Review: 1976: The Seven Book Six by Sarah M. Cradit 4 of 5 stars

1976: The Seven Book Six by Sarah M. Cradit
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

By 1976 the Deschanel siblings are parents and their childhood is long gone. Charles is torn between love for his son by the wife he despises and the prospect of having children with a woman who is welcoming to him. Augustus is a widower and focuses on his daughter Anasofiya to the exclusion of almost everything else. Colleen is married to the love of her life as she has to step into the shoes of the family matriarch. Genius Evangeline is in her new world in Cambridge but has to confront fears she and hoped were left behind long ago and Maureen's life is turned upside down in an unlikely connection. Elizabeth tried hard to be a caretaker for Augustus and Anasofiya while avoiding seeing her own future. The family will keep on moving through the seventies realising the power of fate they cannot avoid mixed n with secrets, lies and deceit.

This was a rollercoaster as many of their lives seemed to implode around them while the more stable influences tried to hold everything together for the rest of the family. Many of the events from previous years in the series came to fruition and it was interesting to see how each of these progressed. I think these books benefit from reading them in sequence and it helps to understand the family members and history behind many of the relationships. Well written, everything was clear and easy to understand. Very enjoyable.

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Review: Eyes of Ice by J.C. Andrijeski 5 of 5 stars

Eyes of Ice by J.C. Andrijeski
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nick is pulled into the world of underground boxing to help solve a case where they drain vampires for their blood and venom before extracting their heart and tossing them outside of the safety of the dome. He might still be suspended but that doesn't stop him from getting involved now reassure his girlfriend who now believes he has a death wish - especially as he does everything he can to avoid talking to her about whatever it is that is happening between them. Can Nick survive the ring and can he keep his relationship at arm's length?

This was a very dramatic instalment of the series with sections of graphic violence and sexual content in places. In this book we see Nick doing what he does best - going all in trying to find out who is behind the vampire harvesting/killing even if it puts himself in mortal danger. He also sticks true to form and doesn't handle relationships very well which was maddening to the point I could have throttled him at times!! Well written and easy to understand the thoughts and emotions that the characters were experiencing (even if I didn't always agree with them). If I had the chance to give Nick a message through the pages, it would be to stop being a dick and see what he has. Definitely recommended.

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Review: Sinister Wizardry by Eva Chase 5 of 5 stars

Sinister Wizardry by Eva Chase
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rory is has had to stay at Bloodstone University aka Villain Academy over the summer to try and find some answers to outstanding questions as well as find a way to tackle her enemies. He tolerance is also wearing thin and so decides to hit back if necessary and not take her usual high road. as part of a new determination to protect those she cares about. She also has her hands full with the other scions and their treatment of her. Can Rory survive this hot summer?

I really loved this instalment of the story which saw the relationships between the scions and Rory develop which has great promise for later books in the series. There was a massive cliff-hanger at the end of this book which means I really need to know how the next one starts now. Well written and very enjoyable, it was really nice to see Rory coming into her own powers and yet still keeping her identity and personality. Whilst it is a reverse harem book, it is a very slow burn and so there is nothing particularly unusual in the story. A recommended great story.

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Review: The Scorpion: Metamorphosis of Smoke by John A. Autero 4 of 5 stars

The Scorpion: Metamorphosis of Smoke by John A. Autero
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When an old grey box is found in a basement the person who found it tries to connect to the mysterious person known as the “Folsom Street Avenger” with a fantastic tale of it being from a spaceship to try and find out what it is and see if it needs to be made public knowledge. But the Jack Arthur (who was the Avenger) is now retired and so it is passed on to his successor Bruce Herdino who is known as “The Scorpion”. Jack was never trained as an NSA agent and so this is way over his head, so he is paired with Special Agent Monica Deverow to head up the investigation and let him tag along. As they follow the clues through a timeframe of amazing secret projects around the first moon landing they are pursued by Stephen Harris, Senior Director of the NSA and a seriously sadistic and vicious piece of work. Can they get to the bottom of it all and survive the attentions of Harris?

This is a stand-alone continuation of the original The Scorpion book which does contain some repetition between the two but is still very enjoyable to read. It's a real combination of science fiction, fantasy and some real-life events from the past that have been woven together into this dramatic mystery. The characters were well developed and the writing was clear and easy to understand. A very enjoyable book.

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Review: Aaron by Dale Mayer 5 of 5 stars

Aaron by Dale Mayer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Aaron Hammond is a former Navy SEAL and he has no idea how he arrived at Hathaway House in Texas. He was badly injured as part of betrayal that has destroyed his body, his career and his future and is consumed by a wave of profound anger that overtakes every other thought, feeling and experience he is currently having. Hathaway House is run by Dani Hathaway and her father. She knew Aaron and his brother Levi years ago and when she hears about Aaron (who she had a crush on years ago) she moves every obstacle to get him to her house for his rehabilitation determined to get him back to the way he used to be before the injury and anger. The old feeling will resurface as Dani constantly pushes him to accept that his life is not over but in fact, could be great.

This was a powerful first book in this new series which focussed on the physical, mental and spiritual healing that is needed after a serious military injury. The back story of the betrayal and old attraction was a nice touch that added lots of nice detail to this story. This was well written and suitably dramatic as well as suitably romantic. A lovely story with a sweet HEA at the end which will make you smile.

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Review: Brett by Dale Mayer 4 of 5 stars

Brett by Dale Mayer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars




Elite SEAL Brett is sent to rescue hostages from a yacht but when he discovers one of the hostages is now single ex-girlfriend Ceci and her kids it becomes much more personal. Ceci had walked away from Brett trying to find a way to heal but ended up a widow raising two kids. The master plan for life was to stay single and avoid the pain that relationships often come with but when she sees Brett she realises she was fooling herself. When safe suddenly becomes dangerous she realises she might not get a chance to correct her mistake - will everyone stay safe and can Ceci fix things?

This was a sweet story of the pain that can come with relationships and how communication is key. Add to that danger, determined killers and a hot SEAL and you get a recipe for lots of emotions, soul-searching and passion. The story was fairly believable and easy to get into so that you needed to know what was going to happen next. Well written and very enjoyable.

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Review: Bound by Water by Monica La Porta 4 of 5 stars

Bound by Water by Monica La Porta
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Atreides is a famous painter and the only merman shifter alive. He also helps the police to recover stolen art from the many contacts he has within Rome. Ariel is a strong-willed human art thief who has sworn never to steal again when she is forced to do just one more job to repay a debt owed by her late father by stealing an Etruscan artefact. When they meet he is not looking for anything permanent, but a passionate kiss under the full moon is enough to intertwine their fates. Can they escape the werewolf biker gang after Arial and have a chance at a future?

This is a really sweet story with a few surprises as the story developed and they became more and more involved with each other. The story was well told and everything was clear and easy to understand. Very enjoyable and I definitely swept away into the drama that was unfolding and rooting for them to be happy together going forward. A very enjoyable read.

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