Weep, Woman, Weep by Maria DeBlassie has a definite Gothic fairytale feel to it. Set in New Mexico, the story is full of wonderful detail and vivid descriptions. The story was so well crafted that I could visualise everything easily. As expected from Ms. DeBlassie, this story is very original, interesting, and quite quirky. This is a tale of heartache and despair, of ‘the weeping woman’ and her quest for pain and sorrow. With magic, witches, generational trauma, mystery, suspense, and a touch of horror- the story kept me turning the pages to find what lay on the next page- within all the emotional angst and drama, this story also tells a tale of healing, hope, and rebirth. Well worth the read!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-09-14 22:46:222021-09-16 09:32:31Weep, Woman, Weep: A Gothic Fairytale about Ancestral Hauntings by Maria DeBlassie – Review by Angela Hayes
Kiss Me Before Flight is a Suspenseful Seduction World novel by Thia Finn. This is a wonderful second chance contemporary romance with mature characters, a captivating storyline, suspense, emotion, drama, angst, chemistry, tension, and even a touch of humour. Thia Finn has taken a secondary character from Samantha A. Cole’s “Trident Security” series and spun him a superb story of his own. I have not read any of the “Trident Security” series- but Thia Finn has definitely sparked my curiosity enough to add them to my TBR pile. Thia Finn always manages to weave an engrossing story that pulls me in and gets me fully invested in the characters and the outcome of their story. And here she not only created emotional story with some intense moments, but also managed to sprinkle in a little humour along the way, giving it some lighter scenes as well. When Callie finally finds the courage to leave her abusive marriage- her neighbour, Jane, enlists the help of her brother-in-law, who happens to be the pilot for Trident Security. With Conrad’s help Callie is whisked away—- annnnd then— no spoilers here, but what happens next makes for a really great read. Looking forward to seeing what Thia Finn does next!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-09-10 00:13:072021-09-11 21:07:28Kiss Me Before Flight ( Suspenseful Seduction World) by Thia Finn – Review by Angela Hayes
“My memories. Ah, yes, they are fresh. Some of them never go away, swimming around below in the deep, dark of the abyss, like sharks, razor teeth arrayed, ready to blitz at the first smell of blood in the water.”
Stand Your Ground by A.J Ullman is a thought provoking crime thriller that had me engrossed right from the start. As expected from Mr. Ullman, this story encompasses and examines many facets- from law, to politics, morality, racism, ‘trial by media’, societal expectations- and so much more. A night that should have been cause for hope and even celebration turn into a nightmare for Cady Fox when she is faced with the unthinkable. But, standing her ground against sinister intent results in her life completely unravelling. Life as she knows it is about to change- and it can never be the same again. Accusations are laid at her feet, and tensions high with public outcry, leaves Cady no choice but to navigate the justice system- all while being targeted by the media and members of the outraged public. What happened that led to this situation, and how does it all play out? Well, this book really is worth the read to find out….
“Can you give me the details? Here’s the first question. Did you know him? And was that your bicycle on the court?” Actually, that was two questions, but I didn’t point that out. As a lawyer, I hate compound questions. I was riding my bicycle home, of course. But things are never as simple as they appear and telling Janney so would not help my cause. She didn’t get to be on homicide by being a dumb-ass. Once suspects start talking, homicide detectives make a bunch of notes and remember what was said. Then they chase down the facts and come back to you, bringing you the truth of your lie the way a dog waggles his tail when she brings back a bone you buried for her in the backyard.
Again, Mr. Ullman’s attention to detail and meticulousness gave this story so much authenticity, believability, intrigue, depth, and mystery. I always get so immersed in his stories, and this one was no exception- I had no intention of putting it down till I had finished the very last page. And I am happy to say that he definitely didn’t let me down- crafting a compelling read! So, if you love crime and investigation, very intriguing storylines, complex characters, depth, and realism- then this is definitely the book for you!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-09-09 23:18:092021-09-11 21:05:25Stand Your Ground by A. J. Ullman – Review by Angela Hayes
Stormwood by Luna Mayfield is a moody paranormal romance that delivers quite a creepy vibe. The story starts with Luci inheriting an old manor from her deceased aunt. The manor has been in the family for generation, and Luci feels drawn to the estate. She and her fiancé get to the estate- where this story really gets tense. There seems to be an entity in the house that begins to drive the couple apart, all the while luring Luci further into his web. There is much more going on her than Luci could have ever expected when she first learned about her inheritance. What happens? You’ll need to read the outcome for yourself… A quick, easy, short story.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-09-07 11:21:462021-09-10 12:47:56Stormwood by Luna Mayfield – Review by Angela Hayes
Something Lost is the first book in the Funerals and Weddings series by Bernadette Marie. It is the start of a new series, which looks set to be great. This is a contemporary romance about never forgetting your first love and second chances. Craig and Rachel were high school sweethearts- he was one of her father’s star players, and she was the coach’s daughter. Circumstances tore them apart- only to come face to face again for the first time at her father’s funeral. Old feelings bubble to the surface and the spark of romance is rekindled. But, there are secrets that will need to be addressed and the past dealt with, if they stand any chance of a future together. A sweet start to this new series. Looking forward to more.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-09-07 10:52:232021-09-10 12:47:33Something Lost (Funerals and Weddings Series Book 1) by Bernadette Marie – Review by Angela Hayes
Family Secrets is the first book in the Whispering Pines series by Shawn McGuire. This is a cosy mystery following former police detective, Jane O’Shea as she gets drawn into a murder investigation in her hometown. This is a crime and investigation story with plenty of suspense, interesting and quirky characters, and more- all woven into a clever little mystery. Definitely looking forward to following the rest of the series! Intriguing!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-09-06 11:48:032021-09-08 22:42:31Family Secrets (A Whispering Pines Mystery) by Shawn McGuire – Review by Angela Hayes
The Boss Prince is the first book in It’s Raining Royals series by Alix Nichols. This is the first book I have read from Alix Nichols, so I really didn’t know what to expect going in- but the premise sounded fun, so I grabbed a copy and followed along. This is a very light-hearted romantic comedy- with a just a drop of the paranormal- which made for a quick, easy, and fun read. I did enjoyed the fact that Ms. Nichols created a whole unknown ‘country’ in vivid detail. Right down to royalty, customs, and lore- the story was well developed. The characters had also been well crafted- though there were some aspects I would have liked to explore further, but perhaps more detail will come in future books. Looking forward to seeing what Sasha and Arnaud get up to in Book #2…
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-09-06 11:35:352021-09-08 22:41:51The Boss Prince (It’s Raining Royals) by Alix Nichols – Review by Angela Hayes
Deadly Words is the start of the brilliant new series ‘Born Bad’ by Meghan O’Flynn. It is a fantastic thriller full of intensity, gripping developments, secrets, twisted details, mystery, drama, layers, a skin crawling creepy vibe, and much more. The story definitely had me in its grip the whole way through, I couldn’t put it down until I had read every raw, gritty, and intriguing detail… There were times I was on the edge of my seat, just about ready to jump out of my skin, but I had to find out what lay over the next page, I just had to know what happened, loving every unpredictable moment of it…. It has Meghan O’Flynn’s signature unpredictable twists and clever touches stamped all over it and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for us in the next book. Bring on Book #2!!!.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-09-06 11:20:592021-09-08 22:40:05Deadly Words (Born Bad Book 1) by Meghan O’Flynn – Review by Angela Hayes
“Easy, little bird. You’ll wear yourself out before it’s time to play.”
Vulture is one of the Order of the Condor, a vampire and specially bred killer whose latest contract becomes a little more complicated than he first imagined. An ancient relic, a multimillion dollar bid, a sassy museum curator, fated mates, hidden agendas, prophecy, vampires, magic, danger, and sizzling chemistry brew into quite an intense situation. There is definitely more to the situation than he expected. He is the predator and Danielle just became his prey. Outbidding her at the auction was just the first step in his plan- abducting her his second step- now, if he can only get her to cooperate and divulge everything she knows about the relic. Danielle was outbid at the auction, then abducted and thrown in a cage- held captive by the monster for hire. Her world changes in an instant when she realises that all the tales she’s heard aren’t fantasy, they are in fact real- monsters and the supernatural really do exist…… and the fate of the vampire world is at stake. Code Name: Vulture is the first book in The Order of the Condor Series by Maya Daniels & Sylvia Black. It is a dark paranormal romance with vampires, the supernatural, suspense, action, violence, drama, chemistry, sizzle, danger, magic, bondage, dominance, abduction, captivity, agendas, and mystery. There were some intense scenes that had me holding my breath, as well as some darkish themes. This is a fairly fast-paced story full of descriptive details- but, I felt like the story suffered a little, at times, due to the hectic pace. I also had a few issues where the wrong word/s were used, for example; esthetic instead of ecstatic- two similar words but with very different meanings…. they pulled me out of the story and had me rereading parts to try to make sense of what I had read. Code Name: Falcon (Book #2) continues the story of the Order of the Condor- with Falcon and Cara’s story…
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-09-06 11:05:552021-09-08 22:37:19Code Name: Vulture (The Order of the Condor Series Book 1) by Maya Daniels and Sylvia Black – Review by Angela Hayes
First of all, I am soooo happy to find that this instalment isn’t the end of ‘Her Three Immortals’ series- as I was worried it might be after finishing at the previous book. I squealed with delight when I got to the end of ‘The Bow’ and realised there would be another addition to the series!!! I’m one happy book worm right now!!! The Bow is the third addictive book in Her Three Immortals series by Hazel Storm. And as you have probably figured out- I LOVE LOVE LOVE this series- it is really fantastic and entirely addictive. Hazel Storm earned herself a spot on my favourite authors list and I will happily devour anything and everything she produces!!! The Bow continues from where we left off at the end of Book #2- so if you haven’t read ‘The God’ yet, I highly recommend that you do so before starting on this story. It is a brilliant paranormal romance- with more than one love interest- making this a delicious RH story that sizzles right off the pages. This fantasy is full of adventure, action, suspense, interesting and endearing characters (as well as some more detestable cast members), originality, imagination, wonderful world building, magic, drama, danger, Gods/Goddesses, mythology, fate/destiny, trust, emotion, and an intriguing prophecy. In this instalment, we get to learn so much more about the characters, the Underworld, the Overworld, and the Upperworld. Vanessa has been assigned a task by the Queen of the Underworld- with her very soul at stake if she fails. The assignment sounds simple- but things definitely do not go according to plan- and Vanessa finds herself a prisoner in the Upperworld. So, how is she meant to complete her task if she can’t find a way to escape? With the clock ticking, she is running out of time! But she’s not the only one who needs help! What happens makes for another enthralling read!! After reading the end of this story with the added tantalizing sneak peak of the next book, which looks set to be amazing by the way- I am excitedly awaiting the release of “The Box” (Book #4)- releasing in November 2021!!! Can. Not. Wait!!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-09-06 10:51:082021-09-08 22:36:43THE BOW (HER THREE IMMORTALS #3) by HAZEL STORM – Review by Angela Hayes
Swindler’s Revenge is the fifth book in the Karina Cardinal Mystery series by Ellen Butler. Yes, I am going to say this again for the umpteenth time- this series just gets better and better with each new instalment- and I’ve found another book to add to my favourites in this fantastic series- that’s all five 😊!!! Ms. Butler really knows how to spin a riveting, tightly woven story that kept me flipping the pages to discover what I would find on the next page. She deftly weaves clever mystery, suspense, and thrills into her plots- it’s something she does incredibly well. I love that her stories always keep me wondering what will happen next- and has me expecting danger and dramatic developments with every turn of the page. Her books are a definite ‘one-click’-no-questions-asked…. she never disappoints!!! As with the other books in the series, this could be read as a standalone- without feeling like you are missing anything. But having said that, I really do recommend reading the previous instalments before devouring this one, as not only are the previous books really great stories- but there are also some recurring characters who appear in each instalment, as well a few references to past events and characters- so knowing what has happened previously will definitely enhance your reading experience of this book, and the series as a whole. Karina Cardinal (K.C) seems to be a bit of a magnet for trouble, and true to form, she soon finds herself embroiled in another investigation. This time, Michael Finnegan, her ex-boyfriend, becomes a wanted fugitive after taking off with $1.2 million dollars. This also puts KC under the FBI microscope as his (former) girlfriend. Could Michael really have pulled a swiftie? Karina doesn’t think so- but proving it may not be quite that simple, especially since there is no trace of Michael. But, with a little help from some very capable friends- they begin to unravel the events that led up to Michael’s disappearance with the loot….. as the investigation unfolds we are treated to plenty of tense situations, clever mystery, intrigue, suspense, agendas, danger, drama, chemistry, emotion, set ups, colourful characters, comradery, humour, banter, and much more! OH, and did I mention I FLOVE the direction KC’s love life has taken- that’s all I can say without giving away spoilers! But- SQUEEEEEE!!!!! Colour me happy. I have been wanting this for quite a while now- and it finally happened!!! WOOT!!! Now I can’t wait for more Karina Cardinal mysteries!!! Bring on Book #6 (Dear Lord, let there be more books coming)!!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-09-05 10:59:572021-09-08 20:28:23Swindler’s Revenge (Karina Cardinal Mysteries Book 5) by Ellen Butler – Review by Angela Hayes
I can always count on Nicole Flockton to deliver an enjoyable story as was swept along on another wonderful read! This story definitely had all the ingredients to hold my attention- right from beginning to end. I enjoyed the story so much I read it in one sitting. Home to the Outback is the first book in the Welcome To Bunya Junction series by Nicole Flockton. This is a contemporary romance, ’my best friends’ sister’ type story with Ms. Flockton’s own unique touches. There also plenty of emotion, drama, some danger, and secrets- all set in a small country town called Bunya Junction in the Australian outback. Sindy Carruthers returned to her hometown three years earlier, when life got ugly. She has made a new life for herself managing the local medical clinic and feels like she finally has her life back on track. But with the death of the local doctor- life once again throws her a bit of a curve ball- in the form of Dr. Ryan Flanagan who arrives to attend the funeral of his friend and mentor. Then to make things even more complicated, they find that they have both been named in the will. Gaining a half share in the medical practice. Add a little danger, secrets, drama, and angst, and we have a captivating story. A great start to this new series and I am really looking forward to reading the rest of the instalments!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-09-03 10:51:262021-09-06 23:20:41Home to the Outback (Welcome to Bunya Junction Book 1) by Nicole Flockton – Review by Angela Hayes
A Natural Passion is a sweet contemporary romance by Tammy Mannersly. I have really enjoyed Ms. Mannersly’s previous books, so when I saw this book had released it was a given that I would one-click a copy and dive in. This book kind of had a love-triangle vibe going on- but with Ms. Mannersly’s own unique spin. Dylan O’Day is a marine Biologist who has developed feelings for the new intern, Kyra Stone. But he keeps his feelings to himself, and Kyra develops a crush on another co-worker. Then add in some poachers who bring tension, danger, and drama to the mix- and we get a very interesting story, with just a bit of a twist. Will Dylan tell Kyra how he feels before she gives her heart to another? You really should read all the intriguing details for yourself. Looking forward to seeing what Ms. Mannersly does next…
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-09-02 03:31:212021-09-02 09:30:30A Natural Passion by Tammy Mannersly – Review by Angela Hayes
Gone Country is the first book in the Cousins Gone series by Katrina Marie. This is the first book that I have read from this author so I really didn’t know what to expect going in. What I found between the covers was a cute and very light read. Diehard city girl meets down to earth country boy. This is a tried and true recipe that I have read many times before and have enjoyed- especially as an in-between my heavier reads book-snack. I think this story held a lot of potential, but failed to deliver, for me. Like I said, it is a cute and light read- there really wasn’t anything there that really grabbed my attention to make it stand out from the crowd. The characters were ok, but they frustrated me so much, I really had trouble connecting with them. But I feel that with some tweaking like fixing the grammar issues, keeping the pace from lagging and dragging, having more detailed descriptions, with more development of the story and characters, and a little extra (realistic and unmanufactured) drama or conflict would definitely go a long way to making this book more memorable… but again that is just me. Please don’t let me put you off reading this story if you like a lighter read- I just prefer my stories with a bit more ‘meat’. I am curious to read some of Katrina Marie’s other work to see what else she can do and if this is just a one-off issue, for me. I will probably go back and read this book again in a few weeks to see if I still feel the same way, or if maybe I was just having an ‘off’ reading day with this.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-09-02 02:59:042021-09-02 09:30:11Gone Country (Gone in Love) by Katrina Marie – Review by Angela Hayes
Forever Valentine is the sixth book in the Kirk University series by Diana Vale. It is student-teacher contemporary romance and is the sequel to Cassie and Diego’s story we read in Book #1. This is a short story, a novella size morsel- which made it a very quick and easy read. This story picks up 12 months after the events in book one. Cassie is determined to finish her psychology degree and enjoy her university experience as much as she can- all the while traversing all the ups and downs of having a relationship with an older man who also happens to be her former university professor. Things haven’t been easy- but she doesn’t regret one minute that she and Diego have spent together. But life seems to want to test the strength of their bond- brining a few complications, drama, angsty moments, and hurdles for them to manage. Again, as with the first book, this was an easy read- I still didn’t connect with Cassie and Diego the way I would have liked to- but I did like them more than I did in the first book, so that’s something!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-09-01 07:05:332021-09-02 08:59:41Forever Valentine: A Sequel to Professor Valentine (Kirk University Series, Book 6) by Diana Vale – Review by Angela Hayes
Scarlet Princess is the first book in The Lochlann Feuds series by Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison. This is my first read from either of these authors, but the cover and blurb sparked my curiosity, and as I am a sucker for a great fantasy, I quickly snatched up a copy, putting aside everything else I was reading, and dove in to follow along on the adventure. WOW!!! This story was unexpected- in a great way! Even though it took me a chapter or two to really find a feel for the story, I quickly found myself completely engrossed in what was happening and became entirely invested in the character/s and the whole outcome of the story. I thought I knew where this story was headed- but the authors cleverly twisted things up a bit and had me clamouring to discover how things would play out- I spent a lot of the time on the edge of my seat waiting and wanting to know what happens next. And that ending!!!! OMG- I need the next book STAT!!!! The most exciting thing here is not only have I found a new series I absolutely Flove, I have also discovered two wonderful authors who have a plethora of new (to me) books for me to explore!!!! #winning!!! Click-click-clickety-click, I can feel a book binge coming on!!!! This is primarily a fantasy, with historical detailing, a dystopian-esque setting, wonderful world-building, drama, danger, romance, and plenty more!!! It felt to me like a more grown up, dystopian-esque version of Disney’s “Brave”. It would make a great movie or television series, too! You will notice that I haven’t gone into any detail over the storyline, that’s because I really think that you should go into it without knowing too much, and just let the story and the authors surprise you. Trust me, if love fantasy adventure, with romance, danger, and intrigue- then you will not want to miss the opportunity to grab a copy of this book to add to your collection! Fantastic!! Excitedly awaiting Book #2, Tarnished Crown- It can’t come quick enough for my liking!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-09-01 06:18:572021-09-02 08:59:04Scarlet Princess (Lochlann Feuds Book 1) by Robin D. Mahle and Elle Madison – Review by Angela Hayes
ALL THE FREAKING STARS!!!! OMG!!! Amy McKinley has outdone herself, AGAIN!!!!
No Way Out is the incredible first instalment in the Mafia Elite series by the supremely talented Amy McKinley. I know I keep saying this with every new release of hers, but this is definitely a new favourite for me. It is a fantastic mafia romance/romantic suspense, with plenty of action, violence, danger, drama, mafia politics, intrigue, tension, chemistry, sizzle, secrets, revenge, and emotion. I fell for Max and Liliana right from the beginning- they were such great characters- quite complex, fully developed individuals with depth and their own unique quirks and flaws. I really don’t want to give too much away and spoil the story for you… But will leave you with this little tidbit. Max has an agenda that has taken a lot of time and planning to finetune before he can now, finally, let it all unfold. He has been tasked with protecting his mentor’s granddaughter, on top of his own plans to exact a little revenge and right past wrongs. He never expected that he would be so drawn to the young woman he was sent to protect. Having more in common with her than he first thought. But she is no defenceless flower, as he soon discovers- she’s one kick-butt mafia princess. But with secrets, agendas, politics, and sinister intentions- it’s not long before they are neck deep in a dangerous situation. It definitely made for an intense, suspenseful, edge of my seat read!!! Another gem to add to Ms. McKinley’s crown! She had me at Mafia romance- the rest was all a wonderful bonus!!!! You definitely won’t want to miss this exciting story… Happy Reading!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-09-01 03:50:172021-09-02 08:56:25No Way Out (Mafia Elite Book 1) by Amy McKinley – Review by Angela Hayes
Unsettled Scores is the second book in the DAG Team series by Kel O’Connor. This is my first book by Ms. O’Connor, and I reallly wish I had realised that this was the second book in the series before I dove in. Even though this could be read as a standalone, I feel I would have benefitted by reading Book One before embarking on this story. There appears to be a crossover of timelines and events between this book and the first- so I will definitely be going back to read ‘Broken Bits’ before reading any further instalments in the series. This is an exciting romantic suspense with plenty of action, adventure, drama, danger, and steam. The death of Amy’s sister 3 years previously has impacted her life on so many levels and driven a wedge between her and the rest of her family. Her thoughts are full of anger and revenge- which leaves little room for anything else. She focuses on her work as a way of dealing with her pain- but she isn’t really living. Her latest assignment brings things to a head… Hugh Bainbridge IV is determined to uncover how drugs are being smuggled into his mother’s charity, which brings Amy into his world. She more than intrigues him and soon they are both thrust into a highly volatile situation. Sparks fly, chemistry sizzles, secrets are revealed, while danger abounds. Can’t wait for more of DAG Team!!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-09-01 03:38:542021-09-02 08:56:04Unsettled Scores (DAG Team Series Book 2) by Kel O’Connor – Review by Angela Hayes
Caine is the second book in The Men of Syn Series by Anise Storm. I have been eagerly awaiting the release of this book ever since devouring ‘Hawke’ (Book One). So, to say I had high expectations would be a bit of an understatement. Caine is on the run and is offered sanctuary at his friend Hawke’s BDSM club, SYN. (We met Hawke back in book one and got to see some of the inner workings of Syn back there). Being wanted for murder means he needs to keep his head down and keep a low profile until he can clear his name. But things take an unexpected turn when he encounters Emery. Emery’s life was turned upside down in an instant. He ‘perfect’ world destroyed when her father is implicated in a scandal. Her life as a rich, spoiled society princess crumbles and she falls from her throne- all the trappings of her former life are gone, and she’s completely broke. Emery is determined to find a way to clear her father’s name and regain everything they lost. Then she meets Caine who brings his own complications to the mix. Get set for one heck of a hot and steamy ride here. Add in more than a few secrets that threated to destroy everything as well as bringing danger and intensity into the already combustible mix. This has taken my ‘Men of SYN’ addiction and amped it up to a whole new level! Can’t wait to get my hands on Book #3!!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-09-01 03:25:332021-09-02 08:55:42Caine (Men of Syn Book 2) by Anise Storm – Review by Angela Hayes
My Soul to Give is the first book in A Demon’s Love series by M. A. Fréchette. It is a very original paranormal romance with plenty of sizzle, demons, danger, secrets, drama, revenge, suspense, twists, violence, and mystery. The story has a dark tone that makes for very raw, gritty, and intriguing reading. The story starts off with a bang- Celina has been shot and her husband murdered, and as she lies dying she is consumed with thoughts of revenge. In the few moments that she has left of life, she gets an opportunity to make ‘a deal with the devil’- in return for her soul she will get her chance for revenge. But we all know that making a deal with the devil is never quite that simple- there is always a higher price to pay. Well, this story takes the whole ‘deal with the devil’ trope and gives it a bit of and adrenaline and steroid infusion- as well as a dose of the gruesome. The only issue I had with this book was that I felt that while the story was very detailed and descriptive, some elements and threads seemed to end abruptly, or trailed off leaving me with questions. There were parts that felt unglued and just didn’t gel for me- like I was missing something- which pulled me out of the story and disrupted the flow. If you love the paranormal and dark romance, then you will probably want to get your hands on a copy of this book, pronto… Bring on Book #2- “My Life to Take”.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-09-01 03:08:422021-09-02 08:54:52My Soul to Give (A Demon’s Love Book 1) by M. A. Fréchette – Review by Angela Hayes
Romancing the Tropics: A Holiday Romance Boxset (A Tropical Cocktail Romance) is a two book box set by L.M Mountford. The two novellas that make up this boxset are: ‘Tequila Sunset’– an older man/younger woman story set in Gibraltar. It is hot and steamy, with a ‘taboo’ element in the form of the ‘best friend’s father’. As expected from L.M, it is full of sexy details that will keep you avidly reading from start to finish.
‘Beneath the Sheets’– a friends to lovers story set in Sydney Australia, where the characters share a past history and reunite after a long period of time. Get set for plenty of chemistry and sizzle…
This is a very quick, easy and fast paced read. There are a LOT of steamy scenes which make for ‘HOT’ reading.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-09-01 02:41:342021-09-02 08:53:43Romancing the Tropics (A Tropical Cocktail Romance Boxset) by L.M. Mountford – Review by Angela Hayes
Notebook Mysteries- Decisions and Possibilities is the second instalment in the Notebook Mysteries series by Kimberly Mullins. I was drawn to this book by the intriguing cover and the fact that it was a mystery with historical detailing. I had never read one of Ms. Mullins books before, but my curiosity was piqued enough for me to snap up a copy to explore. The story/series follows Emma Evans on her ‘investigations. I really wish that I had read the first book before jumping into this one, as even though this story can be read as a standalone, I think the other book would have provided more character details and pertinent background information that would have enhanced my reading experience of this book. Whilst I enjoyed the somewhat quirky mystery and Emma’s adventures/investigations- it did take me a while to ‘settle’ into the story and get my mind around the author’s writing style. I do think that that the ‘interruptions’ throughout the story from the ‘narrator’ really disrupted the flow of the story and kept pulling me out of the story. I think that the story would have been much more enjoyable without the ‘narrator’, and the information provided by the narrator could have been added to the story without the ‘disruptions. (see below for example)
“Emma pulled herself into the present and opened her desk drawer to find her current case book. She still kept her observations in the black notebooks she always carried with her. As she tried to pull the drawer open, it got stuck and she had to pull forcibly on the handle. When it finally gave way and allowed her access, she knelt to discover what had kept the drawer from opening. It was another notebook, wedged in the back; she reached in and pulled it out. She sat back on her knees, looking at it for a long moment, and realized which one it was. It must be a day for memories, she thought, shaking her head. That notebook, the black cover faded with age, was from another day long ago when she was ten years old and involved her “incident”. [The Narrator said, “The incident was when Emma was attacked at the age of ten by a career criminal named Zeke Jones, and it was not the last time he would go after her. He had a personal vendetta against her; he felt she was always taking something from him that he believed was his.” Dear-one commented wryly, “To be fair, she did keep uncovering cases where he was also involved. The Stubing store theft, the smuggling operations involving store owners, and then when he had volunteered to “take care” of Emma for the notorious gangster John Harden.” The Narrator added, “When he did go after her that last time, Emma was ready for him.” Dear-one asked, “What happened to Zeke?” The Narrator said, “Well, we will get to that later.” Dear one said, “You know you say that a lot.” “I know, but I always plan to go back,” commented the Narrator, as she continued to write.]
Emma opened the notebook and remembered how it had finally returned to her.”
The story did remind me a little of the Enola Holmes television movie, and I do think that with a little tweaking that this book/series would also make a great television series. I will go back to read book one to see what happened there, while I await book #3.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-08-31 22:54:042021-09-02 08:45:13Notebook Mysteries ~ Decisions and Possibilities by Kimberly Mullins – Review by Angela Hayes
Raven Woman’s Tavern by Laura Koerber is a very short dystopian paranormal story with a bit of a dark tone, drama, the supernatural, shifters, a survivalist community of fringe dwellers, danger, action, and more. I did like the premise, as well as the few clever touches that Ms. Koerber wove into her storyline- but I would have loved to have read a longer and more in-depth version of this story. There were so many details that I wanted to know more about, and have more backstory/background information, as my curiosity was piqued. Also, there were times I felt like I was ‘missing’ something, which disrupted the flow of the story for me and gave it a bit of a wandering and somewhat fragmented feel. As expected from Ms. Koerber, this was a very interesting story with thought provoking elements. I like her originality- and there was definitely more to the story and character/s than first meets the eye. The story had me drawing the conclusion that aspects of this story could very well happen in our future.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-08-28 12:12:412021-08-30 14:10:49Raven Woman’s Tavern by Laura Koerber – Review by Angela Hayes
Slow Burn is the second book in the Breathing Hearts series by A.K MacBride. This is the first book that I have read by Ms. MacBride, so I was interested to see what she had to offer. I like a good slow burn romance and the premise sounded quite promising, so I soon found myself with a copy of my own, ready to explore between the covers. What I found was a wonderful story full of emotion, self-doubt, pain, starting over, self-discovery, chemistry, sizzle, romance, and hope. Adam hides his pain behind a gruff and grumpy exterior. His past is a painful burden that weighs heavily on his soul. Maddie’s dreams of a career in dancing- but has gotten a little stuck in her small-town life. Adam pushes people away using rudeness as a way of ensuring no one gets too close. But he wasn’t prepared for the spark of life that Maddie brings into his stagnant and moody world. Will Maddie be able to break down his defences enough to take a chance on love? Or will insecurity, pain, and self-doubt destroy any possibility of happiness? Like I said earlier, this is a slow burn romance- and at times this story felt extra slow. There were moments of frustration where I wanted to shake these two and tell them to get their act together. But thankfully this didn’t detract too much from my overall enjoyment of the story.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-08-28 11:58:542021-08-30 14:10:19Slow Burn by A.K. MacBride – Review by Angela Hayes
Drew is the first book in the Perfectly Independent Series by Amanda Shelley. This is new adult college sports romance – with a sweet but somewhat predictable story. This is the first book that I have read by Amanda Shelley, so I was interested by what I might find here. Drew is the popular captain of the college basketball team, who unfortunately doesn’t make the best impression on Abby in Lab class. To make things more awkward, they are paired together as lab partners. With the basketball season in full swing, Drew can’t afford to be distracted, no matter how intriguing he might find the distraction to be. Will chemistry get the better of them both? You’ll need to grab a copy if you want to find out how everything plays out.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-08-28 11:29:322021-08-30 10:10:55Drew: Book One of the Perfectly Independent Series by Amanda Shelley – Review by Angela Hayes
Caught By Him by Tammy Mannersly is a fun opposites attract contemporary romance. This is a story about finding love unexpectedly. I really enjoyed meeting Brady and Willabelle- their story made for a sweet read. They were really well developed and likeable- it didn’t take long for me to become completely invested in them and their story. connected with them right away. It might have been a case of ‘opposites attract’ to begin with, but they really were perfect for each other. The story is quite captivating, with some emotion and enough drama to make things quite interesting Brady is famous movie star and Willa is house sitting the property next door. A lost key brings these two together and so the sparks fly. But will jealousy and interfering exes destroy their chance at happiness! Another engrossing story from Ms. Mannersly. Looking forward to seeing what she does next.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-08-28 11:18:552021-08-30 10:09:28Caught by Him by Tammy Mannersly – Review by Angela Hayes
Tainted by Marsha R. West is a gripping romantic suspense that swept me along on quite an intense ride and had me flipping the pages to discover what would happen next. There is plenty of action, mystery, investigation, tension, chemistry, dramatic developments, second chances, intrigue, and more. This might have been the first book of Marsha R. West’s that I have read, but after devouring this story it has left me with a taste for MORE, so I can’t wait to go on a one-click spree and binge on her books! Liz has been through quite a lot lately. Her perfect life was turned upside down when her husband of 25 years was arrested and jailed for money laundering. Even though she wasn’t involved in any way and didn’t know anything about his illegal activities, it hasn’t stopped people from treating her as a criminal. Being pulled into the FBI investigation and the subsequent trial/s has left Liz feeling burned out. So, she decides to retreat to her family’s cabin in the mountains for some much needed R & R. She is so ready to leave all the drama behind her, but unfortunately trouble follows her and she finds herself in the centre of a whole new dangerous drama- one which brings the local marshal to her door who just happens to be her old high school boyfriend… so there’s going to be more sparks flying than there are bullets. What happens here really makes for a very intriguing and enjoyable read. Can’t wait for more!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-08-26 21:49:122021-08-30 00:22:29TAINTED by Marsha R. West – Review by Angela Hayes
Return to Alpha: A new Saga Begins appears is a standalone spin-off from the Beta-Earth Chronicles by Wesley Britton. This is a sci-fi adventure story, with dystopian and post-apocalyptic elements that gave the story some intensity. Environmental issues and plagues have decimated the human population and fear and danger are ever present. So, when Aliens land in Jamaica- you can imagine the reaction from the humans, who are already on edge. What was meant to be a ‘coming home’ of sorts for the ‘aliens’ soon turns into a dangerous and dramatic cross country chase. And so, the adventure begins. This is an original story, with an interesting plot and quirky characters. The story opens up the possibility of parallel worlds, a multi-verse where there are several “earths’- which is an intriguing concept. The only issue I had with it was that story does get a bit wordy at times, which interrupted the flow for me.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-08-25 11:42:472021-08-25 11:51:55Return to Alpha by Wesley Britton – Review by Angela Hayes
Fight For It (A Sunset Cove Novella) by Amy L. Gale is a contemporary sports romance novella, which made for a very quick and easy read. Ray has had a very successful boxing career, but an injury has forced him out of the ring. He returns to his hometown with a new business venture in mind. A trip to the local realtor brings Alyssa back into his life. As the sister of his best friend she was always off limits- but now? Ray asks Alyssa for help to market his business, The Kraken Bar and Grill, and the more time they spend together the closer they become. But will a new exciting opportunity for Ray rip them apart? This short story is worth the read to find out. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-08-25 11:18:572021-08-25 11:51:05Fight For It (A Sunset Cove Novella) by Amy L Gale – Review by Angela Hayes
Potager Plot is the fifth book in the Backyard Farming Mystery series by Vikki Walton. This is the first book that I have read by Ms. Walton, but the bright and interesting cover caught my eye while I was scrolling looking for new books to read, and as I love a great cozy mystery, I happily grabbed a copy to explore. This turned out to be a fun, humorous, and fairly light-hearted read. It is a small-town murder mystery with drama, secrets, danger, suspense, investigation, some quirky characters, an interesting plot, and a touch of romance. I didn’t notice going into the story that this is the fifth book in the series, but thankfully it can easily be read as a standalone, and I didn’t feel like I was ‘missing’ anything by not having read the previous books first. Having said that, though, the story intrigued me enough to want to go back and read the rest of the series before reading any new instalments. A fun read!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Angela Hayeshttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngAngela Hayes2021-08-22 10:53:302021-08-25 08:50:38Potager Plot (A Backyard Farming Series Book 5) by Vikki Walton – Review by Angela Hayes
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Weep, Woman, Weep by Maria DeBlassie
