ARC Book Review: Love Bites (Timber Creek #2) by Aimee Vance and B. Perkins

Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Paranormal Romance
Length: 420 pages
Author: Aimee Vance and B. Perkins
Publisher: Revel Books
Release Date: March 21st, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

He needs a wolf, she needs an adventure

Max
For a century, I’ve worked alone as the Dark Angel to keep the supernatural community safe and hidden, taking on the gruesome jobs nobody else wants. There aren’t trophies for my line of work, but I know I’m damn good at it — no team, no family, no ties to hold me back.

When a trail of bodies shows up on the human news with suspicious fang marks, it’s my time to shine. Right up until I learn my only hope of tracking down the vampires at fault is to team up with a superwolf. Problem is, I trust no one, especially not the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen who sniffs out my biggest secret as easily as breathing.

Summer
From the outside, my life seems great — I own the bakery-bookstore of my dreams, I have a comfortable position in my wolf shifter pack, my family is amazing, and I live in a picture-perfect small town. But I still have this simmering wanderlust in me, this desperate desire to upend it all for an adventure.

When the Dark Angel himself, Max Russo, walks into my store with a thrilling proposition to hunt down dangerous vampires across the world, I can’t pack fast enough – especially now I know his secrets.

One, supernatural bad boy Max just might have a heart under those black, shiny wings.
Two, he needs a friend as much as I need a croissant in Paris.
And three, he’s not just an angel.

Thank you to the author for a gifted copy.

Y’ALL KNOW I LOVE MOC.

I had to have my hands on this book and it was really good! My favorite aspect was easily the found family and sibling relationships. I adore Summer’s family so much!! The text banter, the protection and loyalty, they make this book sing. I can never get enough of them. It just makes me all the more excited for this series to continue.

Max and Summer were a delight. I did love the chemistry between them, I would have just loved a little more actual conversation. It was very physically forward and that’s not my cup of tea. When they had those soft conversation moments and the flitted about while traveling? THOSE were the key romantic scenes for me.

I love that this series has suspense elements too. The bit of action was precisely what the plot needed (and hello, was anyone else emotional over Malachi’s backstory???). I liked seeing more of the vampire world and the secrets behind them.

The ending was abrupt and I wanted a bit more closure and conversation to wrap everything up. I’m hopeful we’ll get to see a little bit of that in future books.

Overall audience notes:

  • Paranormal romance
  • Language: strong
  • Romance: 4+ open door
  • Violence: moderate
  • Content Warnings: kidnapping, attempted murder, weapons and physical violence, murder

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Book Review: Wild Wild Wolf (Timber Creek #1) by B. Perkins and Aimee Vance

Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Paranormal Romance
Length: 420 pages
Author: B. Perkins & Aimee Vance
Publisher: Revel Books
Release Date: March 29th, 2024
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

She doesn’t believe in fated mates? Game on.

Jade
There’s nothing I want more than to forget my past, especially everything that makes me a part of supernatural society. I’d do anything to keep my sister’s and my secret safe and keep our tormentors far, far away.

Turns out it’s harder to disappear than I thought, especially once Alpha wolf West Larkin catches my scent.

West
Ever since shifters were outed to the human world, my job as Alpha of the Timber Creek pack has gotten more difficult by the day. Between running a town full of supernaturals, my pack, and keeping my family out of trouble, I have enough on my plate as it is.

So why is it every time I run across Jade Rodriguez, a lone wolf who wants nothing to do with me, I want to drop everything to keep her safe?

Wild Wild Wolf is book one in the new Timber Creek series, interconnected standalones following each of the Larkin siblings.

WHAT A GEM.

Gosh I love this writing duo. I have been so excited to start a new series and it delivered. I love the setting and plot. I absolutely love big families and all of the humor and love that’s woven throughout. I was laughing and swooning and just binging this book because it was making my heart feel joy.

I loved West and Jade. The banter was fantastic and I loved seeing Jade slowly but surely open up and realize what goodness was in front of her. And I was very much in the mood for an Alpha romance and West delivered on that front. I loved how protective he was and the way he cared for Jade and everyone around him.

My one tiny tidbit is how Jade handled a situation towards the end, it felt a little out of character after all of the growth she had. It didn’t ruin my reading experience, but I did get a little bugged by it.

I loved all of the wolfy things and the pacing and action and heat. All the tension and all the almost moments. I can’t wait for the next book!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Paranormal Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 2-3 open door; low innuendo
  • Violence: moderate-high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: a past abusive relationship, loss of parents (recounted)

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Book Review: Deja Brew (Deadlights Cove #2) by Aimee Vance and B. Perkins

Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Paranormal Romance
Length: 292 pages
Author: Aimee Vance and B. Perkins
Publisher: Revel Books
Release Date: October 1st, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Nimue Fitzpatrick never really meant to leave Deadlights Cove, but after she’d impulsively kissed her best friend, Kit Sayana, it suddenly became easier to take freelance photography jobs out of town. Just what she needed to forget the mess and the amber eyes she couldn’t bear to face anymore in the Cove. Now, after four years away, it might be time to admit that she’s been avoiding him.

The last four years haven’t been the easiest for Kit as the pressure to assume his responsibilities as future Alpha for the Arrowwood skulk takes over his life. Needing space, he moved out of his family home and into the apartment above his tea shop, Immortali-Tea. Despite the closeness among the members of his skulk, there is one thing he hasn’t shared with anyone, even his closest friends: ever since he kissed Nimue all those years ago, he’s known she’s his mate. The problem is that an interspecies mate bond is impossible, so it can never be.

When Nimue returns home for her cousin Blaze’s Halloween party, everything changes. No matter how the two childhood friends try to avoid their feelings for each other, fate has other plans. With magic turning on the shifters, the town is set into a panic that requires everyone to work together — especially Kit and Nimue.

Can they recover their prior friendship enough to come together and solve the next mystery, before it has lasting effects on the shifters in town?

Follow Kit and Nimue’s story, along with the quirky band of local misfits, through the Deadlights Cove series, in book two, Deja Brew.

While each book follows a different couple, the Deadlights Cove series is best read in order. Catch up and find out what Petra and Blaze discover in book one, Smoke Show, first.

FIERY.

I love this quirky town. It’s like my favorite small town contemporaries but make it spooky and I am here for it. There’s all sorts of paranormal creatures running around and I love that there’s different focuses on learning more about them with each book.

Fated mates reallllly worked for me between Kit and Nimue. It was written incredibly well that had me feeling all the chemistry they had for each other. It was hot and sweet and all the things in between.

The outside plot is interesting and I like how it subtly continues. Not overshadowing the romance but upping some intensity and bringing the action. This is a great writing duo and I look forward to the future books in this series!

Overall audience notes:

  • Paranormal Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: two open door; med-high explicit
  • Violence: med
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: Physical and magical altercations, kidnapping

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Book Review: Karma is a Witch (Deadlights Cove #5) by Aimee Vance and B. Perkins

Rating: ★★★★☆
Audience: Paranormal Romance
Length: 400 pages
Author: Aimee Vance
Publisher: Self-Published
Release Date: August 25th, 2023
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Devanna Bailey has worked her way up to Boss Witch since her teens, throwing herself into her witch supply shop, Carpe Noctem, no matter how the irksome mayor has tried to stand in her way.

Equally driven, it took Orion centuries to earn his post as Mayor of Deadlights Cove. This weird little town and its quirky residents are his life’s purpose, and he might lose it all. When a local witch is murdered and the human FBI arrives, nothing will ever be the same.

Shifters have been outed to the human world. Nergal, a powerful, ancient demon, is out to destroy Deadlights Cove. The angel realm is in turmoil. And Orion can’t save this town alone.

She’s a brat.
He’s a control freak.
Neither of them know the meaning of the word yield.
The only question is, who will break first?

GREAT CONCLUSION.

What an absolutely FUN series. I loved this whole concept, the world, magic, all of the paranormal people and the romance. It was a wild ride that brought a smile to my face every time I picked up one of these books.

I loved seeing Orion and Devanna AT LAST come together. The intense heat and passion between two unmovable forces could be felt through my kindle. While the spice wasn’t my personal cup of tea I know others will enjoy the more hate love scene/dominating style. I did love how fiercely protective they became for each other and how loyal once they let down a few walls.

The plot wrapped up really well and I liked seeing those final strings tied off. Getting the end of the larger story and seeing those HEA’s was so dang sweet. I’ll miss this entire cast.

Overall audience notes:

  • Paranormal Romance
  • Language: some strong
  • Romance: 2-3 open; moderate explicit
  • Violence: high
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: false imprisonment, battle themes, loss of life

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