Percy’s Brides: A Double Trouble Romance by Ivy Hart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a historical romance featuring the American West, mail order brides, and of course, a meddling family. A quick and clean read, the characters were fun to read and somewhat developed. It’s a short, sweet story, which means I wouldn’t mind reading another novel by the author.
Vague Directions: Into the Woods by Debra Parmley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book is a great paranormal romance story that is interesting to read with some strong characters. It is easy to connect with the book from the moment you start reading, and I enjoyed watching how the story unfolded. It felt like it had an element of fun the whole way through which made it more enjoyable to read.
The characters fit really well with the story the author created. Heather really had a great adventure. I always enjoy the books I read by this author. This one is perfect for those lazy afternoons doing nothing but reading. This is a thoroughly enjoyed book.
Catch A Cowboy by Rachelle Paige Campbell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
If you’re looking for a clean slow burn romance definitely check this one out, it can be read as a standalone and I started the series with this book but now I’m wanting to read the stories of our other characters. And honestly, I can’t wait to see what’s going to happen with Joe and Abby.
I’m not going to lie, at first I felt nothing between Stephanie and Ted, so I wasn’t sure if their slow burn was even going to work for me. But I did like the characters individually. I like that the author has us get to know them first before trying to push them together, but I do wish there was a little more of just them to help with their chemistry in the book. I did like that he cared for her, especially with the drama happening at school.
Overall I enjoyed the book and think romance readers will enjoy it along with the happy ending.
Bad Enough by Nicole Craig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the second book in The Dead man’s Tribe Series. This books are great. They are romance suspense reads with a strong alpha male which I love. This story has got elements that kept me reading long into the night, from steamy romance, danger, angst and twists and turns which kept me hooked all the way through.
Sylvan is a romance writer. She has always been about HEA’s however she is still to find her own. For her next book she wants to explore new avenues so she is put into contact with a Dom called Lobo to help with her research of the scene.
TB(LoBo) is an IT specialist. Him and the Tribe team get hired to look for a missing girl. This girl is the 5th one to go missing.
As this case progresses and TB and Sylvan’s relationship gets closer, TB realises that she could be the next one on the kidnappers hit list. But when Sylvan starts to hold things and information back TB makes it his mission to get to the truth and protect the women who dispite his best efforts he is falling for.
Both Sylvan and TB have both had past traumas that still affects them to the present day. Sylvan is a good girl, TB is a bad boy. They are so opposite do they even stand a chance of working? And with the added danger of someone who may want to cause Sylvan harm will she be able to trust TB enough so that he can protect her? I really enjoy these books and I can’t wait to see what the author has planned for us next.
Whiskey Throttle by Brooke May
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I thought this would just be a romance but it’s also about trauma, hitting rock bottom, healing, and redemption. It was a really good story, I enjoyed the descriptions of the characters and the setting. I know it’s part of a series but you don’t need to read the previous books to get what’s happening. The author describes what happened in the previous books with the characters each one was about. I do recommend reading the triggers before starting the book as it talks about addiction, abuse, and some other topics some might not like reading about.
Wasabi by C.A. King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Wasabi was the last book in the Evil Sushi series. It was a really creative story. I like that it ended up being about Mother Nature getting revenge. The destruction of the Earth in this series is similar to what humans have been doing to our Planet so it brings a portion of real issues into a different story where you think start trying to figure out who the good guys are but you are wrong the entire time.
Murder by Moonlight by K.L. Montgomery
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
An enjoyable and engaging cozy mystery with a feline twist, which kept me happily turning the pages. ‘Fairytale Forest’ is an amusement park where Catherine (Cat) is a night-shift custodian. Along with a clowder of feral cats the custodial staff keep the park neat and tidy. When one of the less liked and mean-spirited custodial managers is found dead, Cat finds she is the prime suspect. Cat decides to investigate so she can find the real killer and clear her name. She is helped by her co-worker Gloria and the cat colony led by Zoe. The cats who catch the vermin in the park lead Cat to the dead body, where she discovers her first clue. It is up to Cat, Gloria, Zoe and the other ‘Fairytale Forest’ felines to solve the murder. This is an entertaining cozy mystery with an intriguing storyline and a mix of quirky characters and cats! I enjoyed solving the case alongside Cat and her furry felines, and I felt immersed in the story due to the descriptive narrative. I’m looking forward to book two in this fun new series.
Stout of My League by Sylvie Stewart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really loved this book. I have enjoyed this author in previous books and was not disappointed! This is book 4 of a series, but I was able to read it as a stand alone and it was fine, but I will be going back to read the previous books since this one was so much fun. Cute rom-com style, with a little spice, but not a crazy amount. Baseball players, protective brothers, lots of humor, and so much more. Lynn and Joey are just such a great pair in this story! Great book for a summer read!
Murder a la Christie by Marilyn Levinson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Murder a la Christie was an amazing mystery book and such a great homage to the Agatha Christie stories. I loved the whole “who done it” mystery to this storyline and was so intrigued by it all starting with a death during a book club meeting. The character development was amazing, and the fact that the author utilized such a wide array of characters of varying ages and genders was a great way to add to the thrill of figuring out who the antagonist was. The fact that this is a new series is even more amazing, the way that the author leaves the book hanging on a cliffhanger of what’s next for our main character, Professor Lexie Driscoll, was a genius way to end the book. It left me with just the right amount of wanting to know more about her and her two love interests, as well as see how her future book clubs may come about. Will there be more tragedies, mysteries to solve perhaps, or more unexplained deaths that need to be investigated with her great sleuthing skills? I cannot wait for the next book to come out, so I can have these questions answered and delve back into another great mystery.
@Brandy Rymer
06/2024
Red by M.K. Harkins
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
3 – 3.5 Stars
“The Big Bad Wolf is the Least of Her Worries.”
Red is the second book in the Modern-Day Fairy Tale series by M.K Harkins. It is a modern take on a classic fairytale- a YA fantasy, with paranormal elements, a touch of fate, drama, angst, fairy godmothers, magic, adventure, romance, mystery, secrets, a plot for revenge, danger, agendas, and interesting quirky characters.
This story might pick up from the previous book, Ashes- but we ‘follow’ different MC’s, so it could be read as a standalone if you wanted. But having said that, knowing what happened in the first book will definitely enhance your appreciation of the characters, story, and series.
So, join Lily and George on their ‘adventure’ – especially if you love a great YA fantasy, fairytale retellings, several intriguing threads, multiple Pov’s, and an overall cute story. If this sounds like your jam, then you will definitely want to add this to your reading list.
Happy reading…
Thank you, M.K. Harkins!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
Homicidal Innocence by V.J. Lee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
3.5 Stars
Homicidal Innocence by V.J. Lee is a gripping and twisty little romantic suspense that had me intrigued right from the outset. This was quite an intense ‘introduction’ to Ms. Lee’s storytelling, as I had never read any of her work before, but now that I have a taste, I will certainly be coming back for more.
I am a sucker for a great psychological thriller/suspense story, and throw in some gritty tension, twists, and some sizzle- and I am all in. This promised all that and more- and I have to say that the author delivered on the promises held in the synopsis.
Maya works as a live-in nanny in a very affluent and ‘exclusive’ gated community where lots of dark secrets are hidden. Things take a darker and sinister turn when a serial killer seems to be using the area as his hunting grounds. Several beautiful young women have vanished, and bodies of other young women are being discovered after being tortured and then brutally murdered. Detective Cole Silverthorne is determined to hunt down the killer before things get even more grim. But there is a bit of a tangle web to unravel in order to get to the bottom of things- which won’t be easy. Things are far more complicated than he can imagine. And the stakes are only going to get higher. Add in some danger, drama, edge of your seat developments, and clever, unexpected twists which all come together seamlessly to make for quite a gripping read.
The story is told from several POVs, which gives us, the readers, a deeper perspective and appreciation of what is going on. It definitely made my reading experience even more intriguing- especially since we also get to ‘hear’ from X, the serial killer. But Ms. Lee doesn’t make things too easy to unravel, keeping a tight rein on my attention and keeping me guessing the whole way through. Even when I thought I knew what was going on, she would then throw something in the mix that had me second-guessing everything all over again.
So why have I rated this 3.5 stars instead of 5, you might wonder. Well, the story itself was well woven and the ‘mystery/suspense’ side of things was clever and tense- which is fantastic- and the characters are complex, well-developed individuals who brought the whole story to life—– BUT, there were a few ‘minor’ issues that I had with character ‘attitudes/thoughts/dialogue etc, which all combined to affect my rating. Plus, there were quite a few moments where Maya’s weight was mentioned (usually in a derogatory manner) and it became a little uncomfortable to read those comments/thoughts, and seemed repetitive after a while. I appreciate that Cole liked a ‘curvy’ woman- but we are told that Maya is a curvy size 14 – which is not really big, or plus size in my opinion. It is a healthy, normal weight for a ‘normal’ woman. She is ‘happy’ with her size and weight- so I don’t understand why her weight was such a factor. Yes, mention it in passing maybe, but I just felt uncomfortable for her after a while. Which affected my reading experience. I should have been focusing on the well-crafted suspense, which I did do to a degree, but the uncomfortable feeling never left and was always in the back of my mind, the whole way through.
But, putting that aside as a ‘me’ thing/issue- like I said earlier, now that I have a taste for Ms. Lee’s work, I will definitely be going back for more.
Happy Reading…
Thank you, V.J. Lee!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
Catch A Cowboy by Rachelle Paige Campbell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The characters are relatable, and their chemistry feels genuine. The small-town setting is beautifully described, adding to the story’s charm. While the plot is a bit predictable, the engaging writing makes it an enjoyable read. Perfect for fans of feel-good romances!
Salt Love: A Summer Romantic Comedy by Marika Ray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the first book I have read from this author and I’m hooked. This is the perfect summer read. I love a good rom com but this exceeded my expectations. I love it when the author makes the book from both characters point of view. I feel more connected with the story. You will fall in love with these characters right away. I could not not put this book until the end. I can’t wait to see what she will write next.
Kenna has the life that she always wanted. She has a husband and job that she loves. Kenna finds out that her husband has been cheating on her and her dream job is now going to a person she can’t stand. She has had enough so she walks out on her old life. Kenna is lost until she finds out that a family member passed away and now she has a place in Florida. She can start a new life. Kenna meets her very handsome neighbor and she feels something there. Will Kenna find her life that she has been waiting for or will the past come back to haunt her?
review by @heatherbass
<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/205091734-murder-a-la-christie” style=”float: left; padding-right: 20px”><img border=”0″ alt=”Murder a la Christie (Golden Age of Mystery Bookclub Book 1)” src=”https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1706049927l/205091734._SX98_.jpg” /></a><a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/205091734-murder-a-la-christie”>Murder a la Christie</a> by <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/161602.Marilyn_Levinson”>Marilyn Levinson</a><br/>
My rating: <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6601274208″>4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Professor Driscoll runs Golden Age of Mystery Bookclub and she is a huge fan of Agatha Christie. At the very first meeting one of her friends is unalived. As Professor Driscoll dons the hat of a sleuth and her developing detective skills, more of her friends are ending up in the same condition. It starts to make her feel like she is in one of the books written by her favorite author. She is determined to find who committed this crime and save her fledgling bookclub. Murder a la Christie is a fun and engaging page turner. This is only the second book I have read by this author and so far I have enjoyed her work.
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<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/106111308-charlisa-wahtomy-alba”>View all my reviews</a>
Wasabi by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’ve read the other books in this series and Wasabi didn’t disappoint. The idea of evil food taking on a life of it’s own is a unique story line. Will the wasabi burn going in and coming out? You’ll have to read this story to find out!
Finding Love by Julie Navickas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I gotta say this story was pretty dang adorable. Rachel gets stood up for a dinner date, and Miguel swoops in to save her night. You could literally see the chemistry burning right off the pages. Rachel is frustrated because she has high hopes in a date that ends with not so great results. So she tries everything, but realizes with Miguel, that just because you might not be someone’s cup of tea, but there is always one out there that you are their cup of tea. I honestly am a sucker when the guy makes food for the girl. In most stories it’s the other way around, so seeing this different switch was a breath of fresh air. It was pretty cool seeing Ryan and Tess as side characters in this book. The acceptance by both sides was phenomenal. I can’t wait to read more from Julie!
Puzzleman: A Novel by Christopher Alan Broadstone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
3.5 – 4 stars
This very dark and twisted thriller will have fans of the Twilight Zone & Freddie Kruger jumping in to read. Christopher Alan Broadstone pulls out all the stops in this macabre tale. He uses suspense, tension, and excitement to engage the audience to evoke strong emotional responses. His use of Greek mythology is interesting but better used when dispersed throughout the tale. It pulls the reader from the main game of engagement.
The Puzzleman is graphic, viscous, lurid, and gruesome, and the thing nightmares are made from. You will be pulled from one extreme to another and often feel like you have been in a car crash.
There is a cast of many and a lot happening in this book and at times would have been better spent with a few less words. I think you will either love it or hate it, but true lovers of this genre will love it.
Read if you dare!
Reviewed by @jennadb
Discovering Desire by Alyndra Quinn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
4.5 stars
Between Managing Mischief book 2 & Discovering Desire book 3 in the Shattered Embrace Series, I made a little side trip & read Whispers in Wonderland where Derek’s story started. You don’t have to, but I suggest you do read it first & the first two books because they work well together, and you are missing out.
Hidden Mischief & Managing Mischief are the first two book where they take us into the life of the sinful Club Shattered Embrace where your deepest & darkest desires come to life. It takes us into the world that is captivating & complex.
Club Shattered Embrace is the place to be when letting go of your inner inhibitions. A place to let go. A place where dominance & the power that one’s body secretly yearns. This is a sexy, sizzling, erotic, sensual tale that will have you sitting up & taking notice.
In Discovering Desire things heat up. You are in his world where he can take you to a place only, he can take you. A place of wonton behaviour & self-discovery. A pleasure you have never known before. But just as the club will pull you in so does the story where our MC will do whatever it takes to save those, he loves from a very disturbed man, even if he is his brother.
I need more.
Enjoy!
Reviewed by @jennadb
Trusting Love by Julie Navickas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This story of Tess and Ryan was super sweet. My heart broke when the evens with Ryan and his longtime girlfriend/fiancé broke it off. But I’m glad he did because I did not like her one bit. Tess wasn’t my favorite in the beginning, but as she began to grow and learn from her past mistakes she got better. The self-loathing did seem a little much, but both were stuck in the spiral of self-depreciation, and that’s sometimes hard to get out of. Julie really did an excellent job with this story and I really enjoyed it a lot. The spice was there and the romance progression was really well done! The storytelling was done beautifully and It was a good pallet cleanser between my dark romance stories.
Murder a la Christie by Marilyn Levinson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I had only read one previous book by this author and enjoyed it, so I was happy to pick up another. I absolutely love the way the author writes as it captures attention immediately and holds on throughout the entire book. There were also multiple twists and turns that kept me on my toes! I wasn’t a big fan of the main character which made it a little hard to relate and feel the story deeply, but that is literally the only thing I didn’t love about this book. Overall, it was an incredible cozy mystery! If you enjoy Agatha Christie then you will likely find yourself appreciating this story as well. This would be a wonderful book to read in your spare time as it’s easy to delve back into after putting it down.
Reviewed by @shannlynn
Secrets, Lies and Betrayals by Lynn Wood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
4.5 Stars
Secrets, Lies and Betrayals is Book 1 of the Protect and Honor Series and this is also a new author to me. I was already intrigued by the cover and the synopsis and definitely not disappointed. This story gave me everything I love about a book that grabs you right from the beginning of page one. Secrets, betrayal, danger, action and you wonder what is the truth….this is a great book and I highly recommend.
How much danger can you be in living behind a secret identity because you have to? Michaela, now Lea, knows all about this as she had no choice in the matter when she herself got in the crosshairs of a political assassination of her grandfather. With that, Maxwell Cole was there on that fateful day, saving Michaela when she was in grave danger. Years go by…then Lea’s father makes a fateful decision that impacts her as well…..this really causes turmoil and when secrets are discovered….Lea is the middle of the chaos. Will Maxwell Cole be able to protect her again when she needs him…..
This story had me at the edge of my seat!! Great story and looking forward to more of this series!
Productivity is Power 2: For Creative, Business, and Other Professionals by Hillary Rettig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I feel reading this book was worthwhile, even though I am not a creative or business person, or “other professional.” I am, admittedly, a massive procrastinator and perfectionist. I expected this book to deliver useful advice on how to overcome procrastination and become more productive, and it delivered. The author gives many examples on how to achieve a non-perfectionist mindset. She encourages time management and gives advice and examples for how to budget one’s time. I found the exercises useful, and they added to the value of the book. Some advice, I felt was for people with greater privilege than me. I am relatively low-income and very isolated, with the majority of child raising and domestic tasks in my household. The book emphasizes having a community of support, which is difficult for some people. The author also suggests paying someone to complete lower priority tasks, which is not possible for most working-class wage earners I know. In true procrastinator mindset, I underestimated the time it would take to read this book in a meaningful way. It took approximately 12 hours to read and work through about half the exercises. I love the overwhelmingly positive tone in this book! I appreciate the author taking time to remind readers that we have what we need to succeed, and our lives have “value and meaning.”
Productivity is Power 2: For Creative, Business, and Other Professionals by Hillary Rettig
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Productivity is Power 2 is a self-help book aimed at helping people understand and overcome their barriers to productivity. It is written to appeal to a wide audience, with examples including education, creative, relationship and workplace scenarios.
There are exercises and journal prompts to engage with throughout the book – I would recommend reading with a notebook or notes app to hand. Not everything will apply to every reader, but there is plenty that will be useful!
Something unexpected for me was that it got me thinking about barriers that might affect my students in lessons and practice between lessons. There are some things I will consider more when giving feedback and planning activities, and I will take more time to address seemingly trivial barriers that could be leading to more procrastination.
I did find the book at times hard to get through. I’m not sure how much it was the writing style or the structure, and the difficulty I had in focusing on the book is probably a sign that I needed to read the book. For some readers, though, focusing on reading the book could be a good way to practise some of the techniques as you learn them!
This book gets four stars from me. I would recommend it to people who generally struggle with productivity but have some time on their hands to learn about why they procrastinate and get some strategies to help improve productivity!
Murder a la Christie by Marilyn Levinson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
If you are looking for a whodunit full of mystery Agatha Christie style, then this one is for you.
Murder a la Christie by Marilyn Levinson
follows Professor Lexie Driscoll as she conducts the first meeting of the Golden Age of Mystery Bookclub at her best friend’s swanky mansion. Suddenly, a friend is murdered then more members start being murdered one by one.
This is such a fun and quick read full of interesting and quirky characters.
The plot and main characters are perfect for cozy mystery lovers who also love Agatha Christie. As a huge fan of “And Then There Were None” by Christie, I couldn’t wait to jump into this book, and the author did not disappoint. I loved solving the mystery with Lexie, and I suspect you will too.
Happy Reading!
Murder a la Christie by Marilyn Levinson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Murder a la Christie is Book One in A Golden Age of Mystery Book Club Series. It is a cozy mystery with drama, action, suspense, intrigue, quirky characters, secrets, and murder. Lexie is conducting the first meeting of the Golden Age of Mystery Book Club at her friend’s ritzy mansion when one member of the club tragically dies. Lexie is convinced this was murder and begins to investigate in true Agatha Christie style. As she begins to investigate more members of the club die and the list of suspects grow. This book is a true whodunnit that will keep you guessing and have you trying to solve the mystery before Lexie does. Looking forward to Book Two in this series!
One Quarter Villain by Cori Cooper
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was such a good, fun YA read. I love this concept of being a villain shows up in your blood. We all have known someone like Maddy, who goes to one extreme or the other, which defines her to a tee. I love Leo and his overall silliness, which offsets Maddy. The two drew me into this story and I could only put it down once I finished. The whole premise of heroes and villains and the way they become who they are is really interesting.
Oscar and Emmy’s First Christmas: An adorable Christmas story of two kittens enjoying the holidays. Christmas cat book. by Terri Sabol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
My 7yo son and I have read quite a few of these books. We always enjoy them. The illustrations are always bright and colorful. This one is not any different. All of the other books I have read in this series include education about something within the story. As well as helpful tips or information at the end. This one is different. This story is just a beautiful, light hearted Christmas story about Oscar and Emmy’s first Christmas. We loved it just the same as the others.
Oscar and Emmy Weather a Hurricane by Terri Sabol
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love these Oscar and Emmy books. I have read a few of them with my 7yo son. He also always enjoys them. They are not only fun and entertaining, they are also full of life lessons and education. That doesn’t make them boring though. The author weaves essential information right into the story. Often, at the end, the author includes super helpful lists or information about what the story was about.
This one in particular deals with an extreme hurricane. It teaches kids (and possibly even parents) how to be prepared to handle a hurricane. Especially with tips for pets! This book includes a list at the end that you and kids can use to be prepared.
Vague Directions: Into the Woods by Debra Parmley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a fascinating and intriguing story. I found the premise quite engaging. I love to dive into this author’s romantic suspense because she writes in a way that grabs you. There is action, drama, romance and suspense that keeps you going. The characters can be intense. Theya re in this story. We see a strong FC. I liked how she was fairly independent even with finding herself in a bit of trouble. Ransom did get to be her hero. It’s a book that gets your attention and you’ll enjoy reading it. You’ll feel every emotion and love the characters.
Puzzleman: A Novel by Christopher Alan Broadstone
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I enjoyed reading this book by this author. This is my first book by this author. I enjoyed their attention to details that made the characters come to life. It made the story realistic and hard to put down. This is a well written story about the Puzzleman who pulls others into his living nightmare. A world where escape may not be possible. Do you dare go down that hole? I enjoyed the author’s creativity that made the twists and turns like no other. I enjoyed how scary this book was in parts which, for me, had me wanting to know more. There is great growth of the plot that makes the story easy to read and entertaining. This is a fast paced story that you don’t want to miss. It is a great story but if you don’t like gruesome things, it may not be for you. I highly recommend this book.
Review by @bjwagner
