Ten Little Starfish: A Counting Book by Kim Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is such a sweet little book. It makes a great bedtime read for the tiny humans. It was original, well worded, and beautifully illustrated.
Great story, full of twist and turns. Strong characters, great story line. This book will draw you and not let go to the end and you will still want more. Recommend to anyone who loves a great story full of suspense and action. Looking forward to the next one.
Shadowed Obsession: An Action-Packed Romantic Suspense Thriller by Mavery Ellscott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Great story, full of twist and turns. Strong characters, great story line. This book will draw you and not let go to the end and you will still want more. Recommend to anyone who loves a great story full of suspense and action. Looking forward to the next one.
Hole in the Rock by Rebecca Bischoff
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
As an animal lover, I enjoyed every page of this book. Liza hates that her father is a taxidermist and works behind the scenes to convince him to change career paths. But with every stunt she pulls the consequences get higher! When her family moves into a tourist trap she is horrified again with her family’s livelihood and only wants to live in a normal home! Every scheme she comes up with causes more and more problems and things just don’t ever seem to go right for Liza.
I rescue animals and had a start just like Liza, with dragging things home and exasperating my family. I loved Liza and enjoyed this story.
The Finding by A.M. Porto
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Lots of trigger warnings you have been warned. This story is about Logan and Victoria. Victoria’s mom died when she was young leaving her with an alcoholic step dad. Logan comes into Victoria’s life by moving in next door. Logan is there for Victoria anything she needs he plays role perfectly. Thanks to Logan’s mom Victoria gets to escape some of the abuse she endures.
Oathbreakers Anonymous by Scott Warren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I was initially drawn to this novel because of the title, I am, and always have been a massive nerd. I was playing D&D 5e before it was fully published and was still being called D&D Next. So when I saw a novel referring to oathbreaker paladins, I was immediately intrigued. The author did not disappoint, the main character was a half-orc paladin who called his club a ‘Smite Stick’. The novel kicks off with Marluck, the main character, losing his paladin powers and falling into a depressive spiral. Marluck ends up joining an AA style group called Oathbreakers Anonymous, and going on a quest with an eclectic group to try to regain their powers, in a scene that has fond echoes of LotR.
Once the plot kicks off, things happen at a breakneck pace. Which, while a good thing, is almost too much. We aren’t given any time to process what just happened before we are once again onto the next leg of the quest. That is honestly my only real issue though, the author did a wonderful job, made me like the characters, and made me laugh many, many times with all of their jokes and nerdy humour. It was very obvious that the author is knowledgeable of pop culture, the nerdier the better. You could tell immediately just from the references and jokes that made it into the novel, I even got introduced to my new favourite deity, Chocklar the god of hangry snacking. Chocklar will be a part of my D&D campaigns going forward for sure!
Master Campania: Dark Vampire Romance by Sylvia Black
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the seventh book in the Masters of the Consulate series, this time focusing on Master Campania and Williow. Each book can be read as a standalone, focusing on different couples, however I highly recommend reading the series from the beginning to understand the underlying storyline running through each book and the recurring characters.
Once again, I enjoyed the author’s writing style it flows nicely and is easy to follow, enhancing the reading experience. The descriptive writing paints vivid images of the setting and characters, bringing them to life.
I enjoyed the enemies-to-lovers aspect between Williow and Master Campania and the strain this causes as difficult decisions are made.
I don’t think I will ever tire of this series, and I’m always left waiting impatiently for the next book. This time will be no different!
Ten Little Starfish: A Counting Book by Kim Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Such a cute little book! Love the bright colored illustrations. The story is great for small children, and the pictures make it easy to follow along. My 3 yr old nephew LOVED counting all the starfish. This is a book every teacher of younger kids should have in their library! Highly recommended!
Review by: Manda Kelly 2023
Bared. by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Bared
By: ND Jackson
This is the first book of the Green Street Girls. Athena, Gwyn, Indigo and Charlie have all grown up with absolutely difficult lives but they have managed to overcome them and are now successful young women.
Bared is Athena’s story. She is definitely a very complex character and the author does a fantastic job of writing her with the amount of depth that she deserves. She was abandoned at age 13 and had to fend for herself. This gave her a toughness about her that is always on the periphery of her character. Additionally, she has a pain that is deep inside her that also colors her interactions with others. She has managed to make something of herself and is now a club owner. A career choice, that I feel fits the character of Athena that the author developed, it needs a type of deep seated toughness to deal with owning a club. She meets Tru and realizes that she may need to let her guard down to have the man of her dreams. She is hesitant to open up, but just maybe her pain in her past isn’t so bad that she can’t let someone in.
I definitely enjoyed this story, so much so that I read it in one day. I cannot wait to read the stories about the rest of the girls!
Ten Little Starfish: A Counting Book by Kim Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The story of ten little starfish that live in the ocean. This is a great counting book which you could easily engage your little readers to find the various starfish while learning to count. Beautiful illustrations.
Love Bites More by T.L. Clark
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Watchers and Brothers-in-arms, Elan and Arwyn along with Pryderi made a vow years before to never become romantically involved. Their bond is worth more than just a night of pleasure. When Pryderi returns with his mate, things start to shift. Elan and Arwn feelings for each other begin to emerge more with the two thinking that the feelings are one sided. A new man also appears stirring up more trouble.
I have read at least two books in this series and really enjoyed it. Elan and Arwn pinning for each other while in close proximity just made me want to scream ‘just talk! You will learn that the feelings are mutual.’ The oath they made may very well be the same thing that keeps them apart. With so many factors within their relationship, I was hoping for a happy ending.
I do love the characters and I hope there will be more in the series.
Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I read this while traveling for work this weekend. It was a great airport/plane read. I really enjoyed the story line of the daughter helping her mother overcome a really difficult situation. Mental Health, postpartum depression, divorce, unplanned pregnancy, coming of age, friendship and transitions are all themes in this storyline. Claire finds herself realigning her future as her mom faces a very difficult time. She begins to understand the power of family, supporting one-another, asking for help and love. While it may seem a far fetched storyline, I think this happens more often that we realize. It is important to check in on one another and really dig for what is most important in our lives.
The Secrets they Hide by P.J. Mann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the second book in the Commissario Scala Mystery series. Even though it is part of a series they can be read as a standalone read however I think it helps you understand the characters better if you read them from the beginning. However if you don’t it won’t take anything away from this story which is a great murder mystery. This book had me gripped from the beginning and didn’t let go until the end. This is a crime story set in Rome which was different. When Inspector Scala finds a note in his car he knows something is going on and when 2 weeks later a dead body turns up with another note he realises its a race against time before the murderer strikes again.
This is a fast paced murder mystery, full of twists and turns, secrets and lies and so much confusions and peoples dark pasts that you have no clue who is behind the crimes. With police procedures, drama and corruption the author drags you into this world and you feel like you are solving the case alone with the Inspector.
I can’t wait to see what the author has in store for us next.
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Sage Advice by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Having read “ Ways to improve Bailey” I was looking forward to another fun filled read and I was NOT disappointed 😉
So Pyper is a little ray of sunshine , she’s bright , preppy , peppy but she also has a wee flaw , she wants to cancel prom ….she also realises she doesn’t always have the answers and she doesn’t know it all #surprise😉
Pyper is the girl you want to befriend and she herself has a beautiful and supportive tribe 🥰
I loved Pyper and friends and this is something I’d love to share with my teen daughters ❣️📚
Love Is What It Is: A holiday Romance by Marina Hanna
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’m just loving this cover art !!!!❣️📚 get your pinna colade , settle in and enjoy 😊
Once bitten , twice shy !? I think not , hesitant yes but shy NEVER 🔥😉
Toni is about to vacay with her latest beau but things don’t go the way they were supposed to but she decides she still going to enjoy it She lays eyes on Mickey and she starts thinking a holiday fling may be just what the doctor ordered and I mean hello the man is a delectable speciMAN😉
Mickey is up for fun but no commitment and after meeting his ex I can’t say I blame him sheepers that woman is a drama queen but that’s what was so entertaining at times anyhoo Lori brings out something different in him 🥰
This is a read made up of sweet and spice and all things nice ❣️📚
Marked Wolf by Lilliana Rose
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have been waiting for the second installment to this series and I could not be more happy with the results. Tamaska kind of irked me in this book, I can understand her fear of dogs due to a past trauma, but I feel like Kodiak more than proved over and over that he would never hurt her and would always protect her. Shota, I could tell he was going to be a problem for the couple, he seems just so angry and has tunnel vision when it comes to Tamaska. There is still no reason as to why the vampires want her so much and what is so special about her blood, but it seems to me that Tamaska may not be all the way human. Can’t wait to see what happens next.
Planting Hope by Jennifer Raines
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
There’s a saying that goes “ If you have a garden and a library you have everything you need.” I couldn’t agree more and despite the fact that I’ve not a green finger I do try but on this instance this really is a healing garden ……
Holly is a born nurse but after a very traumatic experience in the emergency room she has to take a sabbatical to heal and get over the sense of not belonging so she travels across Australia following music festivals where she either works as a nurse or volunteer , she travels in her trusty “steed”!Norman and I must say he’s rather decorative but the meaning behind his art work is a lot deeper ❣️🚙
While finishing off at a festival she gets a call that her grandmother Mona is in hospital and she heads to Bendigo to be with her and that’s where she meets Christopher….let’s just say his reception was rather chilling ….
Christopher has demons of his own and he has misconceived ideas of Holly and who she is and her story let alone her relationship with her grandmother but there’s no mistake both of them love Mona ….
So Mona and Christopher were working with children on a garden , but the children all come from abusive backgrounds where the mother has died at the hand of the abuse and more often than not they saw it all go down and man my heart broke into a million pieces but there’s healing here and Holly is so good with the children and the gravitate towards her but Billy and Sophie have a special place in my heart and the relationship they share with Holly is just amazing 🥰
Watching Christopher ( Kit) discover Holly and the magic they share was beautiful but even more amazing was the garden and it’s healing and yes I cried alot but I also laughed a lot ( Jaffa reference 🤣🫣) there were some rather stressful and mail biting moments where I held my breath !
These characters are so endearing and climb into your ❤️ a brilliant read
Marked Wolf by Lilliana Rose
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Wonderful series continues
With brilliant characters, engaging storyline and excellent world building, the Protector Wolf series continues with Marked Wolf. Tamaska and Kodiak have to work through their differences, find the blood opal and keep the pack safe. There is so much within the book that kept the pages turning. Lots of action, drama and chemistry. Highly recommend.
Broken. by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Content Warning: child abused/paedophilia. Indigo is a girl with a haunting past but a bright future. Gideon is her best friends brother, who is new to town and living in her guest house. When Indigo begins to receive threats regarding a new contract with work, her ex-army guest is the perfect person to keep her company. It’s got the best friends brother trope and the bodyguard trope! Indigo and Gideon have so much in common and have a really lovely friendship, which makes their love story all the better. The only issue I found was that sometimes it felt like the writing was telling rather than showing, which wasn’t needed because you could understand what was happening without it being explained. My favourite character was Indigo, although it’s hard to choose between her and Gideon. My least favourite character was Oliver. I recommend this book because Indigo’s story is an important story to tell and it’s inspiring to see her overcome her past. I also love a friends to lovers story. ‘He was my comfort spot, my safe space. My home.’
Ten Little Starfish: A Counting Book by Kim Ann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This beautifully illustrated and colourful book has a lovely lyrical nature to the words and is easy to read or read to children. The book is very interactive for young children. I would highly recommend this.
Forbidden Wolf by C.R. Robertson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Forbidden Wolf is about a pair of star-crossed lovers. Tasha is a vampire and Levi is a Lycan and unfortunately their species are at war with one another. The punishment of being caught together is death yet they cannot stay away from each other. Most of the book is set in Tasha’s point of view with a few chapters from Levi to tie it together. They are both realistic characters that have a strong drive that will not stop. I enjoyed their blossoming forbidden romance and hoped for them to run away together. I originally thought that this book was going to be extremely predictable, but this was not the case. Amazingly the twists and turns in the book and the ending were even better than I hoped for. Can’t wait to read the second book Forbidden Mate!
Forbidden Mate by C.R. Robertson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Spoilers for the previous book, Forbidden Wolf, are ahead. Tasha and Levi are finally able to be together due to an uneasy truce between the vampires and lycans. Both species have a common enemy now – the hellspawn. More secrets are revealed about the unlikely but destoned pair as they uncover more secrets of the vampires and lycans. I love Tasha and Levi finally being together and further building their relationship, they are perfect for one another. Forbidden Mate has several twists and turns starting about halfway through the story. The ending caused me to pick up the next book, Forbidden Moon, immediately.
Forbidden Moon by C.R. Robertson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I highly recommend Forbidden Moon and the whole series The Shadow Chronicles. This book is an amazing way to close Tasha’s and Levi’s love story. Their relationship is pushed to the limit with having to lead an army against the hellspawn while protecting their daughter. It is by far my favorite of the trilogy due to learning more about the creation of vampire, lycans, and witches. I was at the edge of my seat until the very end. The ending is everything I hoped for and more, it gave me goosebumps reading it! I can’t wait to read the next in the series Forbidden Blood.
Forbidden Blood by C.R. Robertson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Forbidden Blood takes place during Forbidden Moon but with the different viewpoints of Kimber and Fabian. Kimber is Tasha’s younger sister who has never felt like she belonged anywhere. Fabian is a guardian of the world to ensure balance and order. They bring out the best in one another and heal their pasts. I love this series and can’t wait for the next book!
Marked Wolf by Lilliana Rose
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 Stars
Marked Wolf is the second book in the Protector Wolf Shifter Series by Lilliana Rose. It is an intriguing urban fantasy/paranormal romance with shifters (wolves), vampires, a precious gem called the ‘Blood Opal’, a quest, action, adventure, danger, drama, chemistry, tension, mystery, emotion, politics, high stakes, agendas, suspense, the supernatural, the threat of war, and much more.
This picks up where we left off in book one. Tamaska has been targeted by the vampires and Kodiak must answer to the pack- so things are about to get ‘interesting’… I was avidly reading, immersed in the story, following along to see how it all played out. Excitedly awaiting Book #3!
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Lilliana Rose!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
Master Campania: Dark Vampire Romance by Sylvia Black
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Stars
Master Campania is the seventh book in the Masters of the Consulate series by Sylvia Black. I know I keep saying it, but this series really does get better with each new instalment- Ms. Black ups the ante every time- seven books in and the spark and intensity are still dialled up on high. This is another superb paranormal romance in this fantastic series- a romantic suspense/dark romance with vampires, an underworld society, mafia vibes, a fated mates element, chemistry, sizzle, witches, magic, agendas, politics, danger, emotion, action, dramatic developments, duty vs love, trust issues, choices, and plenty of passion.
This could be read as a standalone if you wanted- but having said that, I highly recommend reading the other books in the series before beginning this one because each instalment in the series focuses on its own separate character/s, and there are also some interconnected details, as well as recurring characters that span the series- so I really recommend reading from the beginning, so you know what’s happened right from the start. Plus, you would be seriously missing out on some fantastic stories if you ignored the other six books.
The best part about this series is that there are 12 books planned…. which means more sexy vampires still to come!
Oh, and did I mention VAMPIRES!!!!!
Bring on Book Eight- I can’t wait!!!
Happy Reading…
Thank you, Sylvia Black!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
The Sisterhood of Secrets by Winnifred Tataw
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book takes us back to the world of Arcelia and Rodrick, as they go through their adult life and manage their relationship with the politics of their families. I very much enjoyed this book, it was a quick read that I disappeared into after a day out on the river. With the way it ended, it wouldn’t surprise me if it was a final book in the series, but I would like to see another book pop up. Overall, a good book and a good series to try out!
The Lone Star Child by Winnifred Tataw
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I definitely liked this book a lot better than the sequel in the series. I really enjoyed how it followed a different character, and the book definitely kept me engaged. Sometimes I feel like I get slammed with character after character, and I feel like there could be more to the story, just a couple more details here and there. The plot was a fantastic plot, and it I enjoy seeing the writer grow as the series grows. Catch you at book four!
Descendants of Time and Death by Winnifred Tataw
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The book seemed to drag on a little bit through the beginning and middle. It goes over a lot of politics for a good half of the book, which does tie in to the plot, but also can be a bit tedious. After the first books ending with Roderick and Arcelia, I was expecting a bit more romance, but of course nothing comes as easy as we think with books. I do enjoy the plot the author gives out, but the writing style can be a bit confusing. There’s a lot of POV jumps from character to character, and half the time I didn’t know what character was telling the story until about halfway through it. Make sure you’re reading the series in order, since the first book goes over the lore and background of the world and society set up. Over all, a book I did like, and I’m curious to see what the author does next.
Guarding the Crease by G.K. Brady
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Guarding the Crease was an enjoyable sports opposites attract romance. However I feel the bigger message the author projected was a man’s journey of finding himself. Growing up, seeing his awful actions through the eyes of others, and the acceptance and guilt that came with it.
Wyatt has fallen. He lost the job he loved, all because he couldn’t reign in his partying ways. It’s something that happens to a lot of athletes and celebrities, however now he will do whatever he can to get that dream back. His journey is eye opening in so many ways, and the author presented that beautifully.
Then there’s Serena, the PR rep for the CO hockey team. Who spent so much of her first so many years with the team, cleaning up Wyatt’s PR blunders and organizational blows. Now he’s back, which worries her. Worried she will be spending time cleaning up after him again. Crazy thing about all that is she has agreed to be his date for his brother’s wedding. Maybe it’ll make her job easier, by being there she could get ahead of an issue or so she thought.
What happens when she can tell he’s changing? That he’s starting to understand and embrace the turmoil he brought to the organization?
All that and so much more comes from this book.
If you’ve ever been in a place where you had to stop and look in the mirror, well you’ll understand what Wyatt is experiencing throughout this book.
I’ve always enjoyed sports romances, but I enjoy this book more due to Wyatt’s personal journey.
Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Stars
Complicated Choices by Risa Nyman
Complicated Choices is a YA Family that will take you on quite the emotional journey. This is an emotional story that is packed with drama, family, secrets choices and so much more. I found myself relating to the characters of Claire and her mom and the choices they had to make on more than one level. My heart ached for them all. This is still a fairly new author to me but man I’m a fan. I will suggest having a kleenex close by as you might find yourself tearing up a few times. Claire is a senior in high school who is faced with a life changing choices . What will happen when she has to make a tough choice? I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens next in this emotional journey. I look forward to reading more from this Author.
