Word Play by Tricia Gardella
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I fell in love with this book. The little guy wants to learn to read and he feels he can do it quickly. He’s a little boy that takes after my own love of reading. This is a sweet story that warms the heart and is perfect for storytime. My favorite part is BEA (not BEE). Beautiful illustrations that grab the attention. A must for every kiddo’s collection
Taste of Honey by Julie Castle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Taste of Honey brings three worlds of a dominant and new-to-submission lifestyles together in one book. All 3 have tropes of a woman who needs saved and is rapidly introduced to the world of BDSM and come to love it, and their doms, immediately.
Penelope is a librarian who finds herself bored and curious in life. She and her best friend Joan talk about their hopes, dreams, love lives, and more. When Joan starts talking about her own experiences, it piques Penelope’s interest. When she receives a gift box at work holding a fun gift and a note, she is definitely curious. As more gifts arrive from “Mr. X”, she cannot keep her mind off of the possibilities, and decides to take him up on his offer of meeting in a hotel room. From there, she is introduced to things she had never imagined before. Penelope keeps learning new things about herself throughout her journey with Mr. X. Will they discover what they both need within each other?
Courtney is a journalist who has a case to investigate that she’s passionate about – her protege is missing after joining what proves to be a slave ring. They specialize in BDSM submissives of assorted training types for sale to buyers, and if Courtney wants to get in, she will have to prove to be a believable and well trained submissive to the men in charge. Lucky for her, Agent Ty Dragon is also pursuing this crowd of people undercover by becoming a Dom in their Club, and helping to properly train the slaves. While they are putting on a show for the criminals trafficking women, they are finding themselves deeper and deeper into caring for one another. Will Dragon be able to protect Courtney in time before she is sold off to the highest bidder? Will she be able to save Laura? Will they stay safe from one another?
Laura has become stranded in Paris and is so desperate that she agrees to enter a courtesan ball to make some money. While she is inexperienced, that is what catches the eye of Nick, a divorced billionaire who attended the auction strictly to get his sister-in-law to leave him alone. This is where he meets Laura and becomes completely entranced with her. What starts as good intentions to properly and safely train a new sub to keep them from being taken advantage of turns into far more. Will Laura save Nick as much as he saved her?
From Darkness into Love by Sophie Bartow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a romance that I couldn’t put down. Cameron and Josie’s story really tugged at the heartstrings. With an air of mystery, I found the story pulling me in to see what happens. The story really brings out all the emotions for a roller-coaster ride. The characters are written to be so relatable. You root for them…but will they get together? You’ll have to read to find out.
Love Rinkside by G.K. Brady
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Kate and Drew meet under the most comical of circumstances. One dressed up like a male appendage and one as a Banana Slug! Under the disguise of the costumes they hit it off.
Once revealing who they actually were to each other they quickly discovered they have the same group of friends. Swearing off relationships right out the gate they more or less went their own way.
When a chance meeting at the dog park had them running into one another the sparks were there. Will they be able to connect and get thru to one another and keep the humor they hit it off with?
This is my first book by this author and the first in this series and I am already searching for more and wanting more.
Finding Love (Clumsy Little Hearts Trilogy) by Julie Navickas 3 Stars
I never expected some of these twists and turns.
Rachel wasn’t planning on meeting anyone after her ex broke her heart. She was focused on building her clientele. Miguel was trying to fill the staff at his restaurant and wasn’t looking for love. He was longing after a woman that he was unable to have. EVER. Their vulnerability and honestness with each other is something that everyone longs for. I love the way the Julie Navickas was able to portray their emotions and inner turmoil throughout each chapter of the book making both Rachel and Miguel relatable.
Puzzleman: A Novel by Christopher Alan Broadstone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Now, I feel that I’ll give a little warning: This is a graphic horror. If you aren’t into that type of book, you might want to pass. If you like this type of genre, here we go. I love it. Reminded me of the days when Stephen King had more gore in his stories. I found these stories good. I came in expecting horror and thrills; I got them in spades. Excellent read with lots of action, descriptions. I found the writing to be well-done. It’s one of the better horror novels I’ve read in a long time.
Fire Meets Fire: Wretched Soulz MC by Manda Mellett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Wretched Soulz motorcycle club is back with stories of their club members – this one focuses on the President, Chaz and the woman who he meets his match with – Queenie.
Chaz finds some of their minor parts have been going missing and decides to watch for a thief one night. As he suspects, he watches as an incredibly nimble and exceptionally silent person jumps their fence and enters the club territory. He pursues and finds the thief in their garage, not expecting to have a fierce battle with the much smaller fighter.
After realizing their thief is a woman, he immediately feels protective of her, despite both he and his club brothers recognizing that a male thief would have already been disposed of. However, Chaz chooses to handcuff her in the garage and speak to her tomorrow. Little does he know, this woman is nothing like what he had expected. When they look for her in the morning, they discover she has escaped.
After tracking her down and locating her, Chaz makes her an offer she can’t refuse if she agrees to help the club. When he learns about her story and finds she has a hefty bounty on her head, he has a decision to make – but when he hears his brothers talking about how they’d spend the money, the decision is made for him, and they flee.
The heartbreaking background of the badass Helo/Queenie is incredible and makes you feel so protective of her. Chaz and his brothers are shocked to find Chaz has found his old lady, and the chemistry that leads them to take a chance on one another keeps you engaged from the start. Watching the brotherhood of the club and how they protect one another is beautiful, in a world that can look pretty ugly. I enjoyed seeing StoryTeller in this book, as well. Looking forward to seeing the world of the Wretched Soulz MC keep growing!
Double Delight: The Complete Series by Julie Castle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I fell in love with both of these books. There is steam in both to go with some well-written romance stories. They are both well-done. The characters are so relatable. I found myself diving in because it felt like I was reading about friends. I didn’t want to put it down. It’s got some drama and lots of chemistry. I highly recommend you read this.
Troy by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Troy: A Crown of Stones Origin Story is a captivating prequel that sets the stage for the Crown of Stones trilogy. The story follows Ian Troy, a young Shinree slave born with magical abilities, as he navigates the treacherous world of war, politics, and prejudice.
The author masterfully weaves a complex tale of intrigue, exploring themes of identity, power, and the struggle for recognition. Troy’s character is expertly crafted, with a rich backstory that slowly unfolds as he faces challenges and setbacks. His struggles to prove himself as more than just a “witch” are relatable and heart-wrenching, making it easy to become invested in his journey.
The world-building is impressive, with a deep history and mythology that adds depth to the story. The magical system is well-defined, and the author’s use of descriptive language brings the fantastical elements to life. The setting of Rella and the neighboring kingdoms is vividly portrayed andI felt immersed in a richly detailed world.
Hell in a Handbasket by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Tievel is a demon tracker and Orel is a demon hunter. Orel is also a deputy sheriff and he meets Tievel when the latter comes to Juniper Lake to help the sheriff, his ex. The two are immediately drawn to one another with a chemistry neither of them can deny.
Along the way, they have a baby dropped at their door they decide to keep, Larkspur joins the cast of characters and shakes things up, Tievel learns not to be so prickly all the time, Oren works through what his new title and the sexy demon catching his attention means for his future, and you meet a cast of well fleshed out, fun and intriguing characters in the world of Juniper Lake. This book was a much slower burn than I anticipated and usually reach for, but it was so adorable that the tension didn’t take away from anything.
This was the first book I’ve read in this series, but book 3 of the series. I didn’t feel lost by being in the middle of the series, but I do plan on going back to get the introductions to the cast of wonderful and engaging characters from them! Tension, chemistry, danger, attraction, paranormal and also relatable. Well written, cute and fun read, with likeable and relatable characters you’ll be laughing out loud at and cheering on!
Code Dog by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This follows Timmy, Arthur & Beth along with Cody the super smart dog as they look for a lost time capsule. Everyone in the town seems to want to find this time capsule, especially Mr. Dolion who has got a secret that the time capsule will reveal. There’s lots of confusing clues along the way and a monster in the woods? They must figure out all the clues and find the time capsule before Mr. Dolion does.
This is a brilliant read, I loved the characters and the super smart dog Cody. I’d highly recommend this one!
Mermaid Tails by Suzanna Lynn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Mermaid Tails
My granddaughter wants to be a mermaid (who doesn’t) and this book was absolutely perfect.
The illustrations are beautiful, and it helped her to stay engaged. Each page has a Fun Fact to learn a tidbit on Marine life. Letting their imaginations grow, with mermaid tails. What types of mermaids there might be and what types of tails they might have. I definitely recommend this book to anyone with the love of mermaids and the ocean.
The Mating Chance by Brooke May
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Shifters sometimes have to wait a long time to meet their fated mates. Boone watched all of his friends and family get the call and find happiness beyond what he could imagine. Cricket had heard the call once before, and began a life and family with her fated mate…and then he was taken from her. When she gets the call a second time, she immediately denies it – after all, no one had ever heard of a second chance mate before. Her love had died and she was resigned to loneliness for the rest of her days. But now, Boone has come around and is so eager for a chance with his fated mate.
As usual, human interference does nothing but cause trouble. In spite of all of the things happening on that front, Boone and Cricket are immediately drawn to one another – they are fated, after all. Will they be able to find peace, either together or apart?
This was my first read by this author and the book had a lot of activity, but it was well balanced and just added to the atmosphere. I’ll be reading more of this series.
Betrayal of the Gods by Martin Ferguson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Relic Hunters book 5 is amazing, and I’m immediately going back to book 1. I love Greek mythology, the smooth transitions between past and present, Adam and Matt and the world that has been built and shared in this book. I was fully engrossed and didn’t feel confused about anything, but I did feel curious and interested in getting more engrossed in this world.
Adam and Matt are on the most important quest so far, and journey through Troy, deal with tragedies and Greek heroes, and a world full of wonderful characters. In the midst of all of this, they are on the run and being hunted as criminals themselves. The cover art drew my original attention, the summary made me interested, and reading the actual story has made me a fan. I can see these books even piquing the interest of non readers.
Savage Start by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Such an amazing book. Love the characteristics of the characters. Love how short and quick read. It was a book that I couldn’t get enough of. 5 stars 🌟
Kingdom of 7 Sovereigns: Wolf by R.C. Reigh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a new author to me, and the first book in this series. I am very excited to report that this book is so much fun to read! Fantasy, magic, romance, shape-shifting, suspense, action – this young adult book has it all. The characters are amazing and will hook you from the very beginning. Anyone who is a fan of Lord of the Rings or Game of Thrones or even Harry Potter will appreciate this story. It centers around students of a magical Academy and includes pretty much all the elements of a fantasy – medieval princes and princesses, heroes, villains, etc. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a magical, vibrant tale full of a little of everything! Even if you aren’t typically a young adult/fantasy reader, this is definitely one to pick up.
Lost Property: A Tom Grant Novel by Samantha Adair
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I’ve read book 3 in the series and it helped a bit with the details for this book but would highly recommend reading this series in order so you can get the full picture at hand. This story picks up with Tom leaving the agency and discovering some well hidden secrets. He waits patiently for Isabella to return home. Some unexpected visitors, part of the Operation SweetPea, come to Tom and ask for his help within the human trafficking realm. One twist after another in this crime ridden story.
<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199511126-triple-trouble-at-amberwood” style=”float: left; padding-right: 20px”><img border=”0″ alt=”Triple Trouble at Amberwood: Book Four in your favourite middle-grade haunted ballet school… (Amberwood Hall Ballet School 4)” src=”https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1697109303l/199511126._SX98_.jpg” /></a><a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/199511126-triple-trouble-at-amberwood”>Triple Trouble at Amberwood: Book Four in your favourite middle-grade haunted ballet school…</a> by <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20930193.Eleanor_Dixon”>Eleanor Dixon</a><br/>
My rating: <a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6085273623″>5 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
This is the 4th book in the series, so if you haven’t read, you absolutely should! Lauren and her best friend Grace(also the resident ghost) are in a private school to learn ballet. Lauren and her friends are trying to learn but also investigate the weird things going on at Amberwood. This one focuses on the triplet ghosts that are making things very difficult and weird at Amberwood. Can Lauren and her friends help these spirits and get them to leave the school.
<br/><br/>
<a href=”https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/6813301-tori”>View all my reviews</a>
The Alien & the Crime Boss by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Alien & Crime Boss was a surprising story. A M/M romance that has the alien busting out his inner warrior to protect the crime boss who has found him. I can’t give away too much but it’s a story full of drama, adventure and some out-of-this world romance. These two go through a lot right from the beginning. It’s very interesting to watch this relationship develop because the characters are really from two different worlds. We get to watch them learn what love really is. It’s a good book for those interested in this trope.
Slay It With a Diamond by Rob Bates
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a quick read that sent you down all sorts of twists and turns. The whole book from beginning to end took you on a turn you never expected. The characters and the story of mystery had me on a chase I wasn’t expecting. I enjoyed reading this one. I love that this is a series as well so I can follow along with where this goes from here. Great job!
