Brutal Nights by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I love this series so damn much! Each book just gets more amazing and intense! I can’t get enough of them. The drama, the thrill, the suspense, the angst, the SPICE 🥵 I will never stop suggesting this series. And this book captivated me just like the others. I could put it down because I just needed to know what happens next! READ THIS!
Rise of the Hunter by Barb Jones
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Details. While this isn’t the first book I have read by the incredible Barb Jones, it is the first Blood Prophecy book I have read. With that being said, I didn’t feel lost while reading the story despite it being the fourth book in the series, it is the first book in a new trilogy, the Tall Dark Man. Told from several perspectives throughout the book jumps around between varies times in ancient history, and in some cases creation itself and the present day.
The Tall Dark Man was long thought dead, but he is alive and is planning his revenge on the queen. Determined to keep the peace Queen Amber sets out on a new quest, to complete the task Michael was working on before his death. The Romani book chose her to continue the quest of finding all the missing pages, to succeed at stopping evil. Raven is given the task of finding the book while Arioch is given the task of finding Malakai and bringing him to their master. After being cursed by Raven, Malakai seeks help in hopes of being able to undo the curse without putting Amber in danger and returning to her side.
Will the Tall Dark Man succeed in getting his vengeance? Can Amber find all of the pages and keep the evil from getting the fifth stone? The author’s ability to put so much history into her work while keeping you guessing how it’s all going to play out is incredible. While at first, I found the multiple perspective jumps not only between characters but time frames difficult to keep up with. It was truly fascinating to see how the relevance was seamless as it all built upon the prophecies and what was to come. I was in a constant state of anticipation with each page as I was eager to discover how it would turn out. I can’t wait for the next book in the series to see what will happen next.
The Master of Demise by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is my third book by this author because her writing style is completely addicting. She’s one of the few authors that I would pick up any book without reading the synopsis because I know I’m going to enjoy regardless. I love dark psychological thrillers so this one was right up my alley. We get to get inside the mind of a narcissistic professor, Mitch, which was pretty unsettling, but the mysterious circumstances he finds himself in are unbelievable. Without giving anything away, know that you are on a ride full of twists and turns keeping you on the edge of your seat until the end! It just goes to show that the truth can only be buried for so long.
Reviewed by @shannlynn
https://www.amazon.com/review/RJQVGPDF66OZ0/ref=pe_1098610_137716200_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv
The Master of Demise by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I enjoyed reading this book very much. It kept me second-guessing where I thought the story was going to go and the ending was quite a surprise. A definite whodunit thriller! It left me wondering how things would continue if there were to be a sequel. I can honestly say that I was surprised at how it ended, definitely not what I predicted would happen. It was easy to empathize with the characters in the book and understand how they would be feeling.
I look forward to reading more from Nadija!
https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/2222775792
A Way Out by Tami Lund
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A Way Out gripped my attention from the very first chapter to the very last! I enjoyed everything about this book. This author writes characters that you can relate to even if you’ve never been in their situation, which I find rare and intriguing. The story of Maria and Oz is anything but conventional, but I was still fully invested throughout the whole book. I loved their chemistry, and the flow of this story was perfect. It is part of a series (that I will be picking up) but I read as a standalone and didn’t feel lost at all. Pick it up and get lost in this spectacular contemporary romance for the day!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
The Master of Demise by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Ok, I just don’t know how I feel about this book. It absolutely had my attention, and I couldn’t put it down. But it was shocking and tragic. The story is about Mitch Wegner. Mitch works at Vermont University. He is intelligent and rather egotistical. But his life is shaken when a student dies. Evidence and circumstances seem to point to him being responsible. This starts him having strange thoughts and a general unraveling in his mind. There was a twist of sorts at the end, and it ended in a sad way. That being said, I read it quickly to find out what happened, so I give it 4 stars!
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Cruel Start by Isla Vaughn is the start of Phoenix and Aspen’s story. This short prequel starts with a bang and does not let up! It’ll be tough waiting for the rest of their story. I need to know how it unfolds from here because Phoenix is resembling his own father’s path in this prequel.
If you’re just starting the Hidden Valley Elite Series you could start here, but I’d highly recommend starting from the very beginning to get the full effect of the plot lines and characters.
House of Arsceneaux by Caterina Novelliere
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is my first book by this author, but I love all things paranormal, so I gave it a chance. I always go into a book with an open mind, and I am simply blown away by this one! I definitely stayed up way too late finishing it because I had to know what was going to happen. The level of detail was just the right mixture before becoming overwhelming and the story flowed so well. I highly recommend picking this up and getting lost in the story of Caitlin and Evariste/Gage, you’ll be addicted too!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
In this retelling of Goldilocks and The Three Bears, instead of Goldilocks destroying the Bears home, she comes back to help fix the things that she broke using the simple machines she learned about. Everything from pully’s, inclines, the wheel, screws and the other simple machines she is able to right her wrongs that she did previously. Teaching about the six simple machines in a creative way is fantastic and adorable. My kids immediately wanted to try them out after they read this story and thought of different ways and little projects they could do.
Brutal Nights by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
In the second half of Skylar and Damon’s story, they have been discovered in a compromising fashion. To say Gia is livid is an understatement. Gia is somehow still popular despite Damon not choosing to date her. Gia does all she can to ensure Sky’s life is as miserable as possible. Instead of seeking revenge, Sky has decides the only way to redemption is to stay away from Damon and endure Gia’s tormenting actions all while dealing with complications from her father.
Damon fights for Skylar and their happily ever after. Meanwhile, Skylar is making herself miserable by fighting Damon’s pull. Once Sky is honest with Damon about matters in her personal life, Damon will do all he can to keep Sky. Will Damon and Skylar get their happily ever after or go separate ways to find love?
A Teacher’s Heart by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
My kiddos and I absolutely loved this story! The illustrations are beautiful and my youngest wanted me to linger on each page a little longer just to take them in. Every teacher is different with their styles and the way they relate to their students, but they ALL care so much about their kids year after year. Teachers love to watch their students finally grasp a concept or share knowledge they have with others in the class. I highly recommend reading this with the kids (and teachers) in your life!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
Forbidden Blood by C.R. Robertson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This series has been really good so far! This is the fourth book and follows Kimber, Tasha’s sister. This story really grabbed my attention and so far may be my favorite in the series. We meet Fabian in this book and he is a very interesting character. We learn so much more about Kimber and her background.There is a ton of character growth and I loved that so much. I really enjoy the way the author writes the characters and their feelings. I so enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author.
My Goodbye Girl by Anna Gomez
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I thought the cover of this book was pretty cute as I love to travel, so I picked it up without paying much attention to the synopsis. I dove right in and found myself in love with Tessa and Simon, who seem to embody the ‘opposites attract’ theory we hear so much about. I found myself engrossed in all of the places these two keep encountering each other, and I would have had such a difficult time turning away after just the second meeting! The story flowed well, and I couldn’t read fast enough to see the ending through the emotional rollercoaster. I highly recommend if you like deep emotions that bring out a tear or two!
Reviewed by @shannlynn
When Magic Calls: A Collection of Modern Fairy Tales by Caitlin Berve
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
When Magic Calls is a collection of fantasy paranormal fairy tales that will surely sweep you away to magical places that are a bit out of the ordinary. This collection will have you looking at things differently and wondering if perhaps there is magic all around us in our everyday lives, in the ordinary things we overlook. Places like a magical museum for instance, that almost seemed to appear out of thin air because nobody could remember it being constructed. Ordinary tales that have taken a bit of a darker twist into something paranormal. This collection was beautifully written with wonderful characters and interesting stories that draw you in and compel you to keep reading. The author did a fantastic job of creating modern fairytales that combine creativity with fun while adding a spooky element to them. I highly recommend this book!
The Master of Demise by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The Master of Demise by Nadja Mujagic
3 Stars
I don’t usually read thrillers. I came across this book and the blurb drew me in. I was intrigued. Mitch has a good life. He’s married to a woman whom he loves very much. He’s an accomplished scholar and professor at a university. He also has a blown up sense of self importance. I struggled to like him. You find out that his childhood wasn’t the most pleasant. I kind of felt bad for him but I believe in karma so he got what he deserved.
The story has many twists and turns. The author did a good job keeping the reader guessing “ who done it”. There were times that I was confused because there are two characters talking in the first person but the chapters didn’t differentiate between the two. I also found the story to be a little slow at times. Honestly I was disappointed with the ending. The book started off really well then took a slow nosedive.
Review by @Anna Hirsch
View all my reviews
Grand Slam by Bree Kraemer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Just sweet and steamy. This is my first time reading Bree Kraemer and all I can say is that I am now a fan.
This is book 3 in the series but can be read as a standalone.
Heath is your all star pitcher who has had a great career but realizes he is at a standstill in his personal life. Well until he encounters Grace, someone he didn’t know he wanted until he realized he was lying to himself. Grace is from the part of time someone like Heath shouldn’t want someone from. Grace is smart, bossy and has goals.
This story was sweet, steamy and frustrating all in one for me. I absolutely love the character buildup and the banter between characters. You get a full story that is not rushed. You get front row seats to them being vulnerable, their relationships with their friends, family and pets. It is definitely a great read and I can’t wait to read more stories by this author.
The Misery House by David Duane Kummer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is the first book in the House on the Hill series. The concept of this book appealed to me, put psychological thriller and haunted house in the same blurb and I’m in.
The writing was descriptive, painting a vivid picture of both the scenery and the characters. The tension built throughout as more and more occurs to unsettle the residents and us as readers. I felt this was done very well, especially with the twists in place, throwing you and what you thought you knew.
I thought telling the story through differing points of view was interesting, it’s not something I’ve come across too often in this genre, but it’s not a bad thing. I think it worked well for this story.
This book ends on a cliffhanger which is frustrating, but only because I am now desperately waiting for the next book to be released to find out what happens and I’m very impatient!
A Way Out by Tami Lund
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Maria has finally gotten something she wants: a divorce. Unfortunately, that divorce leaves her with no plan and no house. Her family is a traditional, no nonsense nuclear unit so going home won’t work. Her next best option is going to LA to spend some time with her sister the rock star.
Except, she’s not in LA. She’s run off to Missouri to plan a wedding that Maria is supposed to be at.
Thank goodness for Oz Garcia whose house sitting for her and lets Maria crash while they’re away. Suddenly he’s offering to go to Missouri with her for the wedding, she’s offering to sleep with him, all the while, Maria is now financing Oz’s band…so she’s his boss.
Things are about to get messy…
This was a fun, upbeat and romantic rock star romance with a second chance vibe. I found it to be a whole lotta fun, and I’m excited to see what else this series of books can bring to the table.
Highly recommend if you love fast read romances and rock star tropes!
A Way Out by Tami Lund
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A Way Out is Book 2 in the Rock Star series. The books are stand-alone, so there is no risk of confusion. The story follows Maria, who is fleeing to her sister’s house after she’s kicked out of her home by her recently divorced husband. Her sister is away preparing for her wedding but Maria stumbles upon Oz who is house-sitting. I really liked this story. It felt like a grown-up, realistic romance. We get to watch as Maria finally finds true love. Oz is such a kind and perfect man for Maria. The story had the right amount of romance and conflict. I fell in love with Oz. This is a very good romance.
Smooth Hoperator by Sylvie Stewart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Smooth Hoperator is the second book in the Love on Tap series. This can be read as a standalone book, but best enjoyed after reading the first book in the series. Carter left his life behind in DC, and his family is unsure of the details. Sunny is a quirky librarian who can’t take her eyes off Carter during his frequent visits to the library. I always enjoy reading books by this author, and this did not disappoint. The story is a bit slow-burn but definitely worth staying with the story. Carter and Sunny are a great pairing in this book. I love how they are opposites and the interactions this creates. There are some suspenseful moments, but they are an integral part of the story. I won’t give away more because I don’t want to wreck the story for anyone. I look forward to reading more from this series and this author in the future.
When Magic Calls: A Collection of Modern Fairy Tales by Caitlin Berve
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a unique collection of stories with a creative twist on the classic fairy tales. Trying to decipher which fairy tale inspired each story was an additional layer to my enjoyment while reading.
I think what I loved most was how the stories weren’t just modern retellings, some ‘origins’ were very difficult to decipher. By the author’s own admission in the beginning of the book, the stories went through many iterations of change to become what they are now, and I think it’s amazing what they were able to achieve.
Another thing I found impressive was the author’s ability to switch between different styles in writing. Each story was unique not only in storyline, but in the way it was written. Timelines were different, 1st person/3rd person narratives were used, some written as letters and so on. The author clearly has a lot of range and it’s brilliant.
I hope to read more from this author in future as I absolutely loved this display of the author’s talents!
House of Arsceneaux by Caterina Novelliere
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was fantastic! Caitlin is so ready for vacation, but her boss has other plans. He sends her in another assignment. It’s not just any assignment this time. She looks just like Evariste dead wife. Evariste has been mourning his wife for over 300 years. Past secrets are revealed as they fight for their lives as they are being hunted.
The Master of Demise by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Master of Demise follows Mitch Wegner, a well rounded and respected college professor. He is happily married to Emily, who owns her own yoga studio with regular clients. Everything seems to be absolutely normal and perfect. Even with the ideal life, Mitch is just somehow unlikeable. I found myself disliking him early on, and can not pinpoint why. When a student takes his own life, and his journal shows a strong dislike for the professor, suspicion falls onto Mitch. This creates a downward spiral of events for the professor. His students no longer respect him, his wife becomes distant, and he suspects she may even be having an affair with her yoga partner. With flashbacks from a traumatic experience in his teen years, things seem to be making a full circle right back to him. As things continue he becomes paranoid, feeling framed, and increasingly aggressive and self absorbed. He was already an unpleasant character, but his personality really amplifies as time goes on and you really do not like him at all. I even began thinking maybe he DID have some involvement, just because I did not like him that much. After all that has happened, can Mitch save his marriage and career? WAS he framed, and if so, by who, and/or why? Once you get to the big reveal, you will be shocked and realize the author strategically gave you hints along the way. I have never read anything from this author before, but I will be checking into her other work! 5 out of 5 stars!
Reviewed by @zoltrixes
A very delightful book, well written. Gives your child a look into what diversity really looks like. Great rhythm when it comes to reading out loud. Fantastic why to introduce your little ones to school and the teachers that they will encounter. Recommend this for early readers and preschoolers.A Teacher’s Heart by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
A very delightful book, well written. Gives your child a look into what diversity really looks like. Great rhythm when it comes to reading out loud. Fantastic why to introduce your little ones to school and the teachers that they will encounter. Recommend this for early readers and preschoolers.
The Misery House by David Duane Kummer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Misery House
By: David Kummer
This is a psychological thriller that is absolutely that is filled with so many twists ands turns. This is the first of a three part series and I absolutely cannot wait to read the rest of the books! It takes place in such a quiet small town that is hiding so many secrets! This is a multiple POV book that does this type of story telling very well. The story telling is what is what makes the story what it is. This story is absolutely amazing an it definitely sucks you in with all the creepiness. I cannot recommend this enough. I also am waiting anxiously for the rest of the series. I loved the authors storytelling abilities and want to read even more about this small town and the house on the hill!
House of Arsceneaux by Caterina Novelliere
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a superb read. I loved the intricacies of the story line. It was full of twists and turns. I enjoyed the mystery and suspense. A little bit historical, a little paranormal, and quite a page-turner.
The Master of Demise by Nadija Mujagic
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was amazingly written. The twists and turns were such an adventure. I was so there for the ride. I had figured out the “who dun it” kind of early on, but let me just say, this had me second guessing myself… If you love a good psychological thriller, one that makes you think, you will LOVE this book. I absolutely recommend this book.
Review By: Manda Kelly 2023
A Teacher’s Heart by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Adorable! I’ve always had a soft spot for teachers. It’s something everybody in the world has experienced. We can all tell when a teacher really cares about their students and wants them to succeed. This book is great, it supports teachers, and helps show kids that teachers are people who care about them.
House of Arsceneaux by Caterina Novelliere
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The House of Arsceneaux is part of the Servants of Morrigan: Immortal Creatures series. It is a vampire paranormal story that centers around the story of fated mates Caitlin and Evariste. All Caitlin wants to do is go on holiday, but her boss has other plans for her. He insists that she cut into her personal time for a meeting at a property that could mean a huge business deal. The owner is a no-show because he is not interested in selling the property. Caitlin meets Evariste, the owner of the property, at a dinner party being given by his sister and he immediately believes that she is the reincarnation of his late wife. She has no recollection of her past, but he insists that she is his soul mate that he was separated from centuries ago. Evariste encourages Caitlin to travel back in the past with him so that he can show her that they were indeed soul mates that were hopelessly in love. Caitlin is uncertain if she should trust him but if she does not then she risks losing out on the possibility of being reunited with her one true love. I loved the overall love story of Caitlin and Evariste and how it is a testament to true love overcoming being torn apart by time and distance. The characters were ones that I felt a connection to, and I found myself rooting for them to be together after being separated years ago. This was a great read full of action, suspense, danger, drama, secrets, lies, vampires, and love through the centuries.
Shalom Israel: A place like no other by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a great children’s book. It has fantastic pictures. It’s a good way to teach a little history of an awesome country. We enjoyed reading this book.
