Posts

The View From Here by Leon Stevens – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

The View from HereThe View from Here by Leon Stevens
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a quick sci-fi novella that will have you wondering at the possibilities of life outside of our current realm of understanding. We see a different view of life you’d never imagine otherwise, as two hikers meet in what seems to be another world. I enjoyed how different this novella was from the usual sci-fi where other worlds are involved and how the two main characters were able to bridge the age gap and work well together to explore some of that world. The new place Thomas and April find not only intrigues them, but tests their combined survival skills during their exploration, and brings the two together in an easy friendship. This novella does feel like it could be a prequel to what I think could be a promising sci-fi series.

View all my reviews

ConQuest: The Art of Selling at Cons by Megan Mackie – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

ConQuest: The Art of Selling At ConsConQuest: The Art of Selling At Cons by Megan Mackie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This self-help book did deliver on giving clear and concise advice on making good decisions for selling your work at Cons aka Conventions. But what I thought would only be a swiftly spoken manual on what to do or how to attain sales turned out to be a guide on the do’s and don’ts – but also answered some questions I didn’t think of before reading this. Everything from what kind of Cons you should be thinking of selling at to how to stack your books is given in this book, along with a few side stories from the author about other things you may encounter at Cons. I really enjoyed the way everything was lain out in the book and the tips/tricks given. This was a quick read that really opened my eyes to the selling of books at Cons, and I recommend this for anyone who’s looking for some information on selling at these types of events!

View all my reviews

Weep, Woman, Weep: A Gothic Fairytale about Ancestral Hauntings by Maria DeBlassie – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

Weep, Woman, WeepWeep, Woman, Weep by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mercy grows up with the shadow of fear following her, a fear of the most terrifying kind for the woman in her town of Sueño, New Mexico: La Llorona. More than just a cautionary tale, the legend of La Llorona is all-too-real for the woman of Mercy’s town. Mercy knows she’s on the Weeping Woman’s list and must find a way to be free of the vicious cycle if she wants to survive. As a fan of folktales and the legends of the world, I really enjoyed reading this book. Not only is the story about La Llorona mentioned, but the author goes into a lesser-known part of the legend where her curse befalls other generations of previous victims. You don’t have to know anything about La Llorona to really get into this novel, though the legend of the Weeping Woman is heavily mentioned throughout the book. The author ties in the tale and does a really good job at explaining who and what La Llorona is and how she plays a role in the main character’s life.

View all my reviews

States of Grace (Grace Locke Mystery Series) by Mandy Miller – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

States of GraceStates of Grace by Mandy Miller
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Grace Locke is hanging onto life by her fingernails. Recently recovering from nearly losing her job as a prosecutor, and living in a less than desirable place, she never thought she’d have to put up working for the types of people she’s resorting to defending now. Things may be looking up, however, when she gets wind of a possible career-maker case…the only downside is the accused kid is the daughter of the woman who ended her marriage. But once Grace takes the case, she soon discovers things aren’t as cut and dry as the police would have you believe and there are much darker forces at work against her client. This book really hit on topics that make up a great mystery-crime-thriller including complex characters, deep plot twists, and a loveable heroine who doesn’t allow the world to beat her down! Highly recommended!

View all my reviews

Apocalypse Thoughts (The Pox Series Book 5) by Kendra Griffin – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

Apocalypse ThoughtsApocalypse Thoughts by Kendra Griffin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kella is just trying to live to see another day – even if the day looks more like a horror movie than your typical teen’s life. On a mission to get data to the CDC is one thing, but hiking along the Appalachian Train is a whole other ball game in the end times. If being a teen wasn’t hard enough, Kella’s juggling being moderator in her group as well as trying to stay positive about their chances at reaching their destination while also avoiding ‘Hyenas’ – very dangerous, very sick, people who have a pension for homicide. I really loved reading this story because of the characters and Kella’s hilarious notes! When reading books about the apocalypse, you expect it to be dark and gloomy and full of horror, but this book had more of a comical feel that kept my attention and made the story so enjoyable!

View all my reviews

Black Canvas by Laura Rossi – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

Black CanvasBlack Canvas by Laura Rossi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Great psychological thrillers are more than just fun reads, they can be mind-bending and incredible journeys! The most trying jobs are the ones that test you not only physically but mentally, as Aria soon learns, when she discovers the monsters under her patients’ beds aren’t all fiction. If you decide to read this book, be prepared to take a trip down the metaphorical rabbit hole. I love how the beginning of the novel sets up the rest of the story so well, and once you really start getting into the book, the twist and turns never stop coming. When a story keeps you on that rollercoaster, sometimes you get an ending that’s just meh…not in this book!

View all my reviews

Diabolical Sword (The Charm Collector Book 1) by Melissa Erin Jackson – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

Diabolical SwordDiabolical Sword by Melissa Erin Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If you’re looking for a new take on supernatural creatures with plenty of mystery and adventure, you’ve found the right story! Harlow Fletcher may be a human, but her parentage of bounty hunters has made her wise to the world of the fae – magical creatures. Living in the city of Luma, there’s plenty of fae and magical mischief to go around – especially for someone more commonly on the wrong side of law like Harlow. With her specialized know-how of magical artifacts and a certain set of skills, she’s made a life for herself in Luma as a charm collector. Of course…she never expected to find something so incredible as a sentient sword – or for the thing to cause such a mess… One thing leads to another, and now Harlow’s mixed up in more than just thievery. This fast-paced book will have you on the edge of your seat – make sure you’re buckled up for the twists and turns!

View all my reviews

Born to Fight (Can’t Resist You Book 1) by Brittany Anne – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

Born to Fight (Can't Resist You, #1)Born to Fight by Brittany Anne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The world as we knew it no longer exists, there is only the new world order and the resistance. Hunter has been groomed to be the best soldier and is good at what he does, but when a good deed nearly ends his life and he’s left for dead by those he considered comrades, his view drastically changes. In a world where kindness is seen as weakness, Rain is an angel in the eyes of Hunter, a man she’s only just met after having discovered him on death’s door. The thing is, there’s an undeniable chemistry between the two that makes their situation a little more difficult – especially when Rain discovers what and who Hunter really is. Resigned to keep her freedom from the life she once knew, Rain is forced to keep her past a secret. Can Hunter and Rain finally find peace or will it all crumble under the weight of the past and unforeseen future?

View all my reviews

Conveniently Yours (Titans of Manhattan BOOK 1) by Anise Storm – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

Conveniently Yours (Titans Of Manhattan #1)Conveniently Yours by Anise Storm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When tragedy strikes the very last thing future CEO Caspian expected was the stipulation of a year’s marriage in his uncle’s will. For a man who could have anything, you would think finding a woman to agree to a brief marriage of convenience would be easy – but this isn’t the case for Caspian – until he runs into a childhood friend. Paisley’s bad luck seems to be getting worse when her mother’s already failing health takes a turn for the worse. With eviction on the horizon and no end of medical bills, Paisley’s luck takes a sharp turn for the better when she reunites with Caspian who offers her a deal too good to be true. One year – and a day – of marriage for financial stability. This steamy, rekindling-of-old-friends romance will keep you glued to the screen from the first page till the last!

View all my reviews

A Sweet Christmas: A Sweet Confections Novella by Nicole Richards – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

A Sweet ChristmasA Sweet Christmas by Nicole Richard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bakery owner Thea Sheldon has had some problems with relationships and is hesitant to jump anywhere near the world of dating when she meets Benjamin Sweet. Beyond his good looks and obvious charm, there’s something about him that dares her to hope. Despite this novella being short, I never once felt overwhelmed by the course of the story as I have with similarly sized books. Everything was well-written, steamy, and filled with enough sweets to give me cavities, I ate up the chapters in no time! By the end, I was left wondering where this book has been all my life. If you’re looking for a steamy Christmas romance, you’ve found the right book!

View all my reviews

Blood Oath (Mafia Elite Series, Book 2) by Amy McKinley – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

Blood Oath (Mafia Elite, #2)Blood Oath by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Blood Oath is the second book in the Mafia Elite series centering on Sofia and Enzo’s story in the thrilling world of the Italian American mafia. Sofia and Enzo grew up together, their relationship becoming strained after a few life-altering events that eventually put a rift between them. However, neither can deny the chemistry and unshakable bonds that link not only their day-to-day lives but hearts. Soon their shared past comes back to haunt them and secrets are revealed. Blood Oath filled in some of the few questions I had after reading the first book (No Way Out) and I really enjoyed learning more about the lives these characters live and the rules they live by. Blood Oath is the second book in the Mafia Elite series though you can read any of the books in the Mafia Elite series as standalones.

View all my reviews

No Way Out (Mafia Elite, book 1) by Amy McKinley – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

No Way Out (Mafia Elite, #1)No Way Out by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Life in the mafia is far from easy, but as the hated daughter of a crime boss, Liliana has experienced more hardships than most. The newest edition to her bodyguard team is a carefully placed assassin who is trying to do more than just protect Liliana. Max has a plan, and Liliana is part of it – whether she likes it or not – and has to learn to trust him. Unlike most heroines we see in that kind of situation, Liliana is tough and cautious, not relying on others so heavily that she’s anywhere near ‘damsel-in-distress’. No Way Out sets up a world of action and danger where you have to fight for what you want and the ties that really matter are the ones where love is strongest. Action, romance, and secrets – what else could anyone ask for from a steamy mafia romance?

View all my reviews

The Elements of the Crown (The Elements of Kamdaria Book 1) by Kay L. Moody – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

The Elements of the Crown (The Elements of Kamdaria, #1)The Elements of the Crown by Kay L. Moody
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Who doesn’t love an adventurous tale of magic and action? I like how the use of magic is so commonplace, but also not everyone is insanely strong – and even the main characters have their limits. I really enjoyed seeing the character development from multiple characters throughout the story as well. We also see a lot of different elements in the book and I loved how it was built into the society in a way that explained some of their world and reasons for certain things. If you’re looking for an interesting, clean-romance, magical tale: this book is for you!

View all my reviews

Twilight’s Curse (Twilight Realm Series Book 1) by K. M. Wray – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

Twilight's CurseTwilight’s Curse by K.M. Wray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A fully-loaded start to the series! What I enjoyed most about this book was the complex world-building and well-rounded characters. Starting from Nix’s background story to Zoe’s beginning, we learn about their dark lives before the two meet. Though their reasons are their own, the two are like two halves of a whole in the events of the book and hold your attention from the first page until the last. The fantastical elements in this YA story are more like the complex elements you see in other/older books – but done in a clean way. Twilight’s Curse has set the pace for what I hope to be an enthralling next couple of books!

View all my reviews

Tenacious (Billionaire Bodyguards Book 6) by Via Mari – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

Tenacious (Billionaire Bodyguards # 6)Tenacious by Via Mari
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to read Tenacious. There are certain things you can expect from a book when it promises things in the title as this book did, but Tenacious delivered on so much more. Allie and Nick have chemistry, and more to the point, they both know it. This makes their circumstances that much more entertaining and creates a tension in the book that’s not over-done, but palpable. If you like steamy scenes, a solid plotline, and characters you can root for, Tenacious is the book for you!

View all my reviews

Kingdom of Embers (Kingdom Journals Book 1) by Tricia Copeland – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

Kingdom of Embers (Kingdom Journals #1)Kingdom of Embers by Tricia Copeland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kingdom of Embers introduces a series with a fresh take on the supernatural. Alena is a hybrid, something she has to keep secret not only from the humans she goes to school with but from others in the supernatural community. Things in her already complicated life take a turn for the strange-er when she sees a grown-up version of a guy she thought was simply a childhood imaginary friend. As the two try to figure out why they can both recall each other from childhood, the mystery of their companionship gives way to a much larger problem. Filled with plenty of world-building and fascinating characterizations, Kingdom of Embers sets up what promises to be an intriguing series.

View all my reviews

Stand Your Ground by A. J. Ullman – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

Stand Your GroundStand Your Ground by A.J. Ullman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This novel tells the story of Cady Fox, a successful lawyer with a tragic past. She’s just been interviewed for a possible promotion at work when the unthinkable happens and circumstances force her to shoot a man. The question of her innocence on the matter of the man’s death hangs in the balance and Cady must navigate the situation carefully. I don’t typically go for psychological thrillers, but Stand Your Ground caught my attention immediately when I read the first chapter. Well written and full of that heart-pounding suspense that comes along with crime novels, Stand Your Ground was more than just a mystery and is definitely something I consider relevant to today’s social climate.

View all my reviews

Scarlet Princess (Lochlann Feuds Book 1) by Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

Scarlet Princess (The Lochlann Feuds, #1)Scarlet Princess by Robin D. Mahle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

All great books seem too short when they’re this entertaining! What started out as a simple case of bad luck for Rowan and her cousin quickly escalates within the first few chapters of Scarlet Princess. The plot thickens when we discover they’ve been taken into their enemy’s land and are facing charges that carry a heavier price than they could have ever expected. With the threat of war or worse, Rowan and her captors embark on a cross-country adventure on the way to a meeting that will decide her fate and the fate of the kingdom. Authors Mahle and Madison have woven an enthralling tale that will leave you on the edge of your seat, waiting for book two!

View all my reviews

Murder Among Friends by Linda Burson – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

Murder Among FriendsMurder Among Friends by Linda Burson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Camille Thurston’s had some rough times recently both in her personal and professional life. During a particularly exhausting case, she decides to move in with her brother and his family. Camille is a likable character with a thirst for justice and the truth that drives the story. The story itself is multidimensional in both the mystery-aspect and world-building the author sets up. If you like well-rounded characters, mysteries, twists and turns, you’ll love Murder Among Friends.

View all my reviews

Code Name: Vulture (The Order of Condor Series Book 1) by Maya Daniels and Sylvia Black – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

Code Name: Vulture: Dark Vampire Romance (The Order of the Condor Series Book 1)Code Name: Vulture: Dark Vampire Romance by Maya Daniels
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Code Name: Vulture, as advertised, is a dark vampire romance, but what wasn’t advertised was how it’s also an introduction to a different kind of vampire story. More than just a simple by-the-book romance, there’s a complexity to the relationship between Vulture and Danielle. What starts out as a physical attraction goes beyond the skin and with steamy scenes the deeper into the story we go. The authors deliver on a shiver-inducing tale about love, survival, and magic where nothing is as it seems. If you like a story with a little spice and darkness, you’ll love this book. I’ll be keeping an eye out for book two!

View all my reviews

Forbidden Mate (The Shadow Chronicles Book 2) by CR Robertson – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

Forbidden MateForbidden Mate by C.R. Robertson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The sequel following Forbidden Wolf, Forbidden Mate follows the story of Tasha and Levi right where we left off in the first book. Many series I’ve read in the past begin to lose their luster after the first book, but C.R. Robertson doesn’t disappoint! With the same epic world-building, C.R. Robertson delivers this sequel with a firm grip on our attention with action, fantastic twists, and an intense love story. In Forbidden Mate, Tasha and Levi uncover certain truths behind past events and continue fighting to take out their hellish enemies. We’re taken deeper into the world of the supernatural and once-again craving the next book.

View all my reviews

Sweet Nightmares (The Dream World Chronicles Book 1) by Chynna Pace – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

Sweet Nightmares (The Dream World Chronicles #1)Sweet Nightmares by Chynna Pace
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sweet Nightmares is an interesting start to a new series filled with magic. After the death of their mother, two sisters must now face life with an estranged grandmother and her mysterious assistant. If that isn’t hard enough, some pretty weird things start happening as well, and they uncover certain truths. I enjoyed the way the author created the world and different tensions and conflicts that were interwoven throughout the story. I’m curious to see where the sequel will take us next.

View all my reviews

Flirting With My Enemy (Love is a Mystery Book 1) by Laura Burton – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

Flirting with my Enemy: A Sweet Romantic Comedy (Love is a Mystery #1)Flirting with my Enemy: A Sweet Romantic Comedy by Laura Burton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When you’re faced with competition, literally next door to your place of business, the last thing you might expect is to find yourself in a hair-brained scheme to take down your enemy – only to realize you’re falling for said enemy. This book had me giggling like a schoolgirl and, at times, questions the intentions of the characters. In many romcoms, you get a flat view of the main character’s love story, but I found myself learning about some of the side characters as well. All in all, this was a short and sweet read that felt more well-rounded than other stories of equal length. And now I’m craving something sweet, maybe the second book?

View all my reviews

Bared (A Green St. Girls Romance) by N.D. Jackson – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

Bared. (Green St. Girls #1)Bared. by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bared opened with a promise and grew into a wonderfully written novel about a strong, independent woman and the man she falls in love with. Told from both Athena and Tru’s points of view, you learn more about what the other is thinking and get a better understanding of the character development. Who hasn’t been through the wringer when it comes to relationships? The characters are relatable and honest in a way I feel more people should be and the story flows like any steamy romance should. When you have characters as strong and lively as those in Bared, you’re bound to have some laughs and a whole rollercoaster of emotions that come with a well-written romance.

View all my reviews

Alterations (Alterations Trilogy, Book 1) by Jane Suen – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

Alterations (Alterations #1)Alterations by Jane Suen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alterations is a mysterious sci-fi read that draws you in from the first chapter and holds you captive until the last. What really drew me into this book was the theory of it all. Science is constantly advancing, changing, and things like cellphones, microchips, and robots are ever-changing – the impossible has become possible. So, when the idea of ‘altering’ something on cellular levels is posed in the way that it has been in this book, I was hooked. The events of the book are told in such a way you’re constantly finding something new out – either about the advancements of a doctor’s technology or that of the lives of people he’s directly or indirectly affecting. You can see the intentions of the tech is good, but there’s that little voice in the back of your mind whispering, ‘something’s not quite right here…’.

View all my reviews

Nite Fire: Chain Reaction AUDIO BOOK by C.L. Schneider – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

In Chain Reaction, we’re taken even deeper into the world of the supernatural, and the singular mystery from before blooms into something even more intriguing. Tensions are high after the events of the Flash Point, loyalties are tested, plots are uncovered, the question of romance is in the air, and, best of all, Dahlia Nite is on the case with her trusty and hilarious sidekick. I’ve read many sequels that are never as good as the first book, either the characters begin to fall flat or the plot does – this one was not one of them. This was one of those books you just can’t put down. Well-written, full of winding twists and turns you’ll never see coming, and lots and lots of wit, if you liked Flash Point you’ll love Chain Reaction!

The Monster That Ate My Mommy by Jessica Aiken-Hall – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

The Monster That Ate My MommyThe Monster That Ate My Mommy by Jessica Aiken-Hall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I wasn’t sure what I was getting into when I began reading The Monster That Ate My Mommy, only that it was a memoir and most likely filled with possibly troubling events. Told from the point-of-view of the author in vivid first-person, this book delivered on more than I was expecting. People say healing comes when you share your stories of pain, memories no one wants to think about, and I believe the author was trying to do just that by sharing her story with us. As someone who struggles with their own inner darkness, I know there must be some freedom that comes with not only sharing a troubled life but embracing the past – acknowledging it happened – and moving on to live the life you know you deserve. We hear about things that happen to people as they grow up, things that mold them into the person they are or will become, but we never get that insight that comes from a truly candid telling. This book will tear at your heart at times, make you silently hope certain things won’t come to pass, but inevitably do. But at the same time, there’s a certain understanding and insight that comes with this comprehensive tale.

View all my reviews

Flash Point: Nite Fire Volume 1 AUDIO BOOK by C. L. Schneider – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

I’ve been looking for my next serial obsession, and I think I just found it! Nite Fire: Flash Point took me on a roller coaster ride through a new world and mystery. Dahlia Nite, hiding from her own race, now lives in the human world as a protector of sorts. A new murder has her attention, providing pieces to a puzzle Dahlia never saw coming, and brings up even more questions that she had never ventured to ask. As the world of this new series begins to take shape and readers are drawn deeper into the life of Dahlia Nite, you’ll be led deep into the mystery surrounding and threatening the existence of more than just one race. Nite Fire: Flash Point will take you down the rabbit hole and out the other side to what I’m hoping will be a just as exciting and riveting ride into the next book.

Tangled Roots (Witches of Willow Creek: Tangled Magic Series Book 1) by Denise D. Young – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

Tangled Roots (Tangled Magic, #1)Tangled Roots by Denise D. Young
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Forced to take extreme measures to ensure her own freedom, witch Cassie Gearhart’s spell changes the course of her future. One minute she’s in 1974, the next she wakes and it’s 2019 and everything she once knew has changed. Inexplicably drawn to the only witch left in Willow Creek, and incidentally, the grandson of her mentor, Cassie and Nick have to navigate the chemistry between them while also dealing with an urgent matter. It’s hard enough to deal with forty-five years of change, but on top of that add the mystery of the magic Cassie and Nick are feeling and that of the mystery of the magic that stole the coven of Willow Creek and you have Tangled Roots. This is a quick read that brings you into the world of magic and a promising new series of a small-town coven.

View all my reviews

House in the Woods by Jessica Aiken-Hall – Review by Amanda Gonzalez

House in the WoodsHouse in the Woods by Jessica Aiken-Hall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Shouldering the responsibility of her mother’s safety, Molly’s been having a rough time. What she had hoped would be a relaxing summer turns into a mystery-filled experience revolving around her family’s past. After her mother goes missing, Molly calls her brother to help, and is soon pulled into the mystery revolved around a missing woman. As the mystery unravels, it becomes clear there’s so much more Molly must uncover and discover for herself. More than your typical small-town mystery, House In The Woods will take you on a thrilling journey to find the truth.

View all my reviews