Love’s Full Circle by Cherry Christensen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I was really intrigued but unfortunately it fell a little flat for me. Not sure if it was a me thing or a book thing but I just couldn’t get into the storyline and the characters were just unappealing to me. It wasn’t a bad book but just my personal taste. The romance was quite sweet though.
Helm of Awe by D.L. Armillei
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Definitely going to have to recommend this series! Go read the first 2 though. Many more unexpected twists in this book. I would absolutely love to see this series turned into a TV show! It holds its own up there with Hunger Games, Divergent and the like, without being too similar.
Plague of Death by D.L. Armillei
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If you haven’t read the first book, Stop! I highly recommend to read it before starting the second. You can read this as a stand alone, but it would be much better to read them in order so you get the whole picture. I was so excited to read this second story of Van’s adventures. More twists and turns to keep you guessing. Starting the next book tonight!
Shock of Fate by D.L. Armillei
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was such a good book! I really loved Van’s character from the beginning, even though she was honestly considered a spoiled rich kid. Seeing how she had to choose to be a good person made this a wonderful story for me. It fit perfectly into my comfort zone of books. It has plenty of other worldly characters and places along with lots of action, heartache, trials and more. Definitely recommend this book.
Divine Vintage by Sandra L. Young
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a solid four stars for me. My first read by this author but definitely not my last. Descriptive world building that took me to the time they were talking about. I enjoyed the romance and the characters were likeable. I also enjoyed the mystery aspect to this book.
Vox Astra: The Black Box by James Chambers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Vox Astra: The Black Box is an engaging, science fiction read. The book is my first book by this author but I’m glad to come across his work. The book flows easily and tells the story of stars and the crisis of political intrigue and humanity. I enjoyed the story and was drawn in by the descriptions and concepts presented. I do not want to give too much information for fear of giving away much of the plot. All I can say is if you enjoy an unexpected story and exploring new worlds give this a read. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future checking out some of his other books.
The Hunted by S.B. Alexander
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Hunted (Vampire Navy Seal: Sam and Layla Book 1)
By: S.B. Alexander
Review by: Susan Ratchford
4 stars
While tailing a target, Sam Vampire Navy Seal meets Layla, a vampire hunter with a target of her own, him. Sam is immediately drawn to her and her unique scent, and she is both thrilled and terrified at the intensity she feels for him in return. When her sister’s lives are in danger she has no choice but to face the vampire that sets her nerves ablaze and beg for his help. Can she trust Sam to help her? Or is her family right about vampires?
I could NOT put this book down! I got sucked into Sam and Layla’s story from page one! I love the snarky banter and the enemies to lovers romance!! Very sexy!!! Great new twist on the vampire genre!!!! So suspenseful and gripping I can’t wait to find out what happens next!!! I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves the paranormal romance genre like I do!!
Ruthless Heir: An Enemies to Lovers Mafia Romance by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this book as much if not more then the others in the series. Summer and Luc meet one night in a bar and end up having an amazing night together. Summer is trying to drown her sorrows away and Luc was able to get her mind off of her bad luck she has. Ben is looking for her and her life is literally on the line. The company she is currently temping at is under a hostile takeover. When she gets to work the next day. She is late. Her picture is in the paper, the new owner of the company is someone she least expects and he’s blaming her for being a spy. Can her luck get any worse? Now she is being held captive by her new boss because he thinks she wiped all his accounts dry.
This book is filled with the 5 families from recent books so we know most of the characters already. I love the women who are just as bad and tough as their husbands. They seem like great friends to have watching your back.
Absolutely loved this book. Keep them coming!
review by @xchellex
The Wounded Cowboy Billionaire by Edith Mackenzie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
All I can saw about this book is wow. Personally I have never read this author before but after reading this one I am definitely a fan. While this book was amazing, I should warn you to have a box of tissues handy, I think I might have cried a river when I read this book. Colt will not only steal your breath away when he’s introduced but he will also steal your heart. Full of pain, grief, love, and so much more I just simply couldn’t put it down.
Claiming My Mate by Nicole Howl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Claiming My Mate by Nicole Howl Book 1
This Werewolf Fiction Romance starts with a young women named Lily who has known nothing but slavery, she is naturally timid, quiet, selfless and loyal. Lily serves the Wolf Hollow Pack and is treated horribly by the guards, pack and King but through it all she finds her mate.
First few chapters is just building her character, getting to know her personality and laying down the foundation of the storyline, little did I know there would be so many twists and turns.
Lily finds herself in a bad situation with one of the guards that leaves her, broken, scarred and violated. Luckily a member of the pack finds her in her panic and brings her to the royal hospital where she awaits questioning from the not so understanding King and merciful Queen.
From there fate intertwines and her mate is revealed…. Or so we think.
This book is romantic, dark and actually quite witty, I love how much Lily’s character grew in such a short time.
I did not expect the ending at all! quite a cliffhanger, I can not wait for book two come out and read more about these two main characters and how they grow together as mates.
Reviewed by @laurencox
Ruthless Heir: An Enemies to Lovers Mafia Romance by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Ruthless Heir is an edition of the Mafia Elite that revolves around Luc. Luc is a successful business man that came from nothing with a troubled background. Luc absorbed a new business in California and when he meets part of his staff, he recognizes the assistant, the one night stand from the night before. Summer, the assistant, is surprised to find that her fling from the night before is her new boss, but even more surprised when he misinterprets a conversation and accuses her of stealing his money. Summer ran from the accusation due to a shady past dealing with the New York mafia; she has been on the run from them for about 6 months. After Luc catches her trying to escape his office, they are interrupted by a Chicago mafia boss, Max. Summer panics because she thinks he is there for her, however, Luc is unaware that Max is there because he is an heir to the Brambilla mafia family. Both are instructed to go with Max to Chicago. The rocky start Luc and Summer have quickly turns into something deeper, just in the knick of time too since the New York mafia family has found her in Chicago.
I am just so in love with this series. Just like all the others, the author writes in a way that you are never bored, each chapter brings meaning, and you quickly flow through the story and never want to put the book down. While these may not be my favorite of all the characters throughout the books, they still were presented where you couldn’t help but fall in love with them. Summer is a girl who has worked her whole life just to have a little bit of anything. Her upbringing provided her with an attitude of work hard for what you want and take the opportunities presented to you. While she is kind, she also won’t take crap from anyone, including Luc. Luc is that character that you want to slap, but you know his heart is in the right place. I do love his commitment and possessiveness to keeping Summer safe though. I will always be willing to read a book in this series!!
Helm of Awe by D.L. Armillei
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the first book I have read by the author, so I am not familiar with the previous two books in the series. That being said, I enjoyed the novel very much. I love young adult fantasy, and ones that also include a lesson without knowing you are learning a lesson are even better. There were definite vibes to a similar young adult novel series (The Hunger Games) at the beginning of the book, but the author was able to differentiate it enough that it didn’t feel stale. And, throughout the series, there are many lessons and growth developments that the characters (but especially the main one, Val) go through and it makes it for an extremely good read.
Slash & Burn by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the fourth installment to this series and I was definitely not disappointed. This installment was just as good as the previous three, you have all of your favorite characters and some new ones that just blow the story out of the water. This book is filled with so much adventure, action, and amazing characters that you simply won’t be able to put down. So if whether your looking for the next installment to this series or looking for a great new urban fantasy, make sure you pick this one up today.
The Wounded Cowboy Billionaire by Edith Mackenzie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Colt has had a lot of heartbreak in his life. He has always been the one to pick up the pieces but can he get himself together enough to pick up those pieces this time? Time is supposed to heal the heart but Colt is not too sure that will happen and doesn’t want to be in that space.
Evelyn is a long-time friend who has gone through a lot of the same heartbreak with Colt but where will this take them in the end?
Edith MacKenzie is a new author to me but wow does she have a way to make you feel you are right there with the characters and makes you feel those same feelings. Book hangover in the works.
Unchecked by Carina Alyce
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is Book one of the series. Its a quick, easy, steamy read!! Stella is having the time of her life an im jealous! Her character is who lots of young moms around would like to be! Shes strong, independent, hard working an loves to party. Take time to read it and you wont regret it!
Vox Astra: The Black Box by James Chambers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
When I started reading this book I really wasn’t sure what to expect. The description was vague and intriguing. Having read it I can only describe it as strangely wonderful. It is a well written book that takes you, as the reader, on a journey. It is descriptive and a unique book that is such an enjoyable story. This is the first book I have read by this author and I was impressed with how he approached the book. This really is a great book and I am excited to have discovered a new author.
Cosplay Worthy by Quiana Glide
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
It was so refreshing to read a book that not only promises a geeky main character but actually delivers. I really enjoyed reading about Layla. She was such am interesting and entertaining character. For me she is what this whole book was about.
This is a new author to me and I really like the feel of the book. It really captured the nerd culture and I found myself easily engaged with it. This was a well written book that I enjoyed from start to finish.
Slash & Burn by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is really different from the other three in the series and is by far my favorite. Dahlia is back to her normal night time life after being trapped on Drimera for a while.The Queen is still after her so Dahlia is constantly running from and fighting the Queens forces. The blight that has been affecting all of the other worlds seems to have made its way to Earth. Dahlia is determined to eradicate the blight before it gets worse with the help of her friends of course.
On top of that, creatures that normally would not enter the portals to Earth are making their way through. Dahlia is overworked and overtired. She feels like she is running out of time.
Murders are once again happening and the clues are showing supernatural reasons. Creed asks Dahlia for her help but she already is doing too much. Can she solve the murders and destroy the blight before she herself is destroyed? You will have to read this book and if you haven’t read the other three, I would highly suggest doing so as well!
I Dream of Cassie: A Student-Teacher Age-Gap Romance by Diana Vale
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I Dream of Cassie caught me by sweet surprise. It follows that of a man going through hard times and down on his luck, turning things around in his love life. After 14 years with the same woman, things changed and he no longer thought he’d have the love for someone he once had. Then one day things changed. The curly haired girl walked in this life and unexpectedly changed him. Professor Valentine never thought of falling for his student. But Cassie was not just any normal student… She was the love of his life that he thought he would never find.
the mermaid and the rainbow by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a great little children’s book! Any child who has an interest in science and experiments will like this book. Very nice illustrations and easy to read. This will be a great addition to any children’s collection.
Weep, Woman, Weep by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Weep, Woman, Weep is a fascinating modern fairytale. Set in a remote village in New Mexico, it tells the story of a curse that has affected generations of women and one woman’s desperate attempts to resist it.
La Llorona is a haunting spirit, who takes lively and independent young people and fills them with sadness, redirecting them towards lives of passivity, conformity and obedience. Mercy has watched this happen to her neighbours and friends, and sees the impact La Llorona’s curse can have even generations later. She is determined to fight this seemingly inevitable fate and carve out her own path in life.
Despite the dark themes in this book, there is plenty of warmth and hope as well. There is Mercy’s friendship with Mr. Consuelo, who gives her a job working on his farm, and with young Miguel, who Mercy employs on her own farm. There is the continual cycle of new life as Mercy’s farm overcomes challenges and thrives. There is Santos, who works his magic into soothing balms and cleansing soap. And there are the little ways Mercy finds to keep her sadness at bay.
This is an engaging and original book, and gets five stars from me. I would recommend it to fans of magical realism, such as books by Cecelia Ahern and Jostein Gaarder.
Weep, Woman, Weep by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This story was as beautiful as it was relatable. Looking at this world through Mercy’s eyes was an experience. Mercy is such an incredibly resilient character. From a young age, she consistently fought against a fate that she grew up seeing as almost unavoidable. It was the bond she shared with her best friend that pushed her forward, and later the rage and sorrow that kept her going. I loved the use of La Llorona in the story. I also love how overtime, you see the world around her change. The story ends on such a hopeful tone, really inspiring that dreams are achievable. I would have liked to see more of the story after Mercy has some realizations and shifts her perspective. Beautifully written!
Reviewed by @asanabr1
Slash & Burn by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Dahlia has survived so much in her life, but the half dragon shapeshifter just keeps on kicking butt and taking names! This fourth book in the series did not disappoint, in fact it was a page turner.
Just when you don’t think Dahlia’s life can get any more complex or trying, new obstacles pop up and make things much more intricate. As always her care for the humans around her causes her to fight harder to keep her world in check. This installment brings so much action and adventure that any reader will be engrossed in the story line and hit by some surprises.
Bring on book five!
The Hunted by S.B. Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved it! I hated the cliffhanger, I don’t want to wait! I’ve always had a thing for vampires. This type of vampire novel is not usually my thing but I gave it a shot. I’m so glad I did.
The Hunter fell for the one that was being hunted.
Sam Mason, a vampire navy seal, has his stake out interrupted by 3 human women. Well little does he know those 3 women are from a well known vampire hunter family. Who do they want, none other than him?!?
Layla had no idea what she was getting her and her sisters into when she took the job. They needed money and this was the fastest way to get it. Trying to take Sam Mason hostage doesn’t go as planned. It also changes their lives.
Get ready for a roller coaster of feelings between these two. Besides the domino effect the failed mission on both accounts leads too.
I can’t wait till book 2 is released!
The Wounded Cowboy Billionaire by Edith Mackenzie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5/5 Stars
The Wounded Cowboy Billionaire: A clean and wholesome romance (Billionaire Hearts Ranch #1) by Edith MacKenzie
This is the first book I’ve read by the author. A new author to me, but definitely one of my favorites. The Wounded Cowboy Billionaire is a hearty breaking read. This is the first book in the Billionaire Hearts Ranch Series.
Evelyn has known Colt since they were kids. She’s his sister’s friend, but she’s also had a bit of a thing for Colt. She rushes to his side when he takes in his sister’s baby. The quote I chose for Evelyn is: “I understand, but I wanted you to know that you’re not alone. We’re here for Indie, but we’re here for you, too. I’m going to go back in with Indie now.”
Colt has lost pretty much everyone he cares about. First his dad, then his mom, his best friend and finally his little sister. Now he’s stuck raising the baby. He isn’t sure how much more he can handle. Will Evelyn be able to break through to him? The quote I chose for Colt is: “My sister and I would like to thank everyone for coming today. I know Mom would have been happy to know how loved she was, but now we would like to spend some time remembering her privately. Mrs Warren, Mrs Smith, I believe you both know where the door is.”
Highly recommended for Clean Western Romance lovers.
Return of the Elf Lord by Heidi Vanlandingham
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Definitely a slow start to the book, but turned out to be a great story in the end! The book was definitely not what I expected, but I really enjoyed the writers twist on history. As a huge history nerd and mythology nerd, I really loved how she incorporates both into the story, to me it reminded me a lot of the Wonder Woman movies but also was in a league of its own. The author has a great attention to detail, plus I loved the work they put into developing all of the characters. I definitely hope to read more of their work in the future!
Ruthless Heir: An Enemies to Lovers Mafia Romance by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love this Series. If you have not read it. I highly recommend it. Mafia, murder, love, sex, crime, kidnapping…. What more could you want. You will be drawn into this book from the moment you meet Summer and then not long after Luc. This twisted tale will keep you on pins and needles. I couldn’t put this down. Luc and Summer have a very complicated connection that only deepens as the story continues. I had to look and see if there was a next book. YES, there is. I can’t wait.
Ruthless Heir: An Enemies to Lovers Mafia Romance by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Summer is on the run from the mafia after her best friend was murdered. Luc has worked hard for everything that he has required in his life and businesses, but when Luc buys the company that Summer is working at, he ends up thinking that she is a mole. He can see that she is hiding something from him. When Luc finds out that he is the heir of one of the top mafia families, will it ruin everything he worked so hard for? How will Summer react, and will she be able to trust him to keep her safe?
Vox Astra: The Black Box by James Chambers
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Vox Astra: The Black Box is a compilation of several science fiction short stories and are the first I’ve read by James Chambers. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to glimpse into these separate worlds, each settled somewhere among the vastness of space. Every story hosted a unique and intriguing plot, as well as spectacular detail that allowed me to paint the scene vividly in my mind as I read along. The only thing I would change would be that they all became their own novels, because the uniqueness of these stories really pulled me in. Science fiction is one of my favorite genres and the author did not disappoint me whatsoever with these page turners. I will be keeping an eye out for this author in the future. Phenomenal writing. Highly recommend!
the mermaid and the rainbow by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a quick and easy read for little kids. As an educator, I loved this book. I love any books related to science when it comes to little kids. This book has quick and easy experiments that parents or teachers can easily do with their children/classes. The story with the friends is also a good one.
