The Mesmerist by Claire Luana
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book was good and different than my usual reads. It was a bid lagging and slow in terms of plot for me because some parts were information overload. I was captivated by Adrijana’s quest for innocence. She also was a character you connect with because we all have doubts and second-guess ourselves. I like when stories have me keep guessing.
Smoke & Mirrors by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Dahlia Nite has been keeping her partner Alex Creed in the dark about who she really is and what she knows about all the strange cases that they have been catching. However, it starts to become impossible to keep all the secrets as parts and pieces of multiple species -not of earth- are found in Sentinel City. As she shares some, but not all, of what is really going on, the lies become harder, and she struggles to keep everyone safe. Can she continue on this path and keep everyone in the dark without any fall out? Or will she need to share it all to solve this latest case and keep everyone safe?
I am enjoying this series. I feel the author does an excellent job of conveying how Dahlia feels disconnected with her dragon side and more in tune with her human side, as well as her empathy for humans. Her relationships are fraught with secrets and when she realizes just how much her friends mean to her, she starts to share more of herself. She is a lost person looking for where she belongs and what her purpose is. This book starts to show how she is finally finding her place, gives a bigger glimpse as to what her purpose is, but doesn’t give it all away. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series!
Born in Darkness by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This series just keeps getting better with each book! As always, I absolutely love McKinley’s character development, especially with the female characters. Her consistency in keeping the female characters strong, independent, and badass is something I really appreciate. I’m also enjoying how we are getting to see the male characters more in-depth. McKinley’s character development is something that I’ve appreciated since the first book and will, hopefully, continue to appreciate in the next two books of the series. I also enjoy the fact that McKinley keeps characters from the previous books as integral aspects, but continues to move the storyline along.
Stefano and Emiliana’s relationship has been building since they were teenagers when they were forced to keep their attraction to one another secret. Stefano took a risk to help save Emiliana when she was previously abducted but it was worth it to both of them. Since then, Stefano has allowed Em the space she needs to heal, but he is always there when she needs him. We also get to see how Stefano was raised and how that has shaped him into the man he is now. It’s truly heartbreaking to see why he is so quiet and pensive, but it has made him into a strong man who knows what he wants and will stop at nothing to get it.
I definitely recommend reading the books in order since there are two significant relationships that have come from the previous books. In this book, questions are starting to be answered from the previous two books and we are starting to see how the Five Families are beginning to transition into a new generation of mafia bosses. I cannot wait for the fourth installment of this series.
Exiled South by Harriet Cannon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Lizbeth Gordon thought she had the normal happy married life with kids but boy was she wrong. Her husband Dan of 20 years was actually a gambling man that had put them into financial ruin which Lizbeth did not find out about until his accident. This sent Lizbeth spiraling trying to find her way back up. That’s when she started digging more into her family history and the things she found were amazing and difficult at the same time. After taking a job in Rio De Janeiro she finds family an extended family she never knew was out there.
The Mesmerist by Claire Luana
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Stars
The Mesmerist by Claire Luana
The Mesmerist is a Fantasy/Romance that I absolutely loved reading. I was captivated from the beginning and had a terrible time putting it down. The cover is amazing and I found myself staring at it for several minutes. Something about it is just relaxing. I’m a huge fan of this author and she continues to blow me away with her ability to make you feel as if you are a part of the story. Wow what an adventure, the characters are great and the twists and turns had me turning the pages to see what was going to happen next. I could go on and on but I won’t. I can’t recommend this author or this book enough. I assure you that you won’t be disappointed. This has just landed on my favorites list by this author and I will definitely be re-reading several times in the future. I look forward to seeing what she brings us next.
A Hundred Wishes by Marianne Rice
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A Hundred Wishes was equally heartwarming, funny, sad and steamy. I loved that even though this book was part of a little series of books you could read it all by itself.
I fell in love with the characters. They were real. No fairytale romace here. Both of the main characters had issues that cause bumps and curves in their relationship together. Though they did work through a lot of the issues, the issues themselves didn’t magically disappear. By the end of the story they both still had stuff they need to workout but had learned how to better work them and cope. That made this story much more relatable and such a great read.
The Mesmerist by Claire Luana
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I absolutely devoured this book! I finished it in one setting and did not get any sleep! I loved the characters and it had great world building. This story had you second guessing yourself. I thought I had it figured out many times but boy was I wrong! I can’t wait to read more from this author!
The Clockwork Solution by Michelle D. Sonnier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I feel the author got a better chance in this book. Arebella comes more alive in this book. It flows better as well and you feel more invested in the characters and story.
Etched in this Moment by Calla Zae
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5/5 Stars
Etched in this Moment (Etched Series #1) by Calla Zae
This is the first book I’ve read by the author. I will be looking for more by the author. Etched in this Moment was a great read and I had a hard time putting it down.
Theo is a Detective and is recovering from a gunshot wound. He literally runs into the love of his life and can tell she is scared. He wants to know more about her and he isn’t sure why. Will he be able to save her in time? The quote I chose for Theo is: “What? I’m a guy who doesn’t like to share. What’s wrong with that? I know it’s absurd, but I couldn’t help it. My feelings for you are so strong, and all these scenarios popped into my head, wondering what you were doing.”
Sofia is running from her past and it’s catching up to her. She runs into a guy after getting a text that scared her half to death. She learns he’s a cop and thinks her luck is running out. Can she get over the past and let him in? The quote I chose for Sofia is: “Maybe I could be a hypnotherapist one day. I’ve already gotten my medical background requirement covered. I worked as a medical assistant for a while but didn’t really like it. Now I know what I want to do with my life. I want to help people heal in a different way. There are ways to improve health without pills and such.”
Highly recommended for Romantic Suspense lovers.
Wildcat: A Steamy Firefighter Romance by alyce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
When I grow up, I want to be half as strong as Leslie McClunis. The things that she deals with and pushes through is a testament to how under-rated many women are. She goes for what she wants, she will fight with her last breath to get it, and I feel bad for whoever gets in her way.
Trevor is laser focused on his game, which makes Leslie’s appearance in his life totally unexpected. A small, red head, spit fire that would chew him up and spit him out if he let her. Too bad for her, he is after so much more than she’s willing to give. Will true love win out?
The book is told in multiple perspectives, one of which in the form of journal entries. I enjoyed the glimpse of the future at the start. Enough information to give you something to root for, but vague enough that it still had you guessing at the details. I didn’t totally understand the significance of the POV told in journal entries, but it did add and air of mystery and intrigue, so I didn’t mind it. All in all, this book was quite steamy! The plot was enjoyable and the characters were easy to root for. I read this book in a day, and enjoyed the entire ride. If you are looking for something steamy, romantic, and intriguing, definitely give this book a shot! I definitely intend to pick up the next!
Reviewed by @asanabr1
Smoke & Mirrors by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Third book in and The series just keeps getting better. Can’t get enough. Highly recommend
Daire’s Devils by Danielle Ackley-McPhail
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book has sci-fi and action. It is a military story.
Give ’em a good thrashing! Allied Forces—including the 142nd Mobile Special Ops Team, often known as Daire’s Devils—stand poised to protect the disputed colony planet Demeter against military invasion and corporate exploitation at the furthest reaches of the cosmos. When those seeking to steal the top-secret plans of AeroCom’s new prototype flagship, the Cromwell, infiltrate the ranks, Corporal Katrion Alexander, the Devils’ newest member, finds herself up against an unexpected threat: synthetic operatives indistinguishable from live people. She and the Devils must stop this new menace, but how can they do it when the opponent has a familiar face?
I loved this story. I loved every page of it. Every chapter was exciting. This is my first book from this author and I can’t wait to read the rest of her books.
Blood Oath by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the second book that I have read by this author, and I was entranced! From the first page I was hooked and wanted to do nothing more than read this book all day long. Enzo and Sophias story though out this book has numerous twists and turns that had me on pins and needles every second! Sohpia and Enzo’s story start when they are eight years old, and they have been fighting attraction for one another every step of the way. I cannot wait to see what happens next in the series with them as well as he next set of people. I could not put this book down. Their story was absolutely amazing, and I cannot wait to see what the next story has in store!
The Mesmerist by Claire Luana
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this fantasy adventure. The story had me gripped from beginning to end and the twists and turns kept me reading all the way through. The author does an amazing job of building the characters and especially our lead character Jana.
She is a young woman who thinks she is normal but boy is she wrong. When the queen is murdered secrets come out about her abilities that were kept hidden from her.
Now she needs to find a way to learn about who she really is and what her abilities mean.
At the same time someone is killing the royal family. Jana is a suspect so she must try to work hard to prove that she is innocent.
All along she is learning that people aren’t always who they seem to be and that not everybody can be trusted. As the story twists and the plot carries on we can feel the turmoil Jana feels when people she thought she can trust betray her.
Can she prove her innocence? Will she find the murderer and stop the killings?
The Clockwork Witch by Michelle D. Sonnier
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
In all honest I wanted to love this book. The premises is brilliant and I was looking forward reading it. I unfortunately couldn’t find connect with the characters and they had little substance to them. I will say the authors descrptive style was canny but would be better with a bit more embraliahment.
The Mesmerist by Claire Luana
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Brilliant stand-alone YA fantasy mystery
This was an amazing YA fantasy adventure. The interwoven mystery kept me on the edge of my seat. The world building and depth of characterisation were exceptional. I connected with Jana and was quickly swept along with her journey. This is my first book from this author and it won’t be my last. Intriguing and suspenseful I can’t recommend this book enough.
The Mesmerist by Claire Luana
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Stars
I have to say that I didn’t like this story…………..
………… I absolutely LOVED it!!!!!
The Mesmerist by Claire Luana is a spellbinding fantasy that swept me up on quite the adventure. I adore all of Ms. Luana’s books and eagerly await each new release, so I was beyond excited when this new book hit my Kindle. I had very high expectations for this book because all her previous releases have been so stellar, and I am happy to report that Ms. Luana definitely delivered the goods with this wonderful book. I really can’t find the words to do this story the justice it deserves, so I will just say that I can’t recommend this story highly enough and if you are looking at reading it, run and snap up a copy and dive in, you really won’t be disappointed!
Can’t wait to see what she does next!
Happy Reading!
Thank you, Claire Luana!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
Etched in this Moment by Calla Zae
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a contemporary romance suspense story and the first book I have read by this author. There are plenty of emotions and drama, angst, and suspense, secrets and lies, pain and suffering, fear, heartache and so much more. The story is fast paced and full of chemistry that is off the charts in this insta love story. Throw in some danger and mystery, and a bit of action with a woman living in fear with no trust and a charming alpha male who wants to protect, and you have an emotionally charged story that you can’t put down.
Reviewed by @jennadb
The Mesmerist by Claire Luana
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A Young Adult fantasy mystery story where the characters are well developed and there are many plots with twists and turns that keep you intrigued. The world building is rich, and the story is engaging and clever. With lies and deception, bloodshed, and magic, and much more with tangled plots in murder and mayhem. Becoming a Mesmer is going to be hard when she is trying to prove her innocence within a world that is corrupt and evil. This book is darker than the authors previous series, which adds to the mystery and intrigue. The author has left some threads unwoven which will undoubtedly lead to more books in this deadly compelling tale.
Reviewed by @jennadb
Etched in this Moment by Calla Zae
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Well. That escalated quickly! I couldn’t stop reading. I’m sad it was as short as it was, and I personally feel like everything was rushed and that we missed out on so much goodness. BUT it is the first of the series, so I’m not going to harp. My first book by this author, very pleased with her writing style and characters. I’ll be here for book two!
Savage Secrets by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Savage Secrets is a very fitting title for the 4th book in the Mafia Elite series. There was so much going on in this book that caught me off guard. It is action packed, and lots of surprised and twists. I loved it. While the book mainly focuses on Elena and Marco, there is added details to the other family members along the way. While you probably could read the book out of the series, I wouldn’t recommend it. They are all wonderful, and the characters and their stories overlap. The Five Families are all married into each other, in this new generation Chicago mafia series. The characters are great, and I love that the women are strong independent women, with an amazing support system for each other. At the same time, the men have a softer side that shows when around their sisters or wives. I can’t wait to finish the series, as I’m totally hooked.
Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy
Chain Reaction by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Chain Reaction hits a new point in the Nite Fire series for Dhalia. In thin book Dhalia is faced with the fact that her power is evolving, and with it so will she. She is back at it with Detective Creed in solving murder cases, all the while still making sure to keep the detective off the trail of finding that supernatural creatures are real. We see just how corrupt the species have become from Dhalia’s home realm, and what measures they are willing to take in order to take and maintain power. There are many secrets revealed, which leave both the reader and Dhalia with questions. Another phenomenal book in the Nite Fire series.
Wild Hare’s Daughter by Laura Koerber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Wow! From the first page I was hooked! I couldn’t put this book down! I absolutely loved how the story is laid out so you know exactly whose point of view you are following at every stage. Growing up in a small town, it always felt like you couldn’t ever have a secret because everyone knew everything but this story showed it is still possible not to know everything even if you think you do.
I will say there were many points in the story where I was shocked or thrown. It was not as predictable as I initially thought it would be! I loved it!
Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5/5 Stars
Power Play: A Second Chance Hockey Romance (Astoria Bay Thunder #1) by CJ Cartwright
This is the first book I’ve read by the author. It won’t be my last by the author either. I can’t wait until the next book comes out. I hope to see more of Brynn and Levi. Power Play is the first book in the Astoria Bay Thunder Series.
Levi is making his dreams come true by playing pro hockey. The team gets fans to come down to shoot a goal and Mac is one of them. With the help of his teammates is he going to be able win her over? The quote I chose for Levi is: “If you boys are done stripping, maybe we can get to practice. No one is going to buy a fucking calendar from a team that doesn’t win. Unless you plan on asking the Kodiaks to come pose with you?”
Brynn is newly divorced and starting her dream. Only it’s not as easy as she thought it was going to be and she runs into an old flame. With her best friend’s help can she tell the guy she still loves him? The quote I chose for Brynn is: “Um, that’s great, Levi – but maybe less serial killer and more… soft? This is supposed to inspire feelings of lust or admiration… not fear.”
Highly recommended for Contemporary Sports Romance lovers.
Flash Point by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
In Flash point the reader is introduced to Dhalia Nite, a lyrriken (dragon hybrid) that fled from her home realm, whose been living amongst human for close to a century. We fallow Dhalia on an investigation of murders caused by those like her, where simultaneously she is trying to understand why her kind is murdering, and brutally so, all the while making sure to cover up any notions that these murders could be supernatural. This becomes hard as she is joined in this investigation by Detective Creed, who to Dhalia’s detriment, wants nothing less than the truth even if is supernatural. What I enjoyed about this book was the powers that Dhalia has, and how she is able to feel and see into a persons perspective, which does come in handy when trying to solve a murder case. This book is a unique storytelling, with AMAZING world building, and complex characters. Flash point is only the beginning to an intriguing world of dragon hybrids, and Dhalia Nites story.
The Mesmerist by Claire Luana
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book fascinated me from seeing the cover and reading the summary until the very end! I read the summary and immediately wanted to know everything. This author does an amazing job building the world and enticing their readers to want to be there. The characterizations and their development were truly fabulous! One of my favorite parts of reading any book is watching the relationships between the characters grow and change, and this author did a marvelous job drawing me in from word one!
The Mesmerist by Claire Luana
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book checked every box for me. I loved the writing, the characters, the fast pace and all of the drama! I couldn’t help but speed through this book.
Adrijana Mironacht had often dreams of visiting the capital city and seeing the palace, but rarely do dreams meet reality. Dazzled by her surroundings, she can’t understand her fathers reluctance to stay until she ends up in the dungeon. Her father must then explain to Adrijana that she is a Mesmerist, one who can read and manipulate others’ minds.
With each new intrigue, Adrajana is determined to find the truth of what is going on and clear her own name. Get this book, you will not be disappointed!
The Mesmerist by Claire Luana
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is my first book by Claire Luana. I absolutely loved this story. There are so many twists and turns. The plot is also amazing. I fell in love after the first few pages. I normally wouldn’t read something like this, but I am so glad that I did because it is such a perfect story. I highly recommend!
The Mesmerist by Claire Luana
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Holy cow Batman! This book definitely pulled me in from the first chapter! Just when you think you and Adrjiana have it all figured out, the author throws a curveball and everything you thought you knew was completely and totally wrong and now you have to question everything and anything. I enjoyed reading this fast paced book and wonderful writing. This author really knows how to pull you in. I connected with the characters and the story. I cant wait to read more by this author and see where else she takes me!
Power Play by C.J. Cartwright
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Love me a good sports romance. Also a second chance and forced proximity romance.
I really enjoyed the role reversal that this author uses: I usually see the female as the one who knows who the other person is and is the one going after their love interest, but here Levi is the one who realizes who Brynn is and is the pursuer.
I liked that there was still a buildup of the chemistry between the characters rather than a “I used to love you as a kid, now you’re here, lets fall into bed” situation.
I love the sexy calendar fundraiser aspect to this story. Of the ones I’ve read that does something like that I found that this author did it the best. Also, I want that cabin in the woods for myself! Maybe Levi can make a guest appearance ;-P
I absolutely adore the side characters, with Tia and Bridger being the most prominent (oh the tension there!). I can’t wait to read their story (book 2) and how they find their HEA (this is romance, so a HEA— Happy Ever After— is expected). I also adored Xander and his gentleness. I can’t wait to read about him.
This book does mention characters from another book, and whets the appetite for that story., but that one is technically not part of this series. As this is the first book I’ve read from this author I’ll certainly be adding that to my TBR list.
