Five-Alarm Christmas : A Novella by Melinda Valentine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a extremely short romance Novella. That been said it packs the punch with romance within a page. Finley and Garret story is very connectable. A warm felt Christmas story. My only problem is I wanted more to read.
Fighting for Us by Bella Emy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Lorenzo has been through a trauma losing his wife at a young age. I love know tight he is with his brother and the bond they have. Lorenzo dedication is highly amazing as well.
Rkyer is a good friend. Family ties in this book are very strong. Carissa friends are trying to get her set up with Lorenzo. There’s no romance without hiccups in the road right. Read to find out more.
The Rest of Forever by Carrie Pulkinen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Rest of Forever
Reigning Hearts
Book 2
By Carrie Pulkinen
☆☆☆☆☆
This is a full length Paranormal Romance. This is an enemies to lovers story.
April Carter is a high school history teacher. She sometimes wishes for more. But when she dies at the young age of thirty. She wants to know more. Waking up in the afterlife, not in Heaven? She wants to know even more. Then there is Damian, someone she does not care for. But wait he is her trainer. His job was to make her become a guardian. Will April learn or fight her enemy, Damian? What about the life she left behind, her friends, her boyfriend, and her kids? OK get you reading started.
Carrie Pulkinen wrote this paranormal romance. Her book is a real page turner, and your emotions will be toyed with as you read. I love the characters, April and Damian both have inner struggles, both fighting the need to be together. I am sure you too will enjoy this story as much as I did. Well Done Carrie Pulkinen! Well Done!
Review@Cinful
Evil’s Whisper by Jordan Elizabeth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Evil’s Whisper (Evil Saga book 1) by Jordan Elizabeth. This is the first book in the Evil Saga series and it is so good. Its a very dark fantasy and will keep you turning the pages to see what happens. Its the story of Sabiya who is Daughter of Darkness who has lived in Juniper City since being born. She feels like there is more to the world than Juniper City where women are looked upon as disposable. When Sabiya finally works up the nerve to escape Juniper City she realizes its not what she thought it would be. While in the Desert she gets kidnapped by a bunch of robbers but a handsome Warrior Uthias saves her. She is drawn to Uthias and is smitten with him. Only problem is they are fighting each other. He has been sent to destroy her. Will Uthias succeed or will they break all the rules?
Rick by Roz Lee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the first book I’ve read from the author and I really enjoyed it. It’s was male on male romance that contains plenty of secrets.
Rick is a marine. He is a stereotypical marine and being gay or at least openly gay wasn’t am option. So Rick keeps his sexuality a secret from everyone except Dave Turner.
Rick and Dave work together and become lovers in secret. Rick falls in love with Dave and has his heart shattered when Dave confesses that he is engaged to be married to a woman.
On a path of destruction Rick ends up drunk in a gay bar where he spots an attorney who works with his brother. After he swears Brent to secrecy he thinks things are sorted.
Brent was surprised to see his bosses brother in the gay bar but promised to keep his secret. There was an attraction between him and Rick but nothing happened due to Rick being drunk.
After trying to find somewhere to live Brent is happy when his boss finds him a place. Until he realises that place is at Rick’s home.
What could go wrong? Will Rick be able to keep his sexuality a secret from his family? Will the attraction between Brent and Rick grow? And what happens if it does?
The Nearness of You by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5/5 Stars
The Nearness of You: A British celebrity, standalone love-at-first-sight romance by K.G Fletcher
Not the first book I’ve read by Fletcher, but a must read like this brought me back. She knows how to capture her readers attention and keep it.
Lauren doesn’t expect to fall in love within a couple of days, but it happens. She is living her life doing what she loves doing. When she meets the supermodel things change drastically. The quote I chose for Lauren is: “I’m just really happy in this moment with you and I don’t want it to end.”
David is used to his career being the only thing in his life. On a Friday night he meets someone who turns his world upside down. In a good way. The quote I chose for David is: “It’s chemistry. It’s adoration. It’s unexplainable, really. All I know is I want more. I don’t know what that looks like entirely, but if we stick together, I believe the two of us can explore something truly special.”
Highly recommended for contemporary romance lovers.
Rick by Roz Lee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5/5 Stars
Rick: Ingram Brothers #3 by Roz Lee
My first read by the author and my first M/M read. Lee has done an amazing job and I can’t wait for her next book. Loved Rick and can’t wait!
Rick is a Marine and gay. No one knows and will never know. Six years go by and he’s heartbroken. He meets his brother’s new co-worker and falls hard and fast. The quote I chose for Rick is: “It’s none of your business.”
Brent is new to town and loves life. He’s got a supportive family backing him. Growing up in a Military family he never thought about falling for a Marine. The quote I chose for Brent is: “I get it, but I hope you understand now. I’m not going back to Houston. Even if things don’t work out with Rick, I’m going to stay in Willowbrook. It feels like home.”
Highly recommended for M/M Romance lovers!
Second Chance eX-mas by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5/5 Stars
Second Chance eX-mas by N.D. Jackson
This is the first book I’ve read by Jackson, but it won’t be my last. This book gives every second chance lover what they’re looking for. Christmas and exes coming together.
Ally is a single mom to a six year old she loves with everything in her. Lately her daughter is wanting to meet her dad and Ally isn’t sure if that’ll happen. When she learns that her ex is coming back to town things change. The quote I chose for Ally is: “Me too. My biggest worry all these years was that I didn’t have enough family to give Glory all the love and attention she deserves, but today, watching the way she lit up so easily with Finn and Stephen, I felt like crying.”
Archer walked away from the love of his life and never looked back. When he comes home he finds that things have changed. He’s got a kid He doesn’t know. The quote I chose for Archer is: “Yes, that’s how ice skating works. I’ll be right there with her. Holding her hand and cushioning her fall. This is something I can teach her, Ally.”
Highly recommended for contemporary romance lovers.
Revel by Alden Elway
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This paranormal wolf shifter romance has plenty of action, drama, mystery and suspense which had me hooked from start to finish. Revel Finley is a female wolf shifter and as a female her pack has certain expectations of her and although she is loved she is also controlled. The forest is her sanctuary and the place she can be and feel free. One rule is not to be spotted by humans, so Revel is concerned when she is spotted by conservation officer Jaime but then she breaks another rule when she realises that Jaime is her mate. Shifters are forbidden from having a human mate but secrets are hard to keep within the pack especially when a new wolf the arrogant and annoyingly good looking Daniel seems to be following her around. However, when hikers start to go missing in her forest and then bodies are found with injuries that look like an animal attack things become dangerous for the whole pack. Wolves have been spotted too close to town and the locals have started rumours and Revel and the pack worry that the humans will learn about them, the wolf shifters. Revel also has to face the truth about who she really is.
This is a fast paced and action packed novel with a wolf shifter storyline but with a twist. The mystery elements of the plot kept me guessing until the end and I was gripped by the whole story. The narrative flows well making it an easy and enjoyable read and I felt engaged with the characters who really come alive, as does the setting due to the descriptive writing. I liked the main character, Revel as she was both likeable and relatable and I enjoyed the forbidden romance element between her and Jaime, who’s chemistry really came across in the story. I look forward to future books in this series.
Revel by Alden Elway
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Book Review: Revel (The Howl Series, Book 1)
Author: Alden Elway
Five Stars
Shifter story about a female Werewolf and her family. Meets a human male which is a HUGE no-no in the family.
Can Revel fight her feelings and stay away from the human. Can she keep her secret and the secret of her family.
Good writing and the underlying mystery in the story will keep you engaged. Alden Elway is a really good writer of shifter stories. A must watch for future books.
KLH
Second Chance eX-mas by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Book Review: Second Chance Ex-Mas
Author: N.D. Jackson
FIVE STARS
A short story about love lost and second chances. Can Ally and Archer let the past stay in the past or will they never be able to reconcile.
Great short love story.
KLH
Revel by Alden Elway
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a great first read from this author and I can’t wait to read more. This was an engaging fast-paced, action-packed paranormal fantasy read that had me hooked from the very beginning. I loved following these characters journeys and seeing where their story would take them. I was on the edge of my seat with this read, as it had me wondering what could happen next. This book grew with each chapter and had me captivated until the very end! If you want a read that gives you a rollercoaster and gives you a range of genre then this is the book for you! I highly recommend this read and can’t wait for more!
Reviewed By @tillytillzz
Evil’s Whisper by Jordan Elizabeth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Evil’s Whisper (Evil Saga Book 1) by Jordan Elizabeth is a dark fantasy. The story is well written and the world building is done well. The characters are well developed and it is a compelling dark story. Darkness and lies, secrets and hopes, immoral treatment of women and questionable actions are just some of the things Sabiya is so desperate to get away from but what is there out there for her? Will she find the one thing she seeks or will her life become something she doesn’t recognise? I did have some issues with the story but in general it was an interesting read.
3.5 stars
Reviewed by @jennadb
Revel by Alden Elway
Revel (The Howl Series Book 1) by Alden Elway. This is the first book I’ve read by this author but it will not be my last. I loved this fast paced Paranormal story. It kept flipping pages well into the night. Its the story of Revel Finley who is 22 and is a werewolf shifter. She lives with her family in a cabin in the woods and tries to stay hidden from most people. One day while in the woods she accidentally sees a human and her brother Soren is furious. The guy she saw is Soren’s coworker Jamie and she is smitten. Never having had these feelings before she is confused. Revel gets a job at the local farmers market and is busy with that but it throw her in Jamie’s path more and more. She begins to lie to her family in order to spend more time with him. When hikers start to go missing she and her family are worried their true identity will be figured out. Will she be able to find out what is happening to the hikers before her family is found out and will she open her heart to Jamie no matter her family. Read Revel to find out!
Revel by Alden Elway
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Revel
By Alden Elway
This was a very enjoyable read for me. As soon as I started reading this book I couldn’t put it down. I found this story to be original in many ways. This book has secrets, romance, danger, suspense, great characters and so much more. Revel is a strong, independent character that I grew to like and I found myself at the edge of my seat wanting to know what was going to happen with her. Revel is very close to her family and there are certain expectations for a female wolf, she can’t help but feel different and want more. What happens when all her secrets come out? There are other great characters in this story that you don’t want to miss out on. This is the first book I have read by this author and I am glad I did, this author wrote with such vivid detail that I felt like I was right there in it. I can’t wait to read what’s next. I will definitely be reading more by this author. I highly recommend this book.
Second Chance eX-mas by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Ally is a single mom working hard to get her grow her business so her and her daughter, Glory, could live comfortably. However, he quiet life is thrown into chaos when Archer comes back to town. Archer has been serving in the military and is moving back to his hometown. He hasn’t seen Ally in years and hopes that she is happy. However, his mother gives him news on his first day back home that will change his life forever. He has a daughter. Now Archer is determined to get to know his daughter and, hopefully, get to know her mother. Ally isn’t going to make it easy for Archer…but sometimes old flames don’t completely die out.
I enjoyed this story from beginning to end. Ally is a strong, independent woman and I love how she handled Archer coming back into her life. I can understand where her feelings were coming from and I enjoyed watching their relationship grow and evolve since they are adults and not the children they when they last saw each other. This was a cute story of reigniting old flames while coming to terms with the changes life has thrown their way.
Second Chance eX-mas by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Second Chance eX-mas by N.D. Jackson was a great 5 star second chance romance.
Ally was left 5 years ago by Archer, he didn’t even look back. Now she is back in town working to have her own business. When she finds out Archer is returning home, she knows she won’t be able to keep her secret much longer. What will he do when he learns the truth?
Archer is determined to get Ally back. All his feelings for her came rushing back when he saw her. Will she understand why he left? Can he get her to come back?
Overall this was a great 2nd chance romance and I LOVED all of the characters. We have secrets, steamy moments and rekindled love in this book and I felt like I was right there with them. The author does a great job of pulling you in with her writing. I had some LOL moments and one character really tugged at my heartstrings. If you’re looking for a great 2nd chance romance this is the book for you. 1-click and get started today. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Reviewed by @mab54615
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Second Chance eX-mas by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this sweet and steamy Christmas romance which had me hooked from page one. Although a fairly short book it was packed full of, romance, emotions, family dramas and wonderful characters. Set in a small town called Blissful, childhood sweethearts Ally and Archer get a second chance at love when Archer returns to his hometown after leaving the military. Archer is determined to win back the women who he left behind but has always loved but Ally can still not get over the heartbreak she suffered when he left her. Archer gets a big surprise when he meets Ally’s daughter Glory and realises that when he left Ally she was pregnant. Although Ally is happy for Archer to spend time with and get to know his daughter she is less keen to spend time with him herself, despite his best efforts and that of his Mum who is a doting Grandmother to Glory.
When a steamy kiss leads to an even steamier night together they both recognise that the chemistry they shared is still definitely there and as they spend time together as family leading up to Christmas Ally realises that she has always loved Archer and still does. Archer has a Christmas Eve gift for Ally that he hopes will ensure that they can both let go of the past and have a happy future together that lasts beyond Christmas Day.
Full of Christmas magic and the festive spirit this is a lovely lighthearted and heartwarming novella. I loved all the characters and they all added to the overall story. The chemistry between Archer and Ally sizzled off the page. The author made both the characters and the setting of Blissful at Christmas time really come alive. The narrative flowed well and I felt immersed in the story. An enjoyable and engaging Christmas romance with a real feel good factor.
The Last Christmas by Seelie Kay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Dave and Joan Wright are given an amazing Christmas miracle a cure. Whilst santa is giving this miracle to this couple they have their doubts. What can santa do that modern medicine cannot do. Upstairs is full will they belive santa or find a cure with medience themselves.
Antipodes by T.S. Simons
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This author is new to me and one that I look forward to reading more from. This particular work was a very interesting YA dystopian/apocalyptic work that was set in Australia. I appreciated the social awareness that immediately was present and felt that this story was very timely and relatable to our present day condition. I was invested into the storyline quickly and had difficulty putting it down before it was finished. I look forward to seeing how the author continues the series.
Reviewed by @heatherlovelace
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Second Chance eX-mas by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’m a sucker for a second chance love story and this novella packed quite an emotional punch in a few short pages. I have enjoyed this author’s writing in the past and this novella further cements my appreciation for her skill with the written word. I love holiday romances, slow burn storylines, and second chances – this story will be one I will gladly add to my book rotation to enjoy often. Loved it.
The Nearness of You by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Nearness of You by KG Fletcher is a beautiful love story between a singer who loves the oldies, like Frank Sinatra, and loves the 60’s style, and a very handsome model from England. Lauren can’t believe she’s met and connected with David at the hotel where she works weekends singing at the bar. David is mesmerized by Lauren in a way he’s never expected. The two connect so well, they both seem to know they’ve met the one but will they follow it through?
I love reading books by Ms. Fletcher. I connect with her characters pretty quickly. The books are well written and you can’t help but continue reading until you are finished.
Fighting for Us by Bella Emy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Fighting For Us is the first book in the Love Is Worth Fighting For series by Bella Emy. It is a really great contemporary romance by an author that was new to me. I’m being braver and trying out a lot of new authors and I’m so glad as I’ve found lots of exciting authors out there, including Bella Emy.
The author had me in floods of tears from the very beginning as Lorenzo loses his beloved wife. I was heartbroken for him and his baby daughter. Lorenzo is a character that I fell in love with from this very first chapter and I went through every emotion with him: his despair at losing his wife, his angst at having feelings for Carissa and not wanting to sully his wife’s memory.
Carissa is another wonderful character. She’s had a tough time and I just knew that she and Lorenzo would be perfect for one another. I adored reading their story as it had so much emotion throughout. I enjoyed how they originally got together, continually randomly bumping into one another and both being unable to get the other out of their minds. The author does a great job of building their relationship up and keeps the reader engaged with the story.
I really loved this book and would definitely recommend it to others.
Antipodes by T.S. Simons
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Antipodes is a young adult dystopian novel by T.S. Simmons that will interest teenagers concerned about building a sustainable and socially richer society.
If you’re looking for a bit of an escape from our current world with the ongoing threat of COVID-19, this is not it. The apocalyptic event that drives the initial plot is based around a disease that threatens all life on Earth. But if our pandemic has got you speculating and wondering – what if the disease was spread differently? If you were in a position of power, how might you manage the threat? This book will engage and fuel your imagination!
I was at times reminded of Lord of the Flies – this would make a particularly good read for young adults who’ve read Lord of the Flies and wondered about how the characters could have taken the opportunity to build a better society.
I really liked the links to both Australia and Scotland – it’s so fun to get to travel to different places through the pages of the book! Personally I found the way that the Scots was written out a bit exaggerated and jarring but I think that would be more effective for Australian readers who would otherwise imagine characters’ voices in their own accent.
This is an enjoyable, five-star book. It’s the first book in a series, with others to come (and a prequel already available) so it will give readers plenty to look forward to!
Revel by Alden Elway
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a really good book. It is faced paced and contains a little bit of everything from paranormal to mystery and romance. The characters are really well written and I was gripped by Revel’s story.
Revel is a werewolf and part of a pack. Being a member of the pack means she has to abide by certain rules. One of the main ones being no falling for humans. So imagine her trouble when she finds herself doing just that. She can’t explain her attraction to Jamie but it’s definately strong. Can she keep their budding relationship a secret? Will she get punished for even thinking it? Revel’s life is full of secrets can a relationship with a human work when she has to hide so much?
Also added to these problems is the fact that hikers are disappearing in their wood. Are Revel and her family in danger? Why are the hikers disappearing and by who’s hands?
Revel by Alden Elway
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Revel (The Howl Series Book 1) by Alden Elway
4 Stars
This is more than just a book about werewolves. It is a story about a young woman figuring out who and what she wants to be; accepting it and embracing it. Being a woman in a pack means being loved but being controlled. The men have freedom and make the rules while the women abide by them. Revel has always walked a fine line between obedience and insolence. Running in the forest is her only freedom until she is spotted by a hiker. Unfortunately for her, this hiker happens to work with her brother and mentions it to him. Caught within the depths of Jaime’s blue eyes, Revel wants to taste the forbidden fruit. So the lies begin because being with a human is against the law.
As bodies of dead hikers start piling up in their territory, Revel realizes how hard it is to live a lie. With evidence pointing to animal attacks and wolves spotted closer to town, the pack needs to be careful. The pack finding out about her human boyfriend is the least of her worries. She needs to admit who she truly is to protect her pack.
This is an intense, action packed story. It was easy to connect with the characters and live the story through them. I was intrigued to learn more about Revel and her background. The story left me hanging and now I can’t wait to read part two.
Review by @ Anna Hirsch
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Second Chance eX-mas by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
If you are looking to read a good second chance magical Christmas love story, then this book is for you. This is not my first book by N.D. Jackson and it will not be the last one either. Her attention to detail is what makes this story on my list of books to read. This story is about Archer and Ally. They were a couple and then they broke up. Archer moved away and Ally stayed. Archer came back to town because he knew what he did was not right and truly not the decision he did not mean to make. Can Archer use the Christmas magic to help get back with Ally? Does Ally want Archer back after he had left her in the past? I highly recommend reading this book.
Becoming Human by Amy Michelle Carpenter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Becoming Human by Amy Michelle Carpenter is a unique and intriguing story that captured my attention from the moment I started reading it. I loved the whole concept of the three characters and how they interlinked with each other. Told from the three different perspectives the book had a depth and complexity about it that, for me, made it more interesting to read.
This is the first book that I have ready by this author and I was really drawn in to her writing style. She wove the chapters and the characters together in a brilliant way and really made me get in to the storyline. The way the different chapters were written felt like they were done with such ease that the whole thing felt natural. The story progressed well and I couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen.
Each of the characters had a great role to play. They all interacted well with each other and yet were strong enough to stand on their own. They all had their flaws and yet were strong enough to make this story work. This is a fantastic book and one I have thoroughly enjoyed. If you enjoy this genre then I would highly recommend it.
Wildfire by Ashley A Quinn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Wildfire by Ashley A. Quinn is the second book in the Broken Bow series. This is the first book that I have read by this author so didn’t really know what to expect when it started it. What I got was a well written story with strong characters that really drew me in. I liked the suspenseful element to the book and how that was combined with the great chemistry between the two main characters.
After reading the description I wasn’t sure what direction the author might take with the book but I loved the track she went down. It was intriguing and gripping while also having an emotional side to it. I very much enjoyed this book and as the first by this author I thought I was a great was to be introduced to her. I will definitely be checking out more of her work in the future.
Second Chance eX-mas by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Second Chance eX-mas by N.D. Jackson is a quick holiday romance that will really have you rooting for the characters. It is a great second chance story with just the right amount of holiday magic to make it feel special.
Although this is a pretty quick read – it is a novella after all – the book doesn’t feel like there is anything missing or it has been rushed. The author has managed to create a short story with a full storyline to it. I loved that I could really get behind the characters and couldn’t wait to see how they would work things out. Even with so much between them it felt right that they should end up together in some way!
This isn’t the first book that I have read by this author and it definitely won’t be the last either. She really has a great way of creating brilliant stories and this one is no exception. I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who was a nice quick read to get them in the holiday spirit.
