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The Viper’s Bloodline Awakened (The Gods’ Scion Series) by Winnifred Tataw – Review by Amanda Swindle

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The Viper's Bloodline Awakened: The Fifth Book in the Urban Fantasy series The Gods' ScionThe Viper’s Bloodline Awakened: The Fifth Book in the Urban Fantasy series The Gods’ Scion by Winnifred Tataw
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Viper’s Bloodline Awakened is the 5th book in The Gods’ of Scion Series. I read this one as a stand alone and was a little confused at character’s connections at times so I would recommend reading the previous books before this one. I was able to follow the storyline easily enough and there is plenty of action to keep you turning the pages. The Viper’s Bloodline Awakened is full of interesting magic, drama, war, and Gods. Tensions as exposed truths threaten to break family ties. Arcelia is caught in the middle of the dilemma and unsure who to trust, while still trying to save everyone. The characters are so complex as their loyalties are tested, and morals come into play. There is so many mythological elements, well written and convincing, that I enjoyed this more than I thought. I was invested with the way the author crafted the world and characters and adds a level of immersion you don’t always find. I will be going back to read the other books and possibly changing my rating once I can relate to the characters a bit more. Overall, this was a great story and a dark fantasy adventure that I am happy I traveled.

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Lapidius: Book 1 (A Nation Found Series) by Matthew Runals – Review by Amanda Swindle

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LapidiusLapidius by Matthew Runals
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lapidius (A Nation Found Book 1) is a YA Dystopian Fiction full of mystical creatures and monsters all around. While this is intended as a YA, there is some violence and heavier content that comes with a military/war setting, and some parents may not be comfortable with this. The story is a coming of age, incorporating family and friendship bonds, building trust, and young teens finding themselves in a harsh world. When the war comes too close to home, Joey’s mother sends him away to a military school, Lapidius, to keep him safe and to ensure he has food and shelter. Lapidius is not just your every day run of the mill school though, it is a school to hone and perfect skills in a magical world. The kids must learn to trust each other, and themselves, in order to survive. This is a bit on par with Hunger Games or Maze Runner, but also unique and completely different. The setting and characters are believable and easy to follow, with plenty of action. I liked that the ending left things open for more to follow and things can go in so many different directions, so I am interested to see what the next book brings.

Reviewed by @zoltrixes
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Mr. Lucky (Trentbridge Crime Series Book 1) by Lee Wood – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Mr Lucky (Trentbridge Tales #1)Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Mr.Lucky is the first book and start to the Trentbridge Tales series. When James, a former detective finds himself at rock bottom, he decides to try his luck with a lottery ticket. He has lost his family and everything he cherishes and can not even afford to feed himself, so what does he have to lose? To his astonishment, he wins big; now all of his problems are solved, right? Not so much. Now he has some rather unpleasant people tracking him down and finding himself battling the underbelly of society, and his own demons. This was the first book by Lee Wood that I have read and it kept me guessing. This story is written in multiple POVs and has enough excitement, drama, danger, and psychological battle to make you love the writing. I am happy to continue on to the next book and see if the story continues and where the path leads.

reviewed by @zoltrixes
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The Crown of Stones Trilogy Box Set (The Crown of Stones Series) by C. L. Schneider – Review by Amanda Swindle

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The Crown of Stones Complete TrilogyThe Crown of Stones Complete Trilogy by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Crown of Stones is the first series I have read from C.L.Schneider and was an amazing intro into this author. The trilogy is composed of Magic Price, Magic Scars, and Magic Borne.
In book one (Magic Price) we meet Ian Troy: Bounty Hunter. Ian lives in exile and has a rough and rugged past. When the past comes back to haunt him, he must once again take up magic to abolish the threats. Book two (Magic Scars) follows book one, and Ian Troy is in trouble. To suppress his magic, Ian has been tortured and drugged into submission. Ofcourse, our hero isn’t going to sit back while the world around him, and within him, crumbles. In an attempt to answer the questions in his head, and facing his past over again, Ian uncovers secrets that were perhaps better left unfound. Book three (Magic Borne) brings us to the end of Ian’s story and The Crown of Stones in order to free himself, and his people, from the torment and suffering they have endured.
The Crown of Stones Trilogy is a dark fantasy full of adventure, twists, and hard decisions. The characters are believable with their trauma and back story trickling in, and their reactions to events as they happen. Readers should be advised that some parts do get quite heavy as our hero traverses not only the trauma around him, but also within himself. This was a fantastical series and I will be looking into more works from C.L.Schneider!

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An Ember of Hope (War of Destiny Series) by Theresa Van Spankeren – Review by Amanda Swindle

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An Ember of Hope: War of DestinyAn Ember of Hope: War of Destiny by Theresa Van Spankeren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An Ember of Hope delves into the backstory of Matthew De La Roche, and is part of the War of Destiny series. You *can* read it as a standalone, but makes much more sense to read them in order. This time around, Matthew has left the powerful family of vampires he was surrounded with previously, lost his soulmate, and began working with the mortals. As things start to feel almost normal, and he blends in with the mortals, soldiers began to come up missing. It wouldn’t be Matthew if he wasnt drawn to the conflict and the need to help. I like that this book gives some more depth to Matthew but it feels unnatural that he would throw himself into the human world so easily. I did like that the author incorporated emotions of mourning and loss, as well as confusion and powerlessness into all of it, and gave him those human emotions to draw you in further, and make him more likeable and relateable. Overall, I liked this one more than I thought that I would, and enjoyed the story as it progressed. Definitely read the others that go with the series as well.

Reviewed by @zoltrixes
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Alchemy of Glass (The Apothecary Series) by Barbara Barnett – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Alchemy of GlassAlchemy of Glass by Barbara Barnett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alchemy of Glass is the second book in the Apothecary Series, and continues on after book one. You can read this book as a standalone, but it would help to read the first book to help follow back story and details. This is a dual POV book so it does switch between characters to give you perspectives from different angles. Alchemy of glass seamlessly meshes dark fantasy, history and science to make a believable and unique world. Not only are you reading from different perspectives of characters, but also from different points in time as well. In Alchemy of Glass, we continue with Gaelen, the immortal apothecary. Gaelen finds a piece of glass in an old friend’s journal that leads him on an epic journey and the need to recruit the help of Anne, who he was not always kind to in the previous book. Hopefully, together, they can prevent a catastrophic future and fix things before it is too late for everyone. This story is nicely written and easy to follow, even with the switches in characters and times. The character development was steady and smooth, and I think I liked this more than the first one.
Reviewed by @zoltrixes

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The Veil (The Veil Realms Series Book One) by Karli Rush – Review by Amanda Swindle

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The VeilThe Veil by Karli Rush
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Veil by Karli Rush is a dystopian fantasy following an earthquake that alters everything. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Selene traverses the chaos that is now her hometown. Next a haziness seeps in, but it is not like a typical fog or like anything anyone has ever seen. The sinister Veil is a place of nightmares, menacing creatures and screams of agony lurk therein. Rayden, Selene’s boyfriend is entrapped on the other side. Will Selene be able to save him…will she even be able to save herself? This book is full of non-stop action, twists and turns, and danger at every corner. The characters are believable and I love that the focus is on a strong female heroine. The scenery and the world that is pictured is nothing like we have seen before, somewhere between Earth and Hell. I love the descriptive scenes that put you into the plot and make you feel for the characters as they traverse this unknown world. I would say this is a fun read for anyone that enjoys dystopian fantasy.

reviewed by @zoltrixes
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The Apothecary’s Curse (The Apothecary Series) by Barbara Barnett – Review by Amanda Swindle

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The Apothecary's CurseThe Apothecary’s Curse by Barbara Barnett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Apothecary’s Curse by Barbara Barnett is a steampunk adventure with historical inspirations. The history and settings are very well done and the story is intricately woven to be believable and easy to follow. Simon Bell mixes up an elaborate elixir, created by another man, to cure his wife’s cancer, only it ends with deadly consequences. Upon taking the remaining dose, he discovers he is unable to die. This historical fantasy takes place across multiple timelines and touches on mythical ideas of immortality, alchemy, and mythology. I enjoyed this book overall but I do wish the characters were a little more in-depth, and the story took a different path at some points. It was a fun read in a genre I would not typcially read, and it did hold my attention, so kudos to the author.

Reviewed by @zoltrixes

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The Chaos Clock: Tales of Cosmic Aether edited by Danielle Ackley-McPhail – Review by Amanda Swindle

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The Chaos ClockThe Chaos Clock by Danielle Ackley-McPhail
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Chaos Clock is made up of 14 short stories about time and clocks. I really enjoyed the concept and ideas that went into this anthology, and how each story is remarkably unique from the others. I really loved the steampunk vibes and how each author was able to capture their own take on the power of time. This can be a bit of a slower read if you do not enjoy similar writings of HP Lovecraft or HG Wells (both of which I respect and enjoy). This is one you can read straight through or pick and choose your way around the book, and I hope more anthologies are to follow! The stories included are:

-The Birth of Mechanical Things
By: Maxwell I. Gold
–The Thirteenth Hour
By: Heidi Silverman
–On the Face of It
By: Danielle Ackley-McPhail
–Lighthouse at the Edge of Time
By: Teel James Glenn
–Accelerando
By: James Chambers
–The Last Flight of the One-Eyed Jack
By: F.R. Michaels
–The Ring of Hours and Seconds
By: Jeffrey Lyman
–Saving Time
By: Jody Lynn Nye
–Reimagining the Mechanism: An Exposition On the Nature of Time
By: Bernie Mojzes
–Sky Rivers of Gray
By: Will McDermott
–The Reclaiming of New York City
By: Mark L. Abbott
–Visions of the Manor
By: Carol Gyzander
–Tick Tock
By: Rachel A. Brune
–The Eye at the Centre of Existence Never Blinks Out
By: Maxwell I. Gold

Reviewed by @zoltrixes

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The Handshake Agreement (Book 1) by A. Akinosho – Review by Amanda Swindle

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The Handshake AgreementThe Handshake Agreement by A. Akinosho
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

From the start, The Handshake Agreement is a page turner. If you enjoy romance and forbidden loves, this will keep your attention. I do not read many romance books because (in my opinion) they are almost always alike. This one took me by surprise and I got into it much more than I thought that I would. Declan comes from a world of money and power, and it is all in the palm of his hand…if he accepts his father’s deal. Marry the girl of his choosing, and it will all be his. Declan accepts the agreement, asking for 10 years to do what he pleases before the agreement is signed in stone. Eight years later, Declan is picking up his younger sister from school and is asked to take her new friend, Anne, home as well. In the car, their eyes meet in the mirror and he feels a spark, but is determined to ignore it. Anne felt the same spark and connection Declan did, but after her father’s death and her mother’s depression, she wants no part of love. Three years later, Declan and Anne find themselves crossing paths again. Anne agrees to one night with Declan, no strings attached. As you may have guessed, this is not the fate of the two, and end up falling for each other. Keeping the relationship a secret can only last so long, as Declan’s dad has not forgotten the handshake agreement, and still expects his heir to marry sensibly. Now it is time for him to cash in on his part of the arrangement, and marry his bride to be. What will Declan do? Will he choose love over money and expectations, or will he leave Anne and fulfill his prophecy of being the golden child his dad expects? What will become of Anne when Declan pushes her away to marry for money and power? Will they resolve the relationship or find a way to persevere? This age gap romance has a great storyline and was easy to follow and hard to put down. I will be searching out the other books from this author and giving romance another chance!

Reviewed by @zoltrixes
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Puzzleman by Christopher Alan Broadstone – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Puzzleman: A NovelPuzzleman: A Novel by Christopher Alan Broadstone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Puzzleman: A Macabre Thriller throws you into a dark world of twists and turns, intricate details, and realistically written characters. I thoroughly enjoyed the amount of time and research that went into the writing, with nods at Greek Mythology and WWII that I noticed. this is definitely one of the most creative and intricately original books I have read in quite awhile, and I loved the strangeness of it all. This is one that will keep you guessing, and the fact that the characters are imperfect makes it much more believable and emerges you even deeper into the experience. Upon checking into this author, I have found he also has a some horror shorts that are also very well written and quite good stories. I will surely be reading more from this author.

reviewed by @zoltrixes

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The Book of Fears: A Collection of Short Stories by K. S. Gantt – Review by Amanda Swindle

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The Book of Fears: A Collection of Short StoriesThe Book of Fears: A Collection of Short Stories by K.S. Gantt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Book of Fears is a series of eight short stories; each one focusing on a different person and a specific phobia someone might have. Because of focuses on individualized triggers, this book could even be borderline scary for some people, but easy to skip that story and go on to the next. The stories included are:
-Let’s Go Home Wolfie (Autophobia- the fear of abandonement)
-Not In My House (Katsaridaphobia- the fear of cockroaches)
-I’ll Float Away (Lepidopterophobia- the fear of flying insects/butterflies)
-Friday the 13th (Paraskevidekatriaphobia- the fear of Friday the 13th)
-Deep Thoughts (Taphephobia- the fear of being buried alive)
-It’s All Fun and Games (Thanatophobia- the fear of death)
-Happy Anniversary (Ophidiophobia- the fear of snakes)
-Have You Seen My Wallet (Trypanophobia- the fear of needles)
I really enjoyed the idea and concept of this book, and the stories were very entertaining as well. I do wish the stories were longer, or more detailed. I am a horror nut some of the stories felt lacking, but for the everyday casual reader, this is a very nice compilation. I hope the author does a series-based set with this concept and makes more stories for more fears! If I had to pick the best story, I would say the one based on being buried alive. The least favorite would have been the one with aliens incorporated, because that threw off the “this could be real” feeling for me. The writing style flowed nicely and the stories were never TOO heavy. Other than that, definitely a neat book to pick up and worth the read.

Reviewed by @zoltrixes
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The Silent Forest (The House on the Hill Book 2) by David Kummer – Review by Amanda Swindle

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The Silent Forest (The House on the Hill, #2)The Silent Forest by David Duane Kummer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Silent Forest is the second book of The House on the Hill series and CAN be read as a standalone, but I would recommend grabbing the first book ahead of time. Early on I was a little lost, and it DOES start slow, but after about halfway it picks up quickly. (This is why I say read the first book, some things will make the second book easier to understand, but it can be followed without the first book too.) The main character, Kaia, is a great example of resilience, strength, dedication and loyalty. When her friend, Allison, turns up missing, Kaia refuses to give up hope, even when everyone else has. As the story develops, secrets begin to emerge, and some would prefer the secrets stay hidden. This is my first read from this author, and I will definitely be going back to read the first book, and hoping for a third to emerge as well. The writing is believable and if you enjoy psychological thrillers, this one checks all of the boxes.

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The Boss of Centocelle (A Commissario Scala Mystery in Rome) by P.J. Mann – Review by Amanda Swindle

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The Boss of Centocelle: An Italian Murder Mystery (Book 6) (A Commissario Scala Mystery in Rome)The Boss of Centocelle: An Italian Murder Mystery (Book 6) by P. J. Mann
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Boss of Centocelle is book six in the Detective Scala Murder Mystery series, but can be read as a standalone. If you have read any of the previous books, you know that Det.Scala has a knack for finding trouble, and finding answers. This time around, he is investigating the murders of two cousins who were involved in illegal activities. Will he find the answers he seeks, before the person(s) involved gets to him, or worse, his loved ones? I love how the main character has a relatable vibe to him; he is gritty and raw but also exposes his doubts and insecurities. As with the other books in the series, the plot is well written with twists and turns, lots of action and adventure, and many questions to be answered. I enjoy this author’s writing style and stories as you can breeze through it without even realizing you have. I would recommend reading the previous books as well, even if you read them out of order.

Reviewed by @zoltrixes
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War in Sorcery’s Shadow (Ruarnon Trilogy Book 3) by Elise Carlson – Review by Amanda Swindle

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War in Sorcery's Shadow (Ruarnon Trilogy #3)War in Sorcery’s Shadow by Elise Carlson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

War in Sorcery’s Shadow is the third and final book of the Ruarnon Trilogy, and this was the first I read in the series. It CAN be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend reading the previous books beforehand as it does help with story development. This book is a LGBTQ+ YA fantasy with all of the aspects you would expect: magic, dragons, secrets, adventure, and drama. I REALLY liked that you are introduced to everyone’s pronouns and relationships in the opening of the book, so you can flip back to it as a reference if ever needed. My favorite part of this book, other than the really well written style, was the relationship between Linh and Ruarnon, who may not be as different as they think. The story itself is fast paced, and keeps you drawn in, making you root for the characters and how they develop and interact over time. While I do not typically read YA, I would recommend this to anyone that loves a magical realm with mysterious aspects. Also, unrelated to the content of the book, the artwork on the cover is eye catching and stunning! Overall, very well done book.

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Will You (Pretend) Marry Me (Swan Cove Series) by Christi Barth – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Will You Pretend Marry MeWill You Pretend Marry Me by Christi Barth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read Will You Pretend Marry Me as my first read for this author, not realizing it was part of a series, and it can easily be read as a standalone. The story itself gave me some Hannah Montana vibes, with the secret identity singer situation but it is defintely more than just that. The main character lives a double life; as Abigail, she is a normal, run of the mill girl, absolutely normal. Abigail struggles with self identity, and wonders if anyone will ever accept her… As Kaia she is an international popstar; confident and outgoing. After finishing up a long 6 month world tour, Kaia is just over it all. The fake persona, the wigs and makeup, the whole gig has just drained her. Realizing she needs an escape, and a break, she heads to Maine for a few months to be a student teacher as herself, Abigail. Enter Everett Reynolds, VP and teacher at the school she is working at. The initial encounters between Abigail and Everett are interesting, and not at all a “love at first sight” encounter, as some sass and banter are the center of their conversations. Everett also has some secrets of his own as well…he is secretly working for the government. Now something has come up that could ruin Kaia’s reputation, so she goes to Everett for help…Will he fake marry her?? Will these two people with very different lifestyles, and secrets to hide, be able to surpass and overcome everything to have an actual relationship? Will Abigail opt to be Kaia, or remain herself?

Reviewed by @zoltrixes

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Will You (Pretend) Marry Me (Swan Cove Series) by Christi Barth – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Will You Pretend Marry MeWill You Pretend Marry Me by Christi Barth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read Will You Pretend Marry Me as my first read for this author, not realizing it was part of a series, and it can easily be read as a standalone. The story itself gave me some Hannah Montana vibes, with the secret identity singer situation but it is defintely more than just that. The main character lives a double life; as Abigail, she is a normal, run of the mill girl, absolutely normal. Abigail struggles with self identity, and wonders if anyone will ever accept her… As Kaia she is an international popstar; confident and outgoing. After finishing up a long 6 month world tour, Kaia is just over it all. The fake persona, the wigs and makeup, the whole gig has just drained her. Realizing she needs an escape, and a break, she heads to Maine for a few months to be a student teacher as herself, Abigail. Enter Everett Reynolds, VP and teacher at the school she is working at. The initial encounters between Abigail and Everett are interesting, and not at all a “love at first sight” encounter, as some sass and banter are the center of their conversations. Everett also has some secrets of his own as well…he is secretly working for the government. Now something has come up that could ruin Kaia’s reputation, so she goes to Everett for help…Will he fake marry her?? Will these two people with very different lifestyles, and secrets to hide, be able to surpass and overcome everything to have an actual relationship? Will Abigail opt to be Kaia, or remain herself?

Reviewed by @zoltrixes
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Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden ScotlandScotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Scotland: Stunning, Strange, and Secret is part of a three book guide set that aims to educate potential tourists on the ins and outs of the country. Where should you go? What should you see? Suggestions on local cuisine? You will find all of that and more! You will also get some tidbits of history, culture, and lore in this all in one travel guide. The format and layout of the book was a little off to me, as it seems out of order or thrown together in some areas. I do not know the accuracy of the lore or history, but I did find that to be engaging and entertaining for a guide book. This book does hold potential and gives the untraveled tourist a glimpse into what Scotland has to offer. I think this book would be useful if I were to ever head over and would still recommend it for travel purposes.

Reviewed by @zoltrixes
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England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Amanda Swindle

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England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England (The Hidden Gems Series)England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming: A Guide to Hidden England by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

England: Cultured, Classic, and Charming is your all in one travel guide for tourists, complete with well known attractions and hidden gems. The book focuses partially on the culture and history of England, and doubles as a source for where to go, what to see, and the best ways to do it. As someone that has never been to the UK, I really enjoyed that suggested cuisine was also part of the information provided. I was not a fan of how the information was laid out, without a table of contents to find exactly what I wanted. I did appreciate that it feels aimed at American tourists and is conversational in nature. Overall, If I were to plan to go to England, this would be a nice book to have handy.

Reviewed by @zoltrixes

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The Archcrusade: Tome One (The Archcrusade Series) by K. M. Hogenson – Review by Amanda Swindle

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The Archcrusade: Tome One: The Archspawn - Pilgrimage & PropheciesThe Archcrusade: Tome One: The Archspawn – Pilgrimage & Prophecies by K.M. Hogenson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Archspawn – Pilgrimage & Prophecies is the first book in the Archcrusades series. This book is quite hefty with over 1300 pages and over 100 characters, with about a third of those having their own POV chapters. This is a story full of magic, adventure, mythical characters and creatures, and action. Even with the length of the book, this is quite fast paced and easy to follow once you get down the varying POV switches and who is who. Some of the names are a bit fun so it did take me a little to realize “oh, that’s THAT guy…” early on, but you do get the hang of it as the pages turn. This made me feel like a Game of Thrones type read with the varying timelines and POV that intermingle and separate at the same time and I love books like that. I did not expect to enjoy this book, since I do not read much high-fantasy but this was actually really well written and thought out, and kept a smooth transition throughout. I did get confused at times but it does circle around and make sense at some point. This book is definitely complex and has some darker aspects so if you have triggers, make sure you look into that before reading. I will definitely be looking forward to the next one, I love these longer reads!

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Murder At Music Hall (True North Murder Mystery Book 1) by A. J. Ullman – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Murder At Music Hall (A True North Murder Mystery Book 1)Murder At Music Hall by A. J. Ullman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Murder at Music Hall is a dark murder mystery that will pull you in and keep you turning the pages. Trueman North is investigating an old murder case where someone was presumed to be wrongfully convicted. As the detective delves deeper into the crime, and the victim’s life, he finds things were not as perfect as they seemed originally. As secrets and pieces of information come to light, anyone can be a suspect. Who really killed the victim, and why? This was my first read from this author and while I did find some historically inaccurate things for the time period, it was not enough to pull me from the story. I will be reading more from the series and can’t wait to see where the next book takes us.
Reviewed by @zoltrixes

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Dark Sky at Dawn (Free Men and Dreamers Book 1) by L.C. Lewis – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Dark Sky at Dawn (Free Men and Dreamers, #1)Dark Sky at Dawn by Laurie L.C. Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dark Sky at Dawn is the first part of a five book series and quite a solid start to the story line! This is a well researched historical fiction, set in the early 1800s and the beginnings of the nation. The characters are so well written, it is like reading a real memoir or telling of things that actually happened. Dark Sky at Dawn is full of struggle as the characters battle through life in an unbearable time, living and experiencing things like slavery, war, spies, and corruption. This is a lengthy book, but a well paced and hard to put down story that makes it a fast read. I am not typically a fan of historical fiction but this one won me over and I will be continuing on with the rest of the series.

reviewed by @zoltrixes

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The Curse of Jean Lafitte (The Big Easy Collection) by Mary Walsh – Review by Amanda Swindle

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The Curse of Jean LafitteThe Curse of Jean Lafitte by Mary Walsh
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Curse of Jean Lafitte is full of history, adventure, and mystery, and a spin of humor as well. Set in New Orleans, the author spins a vivid supernatural tail that pulls you into the rich paranormal history that surrounds the city. You can easily tell the author took the time to do some research, and make the story believable and easy to follow. I have never visited New Orleans myself, but the author makes you feel like you are there, and gives great recommendations around the city! Now, about the actual story…When a food critic almost chokes on a plastic baby in one of the King Cakes, Juliet is left without a job. Before long she finds herself working to break a treasure’s curse with only two weeks to succeed. She ends up finding help in some unlikely places, and with a time crunch, the story progresses quickly. I actually really liked this more than I thought I would, and will be looking into her other books as well.
reviewed by @zoltrixes

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Lost Property (The Tom Grant Series Book 6) by Samantha Adair – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Lost Property: A Tom Grant Novel (The Tom Grant Series Book 6)Lost Property: A Tom Grant Novel by Samantha Adair
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the sixth book in the Tom Grant series, and while it can be a standalone, I highly recommend reading them in order as it helps with character development and backstory. As with the other books in this series, it is full of plot twists, turns, and danger. This time around, Tom is trying to enjoy his retirement after a life of running, hiding, and overall drama that the life of an agent entails. He simply just wants to live in peace and leave his past behind him with Isabella. Poor, poor Tom…life is never that simple. When 2 women from a previous case show up (Melody and Annika), he immediately wants to turn them away, he is done with that part of his life. Isabella convinces him to talk to them, one last favor. This decision throws Tom right back into the life he so desperately is trying to escape, and now he is dead center in the middle of a human trafficking ring and everyone is in danger. Can Tom escape this time, with everyone safe, or will his career finally catch up to him?

reviewed by @zoltrixes

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Motherland (The Tom Grant Series Book 3) by Samantha Adair – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Motherland (Tom Grant #3)Motherland by Samantha Adair
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the third book in the Tom Grant series and I really liked the continuous action with twists and turns all the way through. This is my first book by this author and was able to read it as a standalone, even though it is the third book, but I will be going back to read the others to see if there is any further character development or backstory to enhance this read. There were a couple instances where I was lost or confused on details, so that is why I want to go back and read the others (plus it is a really good story!). In this book, Isabella’s father has passed away and she plans to take his body back to her homeland of Belarus, a country bordered by Russia and Ukraine. This alone is dangerous since Isabella has a bounty for her capture, and she is not sure who put the bounty on her or why. When circumstances brings a childhood friend back into her life, things are not as they seem, and he is not the same boy she remembers. Threats against Tom makes her delve back into the life she had thought she left behind, and now she has to find her escape in a dangerous world where even her friends may not be trusted.
Reviewed by @zoltrixes

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Children of the Wild (Children of the Wild Series) by Krysta Tawlks – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Children of the WildChildren of the Wild by Krysta Tawlks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Children of the Wild is the first book I have read by Krysta Tawlks and a book my middle-grade kids will love! (I always read books before them, you never know what someone might sneak in, and I am a horror lover so have been properly traumatized lol). This book is a historical fantasy that is full of coping with all the big emotions kids go through, such as anger and love. The characters and settings are written so well and beautifully that you can really see yourself in the story, even with all the fantastical creatures. I really loved that the story deals with a young boy that has a lot of self doubt but learns to find himself. This is such a great under-lying lesson in a wonderful story and I hope to pick up more by this author! Very well done!

Reviewed by @zoltrixes

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Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Secrets at the CafeSecrets at the Cafe by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another amazing read by Susan Specht Oram, she never disappoints! Secrets at the Cafe: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship is full of secrets (as the title implies) with an interesting plot. This one is a cozy mystery, so nothing too brutal or over the top, but plenty of twists and turns along the way. When Karina’s grandmother passes away, she is left in charge of the family cafe and her journal. When the journal is stolen, Karina has to make sure she gets it back, afterall, it was her grandmother’s dying wish. Now with the unread journal missing, the questions begin to circle in. What is in this journal that is so important, is it a treasure map of sorts? Was it taken for greed or to keep something hidden? Who would want her grandmother’s secrets, or who would want to keep them hidden? So many questions and the only way to answer them is to get the journal back. There was definitely some questionable decisions made. Some distrust and some trust given in places that did not make sense to me, but overall I really liked this story and how it played out.

Reviewed BY @zoltrixes

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Knight In Peril (A Jorja Knight Private Investigator Mystery) by Alice Bienia – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Knight In Peril (A Jorja Knight Private Investigator Mystery #6)Knight In Peril by Alice Bienia
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Knight in Peril is the sixth book in the Jorja Knight series but the first book I have read by this author. That being said, this CAN be read as a standalone, as I had no difficulty following the story or characters along the way. I do think I would benefit more from reading previous books which would add to the character development and back story a bit, and I will be going back to read the others to confirm that. I really liked the main character, she is such a feisty spitfire of a woman that I could really get behind. The story takes place in Istanbul, where Jorja goes to visit her friend. Upon arrival, her friend is nowhere to be seen, and she isn’t back at the guest house either. Now, with a sinking feeling in her chest, Jorja must search the foreign land for her friend. I have never been to Istanbul but the descriptions and settings are absolutely believable and immersive. I really liked this writing and am kicking myself for picking up the series at the end!
Reviewed By: @zoltrixes

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The Catford Catastrophe Zone by Petra Jacob – Review by Amanda Swindle

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The Catford Catastrophe ZoneThe Catford Catastrophe Zone by Petra Jacob
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Catford Catastrophe Zone is a dystopian sci-fi book set nearly 100 years in the future. The year is 2120 and Frankie is an undercover policewoman in London and she is tasked with infiltrating a group of rebels in the Poverty Zone. As you can imagine, that area is exactly what it sounds like…a place of nightmares, where the worst of society delves. Not only are the people more rugged and conditioned, even the plants are dangerous and creatures lurk. The deeper she gets, the more “over her head” things become. It is not often I can say that I have never read anything like that before, but that is true with this one. It has many layers and the characters and politics are believable, and I will be checking out some of the other works by Petra Jacob.

reviewed by @zoltrixes

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Mission Target (Jake Wolfe Thrillers Book 7) by Mark Nolan – Review by Amanda Swindle

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Mission Target (Jake Wolfe, # 7)Mission Target by Mark Nolan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mission Target is book seven in the Jake Wolfe Thriller series. I do recommend reading the previous books in the series just to get better character development but it can also be a standalone. Jake and Cody are back at it again, with more adventures, action, danger, and violence. Mission Target deals with drugs, and the aftermath of them. Jake and Cody must try to find the source of the drug war to end it before more people are affected, or killed. That is, until Jake becomes a target himself. If there is ever a person that can attract all the danger, it is Jake. This one is full of twists and turns and when you think you got it figured out, more information is released. I liked this one more than the previous ones but still way too unbelievable for me to get fully immersed into the story. I absolutely LOVE Cody and his intelligence and loyalty, so if there are any more adventures planned for Jake and Cody, I will definitely read them. Overall I would say this series is a solid 4 star, for me, but don’t allow that to deter you as it is a fun storyline with a lot in each book.
reviewed by @zoltrixes

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