Love by Design by Effie Kammenou
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book was out of my comfort zone. It is a romance and a part of a series. It was so well written that I could not even tell I had yet to read the first one. The author did what I love, which is to write from different points of views. I was hooked from beginning to end and I am wanting more. I will definitely be reading the first one.
Love by Design by Effie Kammenou
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Love By Design Effie Kammenou is the second book in the Meraki series. This book can be read as a stand-alone but the first book is definitely worth a read in my opinion.
I fell in love with the characters in this book almost instantly. I felt that the author did such a good job of creating that connection between not only them but us as well. They were engaging and so relatable I couldn’t help but get behind their story.
I have read a few books by this author now and I think this one so far is my favourite. There was so much more to it than a generic romance story and it really came alive the more you read. This author always seems to have such an effortless writing style and yet always seems to produce such quality books. I thoroughly enjoyed this whole story and I would highly recommend it.
Everything, Somewhere by David Duane Kummer
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I utterly loved reading this novel. Following three best friends through their summer before senior year, their fathers and a Hollywood leading man as he escapes to Little Rush, the small town the novel is set around. This novel has themes of mental health, the need to escape, coming of age, and how friendships can change over time. Hudson, the lead male protagonist especially captured me as he sunk deeper into loneliness and depression and a daunting future ahead of him. This book was beautifully written with the themes intricately woven throughout and each character developing and evolving throughout the book. This book had me thinking for a few days after I had read it about the main themes and indeed questioning my own small town life. Fantastic!
Alpha Bet Guys Boxed Set by Phoebe Alexander
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I loved this box set of five steamy romantic comedy novellas, each one based on a different couple involving an alpha guy and a curvy women. The guys are all college friends who have been reunited in Philadelphia. Book one, ‘A-Hole’ is Ace and Ella’s story which brings two complete opposites together via a bet and some comedy. ‘The Big O’, is chemists Ozzy and Hazel’s Story and Ozzy is determined to give Hazel something she’s never had, a big O! Book three is Dante and Julia’s story, ‘Need the D’, which has a reverse age gap and baby storyline. Julia has a to do list featuring dick, donor, and daddy but can she get Dante on board. ‘Hard F’ is Fox and Jenna’s billionaire and opposites attract story. Two ageing models take on a media giant together in a reverse age gap and body positive storyline featuring Cruz and Mia, in novella five, ‘Ride the C’. These novellas took me on an emotional rollercoaster and each one was a full standalone story in itself. Each story had great characters, plenty of drama and romance, plus some steamy scenes and laugh out loud moments. I ‘binge read’ the whole boxed set and could not put each book down as I cheered on each couple hoping they would each get their happy ever after.
Apocalypse NOPE!! by Deidre Huesmann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a wonderful read and would be perfect for anyone who enjoys light humor and YA categories. All of the chapters were written well. Ivy-Jean is extremely relatable, pessimistic, views herself as an outcast, and is downright odd. Once she opened that piece of mail, her life changed forever. The Four Horsepeople are undeniably, for me, the best characters in this book. I found it easy to place them in the positions that they were given. They were thrown into a human high school and seemed to fit in rather perfectly, all things considered. I assumed that there was a bigger shock coming with the clues that were given in the text, but it did not come. It could, however, leave room for a part two that shows us more about how Ivy-Jean came to be. If that’s the case, sign me up!
Queen Of My Heart by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Queen Of My Heart (Life Won’t Wait Book 1) by Nikki Lynn Barrett. I loved this book. Its a contemporary romance with some mystery. So very good and can’t wait for the second one. Its the story of Quinn Winters who is best known as the actress who is constantly getting killed off shows! She is tired of that title so decides she is going to go to Nashville to try to break into the music business. During her first meeting with a music executive they tell her she needs to learn to play an instrument and write her own songs. On the same day after her meeting she runs into none other than the next King of Country Music Tucker McGinnis. He sees her and instantly feels a connection so he offers to help her break thru the Country Music world when he should be worrying about his own career. His first album was a record breaker and his new album has tanked. The record execs are breathing down his back to get a new album out that’s even better than the first. On top of that pressure he’s offered to help a stranger and now he’s proposing a temporary marriage to help them both out. Will they be able to fool all the fans or will the fans see thru the fake relationship. Will they end up having feelings for one another? Read Queen of my Heart to find out!
Seductive Prey by Vivian Fiano
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have read a few of Vivan Fiano’s books, and they are always page turners that leave me wanting more, Seductive Prey was definitely amongst those books. Miss Fiano’s word building is incredible and her character descriptions will leave you feeling like her characters are standing right in front of you. Seductive Prey is full of so many plot twists that you find yourself trying to guess what the characters are up to next. Seductive Prey is the first book in this series and this reader personally can’t wait for book two, I’m sure it will be as suspenseful and adventurous as Seductive Prey.
HUSBAND by Pamela DuMond
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Husband by P.S. DuMond is the fourth book in the 21st Century Courtesan series. First, make sure you are reading this series in order! Otherwise, you will miss out on so much as the series progresses. This series is different (in a good way) from what I initially expected. This book is darker than some of the others, but it works for the story. There are twists that were unexpected and the ending just leaves you wanting more. I know this series is getting towards the end and it is leaving me excited to see what happens next. I have grown to be interested in all of the characters and the part they play in this drama. I will be waiting for the next book and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
HUSBAND by Pamela DuMond
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Husband by P.S. DuMond is the fourth book in the 21st Century Courtesan series. First, make sure you are reading this series in order! Otherwise, you will miss out on so much as the series progresses. This series is different (in a good way) from what I initially expected. This book is darker than some of the others, but it works for the story. There are twists that were unexpected and the ending just leaves you wanting more. I know this series is getting towards the end and it is leaving me excited to see what happens next. I have grown to be interested in all of the characters and the part they play in this drama. I will be waiting for the next book and look forward to reading more from this author in the future.
SAFE HARBOR: Logan Book 5 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Safe Harbor Logan book 5 in The Logan McKenna Series by Valerie Davisson is the first book ive read by this author. Safe harbor is a very entertaining book to read. I also really like logan and thought that she was a great character. I found this book was unpredictable and really kept me engrossed. I look forward to reading more books by Valerie Davisson. Thanks for the wonderful read.
Sure As Hell by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Sure As Hell (Life is Hell Book 4) by Naomi Valkyrie
4 Stars
I think the Life is Hell series is amazing. It is filled with drama, romance, danger, magic and supernatural beings. The stories are set in Juniper Lake, a quaint little town which happens to be a hot spot for demons. It all started with a demon bedding a vacation to it becoming a home to several. Each story focuses on a separate couple so you can read them as stand-alones but the series is too good not to read them all.
This book focuses on Jaru and Lark. An imp and a pixie; seems unlikely but it works. They started off as friends and steadily grew closer. They reached the tipping point in this story. I wasn’t too sure about them because both are very childlike. With this situation, it clicks and the chemistry is there. The author adds some twists which will surprise you. This wasn’t my favourite book in the series because both Jaru and Lark are very insecure and needy. I was happy to see moments of strength from both of them which raised my opinion of them. The story is well written and will keep you guessing. It’s a good addition to the series. Looking forward to the next one.
Review by @AnnaHirsch
View all my reviews
The Luminara Series: Box Set Volume 1: Lussuria – L’amore -Lucca’s Lust by S.J. Molloy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The Luminara Boxed Set by SJ Molloy contains the first 3 books in the Luminara series by SJ Molloy. It contains the full length novels; Lussaria, L’Amore and Lucca’s Lust. I had never read and of SJ Molloy’s work but the blurb of the boxed set had me very intrigued and looking forward to reading these 3 books. I am so glad that I chose to read these books as they totally captivated me and had me hooked from the very first pages.
This series is definitely for those aged 18+ due to the adult nature of the content. It should also be stressed that these books could be triggers for some due to some of the darker content.
The Luminara series is dark, very sensual and erotic and a fantastic read. Lucca and Lexi are amazing characters that I loved reading about. Lexi had a very traumatic childhood and has never gotten over the horrors that she had to endure as a child. Lucca is totally enchanted with Lexi and is determined to be the man to heal her.
I absolutely adored Lucca and loved that we got to revisit some of the story from his POV in Lucca’s Lust. It made a huge different getting to know his past, his own demons and what makes Lucca tick.
I really can’t wait to read the 4th book in this series and I’m so glad to already have it on my kindle waiting for me as I really can’t wait to see what’s in store next for Lucca and Lexi.
Queen Of My Heart by Nikki Lynn Barrett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Queen of my heart is the first book in the Life Won’t Wait Series by Nikki Lynn Barrett. I fell in love with Quinn and Tucker. They are such relatable characters. Quinn has helped support her family since she was young as a child actress. Tucker has a condition that he doesn’t want anyone to know about, being in the spotlight as a country singer. Both grew up in abusive homes, can they overcome their pasts to build a future together?
I truly enjoyed this book and will be looking to read the other books in the series especially the second book following Quinn and Tucker. This book made me laugh, shed a few tears, and made my heart full.
Love by Design by Effie Kammenou
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book truly captivated me, Honestly there was so much to love. Personally i related to the main character Mia. She was strong and ambitious but i found she was like myself…afraid to let anyone in even when the most amazing person comes into your life, despite everything your mind is telling you about not to tae a chance, you should listen to your heart and and take a leap of faith and take a chance on love and let the reationship “design” and “build itself. Watching Mia and Nicholas fall in love thru their expereicnes or their pit pats or the sad times it truly showed me that even tho with all going wrong the right person can always make all ok!
This book truly toched me as it made me think of my personal life, with my now husbamd, I was alwasy afraid and withdrawn untl i bulldozed those fears and let love be built!
Plus another note I love how Mia was Tallys sister from the first novel she wrote in the series. I loved that even tho its about different characters the story continues. Just walking the shoes of a different sibling
Honestly I loved this book with all my hearts content. It gave me joy, laughter, moments of one more chapter turning into 5 more haha,
Love is What You Bake of it by Effie Kammenou
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I for one, love baking imust say thats what attracted me to reading this book in the first placce. But I love to read love stories that are not super easy at first a you have to work for them and this one had both, iit wasa winner winner beautiful dessert for me,
When I did finish this book, it was like licking the frosting off a plate of delcious cake. It was done, but you still wanted more!
Kally the main character runs a beautful bakery and based on her character she is very good at it She had some hurt in her past times and it made her woried about love. She has a big family that always seemed to want to meddle in her life (this i can relate to as I believe a lot of people can) Thru their medding and thru the understanding and taking chances on what life thorws at you Kally get sto know Max. I must say the day he walkd into her shop there was an attraction that Kally herself didnt even realize at the time, Thru the obstacles its like making a perfect cake. Put too much one ingredient..it wont turn out…add just the right amount and dare I say a dash of love..its more than perfect 🙂
I loved this book, I would have loved to read more of Kallys advenutres of her life and her time in the cafe. It was a bittersweet departure to finish. Again as if I just finished a wonderful dessert and my heart was happy
I loved the character developments, the location, Kallys passion for baking and the realtuon to me for her family and her own gut feelings when it first came to love
Beautiful read and I loved it. Every page. I defiently reccomend. Its treatyou dont want to miss out on!
Apocalypse NOPE!! by Deidre Huesmann
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a great read for young adults. The character of Ivy-Jean is well written and a character I’m sure some young teens will relate to.
Ivy-Jean doesn’t fit in. She feels like an outcast in her own life. Her life is a drag that is until she breaks the law by opening her neighbours mail and unknowingly summons the four horsemen of the apocalypse.
Now she has to decide to either help them complete the apocalypse or risk sending her mother to hell. Which does she choose?
But things don’t go to plan and when the four horsemen take a look at life and see another way apart from death and destruction can she keep them on track or will the four horsemen give into the good side of life?
My Sweet G.I.
AUDIO BOOK
By T.L Wainwright
☆☆☆☆☆
This is a sweet yet short AUDIO BOOK, Historical Romance. For adults only, due to language and adult content.
Here is a cute story about Jenny and Teddy. This is their sweet meeting and how their love grew. With the war continuing, Teddy enters the shop for some candy. Meets Jenny and the rest is history. Will they find their Happily Ever After? No spoilers here!
T.L Wainwright wrote this beautiful love story. It is well written and will bring out the emotions we expect from a romance. I love the characters and how they came to be. This is a new author for me as well as a new genre. I usually run from all things Historical. I am happy I listened to this story, I will be looking into more from T.L Wainwright. Well Done! Historical Romance at its best.
Review@Cinful
Sure As Hell by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5 Stars
Sure As Hell (Life Is Hell Book 4) by Naomi Valkyrie
Sure As Hell is the fourth book in the Life is Hell series by Naomi Valkyrie. I loved this book and highly recommend reading this series in order as it will give upu a better idea of the different characters plus im a big on if it’s a series I read in order so I know fully what is going on and makes it easier to follow along with the different characters. This is a fast paced story that once you start you won’t want to stop till you’ve finished. This is Jaru’s story and all he wants is to do is prove himself so he opens a business. Opening a business doesn’t leave you much free time so his best friend starts to feel left out so he takes matters into his own hands and reminds him he still exists. Just as things are going good life goes to crap. Find out what happens next. Can he save both his relationship and his best friend? I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book in this series.
I Will Bury You by Brandy Nacole
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
It is a sunny day, but it isn’t the right weather for a funeral, especially when you are burying a parent and comforting an aunt, but staying strong is the most important thing when you have to be strong for them, even though you are breaking down inside. As we leave the cemetery and head home, she announces that the house needs to be cleared, things organised into piles for donation, items to sell at the antique shop and things to keep and it all has to be done in less than a week before she moves into a retirement home. This is all a shock and while going through the things in the attic first, this is when the time gaps start, one minute looking at a drawing, the next a banging announcing that tea is late and her routine is broken and routine is everything for her nowadays. Later on after she is settled into her chair with an audiobook, the sorting and organising continues, however, the things that are found are both disturbing and at the same time unknown, there are drawings and pictures, that are new to the eyes and the questions they bring up are blown off when an explanation is needed.
As the packing continues the boy next door comes to visit and it is like no time has passed between the last time he was here, but the conversation is lacking but the passion is still there until he says something unusual and is asked to leave when tempers alight and anger is ignited, but this is the last time he is seen alive, but the person in the spotlight for causing it doesn’t know why they are there, but this is just the beginning of the strange things that start to happen. The time gaps increase and the memories associate them are fuzzy and incomplete, but when somebody else is hurt and the spotlight seems even brighter and more blame is piled on top, things start to unravel, the mind starts to fracture and the explanations seem far fetched, but that is where the truth lies, however unbelievable it is.
As the injuries and bodies pile up and the darkness creeps in, the unbelievable becomes fact and the fear increases, but what has happened during the time gaps and will the incomplete memories explaining them ever be revealed? Who is the one who has been doing all these hurtful things and why? When the person seen in the mirror is not the one you know, how would you react? This is a thought provoking murder mystery with a twist where you have to read to the end to understand the tale, but it is well worth the read and you will be rushing to the conclusion to find out if your suspicions and assumptions are indeed the correct ones.
Reviewed by @roxsannel
I Will Bury You by Brandy Nacole
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
3.5 stars
I Will Bury You is a YA twisted psychological thriller story by Brandy Nacole. This story is full of deception and lies, suspense and mystery and more. I Will Bury You is fast paced and full of suspense from start to finish. I found myself having to back track and reread sections due to some editing issues. Overall, it didn’t detract from the story that much it just stilted the easy flow.
She is losing a fight with reality. Who is after her? Is she next to wind up dead? What is real and what isn’t? Who is that person looking back at her?
YA’s will love this story and will not want to put it down.
Reviewed by @jennadb
Our Wicked Lies by Glede Browne Kabongo
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Alicia betrayed.
. Well what can I say marriage is hard work. Secrets are harder to keep. When these come crashing down around them they are both shocked. Been betrayed by two people close to you breaks her I really feel for Alicia. Well that was a twist I didn’t expect that to happen This book is really well written and I didn’t want it to end.
Key West Dead by Mark Nolan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the sixth book in the Jake Wolf series, Key West Dead by Mark Nolan. Whenever I see a new book from Mark, I can’t wait to get my hands on it. I love, love, love Jake Wolf and Cody and the adventures or should I say misadventures that they find themselves in. As we know nothing ever goes the way you expect it to as we are giving little twisted gems that are thrown in to put you off track. Mark knows just when to add the humour and banter that goes on between Jake and his bestie Terrell and the other characters, they always make me laugh out loud. I always feel as if I have had a good work out after reading one of Mark’s books due to being constantly in a state of ready on the edge of my seat to jump up if needed and heart in mouth palpitations. On top of that we get an adventure on the seas and culinary tastes from around the Florida Keys.
Take it from me Mark Nolan is a must on anyone’s TBR list.
Reviewed by @jennadb
On Viking Seas by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
On Viking Seas (The Forerunner Series book 3) by Jay Veloso Batista is a historical fantasy story. Jay gives the reader a vivid and engaging look into the life of a Viking and his passion and knowledge flows through the words. It makes it so easy to believe you have been transported to this time and a day in the life of dangerous voyages and hardships, epic battles and sweet love, pain, and joy.
I did not realise that this is the third book in the series so found it a little hard in the beginning but soon realised that it was because I didn’t have the knowledge from the first two books. Having said that I soon settled in and did enjoy this book and will be going back to read from the beginning.
With shapeshifting witches and trolls, wyrms and dark elves, ghosts and a whole world of creatures and characters, you will be transported to another magical time and adventures that take us across Midgard and the 9 realms and more.
Reviewed by @jennadb
Sure As Hell by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Naomi Valkyrie has done it again with Sure As Hell in the Life Is Hell series. This is Book 4 and is just as good if not better than the others. I love this group of unlikely mismatches that have become a family. I love the easy way Naomi makes her writing feel relaxed and welcoming. She gives us times of humour and laughter, yet times of pain and sorrow, with love and anger. I have been with Naomi since the start of her writing and have never been disappointed.
I am not going to share the story as Naomi’s stories should be discovered and savoured like a new fine wine.
Reviewed by @jennadb
Key West Dead by Mark Nolan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the 6th book in the series following the lush Jake Wolfe. Jake and Sarah attend the wedding of one of his marine buddies down in Key West. The marriage is short lived as the newlywed’s boat exploded while they were sailing away. Someone calling himself Orion is threatening even more explosions unless he is paid $30 million. It is fun to hear some of Cody’s thoughts, he is one of the best characters, and I know there are dogs out there as smart as he is. I highly recommend this book and this author.
Murder at Honeybee Lake by Jessica Aiken-Hall
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This had a very different feel to the first book of the series. It has the same cast of characters, with a few extra thrown in and we get chapters from differing POV. The writing still drew me in and I was intrigued by the story line that I sat up way to late reading. The twists kept coming and when I thought I had it all figured out, my theories would become unravelled. I recommend this very cleverly written paranormal mystery.
~ ~ ~ ~ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A certified bookworm and catmom, Zoe Kalo has always been obsessed with books and reading. Reading led to writing—compulsively. No surprise that at 16, she wrote her first novel, which her classmates read and passed around secretly. The pleasure of writing and sharing her fantasy worlds has stayed with her, so now she wants to pass her stories to you with no secrecy—but with lots of mystery. She has two grownup kids and lives in Belgium with her husband and two evil cats, one of them a ghost.
~ ~ ~ ~ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
SJ Molloy, British Author of ‘The Luminara Series’ was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. She currently resides in Scotland with her husband, two daughters, and her puppy, a loving gun dog who is utterly spoiled. Along with writing and publishing romance fiction, SJ is completing her MLitt Creative Writing, Crime Writing and Forensic Investigation postgrad at the University of Dundee.
When she is not writing, reading, studying, enjoying family time or walking her dog, SJ loves all things practical and creative. Dancing, music, cooking, travelling, good food and wine and painting are her favourite past times along with laughter, lots and lots of laughter.
SJ loves reading and writing romance and crime novels, which focus on moral complexities, fractured relationships, and contain a unique voice. She enjoys stories filled with imagination, intricacies, flawed characters, twisted plots, and suspense. Anything to get her thinking. Family saga’s and multi-layered stories are among her favourites. She loves to submerge herself between the pages of heart-stopping, emotional, and atmospheric reads which grip her attention and awaken her senses.
Tapestry of Worlds, Part Two: Running and Gunning by Hadley Thorne
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Author Hadley Thorne’s second installment in the Tapestry of Worlds series: Running and Gunning is a YA dystopian, sci-fi book with fantasy elements. The story from book one (The White Raven Awakens) continues the storyline with descriptive writing cheating vivid scenes and believable dialogue. The protagonist Jack (a.k.a. Ransom), his bestie Cash, his girlfriend Erika (a.k.a. The White Raven), and his team of militarized shifters facing off with an opponent out unleash hell on earth: The Black Queen.
While the story has a classic good-versus-evil theme the dynamic post-apocalyptic world with well-developed characters makes it a page-turner. The addition of Norse mythology ties in with the magic system of the world the characters are fighting to protect the remnants of the world. I do favor how the supporting characters make this dystopia feel alive. Another positive note is that the Prologue and Epilogue are both worth the read (don’t skip them!). The ending does have the feel of a cliffhanger and I definitely want to know what happens next!
