Review: The Marriage of Gryphons Chrys Cymri 5 of 5 stars

The Marriage of Gryphons by Chrys Cymri
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Penny White is a parish priest but is also a liaison between the human world and the parallel magical world of Daear where supernaturals are the norm. She has to balance her time between the two worlds, while looking after her parish, her brother James, a small snail shark called Clyde, working with her gryphon Associate Morey and trying to fit in time for her boyfriend Peter. Then her friend Dragon Raven goes missing and she has to go to the Arctic and try to find him before something unthinkable happens. Then Morey announces he is engaged to be married to Taryn and in the process of proving his worth to marry her they all have to be in danger - especially James. Can she keep everyone safe and keep the peace?

Wow - this book (3 in the series) contains lots of drama, danger, twists and turns that they all need to navigate and come out the other side safely. The trials in order the marry Taryn were interesting and very detailed in what they involved and I could definitely imagine that kind of society having something like that. The book contained some parts that definitely had parallels in the human world in our history and it was nice to understand just how young their society was and it was clear that it had not established the same behaviours as our own. Well written and with detailed descriptions meant it felt like I was there experiencing the same things as they were. A great read.

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Review: Perchance to Dream: A Dream Weavers and Truth Seekers short story by Cecilia Dominic 4 of 5 stars

Perchance to Dream: A Dream Weavers and Truth Seekers short story by Cecilia Dominic
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Emma and her husband are about to move house but she is distracted by the very vivid dreams she has started to have where she is experiencing things in a completely different world. She finds herself at parties with various Gods like Poseidon and Persephone and she seems to be completing tasks for them each night. Suddenly she in in too deep and it stops being her imagination and she instead is part of something called the Collective Unconscious but when the Gods do a punishment that affects her waking life she was to decide between the CU or those she cares about.

A nice introduction to the Dream Weavers and Truth Seekers world which explains quite nicely what the world is and how it works. I liked the family dynamic which I'm sure many people can empathise with. Clearly written and a good taster of the series.

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Review: The Hammer: An Epic Fantasy Harem Adventure by J.A. Cipriano 5 of 5 stars

The Hammer: An Epic Fantasy Harem Adventure by J.A. Cipriano
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Gharrik Anzar is the King's Champion and does through a portal into another world with his hammer in order to stop whoever is sending monsters into his world. However he cannot take anything through with him and it is a very basic world with no technology. So in order to win he will need to build an army, and kit them out with weapons and armour that are not even discovered there yet as he has to march them through battalions or all sorts of strange creatures he has never imagined let alone met before. Just as well they sent The Hammer.

Wow - this was a great story with lots of different supernatural beings, creatures and magic as Gharrik fought his way through all the obstacles he found in his way. All through the various trials he faced he retained his integrity, humanity and compassion - it's no wonder he gained followers, alliances and life partners as part of that process. There was lots of drama, danger and intrigue which has me very curious as to what will happen in the next instalment in the story. Well written and definitely lots of detail to appeal to lovers of science fiction, fantasy, the supernatural and romance.

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Review: Erick by Dale Mayer 5 of 5 stars

Erick by Dale Mayer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Erick Fuller is a former SEAL who was severely injured (he lost his lower leg and two fingers) when his squad's truck drove over an anti-tank mine. Six others were badly injured and one was killed- however Badger the team lead is realising that it was not an accident and they were deliberately sent down a trap. He has joined fellow team members to go to Kabul to find some answers. Honey Lewis is a dentist and is in Kabul at a stem-cell research seminar following a last minute invitation which has ignored her lack of experience. She also bumps into Erick in the hotel lobby which is odd as they had a car accident previously. She finds herself torn between the wants of her heart and the needs of her life. She also finds out the man who extended the seminar invitation might not be quite what she thought he was. Can both Honey and Eric reach their goals in Kabul and survive?

This is definitely a powerful story of attraction, deceit, betrayal and listening to your heart. I loved the way the story was linked so well with what is already occurring in that country and how it can impact all sides. The descriptions were very clear and easy to understand and the thoughts and emotions of the characters were explained well. A great read and I think it sets up the next book in the series quite well.

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Review: Resistance by K.E. Osborn 5 of 5 stars

Resistance by K.E. Osborn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Torque is the President of the Defiance MC whilst Heely is a medical student who works in her family's Froyo store to both help them and have some kind of an income. They would strike you as two sides of a coin until they meet and there is an instant attraction. However he has 2 problems to handle - the club owned by the MC is having issues with the local mafia (Andretti family) and the second one - the fathers of both families have a historic feud over the city too. Can their fledgling relationship survive such an atmosphere? Can Defiance and the Andretti family pull back from out and out war?

I loved this story. It had pretty much everything you expected from a MC romance book and then some. There were battles, injuries, healing, emotion, brotherhood, compromise and passion in this story. It was well told by the author and it was easy to empathise and feel the thoughts and emotions of the characters in the story. I'm looking forward to the next instalment in their story as I feel quite attached to them.

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Review: The Tucson Time-Traveler and Other Stories by Claus Holm 4 of 5 stars

The Tucson Time-Traveler and Other Stories by Claus Holm
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a selection of independent short stories by the same author - all are about the possibilities of time travel - some in the past and some in the future with all of the implications of making changes that modify the timeline in some way. All are original and very clever. The standard of the writing was excellent and the descriptions were detailed and very clear. I loved the story about how time travel could have changed WW2 and found the differences inspiring which was then followed by despair at what effect followed (read it and you know what I mean).

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Review: Wicked Heat by Mila Young by T.F. Walsh 5 of 5 stars

Wicked Heat by Mila Young by T.F. Walsh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Persephone (Sephy) is a demon killer - she killed her first at 7, was banished from her home at 13 but is still doing her best to banish them as she sees it as a gift and not a curse. However demons are now targeting her and the men associated with her - her ex, a cop, her friend who she has loved from afar for years and the brother of a girl who has been possessed. As the darkness is approaching can Sephy work with the 4 guys and try to save them all before they succumb and the demon's are lose on the earth?

I loved this story which had a charming combination of the demons, shifters, humans and magic. The characters were well described and brought to life in the writing from the authors. I loved the premise of the story and this first instalment of the story definitely has me hooked. I can't wait to find out what happens next to Sephy and the guys.

** Please note this is a slow burn reverse harem story.

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Review: Chaos by Jennifer Locklear 4 of 5 stars

Chaos by Jennifer Locklear
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jack Evans has it all - good looks, a career as an advertising executive, a beautiful wife and a loving daughter. However when his wife suddenly leaves him he as to care for his daughter while he picks up the pieces of his life. Jack finds himself drawn to Kathleen Brighton who is everything he needs now he is newly divorced. She's sexy and intelligent however numb when it comes to emotions. Can Kathleen handle the chaos of his life and the mistakes of his past so they can have a bright future together?

This is a very emotional story where you get into the thoughts and emotions felt by Jack which is a refreshing change than the usual female centric POV that most books come from. The writing was good and I could definitely feel the thought and emotions experienced by the characters.

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Review: The Dreamachine by William Dickerson 4 of 5 stars

The Dreamachine by William Dickerson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jasper Keepnews has a normal news until he becomes obsessed with a 1960's device called the Dreamachine but in using it he uncovers his own past and a vision of the future that involves the death of a mystery woman. Then Jasper's reality unravels when he tries to find the woman and the government starts to try to find him as their most dangerous sleeper assassin is awake and they want their property back.

This book whist being a science fiction thriller actually does have some minor links to the 1960's past of the real world as it looks at mind control and some of the happenings from the drug crazed 1960's. It is well told and the descriptive style of the writing is very rich so that you really do appreciate the setting, characters and events in full. The story was definitely a thriller as it was quite dramatic in places and it definitely built up until the explosive ending of the story. A very enjoyable story that makes you stop and wonder not only if it is possible right now but if it has already happened.

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Review: Sun: Bridge & Sword: The Final War by JC Andrijeski 5 of 5 stars

Sun: Bridge & Sword: The Final War by JC Andrijeski
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the final book in the Bridge and Sword series. Allie and Revik have to fight the final war against the Mythers - religious fanatics more interested in murder and ending the life-cycle on Earth. They also need to try and sort everything out in their lives and marriage after the events of the last mission in China whilst trying to handle the situation of Myther armies taking over the quarantine cities and gathering up seers and humans off the Displacement List and performing grisly ritual murders of them. So they cobble together what forces they have, make unlikely allies and start the final offensive trying to stop the Mythers, the Dreng, and save their wider "family", their allies as well as themselves.

OMG - If I could give this book more than 5 stars it would surely deserve 10. This is definitely a longer book than the previous books but needed that amount of text in order to do justice on the final act in the story and all the related events that took place. The level of detail was exacting and it definitely needed that in order for everything to make sense. Everything was very well written and it all fit well into the story from the previous books so there were no continuity errors in the plot. There were many events that happened that were better than I hoped would happen and the end and perfect even if Revik definitely had me worried. I can envisage another series coming out of this one - not necessarily with Allie and Revik but there are plenty of other people who could be central to it. You could read this stand alone but as someone who has read all the other books in the series it added to the story for me.

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Review: Claimed by Gods: A Reverse Harem Urban Fantasy by Eva Chase 5 of 5 stars

Claimed by Gods: A Reverse Harem Urban Fantasy by Eva Chase
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Aria Watson (Ari) is streetwise and thought she had handled everything life had already thrown at her. She was determined to stay away from the criminals she worked for and save her little brother from their Mum's house. Then she suddenly died and woke up with four incredibly hot gods telling her she is now a Valkyrie. Loki is sharp and crafty, Thor is jovial and very ferocious, Baldur is very compassionate and Hod is very grim and secretive. It seems their king (Odin) is missing and they need Ari to find him and help rescue him. Seems I'm the four Valkyrie - the previous three never made it back. Can all the new skills I have and every trick I have from my life before I died help in this huge task.? Also what am I going to do about these hot gods that are getting under my skin?

Wow this book merges together seamlessly the modern day American life with Norse mythology into a story with lots of drama and action interspersed with soft emotional moments that definitely made you swallow and take a moment before continuing to read. Ari was a delightful character that I'm sure everyone can clearly see in my mind and understand how she was feeling or behaving. It was well written and all the thoughts and emotions of the characters were clear and easy to feel and empathise with. Great start to what promises to be a great series.

** Please note this is a slow burn reverse harem book

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Review: Call of the Dragon: a Steampunk Dragon Fantasy by Jasmine Walt 5 of 5 stars

Call of the Dragon: a Steampunk Dragon Fantasy by Jasmine Walt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Zara Kenrook had been abandoned at an orphanage in childhood and by definition that meant she was destined to live in the slums but she has managed to gain a name as one of the best treasure hunters in Elantia. However she does have enemies and when one calls in a debt she is faced with an impossible decision - break into a dragon rider's house and steal a priceless object or lose her career and start again doing something else. However the object she tries to steal is incorrect and is actually a dragon's egg which starts to hatch - when they see each other life will never be the same again.

Wow - this is a great story that had drama, twists and turns all through the book. I loved the concept of the world, the dragon riders and the scrapes she found herself in. It was well written and everything was well written and easy to understand and feel. I loved the ending and can't wait for the next book in the series now as I really need to know what happens next.

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Review: Gunner by Elaine Barris 5 of 5 stars

Gunner by Elaine Barris
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Vampire Gunner has been framed and is currently in prison and sentenced to a 500 year stay. In a miracle he is given bail for 1 month to be able to prove his innocence - however those plans go out of the window when he is stuck by the legendary Thirst. Human Imogen is gentle and yet has an underlying strength of character. She seems to be the perfect companion to Gunner's world of guns and blood. Upon meeting her connection to Gunner seems immediate and promises a great future for them both. However when she is abducted Gunner descends into a state where he seems incapable of controlling himself and his need for blood. Can Gunner rescue Imogen or will be go insane first?

Wow - there is drama, danger, twists and turns in spades. There was action from the start to the finish of this book and it moved at a reasonably fast pace so that nothing was covered to the detriment of anything else. It was well written and very easy to feel and understand. Another great book in the Vampire's Thirst world.

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Review: Star Conqueror: Recompense: An Epic Space Harem Adventure by J.A. Cipriano 5 of 5 stars

Star Conqueror: Recompense: An Epic Space Harem Adventure by J.A. Cipriano
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

David Briggs became a dragon and suddenly found himself breaking the chains binding the most powerful and beautiful warriors from a vicious high priestess. He freed the Left Hand of the High Priestess but has decided to make a bold step in order to turn the tide of the war - he has decided to go for another of the high ranking women and free her (and those she currently rules under the High Priestess) in order to free even more people. Can he succeed and get the huge payback he will get from this success?

Goodness - lots of drama, danger and intrigue in this episode of the story of David Briggs and his growing harem of women to help him defeat the High Priestess. These stories have lots of twists and turns which definitely keep you on your toes as you read it. Well written with everything clearly explained and easy to feel and understand. As I mentioned there is a harem in this story but there isn't any overabundance of sex and intimacy.

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Review: Heaven's a Beach by Erin R. Bedford by J.A. Cipriano 5 of 5 stars

Heaven's a Beach by Erin R. Bedford by J.A. Cipriano
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jane can see archangels - Michael, Lucifer and Gabriel - each with their own skills and talents. It's not easy to juggle at three so she gives each of them the right level of attention, but she wouldn't have it any other way. When a new case opens at a local beach resort and she gets an expenses paid vacation and all she needs to do is catch the crooks what's not to love about it. Only the fact that she really does still have to solve the case......

Another great story about Jane and her archangels. I love the way she is so human in the way she acts and behaves (even if she does have a weird sense of humour and a mouth with no volume button at times). The mystery with the crimes was suitably complex while the complications caused by Jane and the guys added seamlessly into the story and the way it developed. I loved the ending and what it promises for the next story and can't wait to read that. Well written and very enjoyable. Easy to understand and empathise with the characters. All I can say is I feel sorry for her best friend Mandy and it is just as well she loves her enough to cope with her sense of humour/personality.

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Review: Red by J.M. Walker 4 of 5 stars

Red by J.M. Walker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After 10 years together and a family Brett and Evvie may have thought life was perfect - but Claire came back into their lives and did everything she could to destroy everything they had between them. Can they survive going through hell into order to survive this and can their relationship survive?

Goodness - a book that needs tissues, chocolate and wine. I'll try really hard not to spoil anything with this review just know you are in for a major roller-coaster. The book was well written and it was easy to understand. My only issue was that there was so much drama and emotion that it almost detracted from the story. My suggestion would be to read it in sessions and have a small break between them to pull it all together in your mind.

** Before reading this you really need to have read the Torn Trilogy in order to understand much of this and how it relates to everything else.

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Review: Cody's Second Chance: Bad Alpha Dads by A.K. Michaels 5 of 5 stars

Cody's Second Chance: Bad Alpha Dads by A.K. Michaels
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cody Murphy owns Silvers - a shifter bar which he has built up after leaving his old pack when he was younger. It's very busy and he has plans to expand the business when he notices a girl watching him with hatred and loathing in her eyes. The sequence of events afterwards will take him back to past mistakes, great danger and maybe a life he thought he had forever lost. All he has to do is have as positive outcome and even more important survive.

This was a really dramatic story with many twists and turns so that you were constantly surprised at the events occurring in the book. I loved the story and the way it developed and the ending was definitely worth it. Well written and so many twists in the story that boredom was impossible. A great read and worth the investment to read this touching story of Cody and how he got a second chance at the future that he was always destined for.

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Review: Hear Me Cry by Amanda J. Evans 4 of 5 stars

Hear Me Cry by Amanda J. Evans
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Isla is a warrior in the Summer Court and is supposed to keep humans out of Faery - however when she saves on it triggers the mating bond and a major series of events are triggered. Being hunted by her own kind, she now has to learn to protect a human - something she has always had to hate before. She also now has magic in her veins and will need to learn how to control it before her kind catch up to her. Find out how the banshee comes int existence in this retelling of the old Irish myth.

This was a well written story that had a nice level of detail around Isla and her human mate Sean. The Fae certainly didn't come out of this tale well although she did her best to get used to the new way of things. I did find her inability to understand things a little irritating at times and had to keep reminding myself it wasn't her fault. A pleasant light read.

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Review: Badger by Dale Mayer 5 of 5 stars

Badger by Dale Mayer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Badger Horley was a SEAL and his 8 man unit were hit with an antitank landmine while on a mission leaving one dead (Mouse) and the rest of them with life changing injuries. Badger is going through a long and painful path to full health and can't get revenge out of his mind as he is convinced that their accident was deliberately set up through changed orders that morning. Kat Greenwald has to watch Badger every time she sees him - he pushes himself too hard and won't let his stump heal and so is not taking well to his prosthetic. Kat is the gifted doctor and designer of the prosthetic and in watching his struggle needing constant adjustments she sees him a lot more than most other clients. Can Kat get him to take notice to take care of himself and could she become a reason for him to actually want to take care of himself?

Oh wow. I loved this story which was very well connected to events that I can imagine happening for real around the brave men and women who fight in modern day conflicts. The growing friendship between Kat and Badger was sweet and I really liked the connection to something that I known is being done for real today by a great guy called Noel Fitzpatrick (not saying more but you will understand me if you ever watch or read about it). I loved the loose connection to the SEALS of Honor books which helped to add to the general community of people who are no longer in service. The book was well written and the story was charming. Left me with a big smile on my face at the end so I'm definitely looking forward to the next one.

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