Book Review: Guide My Heart (The Stirring Book 1) by Caroline Swart

Title: Guide My Heart
Author: Caroline Swart
Series: The Stirring #1
Pages: 76
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤

A two-week safari in Africa is the perfect holiday for Britney and her friend Meghan. But Chris, the swoon-worthy tour-guide, is fascinated with the paw-print birthmarks on her arm. Mysterious lions and visions of chains haunt Brit after they share a mind-blowing kiss, but is there something deeper than pure animal attraction between the two?

Book 1 of The Stirring.

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

When I read the description of Guide My Heart, I thought what's not to like?

- African Safari Vacation (I have always wanted to go on one😍).........check
- Hot Thor Look-a-Like Tour Guide........check
- Descriptions of Cute Baby Rhinos........check
- Neat Paranormal Twist........check

As you can tell, I really loved how the book was set against the backdrop of an African Safari! Our main character even went on a jeep tour!! While on the tour, Chris (Mr. Thor look-a-like) explains the black stripes found on antelopes, and his blurb made my little biology major heart happy!

"They form the letter M, like the M in McDonald's." We gave him blank stares, waiting for him to explain. "These antelope are the preferred choice of food for predators. They're like McDonald burgers for lions and cheetahs. if you see the M running in the distance, you can bet that a leopard or another predator is following behind."

Besides loving the little biology lesson, I also enjoyed the overall premise of the book. The entire storyline was interesting. Despite reading a ton of paranormal romances, I haven't actually read one with lions! Additionally, the chemistry between Chris and Britney was off the charts! However, my only wish is that I could have gotten to know the characters better! Due to the book's length, the story had to progress pretty quickly, so I wasn't able to see their relationship unfold like I wanted to. It would have really helped since the end went from zero to a hundred. Don't get me wrong, I did like the ending, it just caught me a bit off guard!

Despite progressing super quick, I did really enjoy the story! Guide My Heart was a fun read, that definitely has the potential to lead into a FANTASTIC series!

Book Review: The Panther's Lost Princess (Redclaw Security Book 1) by McKenna Dean

Title: The Panther's Lost Princess
Author: McKenna Dean
Series: Redclaw Security #1
Pages: 267
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤

Ellie West has always known there was more to her story than being abandoned at birth. A child of the foster-care system, she didn’t get many breaks, but the one thing she can do is sing. It’s her only ticket out of poverty and obscurity. Nothing else matters, not even the nagging sense that she’s different. She's headed for great things. She only needs a chance.

Jack Ferris couldn’t agree more. His firm, the elite paranormal agency Redclaw Security, has been hired to find a missing princess and return her to her family. Discovering that Ellie, a waitress in a hole-in-the-wall diner, is both the princess and his fated mate is like being hit with a sledgehammer. Ellie West can't be his mate. She's the mission.

The sooner Jack completes this job, the better, only Ellie has no intention of throwing her dreams away for a kingdom she's never known. With hired assassins on their trail, Ellie might not have a choice. They must do whatever it takes to stay alive.

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

There are books that upon finishing them leave you completely satisfied; they contain no huge cliffhanger or questions unanswered. For me, The Panther's Lost Princess is one of those very books! It had one of those endings that just leave with a huge grin and a deep feeling of satisfaction. Not only was the story interesting, but I was able to truly connect with the main character, Ellie West.

Ellie has never felt confident about herself. Despite getting support and words of encouragement from her friends, she is still scared to put herself out there and take charge. I definitely don't blame her for this. It is hard to put yourself out there after you have been looked down upon. She does however gain the courage to audition for a singing competition, which in itself is an amazing feat!

As the story continues, we get to see that deciding to audition isn't the only bit of braveness that Ellie possesses. Instead, she evolves and discovers a confidence in herself that wasn't there before. She does have a little help with this amazing awakening through the support of a handsome panther shifter. 😉

Yes, it is true that this book does involve the whole fated mates trope, but it does have a slightly different spin on the cliche. Instead of being super possessive and domineering of Ellie, Jack supports her and ultimately wants to do what's best for her. Their relationship truly is pretty stinkin' cute!

Overall, The Panther's Lost Princess is a satisfying romance that not only has a shifter spin, but also allows the reader to see a character come into her own.

Jack looked so agonized, and he was being so self-sacrificing that she wanted to brush hair off his brow and kiss his cheek,promising him it would all be better soon. Or punch him. She couldn't decide which. 

Book Review: Savage (Wolf Springs Chronicles Book 3) by Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie

Title: Savage
Author: Nancy Holder & Debbie Viguie
Series: Wolf Springs Chronicles #3
Pages: 336
My Rating: ❤❤❤❤❤

Who do you run to?

Out in the forest, tensions are blazing like forest fire. The ancient rivalry between the Fenner and Gaudin packs has reached fever pitch, and only a battle will quell the blood lust.

Katelyn is caught in the middle, her pack loyalties tested like never before. The person she needs the most - strong, sexy, loyal Trick - has no idea about her dark secrets. And while werewolf wars are raging, the Hellhound is still out there, stalking her every move.

It's time to take control. It's time to get savage.

After finishing Hot Blooded, I had a TON of questions that I desperately needed answers to. I was really hoping to get the answers I wanted in Savage, and boy did I! The book was AMAZING!

Holder & Viguie really know how to test my willpower! They had so completely enamored with the story that I couldn’t wait to see how everything unfolded! I constantly had to stop myself from flipping to the last page! Through sheer force of will I was able to make it to the end without giving in and taking a peek! 😊

I’m so glad that I didn’t spoil the ending for myself, because it was AMAZING!!! There were several twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting! I was literally on the edge of my seat for the last half of the book! Katelyn’s journey was intense, entertaining, and full of surprises! I’m so happy with how everything in the story turned out, and that ALL my questions got answered!