Like Arrows (Cedar Tree #6) by Freya Barker @freya_barker

This book was another absolutely amazing edition to a favorite series of mine. I loved Malakai from his first introduction and he just kept growing on me. Now in the beginning of this book Mal had me shaking my head and thinking  "You dumbass mean jerk " He said some things that had me lose respect for him. I actually cried a bit because I really never expected him to hide behind excuses and be a jerk. I didn't know how I could start to even like him again but I know Freya has a way of tearing her characters down to the bare bones of their personality.  She was whispering in my ear. Tell me to be patient and then she builds them back up layer my layer showing the reader the real person inside.  Mal was a man.. Plain and simple. A man who made mistakes but always made up for them. When this big beautiful man knew what he wanted, nothing stood in his way. He wanted Kim and he not only wanted her physically but he truly wanted to know her and love her in every way.  Which is something Kim had zero experience with. Nobody had every just really gotten to know her and learn all the parts that made her who she was. He was so patient and just kind and he stole my heart.  Kim was living a shell of a life and she needed to bulldozing sensuality of Mal to wake up her empty existence. She slowly came out of her shell and shed those layers of hurt and resentment. She actually realized that she could have people who cared and saw the beauty she owned. Not only on the outside but her caring and sweet heart.  I love every one of these extraordinary characters and how Freya didn't just write love stories, she built a family of people from all walks of life and in that family I could see myself belonging. I shed quite a few tears at pivotal moments in this story of healing, strength and faith. I didn't want it to end and the brightest side of the ending I is I know that these characters won't stop talking to Freya so I can't wait for more. Now give me Neil and Kendra. Who says a younger guy can't be alpha.. Just wait. I see good things. Loved this from beginning to end even when I was mad and crying. Because one things for sure, Freya always makes it right.

The Aftermath (The Hurricane, #2) by R.J. Prescott @rjprescottauth

It was like coming home when I started this book. But to have the extra beauty of being in Con's POV. I loved this possessive, loyal, amazing man even more in this book. He's loyal to his wife.. The love of his life and he is supportive and stands by all of the people he cares about. . While this story had a lot less romance it still has a very gripping plot. It was much darker and reading is a very personal journey which is widely affected by mood. The darkness and sad themes did bring me down quite a bit but I gripped tight to my belief in this couple that good times would return. Love prevailed and Con and Em got the HEA this author always promised. I feel this author has a long and amazing successful road ahead of her. So glad I experienced the love story of Con and Em. One storm that will rage forever.  My Hurricane Review *Copy provided by author for honest review

Perfect Ruin (Unyielding #2) by Nashoda Rose @nashodarose

In every Nashoda Rose book I go into it with this feeling of absolute anticipation. I already know it's going to draw every emotion that I am humanly able to feel and multiply it. Kai was always one of the most mysterious characters Nashoda had created. I wasn't even sure if he was a good guy. The truth is he's not good.. But he's not bad either. What he is though, is complex and intense. He's loyal to those that are important to him and honestly no body could be important to him until London. Then London had life kick her in the face more than once. Raven came from the ashes and London was buried. Kai wouldn't give up and I was absolutely in tears of profound pain, anger, confusion and even understanding towards the end of London resurfacing into Kai's "Braveheart". She had bravery alright. Men would have broken and never recovered after the things this woman suffered.  Kai was the passionate loving dominant man that always came for her..and saved her from the darkness while she completely gave him such light in return.  I can't put into words how this author filled these pages with such destruction that would turn to beauty all in the same chapter.  For each time she broke my heart she would show me such hope and to never give up. All of our favorite characters were such support and every moment of dialogue was important.  I hung on every word. I simply didn't want it to end and yet I couldn't breathe at times because this couple had been through so much. Kai was perfect I'm his own way but one thing for sure was that he gave his heart away to his Braveheart and never looked back. Absolutely no angst regarding their devotion to each other. I love Nashoda for that.  Sigh.. The end for now but.. Connor, I need your story so bad because I feel this one's going to hurt.. And yet I know its going to hurt in the best way. .

A Very Wellington Christmas by Annalisa Nicole @AnnalisaNicole4

Some stories hit you right when you need it. Love is not just a feeling ..it's a living thing. Sometime love can hurt. We lose people we love and that pain is just so deep that we can shut down. Or people we love hurt us and it's so hard to trust. What happened to Levi would break the hardest and toughest person. Quinn was stubborn and saw through his pain to the sweetest heart inside. I believe love is something that heals and strengthens and that's what was found in this heartwarming story. Healing and strength from a new love and also from a family who takes you in and keeps you. I pray this year everyone I love has people like the Wellington family to support them. I also pray we spread some of that love around because you never know when that reaching hand might bring someone out of the darkness.  Annalisa Nicole writes exactly the perfect medicine for battered hearts. Love stories with healing messages you just feel straight to your soul.

Unlawful Justice by K. C. Lynn & K. Langston @klangston13 @AuthorKCLynn

In this world we battle on a daily basis so many types of unfairness and injustice. Most of the time it's clear and strait forward whose wrong and whose right. But when things like racism occur.. Its a very hard thing to fight. Being raised in the south.. A poor white girl.. Moving into a black project neighborhood I felt the harsh truth of racism firsthand. Thankfully I was taught something that these authors mentioned in this book. Maybe not in the exact words but still the same meaning. "When the eyes of hate are upon you, look away" I didn't give into the hate, I showed kindness and before long I made friends. Some are still my friends today. I feel like the subjects tackled in this amazing story surpass racism. I feel like hate knows no color. Its taught.. And it's learned from childhood. That's a sad fact but it's the honest truth. So while there was racism and hatred in this book.. There was more importantly forgiveness and justice. There was truth and honor. Brave souls who stood for what was right. And that was Love. We are all cut from the same creator. We are all truly one color.. Or rather one race.. Human. This story transcended lines of color. It showed the other side of hate. It showed there are people who still believe in truth and friendship.. Family and loyalty. Those bonds are not based on skin color, religion, or economic status. Those bonds are based on the Heart. The heart has no eyes.. In all of us the same blood flows.  Grayson and Liv were a beautiful and passionate couple. I swooned and I cried watching them fall in love. Tragedy may have brought them together but their love was meant to be. I fell in love with K. C. Lynn a while back and am new to Ms. Langston. But their amazing writing duet blew me away. I couldn't put this story down.  Sexy as can be the heated scenes were just wow. But there were times that I found myself with a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.. All because of the extraordinary side characters and the emotional connection of all these beautiful relationships.  Walter just stole my heart. This proud brave honorable man was just defending his home and most importantly his only living family. Liv was his to protect.  He didn't see color..  He saw danger. Then Terrell and Tania were so vivid and full of life. These authors did some sort of magic,  breathing life into every single part of this wonderful cast. I loved how there was such a pure and unvarnished romance here. Nothing causing relationship angst. One small moment that only showed Liv and Grayson the true depth of their feelings and led to some hot wet make up loving.  Truly this was a great and heartfelt story breaking down walls and building up hope and love.  I am really touched in so many ways.