Boy Released by J.D. Spero
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I just read Boy on Hold recently and had to read the second book immediately after. I always have the fear the the sequel won’t follow up to the first book, mostly because there is so much expectation behind this. You don’t have to worry about that with this book! Just as good as the first one! If anything I may have liked Boy Released a bit better.
Descallia: Dark Vampire Romance by Sylvia Black
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Sylvia Black is sure to deliver and I usually never bother reading the synopsis when I see her name pop up. Her name is enough for me to know it’s going to be GOOD. Master Descallia did NOT disappoint. Such a gripping novel with moments where I found myself saying “what!!! Oh yes she went there”. The story of Salvatore and Luce is one I won’t be forgetting for a while! Stellar job as always Sylvia Black!
Azrael by Matthew Huntley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Azrael
Written by Matthew Huntley
4 out of 5 stars
Despite trying to read a wide variety of books, my preference is and has always been a good suspenseful thriller. I’ve always preferred a good book over a movie and I love how a good crime, suspense novel plays out in your mind. I really think Matthew Huntley hit the nail on the head with this suspenseful novel. From the first few chapters I already had the “what is going to happen” feeling in my chest and I didn’t want to put the book down. Azrael had a good amount of twists and turns without feeling overdone or losing that key element of suspense. I thought the characters were well written and love how Matthew Huntley’s writing reminded me a lot of one of my favorite well known authors! I honestly would love to read more from this author.
Sinful Daughter by Emily Bowie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Mafia bosses daughter and a by the book cop…..what happens when Aria and Theo fall in love? This story is very good and I enjoyed it very much. Aria is hesitant to join her family as a mafia lawyer and is a “fixer”. She helps her best friend’s mom to pay off drug debts and feels like she need to fix any problem that comes in her way. Theo is by the book cop, dedicated and is driven by his fathers untimely death when he as just a boy. Sparks happen when Theo has a plan to get in on the Rossi family and the mafia family, and involves Aria. Even though they are on different sides, I loved them together. There are definitely some twists in the story….Aria and Theo keeping their romance a secret, finding out what happened to Theo’s dad and and the power driven Rossi family. Great read.
Azrael by Matthew Huntley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Azrael by Matthew Huntley was a page turner from the start. I was immediately hooked. This book is a wonderful thriller and I praise Huntley for it. Definitely one of the best thrillers I’ve read in a while. The characters are very raw and real. Levi Andrews lost everything with the Azrael case a decade ago and the possibility of a copycat or Azrael returning brings back deep emotions, and I felt his pain. I’d highly recommend this book for anyone interested in reading thrillers, rather they’re new to them or a long time fan of them.
Her Dark Love by Isra Sravenheart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The fourth book in the Dark Spell Series, Her Dark Love, takes us back in time to Isra’s days at the Wingdom’s Academy. Isra has come to the academy to hone her craft. Being the child of mundanes, Isra has not had a chance to study the craft of witchcraft before. She is looking forward to learning everything there is to know.
Isra, not being a social person, does befriend Everilda. They become friends even though they are drastically different. Isra is not a social creature and wants nothing to do with finding a male friend; she is at the Academy to learn. Everilda has not mastered her craft, but she’s really not interested. She is self-absorbed and cruel. She is looking for fun while she is at the Academy.
Shockingly, Isra meets Jonathan while on one of her evening walks. She is intrigued by Jonathan, so she agrees to meet him once more. Unbeknownst to Isra, Everilda has already begun a relationship with Jonathan. Everilda is cruelly intrigued by the thought of being in a love triangle with Isra and Jonathan.
Astrid, now a raven, is working for Samuel, a light-bringer. He watches over magicals that have turned dark. Samuel is tasked by the people high up in the light-bringer society to watch Isra because she is part of a prophecy. According to the prophecy, Isra will turn dark. Astrid watches Isra and Jonathan on their date. From observation, Astrid thinks there is no possible way that Isra will turn dark.
Can Samuel and Astrid stop Isra from turning dark, or will the prophecy come true?
Boy Released by J.D. Spero
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What an amazing follow-up to Boy on Hold! After finishing Boy on Hold, I was delighted to discover Boy Released, and instantly had to read it! I was not disappointed in the slightest, J. D. Spero once again perfectly painted how much mental health can impact people’s lives, Tyler being released from psychiatric care at the beginning of the book ten years after the murder of sally Hubbard. It also does a good job at showing the changes to Hen in the ten years that have passed since the previous novel, showing his struggles as a teenager about to inherit an entire estate and struggling to know what to do with it. It was also interesting to see the different dynamics between Marcella and Bernie after ten years had passed. Definitely happy I read it!
The Girl and the Gargoyle by Pauline Gruber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Girl and the Gargoyle is a page-turning second novel in The Girl and the Raven Series. Pauline Gruber has continued this story with a new twist. Lucy a half-witch/half-demon teenager is once again in the spotlight. With Seamus still looking to destroy her, Lucy is hoping that is all she will have to deal with in her life since moving to Chicago. To help alleviate this as a potential threat, Jude, Lucy’s demon father, begins to train her to use her demon powers.
However much she wants to enjoy going to school, studying, and sitting on the roof with Marcus, her gargoyle boyfriend, fate has another path planned. Marcus’s mother, Clementine, and his biological father, Garret, come to stay in Chicago. Clementine’s desire is for Marcus to join the gargoyle clan with his father, who is the lead protector. Lucy is terrified that this is exactly what will happen, and she will lose her chance at happiness with Marcus if he moves away.
Garret has come to Chicago to complete a mission. That mission is to take out Jude. Jude is a powerful demon. The problem with this that Lucy discovers is that if a demon dies so does his progeny. With her life held in the balance, Lucy works with her allies to make a plan to stop Greyson. Will her efforts be enough?
Awakening the Gods by Kristin Gleeson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
AWAKENING THE GODS (RISE OF THE CELTIC GODS) by KRISTIN GLEESON was an amazing first time read for me. While I normally read more action packed, or drama filled stories, this beautifully written fantasy was a great change of pace. Ms. Gleason really gives us beautiful details all the way from the details in the characters looks, their surroundings, the sounds they heard, and every little day to day activity. With how much thought she put in to all the details of this short book it was easy to picture exactly what Ms. Gleeson wants us to. I personally look forward to reading more by Ms. Gleeson and I hope to read more about these characters.
Hawke by Anise Storm
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Hawke is a BDSM romance thriller full of steam, angst, obsession and love. Hawke and Charlotte grew up compelelty different from eachother. Some would even say in compelelty different worlds. His was full of darkness while hers was filled with light, and because of that Hawke is always pushing her away. However, Charlotte is persistent and she keeps pulling Hawke closer even after he’s hurt her. While he is busy pushing her away another more sinister man has set his eyes on Charlotte and is planning something horrific for her. Will Charlotte’s love be enough to help break Hawke free from his past? Will Hawke pushing Charlotte away put her in harms way? Read the book to find out!!!
It was intriguing to read about the give and take of these two characters who’s attraction to one another was explosive. Ansie Storm had me hooked and dying to find out the truth about Hawke. She did an amazing job building up the suspense about him and it made me want to jump to the middle just to learn about his past. Although I liked the book a lot I just didn’t love it. I found the characters to be a little lacking and superficial at times. However, this was still a great read and I truly enjoyed it.
Awakening the Gods by Kristin Gleeson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I give Awakening the Gods: A Celtic Urban Fantasy (Rise of the Celtic Gods Book 1) by Kristin Gleeson, 5 stars.
This is an incredible tale of Irish urban fantasy. The traditional music Ireland is known for, along with Irish mythology, is really the core of a story woven so intricately, I felt myself pulled in immediately. It was written by an Irish author, so it took a minute for my non-Irish brain to get used to the terminologies and style. But once I did, I was fascinated. It is just so, so good. Being Irish at heart, I knew some of the gods mentioned in this story, but I love how this book focuses on ones I don’t often read about.
The author does a fantastic job of weaving the two worlds in, building things up slowly. Their love of the traditional Irish music is very apparent too. This adds even more fun and depth to the story. I cannot forget the characters either, which really completes this tale. Saoirse and Smithy are the focus here, and the romance between them adds yet another level. But there are so many secondary characters in here, and it still isn’t too many. I really hope we see more of them in future books.
If you like modern fantasy set in Ireland, this book is for you.
Azrael by Matthew Huntley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I didn’t love this book but I appreciate the suspense and twists and turns. I thought I had this one figured out a few times but I kept changing my mind back and forth. A few good twists and turns with an unexpected ending…my kind of mystery. There were a few times I got a little lost, and some details weren’t really pertinent to the story. It was a fairly quick read and was a break from the usual.
Awakening the Gods by Kristin Gleeson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love the musicians. It was hard for me to understand since some words were Irish. The storyline is fantastic once you get used to the wording. I love the tales.
Mann in the Crossfire: A Jarvis Mann Hardboiled Detective Mystery Novel by R. Weir
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I normally cannot stand mysteries! I can normally call the ending and everything after a certain point gets slow and turns time into syrup while reading, but not Mann in the Crossfire by R. Weir. This book is the eighth book in the series, but it makes a good stand-alone novel too. Reading it as a stand-alone made the beginning harder to get into for me, but the ending is satisfying no matter what!
The focus of this story follows Rocky (Garrett) and his family story. Jarvis Mann is running around like a chicken with his head cut off trying to put this puzzle together. Why is Brandon in trouble? And how does Mann’s trouble in Colorado have to do with what is happening in California? The dark twists are not what you’d expect from a P.I. novel. R. Weir holds nothing back with this beautifully written novel, where not a word is out of place!
Sinful Daughter by Emily Bowie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
All I had to read in the blurb was Mafia Princess and Cop and I was sold on reading this book. Sinful Daughter by Emily Bowie is my first book by this author. Theo and Aria’s story was everything that I was hoping for in a forbidden romance – passion, suspense, with some drama mixed in. Emily’s writing left me wanting more. More of these characters and definitely more family drama. Highly recommend checking out this book and waiting impatiently for the next book.
Reviewed by @jbruno26
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Azrael by Matthew Huntley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Azrael is the debut novel by Matthew Huntley. All I can say is WOW! It looks like Azrael is at it again, but he is still behind bars. Is this a copycat? Did they get the wrong guy 10 years ago? Nothing is adding up. The lead detective Parker seeks help from Levi who after Azrael’s arrest had left the force. I was completely captivated by this book. I can’t wait to see what else Matthew Huntley has in store for us.
Awakening the Gods by Kristin Gleeson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Saoirse is a young woman with flaming hair, green eyes and fair skin who wears her hair in the style of a braided coronet has just been fired from her job as a barista, she enjoyed it, but it didn’t fulfil her, but being late one too many times meant that she was not the model employee they were hoping for. Smithy is a man who lives in the rural countryside outside of Cork, he has been a blacksmith for as long as he can remember and he loves what he does, but the magic he used to feel while doing it has gone, it has left him with a hole in his heart and a lack of enthusiasm. He likes to spend what time he can playing in the local village pub with some session musicians and spending time with them, as well as having a bit of banter and good craic with them too.
Saoirse’s lack of a job does not help her pay the rent on the flat she lives in, or the fact that the lease on it will finish in a couple of months, so she will have to find somewhere cheap to live as well as a new job, so to help ease the depression of her situation, she does what she enjoys most and goes to a local bar and joins in with the other session musicians gathering there. Saoirse is just getting ready for bed when she hears a knock on the door, it turns out that it is a couple of Garda who have come to deliver some sad news, they have come to tell her that her father has died in a car accident and that she has their sympathies, she asks some questions, however, when the answers aren’t the ones she is looking for, she agrees to speak to his solicitor, however, when she goes to see him, he drops a bombshell on her about her heritage and how it is complicating the probate proceedings, but that he will be in contact at to let her know how things are progressing.
The next day she receives a phone call from a woman claiming to be her grandmother, she is apprehensive and doesn’t quite know what to make of it, but she agrees to meet her for a coffee and talk to her, this conversation leads to an invite to go and stay with her, Saoirse isn’t sure what to do, but agrees to go anyway and see where she comes from. When she arrives, she has a tour of the farm her grandmother lives on and makes an acquaintance with the woman who lives next door and when she finds out that she is a musician too, it is another thing they have in common. One day, Saoirse goes for a walk in the local area and is caught in a downpour when she comes across a man working in a forge who invites her in for tea and to dry off a bit, they find conversation easy and talk about music and the local area, but agree to meet soon at one of the sessions in the local pubs.
As the two keep running into each other and realise that as they make music together, it isn’t just music that draws them together, there is a deeper connection that neither of them can explain, however, they are both about to be pulled into a world which Smithy would rather forget and avoid and Saoirse doesn’t want to believe exists, but will they be able to fight the summons of Eire and come to her aid, or will they try to avoid a fated path and the danger which it holds? This is an Irish urban fantasy which keeps you entranced with tales of myth and legend, as they are woven into a modern day setting, which will keep you hooked throughout.
Reviewed by @roxsannel
Lyon Tamer by Jen Luerssen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Okay I have to admit I was a tad hesitant but curious with this one. I haven’t read Jen Luerssen prior to this but the cheesy cover and steamy blurbs and teasers drew me in. I snagged this to read by the pool on a getaway and it could not have been a better choice! I loved this book! It had me laughing out loud several times and needing a dip in the pool to cool off more than a few too! The characters were engaging and a lovely pair that played well off of each other and had the best chemistry. I found them to be very believable and was just all around consumed by this whole book. I was only sad when it came to an end. I will be going to see what else is available to read by Ms. Luerssen very soon!
Review by @lizaileen
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An Enduring Love by Wareeze Woodson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I found this historical romance both enjoyable and engaging and was hooked from start to finish. Rebecca Balodis has been born and raised in Latvia and marries an English diplomat Rhys Sudduth. Soon after they are married Rhys has to return to England as his father is dying, meanwhile Rebecca stays in Latvia but becomes trapped in the turmoil of the country. Rhys is informed of his wife’s death and four years later believing he is a widow is courting Susan, a young debutante. Planning to announce his betrothal at his sister’s ball, Rhys is shocked when Rebecca arrives along with his son, having escaped and travelled to London to find her husband. The storyline flowed well and had an intriguing plot with plenty of action that kept me happily turning the pages. I liked Rebecca and felt a connection with her but unfortunately I just could not warm to Rhys which made it difficult for me to feel totally immersed in their romance . The chemistry between Rebecca and Rhys didn’t really come across in the story for me, making their relationship a bit unrealistic. However, as always I enjoyed the period details that the author puts in her novels and her descriptive narrative really bought both the Latvia and England settings alive for me.
Sinful Daughter by Emily Bowie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Hello Mafia romance!!
I absolutely love a forbidden romance story. Aria and Theo are completely overtaken with their feelings for each other. They try to fight to that their romance is forbidden but cannot help themselves. You have suspense and unexpected plot twists. Emily nails it with her telling of Aria and Theo’s story. When you get so involved in the story that you find yourself rooting for the “bad guys” is the best kind of experience.
I hope her next book answers some questions that she leaves hanging with this book.
Awakening the Gods by Kristin Gleeson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Awakening the Gods (Rise of the Celtic Gods #1) is my first read by author Kristen Gleeson. This story of Soarse and Smithy was beautiful and interesting. Gleeson beautifully captured the main characters’ surroundings as well as the music they played together. I truly felt like I was witnessing the scenes myself. In addition to the characters and their stories, I enjoyed learning the history of the Celtic Gods. I’m looking forward to reading book 2!
Flirting with my Enemy: A Sweet Romantic Comedy by Laura Burton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Flirting With My Enemy: A Sweet Romantic Comedy by Laura Burton is the first book in the Love is a Mystery series. I thought this was a fun and entertaining story, the perfect kind of book for a lazy afternoon of reading. It is an easy read that has relatable characters and I found it to be pretty amusing.
This is the first book that I have read by this author and I liked the fact that she created a great sweet romance without relying on the usual aspects. She kept it clean but also created a story that is interesting to read. I love stories that are a little dirtier but I can appreciate the writing in a book like this. This is an all round enjoyable book that I definitely worth a read.
Awakening the Gods by Kristin Gleeson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Awakening the Gods was a fantastic start to this series. The story has a wonderful setting, somewhere between this one and the past. The characters are well developed, and Saoirse is very likeable. This is a hard book to review without giving anything away! The unexpected elements are fantastic and it was interesting to read about the Celtic gods–characters that I don’t know much about. The romance is sweet, the thrills are great, and I’m hoping the series continues to build upon this fabulous first novel!
Bared. by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Bared by N.D. Jackson was a page turner. About a girl named Athena who has a past that haunts her, making her fear commitment. After the death of one of best friends she promises her she will live life. Which she does to the best of her ability, at the disapproval of her other two best friends.
Enter Tru, a pro-circuit pool player, who is taking part in a tournament at a bar Athena owns. With chemistry being there between the two of them, Athena & Tru, it threatens Athena’s very way of existing since she was 17. A romance that you will have you wanting more.
I felt for Athena, because I was an Athena myself. Burying the hurt and pain of my past. Does she let that go or does that hurt what she’s feeling for Tru? Please dig in you won’t be disappointed.
Flirting with my Enemy: A Sweet Romantic Comedy by Laura Burton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a new author to me, but I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading her work. This is a very funny book and I laughed out loud on several occasions while reading it. She did a great job with the story and keeping me guessing how some of the squabbles between the characters would end. In fact, there were sometimes I laughed and then other times I cried, but then other times I was angry that they were arguing over the petty things that they were. However, their pettiness created a recipe for disaster with a cherry on top. It was perfect and everything I love in romance and more.
Flirting with my Enemy: A Sweet Romantic Comedy by Laura Burton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
If you are looking for a sweet romance that will make you giggle, and hungry, you will love this book. From the first chapter I immediately synced with the main female character. I loved how the story unfolded and really enjoyed the push and pull. And who doesn’t love a good book that literally makes your mouth water?! Loved it. The perfect book for a lazy afternoon.
Reviewed by @heatherlovelace
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Cursed Touch by A.J. Renee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I absolutely loved this book! I couldn’t put it down. The story pulled me in and the main characters kept me reading more. I am looking forward to reading more by this author in the future and I would definitely recommend this to a friend!
HAPPY READING!
The Dream Catchers: PRESTORIA Series Book 1 by J.U. Menon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a fun book to read, I would say it would be more of read towards older kids, but it is a fun adventure of twists and turns I did not expect here and there as well as deep mysteries that in which were truly more than meets the eye!
The story is a adventure around two children. The girl whom has the name of Radhika is a special young girl, but she doesn’t know just how extraordinary she is…she is a book worm so enjoys books and has a good and very wonderful imagination. She has dreams of things that were, as well as people who were. One day a mysterious appearance sets off a course of things to happen as the main question was who could this person be? What do they want? Would her dreams tell her?
More things happen and she realizes she was to be selected for something. She meets with the mysterious stranger from her dreams. And more people actually appear to visit her. She is then told she is selected based on what she can do with her imagination. Among the others, they feel not truly convinced she is up to be what they expect or need from her. More less, could she prove herself to be worthy? When she comes to the realization that she must prove herself to be what is needed there was more mysteries and truth to unfold.
As the story goes on there is more trials and test she must not only use her mind, but also her wit and strength of her heart to get her through the toughest of the times she was to come face to face with. As the story went on that’s where the mastery really began to unfold. Time was not on her side, and to learn the truth came with costs? How far would you go to unravel the mystery of Prestoria?
I really enjoyed the mysteries of the novel and the authors ability to really describe what creatures to land of Prestoria. I had a wonderful adventure and I will for sure be reading what happens next in the series! Thank you for the author for the wonderful novel, and giving a treat for my imaginative mind!
Bared. by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
N.D. Jackson writes a woman empowered, steamy romance with Bared. Athena, the main character, is a badass, wealthy, business owner that doesn’t believe she can be happy, until Tru. Athena’s past keeps her from moving forward until pushed to question that thinking when an unexpected man comes into her life. I just fell in love with all of the characters. The two main characters, Athena and Tru, had a sexy banter style relationship that made me have all the feels. As a woman, I truly appreciated the character of Athena. She was just sassy, brilliant, successful, funny, etc. It was refreshing to read, what seems so realistic, but empowering – showing the past shouldn’t define our present.
Wild Bastard by India Kells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Author India Kells does it again. This book was top notch. Isabel and Kai have met before and fell in love until she left without notice. Isabel had her reasons. After 15 years they are face to face again, pain and lost love brings back hurt and remorse to Isabel. Isabel is the black sparrow in this story and is put in close proximity to Finch. Finch wants to become Mayor of Chicago and enlists Isabel’s company to handle his campaign. I can not believe what happens in this book. Finch is worse than I ever thought. This story was a turning point in the series. I can’t wait to see what is going to happen in book 4. If you haven’t read this series, It is a must read.
