his dream come to life - what he wished for and then more - melted my heart. The gentleness he showed Elfrida balanced wonderfully with his protectiveness that flared around her.

Elfrida had a heart that overflowed with devotion and compassion, even as much as she struggled to truly find her place. She had a special kind of wisdom and a stubborn tenacity that saw her through her journey, and afforded her the opportunity to learn that she wasn't on her own fighting battles anymore.

I enjoyed watching the two of them learn to compromise and trust each other - which was very much a challenge with their temperaments and instincts. Their ability to communicate and make reparations quickly also showed strength and confidence. Their strengths played well off the other, even if sometimes you were wanting to join the other in shaking someone... haha.

If you enjoy a adventure story filled with knightly brawn and magical good-vs-evil, this is a fantastic story to snuggle up with on the long, dark winter nights.

Delta: Redemption by Cristin Harber

5+ overwhelming beautiful swoon-y stars for this Aussie and midwest-girl Delta story!

_____

2019 audio book reread
The audio book brought a whole new life to this story, and just like the first time I experienced it, I'm still adoring this story so hard. Plus, new live experiences give a bit different perspective, and Ryder and Victoria's story hit even deeper.

Gotta love when rereads touch you just as uniquely and in a new special way.


_____

Original review.

I should have known better... prepared myself more... but no!! Even though in the back of my head I knew this was a Delta story so something's gonna happen and happen in a big way, I let myself get lulled into a place of comfort and peace despite the struggles/heartache with the first part of the story - until that moment when suddenly the floor dropped out and my happy-place was shattered and off we go on an intense roller coaster ride! I completely loved. Every. Breathstealing. Moment.

I liked loved:

1. How this story fits into the Titan timeline and how we got a taste of both some fun and easy downtime (real life) and then the adventure of work (ops).
2. How Ryder in his uncertainty still gave Victoria exactly what she needed.
3. How Victoria found her strength and stability in herself.
4. TITAN!! Everyone from Colby and Mia, to the Delta team, to Jared and Sugar, from Parker to Cash - they all were there in some way and it was awesome - whether just by their presence or by their actions or their nuggets of "pull your head out of your ***" wisdom.
5. SURPRISES!!! Loads of them! So many good ones sprinkled with shocking ones.
6. How Victoria and Ryder just WORKED -- they are perfection for each other.
7. How swoony sweet Ryder was, and still was all manly tough.
8. How strong and determined Victoria was, but still retaining her feminine vulnerability.
9. How redemption was discovered.
10. All the twists and turns and mystery and suspense and how history formed these two into what they became.
11. Surprises!! Did I mention that? Cause, there's alot there to love!
12. Being with Ryder and Victoria as they found and pursued their hea together.

I disliked:
1. That's it's *OVER* already! goodness!! As much as I want to see what happens, I hate seeing how close to the end I'm getting and maybe found some ways to slow it down a bit! haha! (good thing there's yet another awesome surprise at the end of the book to make up for it!) This is *so* going on my to-be-re-read soon list!

I love cracking open a new Titan/Delta book and getting to connect and fall in love with a new couple and live out their happily-ever-after with them, as well as reconnect with everyone else. Each book is a favorite while I'm there, but I think there's something a bit more special about this book than most of the others. It tugs on my heart-strings. It made me happy-sigh, over and over again. It gave me the omg-how-am-I-gonna-survive-this shakes. It overwhelmed me with beauty and contentment and joyous secret smiles. This is Delta. This is Titan.

----------

Cricket Under Fire by Natasza Waters

Cricket Under Fire rocketed its way to my most favorite bookshelf. It blends the anticipation of new adventures with some comfort of previous characters (from her Warriors Challenge series), setting this first story in her spin off series with a blast!

I quickly connected to Rayne in several ways which drew me all the deeper into the story. I couldn't be an analyst like her, but in all the ways that truly matter, I identified with her softer strength, her trusting spirit, her innocent nature. She gave off this vibe of needing to be protected, but yet, also had a gentle confidence and ability around her that gave her the strength she needed to stand on her own.

And who better to match up a girl like that than an alpha warrior who's lifeblood demands he protects. Some men need that sweetly soft girl in their life to give them balance and purpose - Elijah was such a man. He knew Rayne was special from the moment he ran across her, and understood just how much her presence in his life could and would change him. He respected her but didn't let her hide away, and he protected her so she could stay the woman he needed. He was a leader of men, honorable, but stubborn and bossy.

Cricket Under Fire fed my reader soul bountifully. The heart-pounding moments, the swoony-sweet memories, the intense chemistry - all combined to build the anticipation and provides laughs, heat, and anxiety.

If you're a fan of military romance with suspense and adventure thrown in, this is your story. While it is written to be enjoyed as a stand-alone, readers of the Warrior Challenge series will be delighted by the presence of several beloved characters. I definitely recommend reading those stories as well, and am anxiously awaiting what's to come.

A Gift of Christmas Hope by Kaye Spencer

This is a delightful and steamy little Christmas tale to warm you up on the cold winter night!

I adored the history/connection between Mara and Neal, which provides the perfect set up to deepen their re-connection. Their banter and tenacity with each other kept me entertained.

Mixing in some treasure and some Christmas hope, this short story sweetly satisfies.

The Savior by Cristin Harber

Nov 2019 reread
I don't know exactly what it is that keeps me coming back to this story over and over again, but each time I finish I fall in love just a little bit harder and walk away with something new touching my heart, besides just soaking in the hard fought for happily ever after.

............
Omgoodness y'all. Be prepared. The Savior will capture your heart, wring it empty of every little drop of emotion, then fill it to overflowing with breath-stealing goodness!

Liam and Chelsea's story start out with their world being shattered and learning how to keep living through intense grief. Their intense pain and struggle with healing from that loss mixed with conflict from work related situations that have some scary real-life-threatening consequences just seem like it's too much to deal with, and you find yourself holding your breath waiting for the next shoe to drop.

Liam rocked my world with how much he felt, how deeply he loved, how intensely and deliberately he lived life. Chelsea won me over with her compassion, realness, devotion, and her spirit. Together they find healing, trust, and a crazy fun and treasured love.

Throw in some spec ops missions, shocking revelations, frustrating word games, and a quirky cute lesson in romance and you have a high-charged action adventure along with a captivating love story. Oh, and you can't forget the Titan-esque moments that make you secretly giddy.

Hidden within the pages of this story are several nuggets of truth and tough love and grace. They translate perfectly from the story into the reader's head, settling there and showing the beauty behind the life lessons, and hopefully sinking deep to acceptance.

I was shaken by how viscerally I reacted to this story, soaking up all the emotions and feeling like I was living their journey with them. Words have a power to them, and if allowed, can embed and overflow -- which The Savior did for me.

So, basically -- get this book, buckle in, remember to breathe, turn the page and hang on for an intense ride. You won't regret it.

Luke by Kimberly Lewis

Luke and Karlie's story provided a much enjoyed easy and light-hearted read, with just enough drama to keep things moving. I loved Karlie's confidence and her flirty fun attitude. I adored Luke's protective instincts and how when he fell for Karlie, he fell hard and it didn't matter what his past was, he was all in. The family bonds and interactions provided some hilarious comic relief.

And I gotta say, this story made me want to go out and find a horse to pet and ride.

This was my first book (audio) by Kimberly Lewis and I'm looking forward to backtracking some and getting the other McKade's stories when looking for a palette cleanser story.

btw, the narrator on this book - absolutely terrific!!

The Will by Kristen Ashley

love love LOVE Josie and Jake's story! Add in the awesome kids and poof! My heart is gone!

I adore how Josie and Jake get involved and grow their relationship. Mix in the rest of the crew/town/friends and Jake gettin' all alpha and then his fights? Yup, Jake owns my heart, no doubt!

One of my top fav KA books (shoot, aren't they all almost like that!)

Nov 2019 cover to cover reread. ...... Still absolutely in love with this story. Every emotion felt deep down and bubbled over. Was rereading parts before finishing it up.

Veils by Brynne Asher

Veils delivers all the heart racing and pounding adventure mixed in with sweetly beautiful moments I've come to expect from the Killers series.

Gracie and Noah's story became so much more than what I was hoping and expecting to get, which absolutely delighted me and kept me riveted to my kindle, fighting between wanting to read faster to see what happens next and wanting to slow down so it wouldn't end yet.

I loved the match of healer Gracie combined with killer Noah, and how each had exactly what the other desperately needed. There's something swoon-worthy about a man who knows what he wants and doesn't allow anything to get in his way.... anything! And then having the girl be the soft that helps to smooth out her man's rough edges? Add in the beauty that comes from friendships and family, and the intense way that love is shown, magic is created.

As with all the other stories in the Killers series, Veils quickly became a favorite and I'm looking forward to what the future holds for this story-world.