I thought this was a really fun YA paranormal series beginning novel! I am definitely excited to read the rest of the stories and see how the series turns out. I thought the characters were a lot of fun and Makayla was a great heroine with a bit of an edge to her. She isn’t above breaking some rules and having fun, but she isn’t a mean girl and tries to be inclusive. The story sets up a couple of different mysteries that I am excited to hopefully see play out in the rest of the series. The book is a lighthearted read and covers an entire school year, so at times some of the timeline did feel a bit quick, but still easily followed. There was quite a bit of humor in a book about witches and Grave Diggers which made it all the more enjoyable to read. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Haller-Dorishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Haller-Doris2022-09-07 20:59:302022-09-08 06:26:49Grave Digger Academy (Grave Digger Academy Book 1) by C.A. King – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris
Poetry isn’t usually my go to read, but I am so glad this title caught my eye. I am a sucker for anything Wonderland and this collection of poems did not disappoint. I put on my favorite songs, which included quite a few discographies from the Beatles, and just let the words fill my soul as the music washed over me. The author has a well-rounded musical and literary background, which was clear in the different poems. The poems were varied and each had a different feeling and vibe to them. Scattered throughout the book, we would then get the musings of the author about how he came to write and why he chose to write the poems in his collections. He is definitely an author I will be keeping an eye out for and this will be a collection that I know I will be reaching for in the future when I an looking for an escape and a new way to look at feelings.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Haller-Dorishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Haller-Doris2022-09-04 20:20:572022-09-06 10:20:05Euphoric Wonderland by Ryan M. Becker – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris
I absolutely adored this story! I hadn’t read the previous 2 stories, but I definitely plan to check them out. I was expecting the standard rom-com second love story line, but then the author threw a curve-ball with a fun fill mystery added in. I enjoyed how she shared the background of Marissa and Weston’s teenage romance and how things went sideways in smaller pieces, so it wasn’t all thrown at us all at once. The story was filled with humor, but when the main character owns a condom empire, the jokes pretty much write themselves. Throw in a few trips to a nudist colony a sassy parrot and you have the perfect mix for hilarity. I loved the story line and how the characters grow and come together. It’s definitely a great book to read if you are looking to escape reality for a bit and need some steamy romance, a ton of humor, a dash of mystery, and a happily ever after.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Haller-Dorishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Haller-Doris2022-08-31 21:02:082022-09-02 12:46:15Tropical Date (Postscript Island Book 3) by R.S. Jonesee – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris
This was such a sweet story and a wonderful way to end the series. I just love how the titles of chapters have the recipe at the end of them! I am excited to give some of them a try! I found the story to be humorous and charming between the struggles of Cat and Nate. It definitely had a Freaky Friday or Wish Upon a Star feel to it, and it was wonderful seeing how they had to solve the problem and put everything back to rights. The story is definitely full of feel good fun and a wonderful story for not only teens and preteens, but adults too!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Haller-Dorishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Haller-Doris2022-08-17 21:35:202022-08-19 17:14:38Bake Happy (Bake Believe Series Book 3) by Cori Cooper – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris
This was a great debut cozy mystery. We get to meet Elizabeth Candew, a recently divorced mom of two who is struggling to figure out who she is after the divorce and make ends meet without having a job. She is invited to a Lady Lily Wear party by her neighbor where she makes the decision to buy into the “business” and become her own boss. Unfortunately her mentor is murdered before she can teach her how to sell $3,000 worth of clothing. Elizabeth finds herself trying to juggle solving the murder, raising her 2 children, dealing with the fallout from her affair and the resulting baby, her son’s struggles at school, her ex-husband’s lack of support, rudeness from her ex sister-in-law, and the detective who is working the case, who turns out to be the guy she loved and lost in high school. I appreciated that the author gave us a very realistic character that was flawed and had to work hard for any improvements in her life and herself. The story definitely had its ups and downs, but if you are looking for a fun mystery with a down to earth heroine, this is a great story!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Haller-Dorishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Haller-Doris2022-08-17 21:26:412022-08-19 18:23:56Stitch by Stitch by Marie-Therese Hernon – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris
I absolutely adored this story! Was definitely a steamy historical romance novel that I would absolutely recommend to anyone who is a fan of this genre. I can’t wait to read the rest of her books and see where this series goes! The main characters were fantastic! I loved that Celia was fiery and stubborn, who was trying to create her own destiny and despite her terrible secret, she was still trying to live her life and find her true love. Gabe was such a hot character and I adored how passionate he was and sexy he could be. The two are absolutely drawn together and despite their initial fears, they eventually give into their passions. The passion between these characters is electric and their bedroom scenes are hot!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Haller-Dorishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Haller-Doris2022-08-16 18:59:532022-08-17 08:02:00My Darling Rogue (A Wicked Rogues Romance Book 1) by April Moran – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris
This was definitely a fast paced, action packed adventure that had so many twists and turns, I couldn’t put the book down! EmVee was such a great heroine, who keeps working so hard despite all of the trauma and setbacks. She is struggling to understand the changes in herself ever since her attack and she has lost everyone she loves. She now has to work with her ex’s best friend to try and uncover the secrets she needs to get the answers to, while working through her feelings for him as well. This was a roller coaster of emotions and an amazing start to the series! I can’t wait to read the rest of the books!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Haller-Dorishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Haller-Doris2022-08-05 21:32:372022-08-06 10:25:55Caged Fire (The Vigilant Book 1) by LM Preston – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris
The moment I saw Pemberley in the title I knew I had to read this book! I am always a bit nervous about adaptations, but this one knocks it out of the park! The story is about the descendants of the original characters and our main character Eliza, was named after our gal Elizabeth. Her father had moved to America years ago and now she is returning back to England for a family reunion filled with descendants from the rest of the sisters! I loved how she also brought in other familiar names from other Jane Austen stories, it just made the whole book feel like a fun and cozy friend! The characters are fun and he book is filled with all sorts of mysteries and danger for the heroine for uncover, all while trying to get along with her family, learn the British phrases, attempt to not annoy the local detective too much, and get to know the very hot guy she met on the plane, who also happens to be a guest at the mansion. Eliza has her hands full, but just like her namesake, she will be able to navigate it all with a great sense of humor! I am so excited to read the next books in the series and see what happens next!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Haller-Dorishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Haller-Doris2022-08-03 19:19:512022-08-04 10:51:01Murder Most Pemberley (Eliza Darcy Mysteries Book 1) by Jessica Berg – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris
I found this to be a fantastic sci-fi fantasy book that was action packed with just the right amount of romance in it. We have Elle, who thinks she is an orphan, who has always felt a disconnect with people on Earth and Locan, a warrior at odds with himself, because he has seen what happens when you lose control. Due to fate, or actually the Gods, they are brought together and have to learn to trust not only each other, but themselves if they want to survive the journey back to their home planet and save it. I felt the character descriptions and development was well rounded, I cared for the characters and wanted to see them succeed and I was worried when things got into tight spots for them. I was impressed at how the author was able to complete the story in one book without it feeling rushed or details were left out. The pacing was solid. The story definitely touched on some adult themes so not a story for children or younger teens. I definitely recommend it for a mature reader who wants to lose themselves in a fantastic story that is going to take them to another world!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Haller-Dorishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Haller-Doris2022-08-02 18:04:302022-08-04 09:54:18Princess of Prias by Courtney Davis – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris
I had not read this author before so I was not sure what to expect when I decided to read this book, but I was not disappointed! I found it to be a fast paced entertaining story about a girl who is trying to be a hero and live up to her father’s hero legacy, but she is also dealing with her mom, who does love her, but is a well-known villain. She accidentally finds herself with a nemesis that she isn’t sure what to do with. The story line was packed with action, backstory, and plenty of twists and turns that I definitely did not see coming. The story was also quite humorous and had me laughing out loud. The characters were well developed and fun. Even the “villains” were people I would want to go get a drink and hang out with. I would totally want to have the poison checking gloves on though, just in case. I absolutely recommend this story and I can’t wait for the next book to come out!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Haller-Dorishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Haller-Doris2022-07-24 18:58:562022-07-25 10:28:03The Vilification of Aqua Marine by Megan Mackie – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris
I was definitely drawn to this book since it takes place in Helena Montana and I was born and raised just an hour away. It was fun to see the writer’s depiction of Montana and the beauty of the state! We meet Paige a New Yorker who has worked hard to become a respected art curator for a top gallery. She is sent to Montana to meet Mark, a reluctant painter, who she wants to represent. From the moment they meet, the chemistry is electric between them. Mark finally agrees to do the paintings and Paige plans to stay in Montana with him on his horse rescue ranch until they are complete. Unfortunately, Paige has been burned romantically and so has Mark. They have to figure out if they can overcome their pasts to make their future together. I couldn’t put the book down and devoured it in one sitting. The characters are well written and multidimensional. The descriptive language really brings to life the beauty of Montana, the paintings, and the horses. My heart broke when we learned more about their pasts and their separate traumas. The author did an amazing job of pacing in the book and drew you into the story. Overall a very sweet and steamy romance story with some interesting twists. I haven’t read other stories by the author previously, but I will definitely be checking out her other works.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Haller-Dorishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Haller-Doris2022-07-12 20:18:182022-07-13 10:53:25Paige and the Reluctant Artist by Darci Garcia – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris
Talk about a series of mix-ups and miscommunications in one book! In the third Pierce Brothers book, we meet Seth, a billionaire tech guy who just wants to be treated like everyone else. Unfortunately for him, his PA is quitting and most of the recent applications keep hitting on him. In walks Victoria and the admin mistakes her for the applicant coming to interview. Seth is immediately intrigued by her and wants to hire her. Unfortunately Victoria isn’t there for a job interview; she is a reporter trying to get an interview with him for her article. She is up for a promotion and if she doesn’t get it before her 30th birthday, she is quitting her job. She admits to him that she isn’t what he thinks and he has her wrong name, she gives him her nickname and last name and he is able to track her down and realizes she is a reported. Initially he is pretty upset, but can’t stop thinking about her. He offers her a job as a consultant and will give her the interview. Victoria isn’t about mixing business and pleasure, but spending so much time with Seth is making it hard. There are still a lot of miscommunications between the two of them which definitely added to the tension in the story. I thought how the characters reacted to the different situations was extremely realistic given the circumstances. It was a well written story and the characters were well developed. Another great Pierce story and we get further insight into all of the brothers, except the 4th brother, whose book I hope is coming soon!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Haller-Dorishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Haller-Doris2022-07-10 20:59:462022-07-12 09:57:53One in A Billion (Pierce Brothers Book 3) by Belinda Williams – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris
I loved the character of Nadia in the first book and getting to see her shine in her own book was fantastic. She is a hard working nurse who had a one night stand a year ago that had turned into multiple nights, with Luke. That is, until she saw a text and realized he was married. She immediately broke it off, despite his protests that they were separated. Unfortunately for Nadia, her best friend Chelsea is dating Tom, Luke’s younger brother. Add in her house that is slowing falling apart around her, and might be trying to murder her or at least steal her soul, Nadia is feeling stressed to the max. Luckily, Luke is a contractor who wants to work on her house and is willing to put in the extra time and effort to make it affordable for her. Nadia adores the plans he created with the ideas she gives him and agrees to let him work on her house. It was so great watching Nadia get to have her dream home while getting to know Luke better. Both characters had their flaws, but they were willing to admit them and work on them, eventually. These are characters that I would happily grab a beer with or have a competitive game night in. The story was well written and the pacing was fantastic! I am loving this series and I can’t wait to read more about the final 2 brothers and check out the rest of the author’s work!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Haller-Dorishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Haller-Doris2022-07-10 20:47:322022-07-12 07:50:43Spoilsport (Pierce Brothers Book 2) by Belinda Williams – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris
I really enjoyed this story. We meet Chelsea, a really nice girl with a habit of dating bad boys or just plain bad guys. She is currently roommates with her older brother’s best friend Tom and they have been living together for quite a while, but don’t really hangout or spend a lot of time together. After Chelsea’s latest boyfriend has scammed her out of three grand, her best friend challenges her to date a nice guy and Tim volunteers to be her test subject, as friends. They agree to date for 1 week, so she can see how a nice guy treats a woman. During this time we get to see the attraction between them and how they start to really see each other and get to know one another. Chelsea and Tom have both secretly had crushes on the other at different points, but acting on it was never on the table. As the week continues we see how they begin to push each other to be better and strive for more, while still working through issues from their pasts. I thought the whole premise was so sweet and Tom is definitely a book boyfriend favorite. The characters had multiple dimensions and the story line was engaging and fun! I definitely can’t wait to read the rest of the series and see how things go with the other brothers.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Haller-Dorishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Haller-Doris2022-07-10 20:38:202022-07-12 07:44:29Mr. Nice Guy (Pierce Brothers Book 1) by Belinda Williams – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris
This was a very sweet romance about a young couple in medieval times when Richard the 3rd was king. Isabel’s father has arranged her marriage to a knight she has never met before. Isabel is concerned when it is discovered that while her family supports the house of York in the War of the Roses, while her husband’s family are supporters of the house of Lancaster. Determined to be a dutiful daughter and a good wife, Isabel marries Sir William and they embark on their journey to their new home. They have to work together and figure out how to trust one another if they want to make it succeed. The author did a great job of describing different situations and holidays and how they would have been handled back then. Having the War of the Roses in the background added to different intrigues that the characters had to face. I thought the characters were well written and complex. The author didn’t shy away from making the bedroom scenes steamy, but still keeping with the time period. Definitely a great book to check out for fans of romantic history books!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Haller-Dorishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Haller-Doris2022-07-10 20:27:362022-07-12 07:41:45Love in the Roses (Love Through the Ages Book 1) by TL Clark – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris
This was a fantastic start to a magical new series! We start by meeting Phoenix, the crown prince of the Twilight Realm. Unfortunately his parents are murdered in a coup and he and his sister are separated and he is raised in obscurity until he is old enough to take back his crown. We then meet a young Zoe, a virtual prisoner in her parents’ castle, and she is desperate to escape. She begins to realize how her magic can work for her and she is determined to keep it a secret from those who would use it to harm others. The book bounces back and forth between the two characters and from when they are younger until the present time for them. I loved seeing how the story unfolded and the characters grew and matured. Both Zoe and Nix want so badly to feel love and be needed, but they are so scared of being hurt that they keep their guards up. It was so sweet to see how they get to know each other while working to try and save a Kingdom! It was an awesome book to read and I can’t wait to read the rest of the trilogy!
This was a great bridge story between Book 1 and Book 2 of the Twilight Realm Series. We get to meet Yarissa, a young adult elf who thinks she has everything planned out and then bam! Everything starts to spiral out of control. At the start of the book, she is on a spy mission that she has to complete for her training and the mission starts to go sideways, but thanks to her quick thinking, she is able to complete the mission. This sets off a series changes she didn’t expect or plan for. As we progress through the book we see her start to grow as an elf and start to believe in herself. She begins to make new friends and slowly lets herself start to trust again. She has been entrusted in an important mission by King Phoenix to find his missing sister and she is determined to complete her mission. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and made me even more excited for book 2.
Another cute story about the relationship between Fig, Maia and her mermaid friend Trezzie and how they can learn different scientific skills from each other. I think it is adorable that Fig just can’t see Trezzie and still seems on the fence as to if Maia is actually talking to a mermaid or if she is just making it up. I enjoy that there is a mermaid involved in the story to help engage kids in learning about science. This particular story deals with how to make a magnifying glass using a clear container and water droplets. I love the easy to read story line and the artwork is well done. The author does a great job of clearly explaining the science at the end of the story in a way that young children will be able to understand. I absolutely recommend this story to anyone looking for a cute children’s story.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Haller-Dorishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Haller-Doris2022-07-02 20:42:472022-07-04 08:31:06Mermaid and the Water Magnifying Glass (Mermaid Science Series) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris
I loved this story! It was a three part book, so it was like having 3 mini books in 1! I love how they all started and ended in a bookstore, one of my favorite places to be! Everything starts at Leona’s book store where we meet Sadie and Charlie, two singles people trying to making it through the holidays, and then Fiona, a famous author, and Price a traveling musician who after years of being divorced, are reunited at the bookstore and small town. Leona sets up a book signing and ensures Price will be there, is that the nudge they need to make it work? Part 3 Leona meets Jon, a fix it man, who is working on the building her bookstore is in. The thread the winds through all of the stories is a love story about a woman named Ellen who met a man named Charlie and the next day they ran away on a train and got married and their happily ever after resonates through all of these stories. I just loved the writing and I loved how well written the characters were. This was such a sweet story, I haven’t read anything by this author before, but I will be checking out the rest of her books!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Haller-Dorishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Haller-Doris2022-06-29 20:53:392022-06-30 09:46:50The Happily Ever After Bookstore by Bernadette Marie – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris
I very much enjoyed reading this book! I had not read the previous stories, so it took me a bit to organize all of the characters, but once I did, everything flowed nicely. I love the focus on mental health and especially men’s mental health with a focus on athletes. My heart broke for Evan trying to work through his mental blocks, depression, and anxiety. While I don’t have a lot in common with a former pro male athlete, it was nice to see that other people struggle with the same internal negative voices. Callie was an amazing support to Evan and it was so sweet seeing how they support each other’s dreams and goals. This was definitely a very sweet and steamy book that I recommend for sure! I look forward to checking out the previous books and the rest of the series!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Haller-Dorishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Haller-Doris2022-06-28 19:03:442022-06-29 20:58:59Saved by Love (Bellevue Bullies Book 7) by Toni Aleo – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris
I was so excited to read book 2 of the series and it did not disappoint! We picked up where book 1 left off and I loved getting to see how Morgan’s relationships with everyone have continued to grow and mature. She is learning more about her other worldly visitors and it has been interesting getting to know Elizabeth and Jonathon better. Elizabeth is so much more than just a sweet homemaker and it’s awesome to see her fiery side. Reading this book just felt cozy and comfortable, even with all of the craziness that was going on, it had a down to earth feel to it. I loved reading about her growing relationship with Caleb and seeing how she handles all of the changes. It was wonderful to see Gloria again and see how she is taming her afterlife. We get to learn more rules about the ghost world and meet some new characters as well. It was wild seeing Esmeralda throw all of rules out the window and create complete chaos as she tries to steal Caleb for herself. Definitely a page turner and series I need more of!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Haller-Dorishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Haller-Doris2022-06-26 20:07:132022-06-27 12:15:22Distant Memories (Nurse Morgan Series Book 2) by Kate MacInnis – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris
When I started this story I had not read the previous 2 books and I was worried it would make it hard to follow along with the storyline of this book, but I thought the author did a great job of touching on information from previous books with just enough information I didn’t feel confused, but not so much information that I felt like it would be pointless to check them out. After reading this story, I fully intend to read the first 2 books to see Krystina’s older sisters’ stories. This was such a great book; I loved reading about Krystina and Loukas’s relationship and the history behind her hurt and his guilt. I loved how the author would give the different characters the POV and we got to go back to the past and see her grandmother’s relationship begin with her now missing grandfather. The author did a great job of describing the panic and uncertainty when the pandemic hit and how families and businesses had to navigate through it. Overall it was a great story that made me laugh and cry. I can’t wait to read the first 2 books and the 4th book by the author.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Haller-Dorishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Haller-Doris2022-06-22 22:00:152022-06-23 08:20:25Love is Worth Fighting for (The Meraki Series Book 3) by Effie Kammenou – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris
This was a wonderful debut novel by the author! From the first page it hooked me in and I couldn’t stop reading until the final page. I found it a well written story with well-developed characters, and I absolutely love the name Ellawyn or Ellie for the main character. You could really relate to the characters in the story, they weren’t perfect and I thought the author did a fantastic job of show realistic reactions to the different events in the story. There was a nice balance of mystery, suspense, and romance throughout the storyline. The small town vibe felt spot on and it seems like such a wonderful place to visit. I loved the interactions between Ellie and Benji and how sweet they were together and it was a pleasant surprise at how steamy the relationship between Ellie and Beckett got. I am so excited to read the second novel coming out later this year!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Haller-Dorishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Haller-Doris2022-06-19 18:47:272022-06-20 07:31:39Finding Starlight (Quimby Grove Book 1) by Shannon Nikole – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris
This was my first story by this author and I am so glad I took a gamble on the getting this book! I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this fast paced short story definitely kept me on the edge. I devoured the story and didn’t stop reading until I got to the end. We meet Mimi the Queen of Hearts, a gambling woman in a house of ill repute, who uses her looks and her games to ensnare the bad guys and teach them a lesson. One by one she will make them all pay, but when one of the richest and evilest men steps foot into her game, will it be too much or will the Queen of Hearts prevail? In a short story, the author was able to fill it with vivid descriptions and well-rounded characters with depth and heart. A definite page turner!
Oh my goodness, I am so glad I was able to read all 6 books at once, because I think I would have gone crazy while waiting to read the next book! This is an explosive series, full of sexy alpha males (a description I never thought I would ever use), strong, gorgeous, intelligent women, and a dark twisty story line that hooks you from the start. Over the course of 6 books we get to know 6 half-brothers, who call themselves the bastards and their father, Jamison Finch, a dark sick man, who after realizing his oldest son Lazarus, would not be taking over his empire, instead decides to use his resources to destroy his children. Lazarus a former MI6 operative has been working to take down his father and keep his brothers, Aleksei, Archer, Kai, Liam, and Sam safe. Lazarus reaches out to an old friend who runs a deep secret agency called Purgatory to help him destroy his father. The leader Beatrice is unwilling to involve her agents, but instead offers a different solution, her Dark Sparrows. Women she assisted in getting out of horrific situations and starting over with a clean slate, who have vowed to come to her aid whenever called. Each book focuses on one brother and the dark sparrow who comes into his life to help him with his specific concern. Over the course of the books, we get to see how truly evil Jamison is and the extremes he will go to destroy his sons and inflict even more damage than he already has, but we also get to see how the brothers learn to work together and fall in love with the women who come into their lives. Each story is extremely steamy and action keeps you focused until the final page. As the books progress, the subject matter does get darker, but it’s not overly descriptive with the darker elements. I love how the author is able to create strong women who were able to overcome their pasts and become the amazing women they are now., who don’t back down from a fight and will work with the men they love to overcome an evil megalomaniac bent on destruction. If you like action adventure, twists, steamy scenes, and fully developed characters who will keep you guessing until the final page this is definitely a series you will want to check out!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Haller-Dorishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Haller-Doris2022-06-09 07:37:222022-06-09 07:37:22Dark Sparrow Box Set: The Complete 6-Book Series (A Dark Sparrow Novel) by India Kells – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris
I loved this story and I am so excited to read the sequel! When we meet Nurse Morgan she is experiencing weird paranormal situations that she cannot explain, while trying to get back into the swing of things at her job as a charge nurse at the emergency center in a metro Detroit hospital. She had just recently survived a blown aneurysm in her brain six weeks previously. Things start ramping up when she starts being able to communicate with ghosts. Initially she thinks she is going crazy, but as she continues to get to know her new friends and share her secret with her best friend and boss Dr. Savannah Holt, she starts to lean into the experience. Mixing into all of this chaos is a new doctor at the ER, Dr. Caleb Lightfoot who isn’t freaked out by the new ghostly friends that Morgan is making. The author did an amazing job of keeping a tight pace with the writing and slowly guiding us through the story. She even throws in cool scientific theories regarding auras and the fourth dimension. It was a fun mix of paranormal and romance. I look forward to seeing how Morgan, Caleb, and Savvy continue to deal with the added complication of ghosts in Morgan’s life.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Haller-Dorishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Haller-Doris2022-06-06 08:01:192022-06-06 08:01:19Distant Heart Sounds (Nurse Morgan Series Book 1) by Kate MacInnis – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris
When I first started this book, I was unaware that there was a previous series that explained more of the back story of Chloe and Quintus’s relationship prior to the beginning of this book. As I read on, the information the author shared gave me a clear picture of the relationship and definitely made me want to read the original series to get even more information. The author was able to summarize and recap the previous book without it feeling like a recap or rehashing old information. When we meet Chloe, she is living a quiet life in the mortal realm with her family. She still has some access to magic, as she brought a book back from Fairie that helps her in her role as the apothecary, and her brother is a fae, who has masked himself to look like a mortal. She is trying to combat a strange illness that has broken out in her village, one that is similar to an illness she finds in her book from Fairie. As she is trying to save lives, Quintus arrives, demanding she return to Fairie to help the fae fight against the mortals who have attacked them, including her sister. Initially she refuses, she isn’t a fighter, she doesn’t like Quintus and distrusts his motives, and she has people to save from the illness. Unfortunately she realizes that the poison the mortals are using against the fae is poisoning Fairie and it has seeped into the mortal realm, making them extremely ill. If she wants to save her people in the mortal realm, she is going to have to go to Fairie and help fight against the mortals. Despite her physical attraction to Quintus, she doesn’t trust him and doesn’t like him. She just wants to save the fae and go home. Unfortunately the mortals are far more dangerous then she realized. . As they continue to work together and face new dangers, Chloe starts to recognize not only changes in herself, but in Quintus as well. As she starts to trust him further, she starts to realize that some of her core beliefs about herself might not be what she thought they were. The pacing of the story was excellent and the author did a great job of balancing the emotional scenes with action. I devoured the book in one sitting as I wanted to see how things ended. I can’t wait to continue the series and see how things will grow between Chloe and Quintus as they continue to fight for Fairie and the fae in it.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Haller-Dorishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Haller-Doris2022-05-30 07:49:272022-05-30 07:49:27Flame and Crystal Thorns (Fae and Crystal Thorns Book 1) by Kay L. Moody – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris
The Mermaid and the Ice Cube Necklace (Mermaid Science) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Amanda Haller Doris
The Mermaid and the Ice Cube Necklace is a very cute story about 2 girls Maia and Fig who go on a picnic and are visited by a mermaid Trezzie. Trezzie can only be seen and interact with Maia, which makes Fig think she might not be real. Trezzie is very interested in the ice cubes and so Maia uses a straw to blow a hole through them in order to make a necklace for her. This is a cute story with lots of pictures for children to enjoy. The author does a great job of explaining scientific ideas in a way that children can understand. I especially enjoyed at the end of the story where she goes into more details about the different forms or phases of water. She does a great job of explaining scientific ideas in an easy to understand manner that is fun for children!
A Veil of Gods and Kings (Apollo Ascending Book 1) by Nicole Bailey – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris This is the first book in what I hope to be a very long series. The series is a twist on Greek Mythology and the first book focuses on a new interpretation of the relationship between Apollo the Sun God and Hyacinth. It is written from the view point of 3 of the main characters in the story, Apollo, Hyacinth, and Epiphany. At the start of the book, Apollo is still part mortal and has not ascended to become a God. He lives in the mortal realm with his younger half-sister Temi. Apollo would prefer not to ascend and take his place as the sun god, but his father Zeus’s patience is waning. Zeus gives Apollo an ultimatum, ascend now or spend a year with Prince Hyacinth learning how to be a better prince. Since Apollo would rather stay mortal longer, he begrudgingly travels to Hyacinth’s kingdom with Temi. Hyacinth or Cyn, as he is called, would rather not have a spoiled half God underfoot, but if Zeus commands it, he must follow it. The two slowly begin to work together and get to know each other on a more personal level. Gradually the relationship moves from enemies to friends, into something more. While Apollo and Cyn are trying to figure things out together, we are also seeing the view point of Cyn’s younger sister Ephiany who has started spending more time with Temi. Epiphany is soon to be on the marriage market, but she would rather make her own destiny. She and Temi become close friends who encourage each other to step outside their comfort zones and see the world with a different perspective. The author uses modern language in the book which makes it enjoyable to follow. She writes in a way that it feels like she is seamlessly bringing ancient Greece into the modern world, while still capturing the feel of ancient times. The story definitely kept me engrossed until the last page. Her interpretation of the different Gods and how they interacted flowed well. The characters are all well developed and the storyline was tightly woven. She took a well-known story and created a whole new world for the characters to live in. I can’t wait to read the following books.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Amanda Haller-Dorishttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAmanda Haller-Doris2022-05-21 07:29:572022-05-21 07:29:57A Veil of Gods and Kings (Apollo Ascending Book 1) by Nicole Bailey – Review by Amanda Haller-Doris
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Grave Digger Academy by C.A. King
