Lora Leigh Follow

DANE’S MARK is the thirty-third instalment in Lora Leigh’s adult BREEDS paranormal, sci-fi romance series. This is managerial analyst Katelyn ‘Katy’ Chavos, and Breed Dane Vanderale’s story line. DANE’S MARK should not be read as a stand alone as Dane’s story and the story of the Breeds has been building throughout the series, and as this is the first new book of the series in several years, a reread of the last few instalments may be required as a reminder as to what is happening and why. Dane’s Mark skips approximately eight years from start to finish, wherein many other stories and matings have occurred during that particular timeline.


SOME BACKGROUND: Decades earlier, trying to create the ultimate warrior, genetic scientists combined animal DNA ( sometimes several different animals) with human embryos resulting in a species that has been feared and tortured since their inception. With the increase in natural conception of cross-breed species, not only have the Breeds, but humans have become wary of the powerful results.

Told from several omniscient third person perspectives including Dane and Katelyn DANE’S MARK follows the reluctant and acrimonious relationship between our story line couple. For years, cafe waitress Katy Chavos thought Dane Vanderale had been flirting but Dane’s outright rejection sent Katy into a tailspin, and with the help of someone else, Katy left her home town of Broken Butte, New Mexico, only returning a different woman eight years later. Now twenty-nine years old, Katelyn is a managerial analyst for the Breeds Tech-Corp, and Dane has continued to struggle with his attraction to a woman he did not believe to be his mate but his rejection was slowly killing the woman he loved, a rejection that would ultimately reveal the existence of a number of original Breeds, all with a deeper connection to our story line couple.

The world building is detailed, and complex revealing a more intricate and exhaustive history of the Breeds. Dane and Katelyn’s mating or mate rejection will expose decades of secrets and lies, power and control, betrayal and vengeance, and the history of family and relationships including those long thought gone. As the heir and descendant of the first Leo, Dane has been forced to keep the secrets from the human public but it is the secrets that are about to be exposed in an effort to protect the Breeds, themselves.

The relationship between Katelyn and Dane is tempestuous and heart breaking. Dane refuses to accept Katy as his mate thus ensuring Katy will continue to suffer with his rejection and perceived betrayal. As a Vanderale, Dane has been taught never to reveal the existence of his Breed connections, and in this, his mate quite possibly will pay with her life. The $ex scenes are intimate and provocative with references to the many Breed anomalies, and mating habits.

There is a large ensemble cast of powerful and familiar secondary and supporting characters including the return of the original Leo and his mate Elizabeth, Graeme Parker, Jonas Sinclair as well as the introduction of Katelyn and Dane’s large extended familes they knew nothing about.

DANE’S MARK is an emotional and heart breaking story of rejection, and the fall-out of decades of secrets and lies. The premise is comprehensive , captivating and compelling and sets the tone for several new series arcs with the introduction of many family members; the characters are desperate, charismatic, dynamic but broken; the romance struggles in the face of constant rejection and pain.

3.5 stars--HER RENEGADE COWBOY is the third instalment in Lora Leigh’s contemporary, adult MOVING VIOLATONS erotic, romance series. This is former US Ranger turned US Marshal Levi Roberts, and grade school teacher Lily Donovan’s story line. HER RENEGADE COWBOY can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous story lines is revealed where necessary.

Told from third person perspective HER RENEGADE COWBOY follows Levi Roberts as he goes undercover in an effort to protect our story line heroine. Two years earlier Lily’s life imploded leaving her a shell of her former self but her past has escaped, and has targeted Lily in the process. Enter US Marshal Levi Roberts, and the man with whom Lily will fall in love. As Levi’s relationship with Lily takes on a more personal tone, Levi struggles between head and heart knowing his duty is to first protect the woman with whom he is falling in love. What ensues is the building romance and relationship between Levi and Lily, and the potential fall-out as Lily’s past comes seeking revenge, and Levi’s secrets may destroy Lily’s new found ability to trust and love.

Lily Donovan suffered at the hands of a man who used his power and trust to destroy those under his control. Lily is stubborn, feisty, sometimes immature and has refused protective custody, and in this, our heroine is often TSTL (too stupid to live), placing herself in the direct line of fire, including trying to save the people she loves. Meeting Levi Roberts meant a possible second chance at a future but Levi’s secrets are one more betrayal that Lily is unable to control. Levi’s latest assignment is to protect Lily Donovan from the threat that is headed her way but Levi never expected to fall in love, placing his heart in danger of losing everything if something happens to our story line heroine.

The relationship between Lily and Levi is predicated upon a lie of omission. Levi is working as a ranch hand in an effort to get up close and personal with our story line heroine but Levi never expected the visceral attraction between himself and Lily, an attraction that may place our couple in the direct line of fire. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and passionate.

The secondary and supporting characters include Jacob Donovan and Sallie
Hamblen (Strong Silent Cowboy 2),Lily’s sister Shay, Justice Culpepper, and college professor Graham Brisbee. There are some antagonistic feelings towards Justice, Rancor and Pride Culpepper, and I am hoping the author has some plans for a future story line or series for the three brothers.

HER RENEGADE COWBOY is a story of power and control, secrets and lies, betrayal, obsession, protection and love. The fast paced, character driven premise is engaging, entertaining and intriguing; the characters are feisty, stubborn and determined; the romance is provocative and spicy.

This story absolutely sizzles with steam and intensity between Lily and Levi. They are awesome together, despite Lily fighting to remain independent in the face of lurking danger. She did make a few decisions that had me frustrated at times, but generally, I understood her reasoning.

Levi was one fierce, protective, and possessive cowboy/undercover US Marshal. I loved his dedication to Lily as well as his determination to make her his while protecting her.

This couple had one fiery relationship leading up to about the halfway point where the drama really kicked in full force. And when the storyline took an even grittier turn, things got intense. I loved watching them work through not only the danger but their issues. The secondary characters added so much more to this story as well as the promise of more to come.

Lily, a grade school teacher, has some big secrets. She helped put away a rapist and murderer by testifying against him. Nobody but her sister and best friend knows what really happened. Lily gets a call from the Marshall service telling her the man she helped convict has escaped. They want her to go in to witness protection but Lily refuses. Levi is a new ranch hand on Lily’s cousins ranch. He is a former Army Ranger sent undercover to watch over Lily. Levi is part of the fugitive recovery team on the Marshall service. Levi is only supposed to keep watch but he falls for Lily. But when the secrets are revealed will either of them able to forgive?

Secrets. Action. Suspense. Sex. What more could you ask for? I knew when the secrets were uncovered, Lily was going to be upset. I know Levi’s was a little worse but she kept quiet about hers. Would recommend it. It was good.

* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for NetGalley *

Lily, a grade school teacher, has some big secrets. She helped put away a rapist and murderer by testifying against him. Nobody but her sister and best friend knows what really happened. Lily gets a call from the Marshall service telling her the man she helped convict has escaped. They want her to go in to witness protection but Lily refuses. Levi is a new ranch hand on Lily’s cousins ranch. He is a former Army Ranger sent undercover to watch over Lily. Levi is part of the fugitive recovery team on the Marshall service. Levi is only supposed to keep watch but he falls for Lily. But when the secrets are revealed will either of them able to forgive?

Secrets. Action. Suspense. Sex. What more could you ask for? I knew when the secrets were uncovered, Lily was going to be upset. I know Levi’s was a little worse but she kept quiet about hers. Would recommend it. It was good.

* Voluntarily read and reviewed this for NetGalley *

Strong, Silent Cowboy (Moving Violations #2). By Lora Leigh & Veronica Chadwick. 2021. St. Martin’s Press (ARC eBook).

Strong, Silent Cowboy is a steamy, action-packed adventure as Sallie, who has been on the run, and Jacob, a man from her past, come together to end the threat to their happy ending for good. The premise is entertaining and I’d read more by either of these authors; and also more of this series with its cowboys and ex-military men hanging around the town of Deer Haven, Texas.

*St. Martin’s Press ARC via NetGalley

Right from the very beginning my heart was already invested in Sallie’s story. My heart just broke for her when she realizes that Jacob does not remember her after three days of the most memorable nights of her life and then three years going by with her basically trying to stay away from him. Jacob has noticed her around after their “first” introduction 3 years before, there is something about her that he recognizes but could not quite grasp from where. Now they are in the same bar and Jacob decides he is done waiting around. The pull of Jacob was too strong for Sallie and is engaged in another explosive night.

As the story moves along, we learn so much more about Sallie. She is actually on the run and has been trying to keep a low profile. Jacob also has a story that explains why Sallie seems so familiar to him but can’t seem to remember. When all is revealed and danger surrounds Sallie, Jacob is determined to keep her safe and never letting her go.

There are so many twists and turns and secrets everywhere! Sallie and Jacob’s story definitely kept me on my toes. Like in many of Lora Leigh’s books the chemistry between the characters are off the charts, the steam factor is definitely high. I only had the problem with the ending, there is a HEA but I felt like it ended too abruptly.

Wow! This was one hot and steamy read with plenty of drama and mystery to hold it all together.

While I enjoyed Sallie and appreciated her ability to endure the ordeal she’s been through, this book really got me with Jacob. He’s a super alpha hero that’s fiercely protective, extremely possessive and exhibits a streak of jealousy when the situation calls for it. And oh man, things between him and Sallie were explosive. Yeah, you can totally go there. They literally set the pages of this book on fire.

This has several surprises and along with all the steam, it’s actually got a great storyline running through it. The inclusion of a trio of brothers has me hoping we’ll be seeing them in the future as they all carry great potential to be just as amazing as Jacob.

Highly recommended if you like a strong alpha and a lot of heat.