Review: Asunder by Sarah M. Cradit 5 of 5 stars

Asunder by Sarah M. Cradit
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed this book and I have not been compensated in any way.

The Deschanel family are reeling after the events of the previous book trying to understand and accept the latest happenings from the family's curse. Now an even older prophesy related to Finn's Quinlan family is starting to show itself, through some events and Amelia's dreams that feature a man and woman who have their souls tied together. The confrontation with the Empyrean Senetat is fast approaching and the family has to come together if they are going to face the coming storm.

This is the fourth book in the series and you need to read the previous books first. It was well written with everything clear and easy to comprehend. I have to say I felt for some of the family members who had such a hard time and difficult road to travel - the only consolation is that in order to truly appreciate any good time you have to go through a hard time first. Can't wait to read the next instalment now.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: Mark the Dwarf by Jack D. Harvey 3 of 5 stars

Mark the Dwarf by Jack D. Harvey
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book and I have not been compensated in any way.

Mark is a dwarf who goes bowling to celebrate his birthday and ends up on a platform in the middle of nowhere. He then meets clowns from space that he goes on a mission with to switch evil for good. Mark has lots of adventures through time and space meeting lots of dangerous beings before being reborn and returned better and stronger than when he left.

This was a cleverly written but crazy story that at times made me feel almost dizzy with the weird things I was reading about. This would probably appeal to anyone that enjoys books in a similar genre to those by Terry Pratchett- only a more adult version. It was well written albeit a bit chaotic in places. It has lots of references to history or books that are done at a high level so you need to join the dots in your head sometimes to fully get them (so this wouldn't work as a YA book due to language and explicit descriptions). It has a lot of humour but also goes from quantum physics to genetics to linguistics so you are never going to get bored.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: A Mansion, A Drag Queen, And A New Job by C.C. Dragon 5 of 5 stars

A Mansion, A Drag Queen, And A New Job by C.C. Dragon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed this copy and I have not been compensated in any way.

Dr Deanna Oscar just wants to be a psychology professor in a normal college and ignore her psychic medium side. However there are other plans for her when a grandmother that she never knew leaves her everything including a haunted house containing haunted items, a stack of money and a weird selection of people (an ex-priest and a Latina drag queen) plus her neighbour who is a socialite beauty queen. Then she has a vision and gets involved with the hunt for a killer that will pull her into her grandmother's world and put her in danger. She seriously needs help as she gets involved well over her head in the desperate search for the killer in order to stop him.

This was a great story. It involved lots of drama, danger and excitement has Deanna tried to work out what she wanted to do with her life as well as find the killer before even more people were killed. It had a little romance and has set the scene nicely for the series without spending too much time setting the scene to the detriment of the story. I was definitely with her as she lived through all the drama and crises. It was well written and the story was clearly told in such a way as to tempt you into her world. I can't wait to read the next story in the series now.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: Delusional by Scott Spotson 5 of 5 stars

Delusional by Scott Spotson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed this copy and I have not been compensated in any way.

Patricia Fowler is a marketing executive who is falling for dishy manager Paul Blast - the problem is that he is married. Then she starts to have hallucinations and life suddenly turns into one disaster after another. Now she is faced with a situation where no one believes her, and she has no idea who is causing all of this - is it Paul? After all his former girlfriend ended up in a asylum. Or is it his wealthy wife? At the same time the FBI is trying to find a female thief who seems to appear and disappear stealing priceless art and jewels.

This book was interesting. It started out reading like a standard romance novel but then turned into a fast paced story with lots of drama and action leading to an explosive finale involving magic that is definitely not part of a standard romance story. It was well written with everything clear and easy to understand.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: Stolen Angel by Lucy Leroux 5 of 5 stars

Stolen Angel by Lucy Leroux
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed this copy and I have not been compensated in any way.

Sergei has been pining for his assistant to notice him as a man for months but Ada is still being cool and professional with him until he they are working late together. Ten on a night out he gets her right where he wants her - in his bed. However demons from the past haunt him and he pushes her away, however Ada has the last laugh when she disappears leaving mystery behind - it appears that she has been working under a false name at every job she has ever held. Sergei now uses every resource he has at his disposal to find her and protect her from whatever she is running from. Can her find her and can he heal the damage he caused when he ran?

This is a great story and added another facet to the story building in the previous two parts of the series. I think you could read this stand alone although it added to the story for me to understand who some of the characters were. It was well written and the emotions and experiences were told clearly and I could feel how the characters were feeling.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: The R.E.M. Effect J.M. Lanham 5 of 5 stars

The R.E.M. Effect by J.M. Lanham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This story set in 2021 and starts with three threads that eventually collide together into the dramatic rest of the story.

In the first thread, Paul Freeman has just started working for the world leading company Asteria Pharmaceuticals who have bet the company's future on a new sleeping pill that works in harmony with the human genome to give a perfect 8 hour sleep (please!!!!). In the second thread, self-help guru (I can't help but dislike him for draining people of money they probably can't afford) Donny Ford tells people how to use an ancient meditation technique to control their lives - but sceptics think he has lost his mind and done something very bad. Finally in thread three, journalist Claire Connor is captive in a top secret lab in Costa Rica. She has made two big mistakes - looking for help for her sleep disorder and asking far too many questions. These three threads are about to collide and the result is going to be dramatic, and to a certain extent shocking.

I really liked this story. I feels a big disconnected as you go through each of the threads as part of building the story, but as they start to connect together and the story progresses it all makes sense. The writing was good and the story was told well. There was plenty of suspense and drama as well as twists and turns in the story. There were times when you read about an action and and felt like you were witnessing a car crash as to me it felt obvious that it was not going to go well (but it was still interesting to see how and the result of it not going well). The book definitely finished in such a way that it set things up for the next book in the series.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: The Royal Pain: A Billionaire Prince Romance by Erin Hayes 5 of 5 stars

The Royal Pain: A Billionaire Prince Romance by Erin Hayes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed this advanced reader copy and I have not been compensated in any way.

Phillip is trying to move on quietly after a public break-up from his ex-fiancee - problem is as a billionaire and a prince that is not exactly easy to achieve. Then he meets a beautiful media CEO who is more famous than he is - however she is not interested in helping him with his redemption - just in being a royal pain.

This was a lovely story that continued the story after the previous book and focused on Phillip and how he handles the fallout of his infidelity, break-up and then marriage between his ex-fiancee and his younger brother. He certainly had a lot to handle and was starting to sort himself out when he meets Jess and his world is spun on it's axis. It was well written and nicely explained. I think she was very tolerant of the person who published as I think I would have thrown the book at them.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: Solis: Modern Descendants 2 by Elda Lore 5 of 5 stars

Solis: Modern Descendants 2 by Elda Lore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed this advanced reader copy and I have not been compensated in any way.

Viva Matron is is feisty and distrusts men. Solis Cronus is a Greek god who likes to play women. With their distrust/hatred for each other but electric feelings when they touch ,can that hate turn to love instead?

This was a great story putting ancient Greek characters into a modern day setting. I loved the 12 days (when you read it you will know what I mean) which was mega romantic and just made you feel all gooey and also jealous (we all need something like that). It was well written and everything was clear and easy to understand and feel. Now I want to read more to see what happens next!

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: Freedom: Flora by A.K. Michaels 5 of 5 stars

Freedom: Flora by A.K. Michaels
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed this advanced reader copy and I have not been compensated in any way.

Flora was a Blood Courtesan who then found love and was given everything by Maxwell Steele. They were in New York when a phone call from their home in Scotland means they have to rush back. Flora now needs to face all the demons from her past and fight to gain a lasting freedom from the wolf pack.

This was a great story that was a continuation of the first book about Flora which resolved the outstanding demons from her past. It had drama, action and lots of emotions. It was well written and very enjoyable.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: Midnight Dynastyby Sarah M. Cradit 5 of 5 stars

Midnight Dynasty by Sarah M. Cradit
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed this copy and I have not been compensated in any way.

The curse that surrounds the Deschanel family has definitely returned with a vengeance. The Magi Collective is the last hope of the family to find a way to solve the puzzle of the curse and fix it but how do you fix a blood oath made by a grieving mother? The body count is distressingly rising but love, strength and their ancient power is no mach for the curse.

This was a continuation of the story of the Deschanel family (and it is strongly advised that you need to read them in order). It was fascinating to read all the desperate ways the family were trying to stop the curse and the effect of all those actions. There was a lot of drama and emotional turmoil for the characters in this section of the story and I really felt for the family and those associated with them. The book was well written and everything was well explained. I could empathise and experience the emotions they were all going through.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: The Helper by M N Snow 5 of 5 stars

The Helper by M N Snow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed this copy and I have not been compensated in any way.

Marine veteran John Sloan has a secret - he has this healing light that appears when he finds people that need some kind of emotional help. Then his world is rocked when he loses the light within him and ends up alone and in desperate need of help himself. His lifelong friend Dusty Hakalla is a career Marine and is also a mixed-blood Ojibwe - he has the same amazing secret even though it has been misused in the past. Deena Morrison was adopted as a child is also a Helper and is John's girlfriend. She flees John to go and find her birth mother but also has another secret,

This book looks at their relationships, the intersections between the characters and their talent as a Helper.

This book started a bit slow as the characters were introduced and the relationships and connections were described, but as it got further through the story and deeper into the interactions between the characters, it started to move faster and become more addictive. I loved the ending and the concept of these people who can help those emotionally in need. If only that were really possible in real life. The book was well written, the emotions well described and the story well organised.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: Bound by Sarah M. Cradit 5 of 5 stars

Bound by Sarah M. Cradit
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed this copy and I have not been compensated in any way.

Finnegan St. Andrews lost everything when Anasofiya Deschanel left with Aidrik the Wise. Ana now no longer knows who she is - or even what she is. She needs what she has with Aidrik, but she also needs what she has with Finn.

Aidrik the Wise will do anything and everything for his evigbond Ana. He watches her deteriorate and starts to realise the impact of her leaving Finn and what he will have to do to protect her and the unborn child.

This is a tricky situation where Aidrik and Ana need to be together due to the evigbond, but Ana and Finn need to be together due to their love for each other. This story tells how this situation is resolved between the three of them (as it cannot be resolved unless they work together and find a solution).

I loved this story. It covered the complex situation and the thoughts and feelings involved for all three of the characters in this situation. It was nice to have a few twists in the story so it wasn't all and obvious conclusion. It was well written and that contributed to a very enjoyable story.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: Aether Rising by Cecilia Dominic 4 of 5 stars

Aether Rising by Cecilia Dominic
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed this advanced reader copy and I have not been compensated in any way.

Louisa Cobb has a unique gift - no one can lie to her. Her stepfather Parnaby Cobb uses her unashamedly to gain the upper hand in business. However when he tries to trap her she has a dilemma - let Patrick O’Connell free and be cut off without a penny, or report accurately and try to ignore the Irish tinkerer who stole a kiss (and her heart) some years ago. Patrick has been captured and is struggling to lie to Louisa because he's invented a device that stabilises the Eros Element. He now has to recreate it for Cobb because he friends' happiness is now at risk.

In Boston, while Patrick stalls for time, Louisa is uncovering secrets from her past. Can they be careful enough to avoid possible heartache and even more importantly can they stop the powerful force that if unleashed will destroy the world

This was a book that contained lots of strands of the story being pulled together working towards the culmination of the events with Parnaby Cobb and the intrepid friends. It was a little slow to start with but as it got further into the story the action and events seemed to come faster and faster building up to a series of events. The writing was good and the events and emotions clear. The end of the book gave a hint of a possible continuation of the story.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: Destined by Blood: Bitten Origins

Destined by Blood: Bitten Origins by C.C. Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed this copy and I have not been compensated in any way.

How C.C. Wood's Bitten series began .......

Alaunus and Aveta are drawn together and are so focused on their shared passion that they miss the darkness stalking them.

Alaunus is poisoned and as he lies on his deathbed Aveta goes to the god and goddess looking for their help to save him. After receiving help she creates new magic to save him however this new magic will not be good for future of the world.

This helped to set the scene and was a lovely story of love and evil and their unfortunate effects. It was well written and enjoyable.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: The Eclipse of the Beginning by J.L. Hendricks 4 of 5 stars

The Eclipse of the Beginning by J.L. Hendricks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed this copy and I have not been compensated in any way.

Lancer Xaren is bound by an oath to protect an ancient prophesy but with a new commander in his region he is distracted by leading a squad to remove the rippers in the area. Ash Z'Nial is driven nearly insane by events of his past but but has been chosen to protect the same ordinary mortal as Lancer. He makes a small misjudgement which then delivers B’Lana Paris into danger. Will B'Lana be the one to safeguard her people or had the rippers already destroyed it by killing another girl?

This short story is the prequel to The Eclipse series.

It was fast paced after the initial scene setting and well written. It was designed to whet the appetite and delivers.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: Death is but a Dream by Erin Hayes 5 of 5 stars

Death is but a Dream by Erin Hayes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed this copy and I have not been compensated in any way.

Homicide detective Callie Saunders is hit by a bus and realises that it is not angels and pearly gates but the gods and goddesses of the Greek mythology. Hades offers Callie a deal - to come back to her life she needs to find out who wants to kill his son and protect him. However the price of failure is that her soul and the world are destroyed (so no pressure then).

It will take everything she has to beat the mounting odds and changing rules is she wants to wake up - complicated when by helping she also becomes a target.

I absolutely loved this story. It was full of lots of drama, romance, intrigue and action. I could understand the frustrations and doubts that Callie had at times and could definitely feel for her during those times. The ending was very emotional and I cried lots. I can't say I was completely happy with the end although I do understand why it ended that way.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: Enchant: Beauty and the Beast Retold by Demelza Carlton 5 of 5 stars

Enchant: Beauty and the Beast Retold by Demelza Carlton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When she was young and inexperienced the enchantress Zuleika is made to cast a curse by King Thorn. She then fled the wicked King and went around the world helping those who needed her the most. Then her merchant father lost a ship containing a valuable cargo and in her search for it she found herself on an enchanted island with a ruler who has been affected by one of the most powerful curses she has ever come across. He might be a good guy who fights with pirates (although thanks to the curse he does look very beastly) and she might be determined to cure this curse, but she is really not sure she is able to do so.

This was an enchanting retelling of Beauty and the Beast which had it all - someone wicked, someone pure, someone cursed and someone beautiful. It was carefully told with everything well described and with nice twists in the tale to keep you on your toes.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: Inevitable Ascension by V.K. McAllister 4 of 5 stars

Inevitable Ascension by V.K. McAllister
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed this copy and I have not been compensated in any way.

Violina has not had the kindest nor easiest life so far but that makes her ideal for withstanding the trials that are set to face her and her friend Lux in this story. As an innocent she never wavers from what is right, even when right is not what she is used to. Even when she is condemned as a heretic to live and die in a pit, she will not submit to this fate and forges another one for herself. Rejecting artificial authority she decides the only way to put things right is to create her own law instead.

This was a fast paced book full of action and adventure with some time travel and examples of the best and worst of human nature. It moved so fast in places it was all you can do to hang on and keep up with the story and what is happening. I did have a few concerns about the decisions and that were made as they were made in a bit of a cavalier way with no thought of the consequences especially when it kept referring to the possible issues with changing things in the past and the effect on the future. Overall well written and everything was well described.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: The Illusions of Eventide by Sarah M. Cradit 4 of 5 stars

The Illusions of Eventide by Sarah M. Cradit
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed this advanced reader copy and I have not been compensated in any way.

Nicolas Deschanel has been betrayed by the two mot important people to him and it still hurts and gives him a sense of loss contrary to the impression he gives in life that nothing matters to him. He has now travelled to a family holiday home in order to quietly kill himself.

However instead he finds a woman called Mercy on the beach at dusk and it puts Nicholas in two minds - half of him wants to help her and half of him is very annoyed at her intruding on his island/private moment.

Mercy is thousands of years old and very powerful, but she cannot tell this Child of Man this and her other secrets. However when he is in her presence his own hidden powers start to emerge which start events which will only cause pain for Nicholas, Mercy and the friend's on both sides which become involved. All parties then understand that new life only begins when you set free what means the most to you.

This was a powerful story that involved some magic, an ancient race and the beliefs of both sets of people. The story started slow (and at that point I didn't enjoy it as much) but later on became quite fast paced and action packed. Without giving the story away some people came across as being a bit self absorbed, others as caring and others as rather selfish. I guess that is not always so different to the world today. Hopefully they can redeem themselves to me in the following books in the series.

It was clearly written and emotions were fairly well written although I wasn't sure if it was the writing or the characters in the story that made some sections a bit hard going.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: The Order: A Knight Of Fangs by JX Evans 5 of 5 stars

The Order: A Knight Of Fangs by JX Evans
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed this advanced reader copy and I have not been compensated in any way.

There is an organisation that is there to keep humans safe from all and any supernatural problems - this is called The Order. For years it has been there, doing it's job in an efficient and unobtrusive manner, but that quiet period seems to be about to end - there is a plot that has been in the works for years that involves the kidnapping of children and it's about to escalate as Knights of the Order start to investigate them.

This was a great story with lots of drama and twists and turns in the story. There was a good quantity of violence involved in the results of the kidnaps and ensuing action which enhanced the story. It was well written and the story was clear. I think so of the areas that I felt were unfinished are there for a subsequent book to explain.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: Pursued: Mia by Lisa Carlisle 5 of 5 stars

Pursued: Mia by Lisa Carlisle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mia watched her mother die but s determined to have a future in medicine so decides to become a Blood Courtesan for the money - however she has a hidden agenda too. However he plan starts to go wrong at the first event where she meets vampires and she instead flees from them.

Renato is not easily dissuaded and offers her a proposal she feels she cannot turn down, especially as it provides the money she wanted plus a chance at the information she is seeking. It's only 3 nights so she sees there being no harm in taking him up on his proposal.

However when feelings come into the equation is can complicate things - and bring danger. This is supposed to be a business transaction - love is not part of this (or is it?)

I loved this book. It was well written as all the books in this group of books is, and I could definitely empathise with the characters and their thoughts and emotions. I have to say at the end I thought Renato was very indulgent of Mia but I guess that is love for you.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: Academia of the Beast: A Dark Retelling of Beauty and the Beast by K.N. Lee 4 of 5 stars

Academia of the Beast: A Dark Retelling of Beauty and the Beast by K.N. Lee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed this copy and I have not been compensated in any way.

Allyn is a witch who lives if the slums of Eastria having escaped the hunters. Just before the Winter Winds trap everyone in their homes for the season she goes with friends to the Winter Ball and meets the crown prince of Elastria and she has hope for a brighter future until her ex-boyfriend tricks her and she is tuned in for the bounty on her head.

She then finds herself a prisoner in a strange castle that has ghost servants and talking walls. Can she tame the prince's mysterious twin and can she cure the curse?

This was a great retelling of Beauty and the Beast. It was well written, and I could definitely put myself in the position of the characters and relate to their feelings and emotions.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: Countess Irene Von Stroganoff by Den Warren 3 of 5 stars

Countess Irene Von Stroganoff by Den Warren
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed this advanced reader copy and I have not been compensated in any way.

This is a story based in the town of Stroganoff where deadly creatures of the night are roaming the streets and making them their own. The Countess is accused of vampirism and that leads to lots of unpredictable events including murder and war.

This is a humorous story with little bit of reality underneath about relationships, communication and trust. It's a little crazy in places. It was well written and if you like this kind of story you will enjoy it. As for me it wasn't really the kind of story I am in to.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: Caught: Katharine by Julia Mills

Caught: Katharine by Julia Mills 5 of 5 stars
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Katharine is a nurse who finds a group of abused children that need her help desperately - so she steals medicines and supplies to treat them - she knows it is wrong but she knows they need them or will die. Her luck lasts for a couple weeks before it runs out and she is suddenly caught in a trap with no apparent way out.

Now she has to decide whether she can trust a cold and aloof vampire to keep her safe as well as restore her career and life to her at the end of it - plus the complication as to if she can keep herself and heart safe during that time. In a world where blood and sex is a commodity is that price to large for her?

I loved this story - it had plenty of drama and danger involved with tender moments of romance and discovery. Everything was we written and I could feel all the danger and emotions in the story. I have to admit to being a bit irritated with Katharine's stubbornness/stupidity at times but I guess that was just a manifestation of her personality.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: Viper: A Vampire Romance by Madisyn Ashmore 5 of 5 stars

Viper: A Vampire Romance by Madisyn Ashmore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Caleb Crane is gorgeous looking, muscular and very protective. He also knows what he wants and just takes it. He has decided that he wants Abby March - a sexy young lawyer who has only just moved to Hollywood.

Then something bad from her past changes everything and Caleb has to decide whether to fight for her or just walk away.

This was an addictive story that was full of passion and romance. It was almost painfully slow at the start of their association which just added to the build up of the story and the level of passion involved in it as the story developed. Definitely a book that will addict you and will become something you can't put down (apart from to go get another glass of wine). Well written and the characters were both likeable and believable.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: Cursed: Piper by Jami Brumfield 5 of 5 stars

Cursed: Piper by Jami Brumfield
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Piper is desperate - she sees to have awoken an old curse and now is being chased by a monster that leaves bodies and destruction in it's wake. Her only hope now seems to be to become a blood courtesan and hope that one of the vampires will save her from the monster.

The vampire Sebastian becomes her only hope in all the darkness promising to protect her. He wants to use her as bait, but does she trust him enough to let that plan take it's course or will she be lost to him forever?

I loved this story as it was so different and refreshing compared to the standard blood courtesan formula. It was well written, emotions, events and actions were well described as I could definitely feel sympathy for her plight as the story went on.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: Calen's Captive by Lucy Leroux 5 of 5 stars

Calen's Captive by Lucy Leroux
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

Calen's father is an Irish mobster but he is determined to stay clean and is a successful club owner. He should be happy having got the life he always wanted but he is not. Then he has to take an important meeting with a rival crew for his father because it is far too important to decline and when he is there he sees an innocent girl being held against her will and can imagine the fate she is going to have. Then he realises that she looks familiar. Unwilling to leave he to a fate worse than death he insists she is included in a deal. When they leave Maia discovers that in order to stay safe she has to stay with Calen and after a time she discovers he has ulterior motives for protecting her.

This was a great book with lots of mystery, action and drama. We were told both sides of the motives, thoughts and emotions from Calen and Maia,and with all the action and danger swimming around them it was easy to be swept away with the story and be willing for a beneficial ending.


View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: Desired: Stella by Monica La Porta 5 of 5 stars

Desired: Stella by Monica La Porta
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

Stella is a real life Princess but she certainly doesn't live life like one. Her parents tragically died in an accident, she was then raised by an Aunt who is now also dead of old age, and she is now all alone in the world with no money, little income from the many jobs she does, and a large bill to pay to save her ancestral home. With impending homelessness and desperate for a solution she contemplates becoming a Blood Courtesan in a business transaction with a wealthy Vampire - after all it's all business so there is no danger of love getting in the way.

This was a lovely story and I really enjoyed the softer side of a Vampire being shown. It was well written and it was easy to understand and experience all of the emotions and events happening to all of the characters. I felt so sorry for her as her troubles mounted up and was definitely hoping someone could help her.


View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: Indiana Belle by John A. Heldt 5 of 5 stars

Indiana Belle by John A. Heldt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

Doctoral student Cameron Coelho buys some private papers to help him with his dissertation on the 1920's, but when the 28 year old opens them and goes through them, he finds clues to an old mystery and the photograph of a beautiful woman who worked as a newspaper society editor who was then murdered in 1925.

Searching into the mystery in the papers and the woman in the photograph he found, he finds his way to a man called Professor Geoffrey Bell who is an expect on time-travel. Before he knows it, the lonely Cameron begins a journey into the 1920's discovering history, romance and intrigue as he lives through the age of Prohibition, jazz and flappers.

This was a fun story. It started a little slow but as he got further into the mysteries and events of that time I found myself swept away and reading faster. The descriptions of the events and people involved were detailed and clear and I could put myself in their position most of the time. It was nice to read about a tie in the past and learn a bit more about it. I liked the similarities to today when there was future time-travel involved.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: A Beauty Dark and Deadly by Heather C. Myers 5 of 5 stars

A Beauty Dark and Deadly by Heather C. Myers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Emmy Atler's grandfather has increasing medical bills so in a desperate search for a job earning good money she applies to the advert for a maid for reclusive writer Jason Belmont - known for the murder of his wife and her lover more than his books (even though he was found not guilty on a technicality). When she is there she finds him quiet and awkward, treats her with respect, but that doesn't mean he is innocent. Can she keep her head down and do her work while ignoring her growing attraction to him?

This was a lovely story told in a sensitive way. She really captured the dilemma and emotions involved in the decisions that had to be made. I really enjoyed the story and didn't expect the ending.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: Stranger Series Box Set by Heather C. Myers 5 of 5 stars

Stranger Series Box Set by Heather C. Myers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Stranger Series Book 1 - Stranger

Very interesting story based on people who are different to normal humans due to an ability like mind reading, strength or shape shifting (as examples). They are at a school set up to train them and this is the story of Sophie and her journey of knowledge and training at the school. She gets friends, and we get to see the lives of her and her two roommates at the school.

There is also danger from a different group of people with the same abilities and there is a close shave as they try to abduct the three roommates. Fortunately they escape thanks to one of them using her abilities, but that puts them in even more danger in the future.

Recommended. I enjoyed it and now want to know what happens next - do the various love interests come to fruition or does something happen. What is going to happen to the danger from the other people with abilities?

Stranger Series Book 2 - Finder

Sophie is looking forward to forgetting the troubles of the past and enjoy her holiday with Will in Washington. She might still be with Jason, but as the weather in Washington cools the heat between Sophie and Will is definitely heating up. Jane is attacked and wounded, then Sophie gets a letter from her parents' wanting to meet. Sophie is then taken by someone familiar and everything starts to make sense. Can they sort all of this out?

I liked this story. It had lots of plot twists and turns with plenty of surprises. Whilst everything was clearly told and explained I did find it a little annoying in places. However I was swept away with the action and developments.

Stranger Series Book 3 - Keeper

General Arbuckle reveals the existence of Peculiars to the world and so the school has to close. Jane seems to be alive and Daryl's older brother (who is also mentally unstable) agrees a deal with Daryl and Ethan to get her back by Sophie has a bad feeling about it all. Can Sophie get to the bottom of it all with a dead body and a protective ex-boyfriend to cope with as well?

The book was well written, the descriptions of places, emotions and the characters were given in great detail. This was the conclusion of the series. It was nice to read the conclusion of the story and see all the pieces join up, but I have a real problem with the very end - it was crying out for more books to be written about the characters.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: Keeper by Heather C. Myers 5 of 5 stars

Keeper by Heather C. Myers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

General Arbuckle reveals the existence of Peculiars to the world and so the school has to close. Jane seems to be alive and Daryl's older brother (who is also mentally unstable) agrees a deal with Daryl and Ethan to get her back by Sophie has a bad feeling about it all. Can Sophie get to the bottom of it all with a dead body and a protective ex-boyfriend to cope with as well?

The book was well written, the descriptions of places, emotions and the characters were given in great detail. This was the conclusion of the series. It was nice to read the conclusion of the story and see all the pieces join up, but I have a real problem with the very end - it was crying out for more books to be written about the characters.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: Finder by Heather C. Myers 4 of 5 stars

Finder by Heather C. Myers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed acopy of this book.

Sophie is looking forward to forgetting the troubles of the past and enjoy her holiday with Will in Washington. She might still be with Jason, but as the weather in Washington cools the heat between Sophie and Will is definitely heating up. Jane is attacked and wounded, then Sophie gets a letter from her parents' wanting to meet. Sophie is then taken by someone familiar and everything starts to make sense. Can they sort all of this out?

I liked this story. It had lots of plot twists and turns with plenty of surprises. Whilst everything was clearly told and explained I did find it a little annoying in places. However I was swept away with the action and developments.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: Blood on the Rocks Heather C. Myers 4 of 5 stars

Blood on the Rocks by Heather C. Myers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Seraphina Hanson is 23 years old, a college graduate, and after finding grandfather dead in his office suddenly inherits the Newport Beach Seagulls ice hockey team even though she knows nothing about it.

As she takes on the responsibility of running the team, the police start suspecting the star goalkeeper and she has to find a way to prove he is innocent.

This was a lovely story which has been told well. The writing was her usual good standard. I found it easier to follow through it I ignored the ice hockey connection and just think of it as a sports team as I know nothing about it as a sport.

View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon

Review: The Mine by John A. Heldt 5 of 5 stars

The Mine by John A. Heldt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

In 2000 Joel Smith is an adventurous college senior who, just days before his last piece of work has to be handed in, is curious and enters an abandoned mine wondering what it's like in there. When he emerges from it, he discovers it is 1941, his cell phone no longer works and his money is no help to him whatsoever. He has to use his wits to get by and in the process meets new friends, gets a job, and witnesses history as it was then (a time when WWII was soon to start).

Joel has to handle living through a time in history without giving away the result, meeting his grandmother as a peer, and meeting a woman who turns out to be the love of his life. When he gets the opportunity to travel back to his own time, will he stay with her and affect time, or will he go back so that everything happens as it already has?

This was a lovely book that should be a salutary lesson to us all - think about the impact of what you do or say. I liked the way the story was told and the descriptions of the people, events and emotions involved in the story. I also liked the inclusion of areas where the war affected real people with real lives. I liked the ending of the story.


View all my reviews

Buy from Amazon