Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Ahhhhhhh that cliff hanger!!!!! This installment of the Hidden Valley Elite series is by far my absolute favorite. The banter between Sky and Damon is everything. I need the next installment now!
Secrets of the Sorcery War by Elise Carlson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Secrets of the Sorcery War: An Epic YA Fantasy by Elise Carlson is a great LGBTQ Fanatasy story
Reading Ruarnon is a pleasure. They are complex characters who the reader can’t help but enjoy getting to know. Ruarnon feels pressure to uphold their parents’ standards while still developing their own identity as the successor to the Tarlahn throne. Although they are young, they are intelligent beyond their years and lack any obnoxiousness. Characters in Secrets of the Sorcery War have a lot of depth.The book’s Australian characters are very beautifully written. The other protagonist of the story is Linh, who, like Ruarnon, is intelligent beyond her years without being annoying and has excellent interactions with people from both realms. The language flows smoothly and never seems out of place. Australian adolescents sound natural and realistic.
Despite being a YA novel, it doesn’t hesitate to approach its subjects through an adult lens. This allows it to explore its topics while telling an in-depth story, even though it is lengthier than typical for its target group.
Every page was exciting and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen. It is a very unique story with even more one-of-a-kind characters. The story really transports you into their world. I couldn’t put the book down.
Manipulator’s War by Elise Carlson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Manipulator’s War (Ruarnon Trilogy) by Elise Carlson is a great young adult fantasy book.
The author skillfully incorporates a modern perspective with the addition of 4 children from today’s culture while skillfully balancing the several adolescent characters and their reactions to the battles, deaths of friends and foes alike, and the portal addition. The fantasy worldbuilding is good despite the necessity for speech to frequently carry a lot of exposition to keep readers informed of the rivalries and conflicts in this convoluted world. There are many characters to follow! The treatment of the “midlun” sex, Ruarnon, a non-binary protagonist who battles uncertainties and anxiety while rising to the trials of the manipulator’s war to become the leader the people need to defeat conquistador armies and wicked chaos produced creatures, was what I found to be most enjoyable.
Every page was exciting and I couldn’t wait to see what would happen. It is a very unique story with even more one-of-a-kind characters. The story really transports you into their world. I couldn’t put the book down. Ran right for book 2.
Secrets of the Sorcery War by Elise Carlson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the second book in the Ruarnon Triology. I really recommend reading these books in order so you can follow the story and have a better understanding of what’s going on.
This story is full of action, adventure, danger, lies and betrayal which will keep any young adult engaged. The author does a great job with the world building and characters especially Ruarnon who is non- binary.
In this book we see Ruarnon in charge after their parents have been kidnapped. They now need to plan and launch a rescue mission to save them from an evil king. But he is as evil as Ruarnon had been lead to believe. Who can Ruarnon trust? Can they save the people that are taken as prisoners? And what would be the consequences if they don’t succeed.
This book is fast paced with loads of action. It is definately a read that someone who love fantasy would really enjoy. I can’t wait to read the final book in this great series
Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This entire series has been phenomenal and Brutal Days did not disappoint! The heat, the hatred, the lies, and secrets kept between Damon and Skylar keep this book going and the inferno between them growing bigger and hotter. High school bully is one of my top favorite tropes, and I look forward to continuing this series, it has been one of the best series I’ve ever read!
Twisted Proposal: Central Florida Stories by Victoria Saccenti
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I’m not sure what I got into when I started to read this, but definitely wasn’t expecting this. Twisted Proposal is dark and twisty in very delicious ways. It took me a minute to get into it. I was really struggling at first, but I pushed on. Once I got to the meat of the book, I was hooked. However parts of it were a tad too dark for me, I still enjoyed it.
Siena is the innocent victim in all this. Caught in her brother’s addictions. Caught up in her cousin’s web of deceit. Yet despite all that she’s still naive enough to think the best of both of them.
Ethan pulled her in. She was going to be his pawn. After everything Siena’s cousin did to him he felt he had the perfect plan.
However, what happens when that backfires?
When she starts to crack his steel walls?
If you like BDSM books, this book is for you. If you enjoy dark and twisty, well this book definitely has that. If you enjoy a mob presence tied into that. What are you waiting for? The time is now.
The author wrote an interesting story. One that seems to be part of a series as it’s book 3. Well I don’t know what back story would’ve come from books 1 & 2 as I started on 3, however it reads very well as a standalone novel. Though I may be going back to check out the other 2. While I’m doing that, I hope you enjoy this book!
Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am officially ADDICTED to this series. As always, the author leaves us with a MASSIVE cliffhanger and an insane amount of audacity at the end of this book. This is the 3 book in HVE, but the first book in the duet for Damon and Skylar. You could read this as a stand alone duet, but it makes more sense to read all 3 books for the series, considering that the characters all tie together some way. I cannot WAIT for the next book in the series/duet, because I have got to know what happens after that cliffhanger. June 22nd can’t get here fast enough!!
Living With Conviction: Unexpected Sisterhood, Healing, and Redemption in the Wake of Life-Altering Choices by Toby Dorr
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A riveting tale with an honest look at the mind of a prisoner. This story is honest, raw, and emotional—a beautiful journey of self-growth and discovery. I am a fan of true crime and memoirs, and this book gave me everything I wanted and more. It was so hard to put it down. The author paints her story to make you feel like you were there. She gave a real gift to the world with this book.
Ways to Improve Bailey by Cori Cooper
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4.2/5 Stars
This was such a cute read. The sass of Bailey was very enjoyable. It’s a clean romance which I liked. Safe for young adult readers to read and still get all the feels. I do wish Tanner’s background was more developed.
The Synchronicity of Love: Stories that Heal, Transform, and Awaken by John David Latta
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Synchronicity always directs us toward pieces of ourselves that we need to restore to become whole again. The author does a wonderful job of weaving the synchronicities in these stories. Sharing the journey of awakening the inner self through mediation, opening chakras, and personal insight give the reader an inside experience. Latta’s experience encourages and inspires the reader to cultivate they’re own seeds of transformation!
The Hussar’s Duty by Griffin Brady
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Stars
The Hussar’s Duty (The Winged Warrior Series Book 3) by Griffin Brady
This is the third book in The Winged Warrior Series and is a Historical Adventure/Romance that once you start reading its hard to put down. I realized after I was halfway through that I skipped the second book so I’ll be going back and reading it. This author is fairly new to me still but what I’ve read so far I’m a fan. This is packed with action, adventure, drama, Romance and so much more. The characters are strong, supportive and developed. I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens when a Warrior must pick between defending his country or his family both of which him. I look forward to reading more from this Author.
Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was another great 5 star read from this author. She is continuing to pull me in with her writing and I don’t want to stop until I’m done. This whole series is great, if you like High School Bully romance I highly suggest this book and series. This is Damon and Skylar’s story. There is a little hiccup when Skylar’s BFF wants the same guy she does. What will happen? This really added quite the storyline and made things very interesting. We get so much in this read, unexpected twists and turns, steam and so much more. All of the characters added a great element to the story. I look forward to reading more from this author. I suggest starting with book one so that you can get to know all of the characters. 1-click and get started today.
Reviewed by @mab54615
View all my reviews
Soul Redeemed by Theresa Van Spankeren
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Theresa Van Spankeren delivers another great book in The War of Destiny Series! The fifth installment, Soul Redeemed finds Julia and her ka-tet strengthening a power she wasn’t sure she would ever have; one they must convince the Council she even possesses. The ka-tet must also reunify the Resistance and fight against Valentino’s forces all while protecting the humans from nearby villages that are now acutely aware of their existence. Soul Redeemed delivers the same amazing world building as the rest of the series. I could feel the fear, passion, guilt, pain, and love felt by the characters. The same familiar characters are also here, along with some newer faces. Twists and turns and action abound! There is still so much story left in this series, and I’m loving it! I highly recommend this series!
Trapping the Butterfly by Debra Parmley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I found this to be a wonderful coming of age story set in the roaring twenties. The author did an amazing job of describing the settings, characters, and the feel of the roaring twenties. We have Bethany who feels trapped by her aunt and uncle, who have raised her for years. I loved how Bethany’s character development unfolded throughout the story. She has dreams and desires, but she is limited by her strict and abusive family members. With her 18th birthday just around the corner she has plans to set herself free, but she finds herself entangled with a business associate of her uncle’s, an associate of Al Capone, and the detective who is determined to take Capone down. I loved the character of Bethany and how she works so hard to find her own way. This is a great book for anyone looking for a descriptive well written story of a young girl finding her way in the roaring twenties.
The Synchronicity of Love: Stories that Heal, Transform, and Awaken by John David Latta
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Synchronicity of Love is an inspiring, personal journey of religion, self discovery, and poetry. The depictions and storytelling abilities of John David Latta truly cause this memoir to be a page turner. It leaves you pondering your own life and decision while provoking deeper meanings that just what’s at the bare surface. The way Latta can meticulously portray the emotions he felt during those stories is mind boggling and will leave you yearning for more.
Lap Baby: Emotional Women’s Fiction by Amy Q. Barker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Lap Baby was an amazing story, one of my favorite reads of the year. I love that it was lightly based on a true story (I googled the Lap Baby laws mid book; and the blurb at the end explains the inspiration). I was hooked instantly, and it got better as the story progressed. The author got the idea for the book after watching a documentary about Lap Babies, those under age 2 that fly on their parents lap. The story surrounds a terrible accident, where there were Lap Babies on the flight, and it crashed. The protocol states the babies should be placed on the floor between their parent’s feet. The flight attendant, and one of the main characters, Julie, felt terrible giving these instructions. The parents were not happy with the decision either. The flight had just 4 survivors, and this book shows their lives 20 years later. That one day shaped the survivors life, and each handled it differently.. Paige was my favorite story, but I loved Marie and Julie as well. I love the way Terry stayed distant through the years, but was brought back in, in a twist that was lovely. I did not love the epilogue, found it a big cheesy, but sweet. I look forward to reading more by the author, because if they are half as good as Lap Baby, I’ll be happy.
People Safari by Feather Chelle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was so cute. I read this to my niece and she loves it. This book goes on a cute adventure as animals. You read about how the wild animals could view us as humans. The pictures that they used in the book went very well with the story. This is a great book to read with young kids. They will laugh and love the ending.
Review @heatherbass
Lap Baby: Emotional Women’s Fiction by Amy Q. Barker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Lap Baby by Amy Barker is available now in eBook and Physical Book
⭐️⭐️⭐⭐ Book Review
Lap Baby is a heartwarming, inspirational woman’s fiction novel about redemption, forgiveness, and finding oneself after a tragedy. 20 years ago three women Julie, Marie, and Paige were the only survivors of a horrific plane crash. Julie was the flight attendant on duty that day and lives with self doubt and guilt daily. Her only focus the last twenty years has been to have the rules of a flight changed with no success. Will she ever be able to let the actions of that day go so she can live her life to the fullest?
Lap Baby is told by all three women who survived the plane crash. With the story being told from all three perspectives the reader understands how each person can be affected so differently from the same tragedy. The characters are well developed, and the story line believable. This emotional story had me on a roller coaster ride from the very beginning. My heart ached for all three women for many different reasons. I so badly wanted all of them to forgive Julie and understand that accidents are called accidents for a reason. This was my first time reading a novel written by Amy Barker and I am glad that I picked this one up. I would highly recommend this novel to anyone looking for a heartfelt summer afternoon read.
Secrets of the Sorcery War by Elise Carlson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Follow Ruanon and company as more adventure and mayhem await them!
This time they set sail on the seas ro rescue people from the sorcerer king who is said to be extremely evil… what they actually find when they face off is something you’ll have to discover reading.
This book is a good Ya fantasy and it also includes a non binary main character that is very well done.
As with the first book I struggled to stay engaged as the story was choppy and sometimes too much information or detail was given on some topics but when I needed more information on other things it was lacking, however this is better than the first book. A cute quirk is also the art work between chapters that was very cool.
Overall worth a read!
People Safari by Feather Chelle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was really an enjoyable read. I found myself really interested in how this group of animals viewed humans in their natural environment and found it funny because I think really their observations were spot on with how humans could be viewed by someone who has never encountered them before. It was a fun book and I recommend it to any parent who has a child that wants to read. It is a nice book and I think many kids will enjoy it.
The Messy Kids by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What happens when your kiddo doesn’t want to clean up his messes? Well, he can get some cute little alien guys to come to help. But then, they don’t really help the right way! This book is so cute – the story and the illustrations. This would make littles giggle and make for a good discussion starter!
The Passion of 3 by Ariella Talix
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book has interesting characters, an intriguing plot, and has both spicy and funny parts. I enjoyed the story and how Caro, Nash, and Grey’s relationship rekindled. I had a hard time fully connecting with the book and I’m not quite sure why… maybe some of the pacing or something didn’t quite jive with me, but overall it is a good book and worth the read.
Someone to Watch Over Me by Debbie Cromack
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Someone to watch over me, is the third book in the Wounded Hearts Series by Debbie Cormack. This is the first book I have read in this series and it can be read as a standalone. This story focuses on best friends Angelo and Lucia, brough up together since they were little, Angelo is very protective of Lucia. She thinks it is because he sees her as a little sister, however that is very far from the truth. Angelo and Lucia are both in love with each other however neither seems ready to admit it to the other. After Angelo leaves college there is a period of absence which does not dampen their feelings, and when an unexpected event brings them back to gather it is fingers crossed that they can work it out. I liked this book, I wanted to knock their heads together a few times and wanted Lucia to be more selfish but this is testament to how well written it was. I will definitely be going back to read the other books in the series.
Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Brutal Days is the third book in the Hidden Valley Elite series by Isla Vaughn, this story follows on from the previous books in the series but focuses on Damon and Skylar. Skylar makes a deal with the devil (or Demon) to help her best friend achieve her senior year goals, this ends up putting her on Damon’s radar and she can’t seem to stay away from him, not matter how hard she tries. I really liked this book, I was very disappointed that I have to wait a couple of weeks until the next one comes out! I need to know what is going to happen right now, it is definitely on my wish list. I knew from the start that the ending, or something similar, was going to happen but I really need to know how it is going to play out. I really liked the characters in this book, Damon showing his softer side and Sky calling him out on his behaviour, I am keeping my fingers cross that they can get a happy ending in the next book. I am really enjoying this series.
The Hussar’s Duty by Griffin Brady
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this historical story. It has something for everyone. Romance, danger,unrest, brave warriors, war and plenty of action.
This is the 3rd book in The Winged Warriors series and even though this book can be read on its own and still be enjoyed I would recommend reading the books in order so that you can fully immerse yourself in the story and the history. You can take that the author is passionate about this time period as the research and details involved in this book are amazing. As a reader you are transported back in time and given a complete insight into what life was like.
Jacek is a brave warrior. As part of The Winged Warriors he has been on several missions fighting for his country. During that time he also found love.
Now he has a decision to make that no warrior wants to face. Does he go back to fight and do his duty for his country or does he stay with his family? Both decision have consequences and we follow Jacek through all the ups and downs and the twists and turns thats happen along the way when his wife tries to give him the best of both. The freedom to fight again while having his family near but this also leads to complications and problems and the price maybe too high for Jacek to pay.
This is a completely engaging historic tale. The writing style is so descriptive that you can actually visually every scene the author describes. I felt completely invested in Jacek’s life, his family and the consequences of their decisions.
I couldn’t put this book down until I finished it. It was absolutely mind numbing erotica. I have been reading a lot of fantasy books lately. Especially those that revolve around sexual fantasies. I have said this before with other books, “If I can picture what is happening in the story, then it is an amazing book. It captures the essence of what the author wants to portray and allows the audience to experience what the characters are going through.
Stalked by the Devil: BWWM Thriller by Stacy-Deanne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I couldn’t put this book down until I finished it. It was absolutely mind numbing erotica. I have been reading a lot of fantasy books lately. Especially those that revolve around sexual fantasies. I have said this before with other books, “If I can picture what is happening in the story, then it is an amazing book. It captures the essence of what the author wants to portray and allows the audience to experience what the characters are going through.
Shameless Love by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Walt and Elyse have a connection and chemistry that is OFF THE CHARTS. Walt is the hot headed, hard working small town cowboy and Elyse is the big city television producer. They have to overcome so many obstacles to get to that HEA. But along the way you spice, drama, complications, romance, and a steamy and scare snowed in encounter. I am on my way to start book 3 and can’t wait!
Breathless Love by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the third book in the Bennetts of Langston Falls series. This series is so good. Hank and Ella Mae at just perfect. I love the fact that Hank is the one that is unsure and lost and Ella Mae is so strong and bold. How can you not love a book with such a main female character. I love the chemistry between them. Can an Hank and Ella Mae help each other find what they each have been searching for?
Someone to Watch Over Me by Debbie Cromack
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Someone to Watch Over Me is a friends-to-lovers romance. Angelo and Lucia’s moms have been best friends forever, so naturally growing up together the two were inseparable. However, secretly both are in love with each other but develop a million excuses to never share their feelings. The book starts while Angelo is a senior in college and about the graduate, but Lucia still has 2 more years. He is so used to being her protector that both are feeling uneasy about being apart. In conjunction with this, Lucia is a virgin and has been waiting for Angelo but decided to shoot her shot a little and is rejected. This rejection leads to a damper on their friendship. Basically, this tends to be the trend throughout the who book. This back and forth of wanting each other, not telling each other, and then oh yeah throw in the troubling pregnancy troupe. Can they get over themselves enough eventually and drop the excuses of timing to finally have their happily ever after?
This book, while a cute romance when things were good, drove me a little nuts. I loved the characters as people, but the thought process behind why they were not together, then together, then not together drove me insane. Maybe it is because I am in my 40s now, that I read these types of plots and just want to shake the main characters and say “Will you just be honest and say you love them – things would be so much easier”. Because of this thinking, I really wanted to smack the 2 of them so many times along the way of the book. However, I did enjoy the author’s writing style and Angelo as a character. Lucia was fine but you can hear how young she is in her actions, words, thinking, etc. While Angelo made me plenty mad with his unrealistic thinking, how he responds to Lucia made him loveable. He is a loving, protective, caring man that knows how to properly love a woman. Don’t get me wrong, it was a good read, I think I just don’t want young people to make these mistakes in life because all it is is a waste of precious time when you could just be happy!!
Breathless Love by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Totally loved Breathless Love. This is based primarily in Tennessee when a farmer dreams of being a country star, and almost was until his band broke up. One night Hank decides to go to his country idol’s concert not knowing things would never be the same after meeting Ella Mae. Hank and Ella Mae quickly build a friendship and with her position in the music business things began to happen for him. However, he quickly realizes that the music isn’t the only magic that is sparking in his life – these friends quickly become more – lovers, confidants, and kindred souls. Ella Mae provides him with a realistic picture of what being a star looks like, but with fame comes so many other responsibilities. Is all of the love, music, and trauma worth the fame?
I loved this story so much. I don’t want to give too much away because it is just so heartbreakingly beautiful. First, the storyline – I loved the no-bullshit romance. The two were so honest and went for what they wanted. There was no back and forth, no telling each other their feelings and the drama that seems to come with romance books lately. Second, the characters were amazing. Hank, I can’t say enough about this man – he is what girls think of when they want a gentle, sexy cowboy. He is driven, honest, sweet, sexy, and straightforward in an unapologetic way, but in a gentlemanly way. Ella Mae, I also adored her. She is strong, passionate, straightforward, and independent, but a little broken. Her journey for herself is a great one. There will be other characters such as Ella Mae’s brother – it’s a love-hate relationship but so necessary for the plot. Last, but not least, it was face- paced. I was always interested and actually surprised I didn’t see the end coming till right before (it was nice just to be engaged in the book). Really recommend it for a great thought-provoking, encouraging life-love story. FYI read your trigger warnings.
