Fortune’s Favorite by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
C.L. Schneider has done it again!! So much detail put in without it being distracting or boring. Every detail matters. I thoroughly enjoyed this next leg in Jarryd and Ian’s journey across the lands. So much more growth as characters and relationships and it all ties into the original series. Absolutely loved it!
Russian and Royally Complicated by Gwyn McNamee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Star’s
Russian and Royally Complicated (The Crowned Hearts Series Book 2) by Gwyn McNamee and Christy Anderson
Russian and Royally Complicated is the second book in The Crowned Hearts Series and is a Enemies to Lover’s Romance that will have you turning the pages trying to figure out what is going to happen next. These two authors are two of my favorites and when they write together Holy Smokes! This is Lev and Daphne’s story and wowzers you thought the first book was sizzling hot you haven’t seen nothing yet. These two meet at their best friends Fyn and Bridget’s wedding. The chemistry between them is off the charts but they’re both ignoring the pull between. There’s plenty of drama, secret, friendship, enemies and so much more packed into this must read . I don’t want to accidentally give away anything from the story so I highly recommend reading this book to find out what happens next. I would also recommend reading the previous book if you haven’t already started as its just as good as this one. I can’t wait to read more from these authors.
Dead Keen by Anise Eden
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Dead Keen was an amazing mix of romance and thriller read. It was definitely a page turner for me. The book had me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what happened next. The book was action packed. It grabbed my attention from the very beginning. The world building and characters was well thought of.
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Russian and Royally Complicated by Gwyn McNamee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Russian and Royally Complicated by Gwyn McNamee & Christy Anderson
4 stars out of 5 stars
This is the second book on The Crowned Hearts Series. I enjoyed reading this book as much as the previous one. The way that the story is told makes you feel invested on the story. Character development was consistent and approachable. This was definitely fun to read.
Atonement by Winter Austin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
My favorite things about this book: a female Marine sniper, a retired military war dog, and an author not afraid to tackle the very difficult topic of PTSD.
This book had it’s hooks in me from the get go. There is a series of suicides happening in the small community of Eider and they all seem to be connected. It’s up the sheriff’s department, along with the feds, to try to figure this out. Nic is bound and determined that she’s going to be the one to crack this case. Her demons keep getting in the way and putting her in harm’s way too.
Eider Police Detective Con O’Hanlon (I laughed everytime I read his name even though it’s shortened…a con as a police detective) may be the only thing that can stand in the line of fire when these demons come back to haunt Nic. She’s got to be willing to let him in to do that though!
Very well written story that has your turning pages as quickly as possible, yet also not wanting the story to end!
Russian and Royally Complicated by Gwyn McNamee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Lev and Daphne are like fire and ice. They clash at the wedding, and again later. Lev in the beginning is a character you love to hate at first. Then you slowly warm up to him the more you learn about his background. Daphne, I loved from the get go. If I had met her in real life she definitely would’ve been my best friend. I adored her from the beginning. Watching those two was entertaining. I loved every single moment of it!
Atonement by Winter Austin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Atonement: The McIntire County Series
Book 1
By : Winter Austin
Review by: Susan Ratchford
4 Stars
Wonderful book. I can’t wait to continue this series because I could feel every word Ms. Austin wrote. You could tell how much she cared about this story, about the message she was sending. It bled through every word. This isn’t my normal genre but something about Austin’s passion drew me to this book and I never looked back! Very thoughtful and thought provoking! Packed with plenty of suspense, mystery, and thrills, Atonement speaks for itself in volumes! My next trip into McIntire County can’t come soon enough! Highly recommend this series to anyone looking for a story that will make you think about life differently and have so much more respect for what people go through and what they might be hiding.
Oscar and Emmy Lose a Friend: A story about pet loss and saying goodbye to a furry friend. Ages 5-11 and kindergarten through grade 5. by Terri Sabol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book covers the difficult topic of what to do when an animal we love becomes so ill that a choice needs to be made about the animal’s welfare. It’s a difficult topic when our pets are ready to cross the rainbow bridge and this book covers that topic well. I like how the children in the story are able to help in the end of life care for an animal they care about. The story is well written and age appropriate.
Lucky Break by Lee Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4.5/5 stars
I didn’t read the first book but I wish I would have. Not that it took away from the experience, but it would have enhanced it. This was a very intriguing thriller that kept me engaged from start to finish!
Rogue Wolf by Lilliana Rose
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Rogue Wolf is the third book in the Protector Wolf Shifter Series. Tamaska is trying to survive being hunted by vampires. But to survive she must transform into a wolf shifter, however, Tamaska, and others, are not sure if the process will work.
Kodiak is Tamaska’s mate and he does not want her going through the transformation process. He is set on the fact that he can protect her, as a human, and from the vampires. But how can Kodiak protect her when he himself can’t stay safe? Kodiak is captured by the vampires and Tamaska is determined to do what it takes to save him..even if that means facing the transformation alone.
Lovers of fantasy, supernatural, and romance will love this book. A solid 4 out of 5 stars.
Reviewed by @kgregory
As Though You Were Mine by J. Marie Rundquist
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
As Though You Were Mine touches every emotion on the spectrum. Love, loss, joy, heartache, turmoil, and so much more.
Julie is figuring out how to grieve the loss of her brother while also learning how to parent his now orphaned children. Except, they’re her biological children, so this should be an easy transition due to biology and all. Never mind that the family dynamics Julie is accustomed to aren’t anything even resembling normal.
As though there wasn’t enough to deal with; enter Grant! He’s the kids’ uncle, and their biological father, or maybe he’s a Sperm Whale! Julie and Grant have to find a way to best care for the children who have lost everything while trying to figure out their own turmoiled lives.
As Though You Were Mine is deep, complex, and emotional. It is also a fantastic read that will have you up all hours of night reading. Go ahead and pick it up now!
Love & Stilettos by Evelyn Lindell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Love and Stilettos By Evelyn Lindell is filled with betrayal, mischief and old friends trying to find the truth.
Mia returns to Kentucky to live with her grandma after her husbands death. It weights deeply on her but not in the way you would expect. When a chance reunion with the boy Mia would spend her happy June memories with, Mitch. Grandma’s pesky curiosities has Mia in a predicament. Mitch is engaged to a beautiful blonde in stilettos. Granny pulls out all the stop to inform Mitch of Mia’s late husbands passing saying she is incredibly single. After learning of his passing Mitch extends the offer of his help in any way possible.
Months later, Mia’s schooling has an assignment to interview a person of the past, mitch gladly offers to help.
Things in Mia’s life start getting messy. Whose to blame? Life? Or someone pulling the strings.
Reviewed by @MelancholyRose
Mina & Wesley were the best of friends growing up and both felt a terrible loss when Wesley suddenly moved. It’s been years, they’re back in each other’s lives but everything is different now. Or is it?
It takes a lot to rebuild your social standing and when you are torn between maintaining your position and figure it out if you can still be friends with someone who meant so much to you but disappeared, there is a lot of pressure. Private school has been great for Mina, but now what.
I truly felt all the emotions Mina and Wes were going through. I found myself wanting to listen to their struggles, be supportive and cheer them on as they went through a whole variety of situations both separate and together.
This book kept my interest and made me excited to keep reading as I was incredible curious what would happen next.
When We Fell Again: An angsty, second chance rockstar romance by Julie Archer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This.bokm is an angst second chance, rockstar Romance with characters that have explosive and undeniable chesnitry. The characters each have their own baggage to work through. And normally that would pull people apart but it works for them. Their connection is strong and believable.
I thought the story was got to read. It was engaging and I enjoyed it the whole way through. This is definitely a book worth reading and I would recommend it.
The Mother’s Threat by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book is an interesting and intriguing story. And for a Thriller, I thought it had an unusual but likeable focus on the characters and their relationships. It added a depth to the story that I don’t often see in this type of book. I thought the story itself was well written. It was dull of mystery and suspenseful and really knew how to keep the pages turning.
This book can ties in with a series but can easily be read as a standalone..this is a great story that I would recommend reading.
Russian and Royally Complicated by Gwyn McNamee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Just wow!!! Lev and Daphne are absolutely combustible right from the very start!! Enemies full of fire, comebacks and quips you just knew their story was going to be one not to be missed. I loved everything about this book. The characters, the storyline and the emotions these very talented authors pull out of their readers, just absolutely everything.
Master Campania: Dark Vampire Romance by Sylvia Black
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Master Campania is Book Seven in the Masters of the Consulate series. It is an edgy, enemies to lovers, paranormal romance with vampires, witches, magic, drama, danger, action, suspense, chemistry, passion, love, and fated mates. Although this book could possibly be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the first books in the series because they will introduce you to some of the recurring characters that pop up. Putting that aside, it is an amazing series that you will not want to miss out on.
This book centers on the characters of Master Campania and Willow and is told from each of their points of view. Master Campania is a vampire that rules the south of Italy with an iron fist. Nobody would dare lie to him or betray him because they would not live to see another night. When Master Campania learns of rogue shifters and traitorous vampires teaming up with a group of witches, he is determined to find them and put a stop to them. Master Campania sees all and knows all in his dark underworld, so he knows where a group of witches have been living and where they like to socialize.
Enter Willow, a witch who is out for a night of fun with her friends at a club that Master Campania frequents. Willow and her friends have fled the academy because they were tired of being under the thumb of the head witches, and the coven leader Devora. They are hiding out in Master Campania’s region thinking that nobody would think to look for them there. However, Master Campania is aware of the witches as well as where they are staying. When he spots Willow at the club, he approaches her and demands information on the whereabouts of the rogue witches. Willow is reluctant to tell him anything and instead gives him false information to buy them time so her and her friends can flee to safety. Unfortunately, Willow and her friends do not escape quickly enough, and Master Campania quickly hunts them down. He is now angry that she lied to him and is more determined to get the information he seeks. What he does not expect is to find this little witch so enchanting. Willow also finds herself attracted to Master Campania. What will become of this mutual attraction?
This was yet another fantastic book in this series! The author draws the reader in from the first few pages with a suspenseful, action-packed, and intense storyline. Master Campania is a dark, sexy, devious, and ruthless vampire that nobody dares to betray. He is used to getting his own way and will stop at nothing to get what he wants. Willow is a feisty, bullheaded, smart, and charming witch that values her friends and will do anything to protect them. When Master Campania and Willow first meet it is under less-than-ideal circumstances. They are opposites from two different worlds where vampires and witches have been taught that they are mortal enemies and that they must never mix. However, when Master Campania and Willow meet the chemistry and attraction between them is intense and undeniable. It was impossible to not continue reading to see if either would act on the attraction and if there was hope of them having a relationship. This book hooked me until the end and kept me riveted until the last pages. I cannot wait for book number eight!
Cruel Hate by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Whew this one had me back and forth with my emotions towards every single character in it.
College is in full swing for Aspen and Phoenix and the rest of the group of “elites” we’ve met in previous books.
We learn a lot in this story about these 2. Phoenix is having trouble with his grades and he’s too stubborn and embarrassed to accept help from those offering. He and his twin aren’t close like they have been and it’s throwing him off balance. Add in his grandfather and the things with Aspen and he’s a pressure cooker ready to explode with stress.
Aspen, while I can relate to a lot of things with her and also like she sticks up for herself in most situations, I felt a small disconnect but it may just be “age and thought” differences.
Overall I was hooked and couldn’t put this down and the ending, ugh what a cliffhanger!
Oscar and Emmy Lose a Friend: A story about pet loss and saying goodbye to a furry friend. Ages 5-11 and kindergarten through grade 5. by Terri Sabol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Oscar and Emmy Lose a Friend (Oscar and Emmy Series) by Terri Sabol. This book is so good for kids aged 5-11 who have pets and have to go thru the horrible part of losing that pet. Oscar and Emmy are 2 pet cats and they are very well cared for. Their children have found a stray cat outside and they have been feeding it. Oscar and Emmy’s owners have taken it to the vet to get it fixed and they are doing their best to take care of it. When they notice its health declining their owners take it to the vet again and have to make the horrible decision to euthanize. This book will help kids process the awful process of losing a pet and the aftermath of it. This would make a great gift for a family mourning their pet.
As Though You Were Mine by J. Marie Rundquist
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
As Though You Were Mine by J. Marie Rundquist. This is one of my favorite books I’ve read this year. Its soooo good, emotional but good. Its the story of Julie who doesn’t want kids ever and is completely happy with her life the way it is. When her brother and his wife discover they are infertile Julie decides to donate her eggs to her sister in law. When her brother and his wife are killed in a car accident and the twins are 4 years old she is given sole custody. Julies doesn’t know how to be an aunt and especially doesn’t know how to be a mom. As time goes on she is learning and growing closer to the twins, who both miss their mom and dad. Trying to work, take care of the kids and live a social life is a lot but Julie is actually doing it. Then Grant enters the picture. Grant is Julie’s sister in law’s brother and the biological father of the twins. He decides he wants custody so Julie is in for a custody battle on top of everything else. This is a moving, emotional read that will keep you flipping the pages late in the night.
The Guardsman by Cat Treadgold
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Guardsman (The Olympic Peninsula Series Book 2) by Cat Treadgold. I love this Olympic Peninsula series. Its the second book in the series and I recommend reading the first book before due to the same characters being in this book. This is Liam’s story. Liam is a troubled man who has pretty much had to raise his sister Ali and they had a very hard time growing up. Liam was presumed dead for 3 years after being in an explosion in Israel. Ali has never stopped looking for him and when they find him, she and her husband bring him home with them. Liam is trying to heal and get his life back together and decide what he wants to do with his life. When he meets Theresa, Ali’s sister in law, he becomes very protective and feels things he swore he would never feel. As he tries to process all the emotions of what he has been thru will there be room for Theresa and will he allow himself that happiness. Read this amazing 2nd book in this series to find out!
This book is a three book series called Hidden Valley Elite Series!! You must read them in order!!!! I absolutely loved this series, I am still waiting for the third book but I have read the first two. Phoenix meets an amazing artist name Aspen and have a wild night together. They didn’t think that they would run into each other after that night. Little did they know that fate had other plans for them when the plus sign shows up on the stick and just like that their worlds are now connected.
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is a three book series called Hidden Valley Elite Series!! You must read them in order!!!! I absolutely loved this series, I am still waiting for the third book but I have read the first two. Phoenix meets an amazing artist name Aspen and have a wild night together. They didn’t think that they would run into each other after that night. Little did they know that fate had other plans for them when the plus sign shows up on the stick and just like that their worlds are now connected.
It’s a continuation from Cruel Start, I promise you that it is worth it. This series is mind blowing and keeps you on the edge of your seat as you are reading it. I laughed, I cried and most of all I connected with Aspen and Phoenix. You get a little more information on Aspen’s family in this one. While trying to continue school and getting ready to a have a baby seems daunting enough, add a mix of his family drama and her family drama and you have a good visual of what is yet to come. I have not read the last book yet, however I can’t wait to see how this plays out.
Cruel Hate: A College Sports Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
It’s a continuation from Cruel Start, I promise you that it is worth it. This series is mind blowing and keeps you on the edge of your seat as you are reading it. I laughed, I cried and most of all I connected with Aspen and Phoenix. You get a little more information on Aspen’s family in this one. While trying to continue school and getting ready to a have a baby seems daunting enough, add a mix of his family drama and her family drama and you have a good visual of what is yet to come. I have not read the last book yet, however I can’t wait to see how this plays out.
Rogue Wolf by Lilliana Rose
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have read a few books from this author and she always blows my mind when she writes. This is the third book of the very addictive series Protector Wolf shifter. These books have to be read in order because it follows the main characters throughout their journey. I was so excited to read this book that I stopped everything and just started reading. I could not put this book down until the end. It only took me a few hours to devour this amazing story.
Tamaska is now getting chased by vampires and they are going to stop it at nothing to get her. The only way to defeat them is to turn into her werewolf self. Tamaska is ready to turn but she is told that she might not be strong enough to transform. Her mate Kodiak doesn’t want to live without her so he is going to protect her. She is still wanting to turn but she doesn’t want to break her mate’s heart if she’s not strong enough. Tamaska gets word the vampires now captured Kodiak and now they are coming after her. Will she be able to find a way to shift and save the love of her life or will she not be strong enough?
Review by @heatherbass
Cruel Hate: A College Sports Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If you have not read Cruel Start, I HEAVILY suggest you read it before even reading one word of Cruel Hate. Everything will make much more sense. Cruel Hate picks up where Cruel Start leaves off. The angst, fear, frustration, and darkness are back at it again. School isn’t going great for either Phoenix or Aspen. The punt bunnies won’t leave Phoenix alone, and Aspen is catching hell from her parents. The only way that Phoenix can think of to fix both problems is to have a fake relationship. But does it really fix things or does it make things worse? This book ends on a cliffhanger and I’m just chomping at the bit to find out what happens next!
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The introduction to Phoenix and Aspen’s story was a great lead into their story. Aspen loves taking risks. She then meets Phoenix and her world is turned upside down. When the two clash two little pink lines turn everything in her world on it’s head she’s unsure what to do. Phoenix is your typical bully jock. He thinks that he rules the world. He’s not my favorite right now and I want to see where this goes. This dark and not everyone’s cup of tea. It has some triggers. It has spicy scenes in it and my oh my they had my heart skipping a beat!
A Forever Kind of Thing by Carrie Thomas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really need to stop reading books that seem cool just from the blurb because they get me in the feels every time. EVERY Time. This one had me from the bullied 5th grader meeting her first friend on the first day of school until the reunion senior year of high school through the art project. No getting away from the feeling that these two, Mina and Wesley, were always meant to be.
Mina and her mom lived in a trailer park outside of town. This was the cause of her ridicule. Mina was teased and taunted because she was the poorest in a poor town. When she met him in the 5th grade, he became her best (and only) friend, her crush, her everything. He remained as such through middle school until the day he disappeared, leaving Mina alone. During her grief of losing her only friend, Mina’s life changed as her mom married a rich doctor, moving them out of the trailer to the mansion in the rich part of time.
Wesley started the 5th grade in yet another new school. That is what happens when you are a foster kid and your dad can’t manage to stay out of jail long enough to keep you for very long. When he saw her across the room, he knew that they would be friends. Wes didn’t realize that she would become his world, then and forever.
It is senior year and Wes is back in the boys’ home where he lived when he met Mina. Could he find her? When Wes started at some elite prep school, he was shocked to find his Mina there. But she wasn’t the same girl and she had a boyfriend. That is one thing that was going to have to change. As they faced the trials of the social stratus in high school, especially an elite one, both Mina and Wes rediscovered each other and themselves.
This was a beautiful story about forever love, finding that person that completes you, understands you better than maybe even yourself. From the first words through the last, this book keeps you deep in their world. I don’t wanna go back to high school, but I totally wanna be in their world. The world of complete love and understanding. I hope I can find that kind of connection.
After a rough start Aspen and Phoenix are having quite the semester. Both are having serious issues regarding school, family, friends and of course their little peanut. Their story just gets a lot more complicated than what they can expect.
While Aspen wants to have a more present partner, she still does not want a boyfriend, so as any immature and unqualified college future mom, her head is everywhere but not where it should.
Meanwhile Phoenix feels the pressure of having low grades due to his problem to learn, but he rather bottle up all instead of accepting help in a healthy and humane way to progress.
This kind of couple makes you understand the importance of a good uprising and why it is easier to prevent problems than solve them.
Rogue Wolf by Lilliana Rose
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
If you haven’t read the first two books, I would grab them now! This book was a good continuation of the series. I look forward to reading the next one! I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Tamaska and Kodiak next.
Master Campania: Dark Vampire Romance by Sylvia Black
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Stars 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Well Hello Master Campania! This is Book 7 in the Masters of the Consulate series, and if you love vampires, witches, magic, danger with spark and sizzle….I highly recommend this series and this book. Sylvia Black knows how to pull me into this dark world and I cannot get enough…..
Master Campania is on a mission, that mission is to locate some witches whom will help him find rogue vampires. Trouble is brewing for sure. When Campania locates a group of witches that step away from their coven hoping for a better life, Campania approaches in need of information…what he did not bargain for was a witch that is full of spunk and sass….Willow, whom initially lies to him….and he is back for her. Campania is on a focused mission to find these rogues, but is completely drawn to Willow…knowing she is a witch and he is a pureblood…and not a good mix. Danger is upon..but will Campania be there for Willow when she needs him…
I highly recommend this series and I am already anticipating eagerly more!!
