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Repair (Rescue Me Book 1) by Trish Williford – Review by Ashley Dover

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Repair (Rescue Me #1; The Everyday Heroes World)Repair by Trish Williford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Charlotte grew up in Sunnyville, CA. For the last eight years, she has been a trauma nurse in Denver, CO. But she’s moving home. Yes, Sunnyville General is not a Level One trauma center like where she works in Denver, but nothing is holding her in Denver.

Trent, Tank, Easton has been best friends with Jude, Charlotte’s brother since his family moved to town. He almost messed that up eight years ago when he had a one night stand with his sister. Tank is convinced that Charlotte is the girl for him. Hopefully, he will be able to convince her that she saved his life then and made him a better person. He hopes to convince her that their love is the forever kind of love.

Repair is that wonderful kind of romance where past hurts can be left there and a future is found. Join Charlotte and Trent as they try to start over from the past.

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The Dream Catchers (Prestoria) by J. U. Menon – Review by Ashley Dover

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The Dream Catchers: PRESTORIA Series Book 1The Dream Catchers: PRESTORIA Series Book 1 by J.U. Menon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Radhika Varma is a reader with an overactive imagination. Lately she has been having weird dreams that include an older man she has never met. And to make matters worse, she starts seeing him around town. When she mentions this to her best friend, Radhika is shocked that she is the only one who sees him.

One night she wakes up in a room with 10 other young people who have been tasked to be a part of the Dream Catcher Challenge. This is four nights of overcoming mental, physical, and emotional challenges. During the course of the challenge, Radhika must learn to dwell on her strengths and not her weaknesses. Luckily she makes a few friends along the way who make the journey easier.

Unfortunately there’s always at least one bad apple. One of the other Dream Catchers starts spreading rumors about how she’s leaving everyone behind. Can Radhika complete her challenges before the midnight deadline? Will overcome the adversary that is revealed?

The Dream Catchers is a cute story which involves a person’s imagination and a dreamland called Prestoria. Ridhika has lost her parents within the last year. Overcoming a fear of losing her brother is one of her biggest challenges. In this story you will enjoy the real life challenges and the challenges presented by mythical creatures that Radhika has to overcome.

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Master Tuscano (Masters of the Consulate Book 2) by Sylvia Black – Review by Ashley Dover

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Master Tuscano: Dark Vampire Romance (Masters of the Consulate Book 2)Master Tuscano: Dark Vampire Romance by Sylvia Black
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Christian Tuscano is one of the twelve Masters of the Consulate of Vampires. The love of his life is Delilah. He wanted Delilah as his partner, but being a human, the consulate disagreed with his proposal.

Delilah was taken by a rogue vampire as part of a human trafficking ring, and now Christian wants revenge. Being a part of the Consulate means that he must be granted permission to seek his revenge. As a human, Delilah does not need permission and after recovering flies to Chicago to find her abductor. During her inquisition, she is fatally wounded by some rogue shifters. Christian arrives just as the shots begin and turns her before he can be granted permission by Delilah or the Consulate.

Christian is determined to get the Consulate’s permission, but Delilah doesn’t make it easy. With her new powers as a vampire, she often ignores the rules and goes off on her own. She is especially determined to prove that the witches she spent time with after the Consulate’s first decision do not bear any ill will against the vampires. Will she come to accept the rule of order of the vampire community? Can she convince the Consulate that she desires to be with Christian forever?

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Cursed Touch (Broderick Coven Series Book 4) by AJ Renee – Review by Ashley Dover

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Cursed Touch (Broderick Coven, #4)Cursed Touch by A.J. Renee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Vanessa Rayne meets Carter Broderick when she happens to take her neighbor Tyler to the hospitality one night. The attraction is instantaneous, but neither knows how to contact the other.

Carter is a medical physician and a witch with healing powers. Healing Tyler after an obvious lycan bite takes a lot out of Carter. With all supernaturals coming in with problems that require his healing, Carter is beginning to notice how much it takes out of him.

Vanessa is a normal human who specializes in jewelry arts. Lately she has been seeing strange things and having weird feelings when she is around certain types. She sees people vanish, people with yellow eyes and red eyes, and thinks she is going crazy. Skeptically she starts to believe in supernaturals.

Carter and Vanessa finally meet in person. A soulmate attraction can’t keep them apart. Unfortunately, Vanessa’s vocal inquiries about the strange things she is seeing puts a target on her back. Can Carter and his family discover who is after Vanessa?

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Master Descallia (Masters of the Consulate Book 1) by Sylvia Black – Review by Ashley Dover

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Descallia: Dark Vampire Romance (Masters of the Consulate Book 1)Descallia: Dark Vampire Romance by Sylvia Black
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Salvatore Descallia is the Overload of the Vampire Consulate. There are twelve consulate positions which are held by purebred vampires. As a leader he is tough and a believer of rules.

Lucianna Denaro, or Luce, is a Las Vegas police officer. She has worked with the department for three years. She has some psychic capabilities that the department is willing to use to help them solve a case of missing women. The women have been taken while completing normal activities like grocery shopping without a trace. Her captain wants her to work at Descallia Casino and Resort to see if she can gain any information pertaining to the case.

After meeting Master Descallia, she is being shown around by Embry, a waitress, when all of the sudden men try to grab her and Embry. She takes out two but is caught off guard by two more. Her life and Embry’s hand in the balance. Descallia and his right hand, Lucas, give both of the women immortality by turning them before they die.

With the missing women still hanging over their heads, Descallia and Luce must put aside their attraction to solve this mystery and save the women.

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Boy on Hold by JD Spero – Review by Ashley Dover

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Boy on HoldBoy on Hold by J.D. Spero
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Henry Atticus Trout, called Hen by everyone, is the younger brother of Tyler Trout. Tyler’s and Hen’s mom works as a waitress and does the best a single mother can do to provide a loving home for her boys. After school, Hen spends his days with Miss Sally, their neighbor, until his mom gets off of work.

One night, Hen goes outside alone to try and catch a hedgehog. While he is out there, he sees shadows in Miss Sally’s window. He hears screaming and knows something very bad is happening. The next day he learns from Bernie, Miss Sally’s son, that something very bad has happened to Miss Sally. While Bernie is fixing a window, the police come and pick up Tyler and his best friend, Derek, for questioning.

As a young boy of seven and in the first grade, Hen tries very hard to understand what is going on with Tyler since the incident with Miss Sally. Hen struggles to discover the truth. Can Hen and his mom stay strong when the truth of Miss Sally’s accident is revealed?

Boy on Hold is a great psychological thriller. By speaking to the heart of a serious mental illness, you will love this novel.

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FURY OF CONVICTION (The Dragonfury Series Book 2) by Coreene Callahan – Review by Ashley Dover

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Fury of Conviction (Dragonfury Short Story Collection, #2)Fury of Conviction by Coreene Callahan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hamersveld is a dragon warrior. For years he was a loner. He recently joined a group of fellow dragon warriors called the Razorbacks. Unfortunately, the group has done a sketchy thing. Dragon warriors can only mate during a certain time. Other warriors have captured women to get the women ready for this alignment. One of the captives rocks Hamersveld world. He is drawn to her, and for that reason he has issued a no touch order on her.

Natalie is one of the captives. With her photographic memory, she has memorized the lair where she is being held against her will. Not knowing what her captors want with her, she and a fellow captive decide to try and escape their captivity. She almost makes it out of the lair when she is caught by a dragon warrior.

Hamersveld must make a choice on staying loyal to the Razorbacks or rescuing the woman who has captivated him since her arrival. What choice will he make and will it break his bond with the Razorbacks?

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Azrael by Matthew Huntley – Review by Ashley Dover

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AzraelAzrael by Matthew Huntley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Levi Andrews is a private investigator in Buffalo, NY. While he does an okay job, he is mainly doing this job just for the money. Money will help him buy the huge amounts of alcohol that he consumes on a nightly basis. After waking up one morning, Levi is visited by a young detective, Parker Williams, who is working on a serial killer case in Oswego, NY. Levi is startled by this information. As a former detective in Osewago, Levi had put a serial killer, Azrael, in prison ten years ago. Ten years ago is when he lost his wife and his partner to the same serial killer. Now it seems the killer is back. Was the original killer not the one in prison? Or has a copycat taken over?

Levi and Parker must work against the clock to piece together the information. Can they discover the truth before it’s too late?

Azrael is a fantastic thriller filled with secrets and clues. Can you piece together the information to solve the serial killer case? Or will you be just as surprised by the ending as I was?

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AWAKENING THE GODS (RISE OF THE CELTIC GODS) by KRISTIN GLEESON – Review by Ashley Dover

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Awakening the Gods (Rise of the Celtic Gods #1)Awakening the Gods by Kristin Gleeson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Saoirse is a typical twenty-something with a college degree and no career to show for it. Actually, she’s worse off as she just got fired from her job as a barista and learned that her father had passed away. Upon talking with her father’s solicitor, Saoirse also discovers that she was adopted.

With no job and her lease expiring, Saoirse is feeling left out in the cold, when her, unknown to her, grandmother contacts her. Her grandmother offers for her to come to Cork to visit and spend time getting to know her. Saoirse agrees as this seems like the next logical step.

Smithy is a blacksmith. He spends his days making weapons that he feels are of no use, and his nights reveling in his love for playing music at the local pub. His skills as a blacksmith have dwindled. He’s disappointed with this development.

Shortly into her time with her grandmother, Smithy and Saoirse meet. A spark ignites. Their love of making music is shared as magic weaves through the air while they play. Is this a chance meeting? Perhaps this has always been part of the plan. A new threat looms on the horizon as an old foe returns to Ireland. The gods are being summoned for the battle. What are Smithy’s and Saoirse’s roles in this new battle?

I truly loved this book. It is completely enchanting.

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Hawke (Men of Syn Duet) by Anise Storm – Review by Ashley Dover

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Hawke (Men of Syn, #1)Hawke by Anise Storm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nathaniel “Hawke” Hawkins prepares to open his BDSM nightclub, Syn, soon in Denver, Colorado. He hires Platinum Dreams to plan his opening night on Valentine’s Day. Much to his surprise and that of the event planner, Charlotte Maxwell, the two have met before.

A year before, Charlotte had gone to The Box in Washington, DC. She was to be a submissive, but the Dominant left her before the scene ever got started. After meeting Hawke, she realizes that he was the Dom that left her.

For Hawke, Charlotte has been in his thoughts since he first saw her. He’s not thinking like himself. His tortured past bears a lot of skeletons which even with therapy he still deals with most days. He’s not sure how to get out of this funk.

Charlotte and Hawke must reconcile their relationship, whatever it is meant to be. Can they accomplish this before an unseen adversary takes a possible future away?

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Out of Time (Westbeach Series Book 4) by Toni Denise – Review by Ashley Dover

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Out of Time: Westbeach Series 4Out of Time: Westbeach Series 4 by Toni Denise
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jessica wants to take a step back from the stress of her job at the family resort. So she moves to the sleepy small town where her cousin Alex has moved. There she buys a turn-of-the-century home that she wants to renovate and make into a bed and breakfast. Her friend, Will, is helping her design a website for the bed and breakfast while he is in town keeping his sister’s kids.

The only problem for Will is that he finds Jessica extremely attractive. He thinks about building a relationship with Jessica, but with his sister in rehab after another bought with drugs, Will is unsure of what his future holds. Then Will gets a strange phone call from a man wanting $10,000 that his sister owes. The caller then starts leaving messages on his door with pictures of him, the children, and Jessica.

Through association, Jessica becomes involved in Will’s problem. With the help of friends and family, they think they have the problem solved. Unfortunately, the caller has other plans. Can they solve the situation before anyone gets badly hurt?

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Avenging Devil Part 2 (Satan’s Devils MC San Diego #4) by Manda Mellett – Review by Ashley Dover

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Avenging Devil Part 2: Satan's Devils MC San DiegoAvenging Devil Part 2: Satan’s Devils MC San Diego by Manda Mellett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Niran and Saffie are back in the exciting conclusion of Avenging Devils. I have read several of these books by Manda Mellet, and I have to say that I think this two-part book is one of the best ones yet.

Niran has gone after Saffie to hopefully stop her from leaving San Diego. In Saffie’s apartment, they wait for Kid to bring by some food. Only when he arrives, Saffie’s greatest fear comes pushing through the door with him. Duke, her abusive husband and the VP of the Crazy Wolves MC, has found Saffie and plans to bring her back. Niran must think fast, so he can protect her.

Niran convinces Duke that he wants to leave Satan’s Devils and is looking for a club like the Crazy Wolves. So Duke and his club members, take Saffie and Niran back to their clubhouse.

This is only the beginning of the torturous nightmare that Saffie and Niran have to face. Can they survive being at the Crazy Wolves MC? Will Satan’s Devils ride to his aid and stop Duke before he can take Saffie’s life? And what will this mean for Saffie and Niran when the past is behind them?

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Journeys Through SpaceTime (Journeys Through Book 1) by James Talisman – Review by Ashley Dover

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Journeys Through SpaceTimeJourneys Through SpaceTime by James Talisman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Journeys Through SpaceTime is a wonderful story of the MultiVerse. James Talisman does an excellent job of sharing the story of multiple creatures across time and space.

Each character hears a voice that encourages them to continue along the path they are on. Every character has been raised to focus on their inner self and has learned to use meditation as part of their daily lives. As the story for each individual continues, special teachers help the characters to redevelop skills from their childhood and expand their knowledge to aid them in their current journey.

The underlying plot of good vs evil helps the readers to understand how we all have a path to take in life. Some of our journeys are more influential on the outcome and survival of our respective civilizations but each journey is uniquely important.

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Houses of Deception (The Madeline Dawkins Mystery Series Book 6) by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Ashley Dover

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Houses of Deception (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 6)Houses of Deception by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Madeline and her husband Mike own and run the MDPI as well as a party-planning company called Current Events. Madeline and Mike attend an event at the home of Troy and Tara Richardson for their fifth wedding anniversary. After escaping from the party early, the couple gets a call from their former rival in the PI business, Russell Barnett. Russell asks them to take the lead in finding his nephew, Dylan, who has been missing for six days. After a shortened night of sleep, Madeline is awoken by a phone call from Troy Richardson. His wife, Tara, has disappeared, and he wants them to help him find her.

MDPI now has three missing persons: Dylan and his girlfriend, Paige, and Tara Richardson. Trying to put the puzzle pieces together for both of these cases in a harrowing affair. It is not easy to handle one missing person’s case, but two at the same time is near impossible. Madeline’s quizzical nature has her frantically trying to make sense of the disappearance of Dylan and his girlfriend while trying to bring her client’s wife home safely.

I have never read Cynthia Hamilton’s The Madeline Dawkins Mystery series before. I found that Houses of Deception is easily a stand-alone read. There are connections to past events mentioned in the book, but these do not affect the plot. I hope to read more of this series in the future.

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Taking Flight (Code of Honor Book 2) by Brooke May – Review by Ashley Dover

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Taking FlightTaking Flight by Brooke May
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jody Meadows grew up in the shadows of her twin sister. As an adult, she continues to live in her shadow as her sister is a popular country/pop singer. Jody writes the music while her sister performs and gets fame.

Holt Preston is an Air Force pilot. He joined the Air Force right after graduation. He loves the freedom of flying and has no plans to leave as his friends have done as they have settled down.

One night on leave, Holt goes bar hopping and ends up in the same bar as Jody Meadows. Only his friends think that she is Jilly, her famous sister. One touch sends electrical sparks between the two. The connection sets in motion happenstance meetings and both desire more from their lives than they have ever had before.

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The Forsaken: Wraith by Martin Ferguson – Review by Ashley Dover

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The Forsaken: WraithThe Forsaken: Wraith by Martin Ferguson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As a lover of fantasy and young adult books, I found this first book in The Forsaken series by Martin Ferguson to be fascinating. The characters are well thought out and their identities and capabilities are shared with the reader opening up to a new world of fantasy.

Alena Athscar loses everything that is precious to her as a young girl. Everything except her relationship with her uncle. Galloping away into the night, they escaped the death and destruction of Arnhold.

As a young woman, Alena, now an apprentice, sets off to complete her trial. She must complete it alone and return with a prize and coin. After choosing the path less traveled, she ends up in Folado’s Fortune Inn where an opportunity to complete her trial presents itself. She completes her trial and slays a siren.

Now a full member of the Guild, the Slayer, her new title, gets an unforeseen opportunity to work for The Sacred in the recovery of one of their Increments. Travel to Stonemere leads the Slayer and her band of reinforcers to a discovery of pure evil. Can the Slayer and her companions stop the evil before it completes its destruction of the town?

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Mann in the Crossfire (Jarvis Mann Detective Series Book 8) by R Weir – Review by Ashley Dover

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Mann in the Crossfire: A Jarvis Mann Hardboiled Detective Mystery NovelMann in the Crossfire: A Jarvis Mann Hardboiled Detective Mystery Novel by R. Weir
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

As a first-time reader of the Jarvis Mann Detective Series, I was very pleased to discover that R. Weir is a true-crime author. I love the twists and turns that are found in the plot. The characters are great, especially Jarvis.

Jarvis Mann is a private detective for hire. After discovering the death of a former colleague, a wealthy entrepreneur sends Jarvis to San Diego from Colorado to discover what took place and caused Rocky’s death. While in San Diego, Jarvis follows a lead that takes him into the gang territory of a particularly dangerous group. A second encounter with the group leads to a month of recovery and rehabilitation.

Returning to San Diego, his sights set on discovering the truth leads down a dark road. With people of unlimited means and a possible government agency on his heels, Jarvis continues his delve into the mystery of Rocky’s death. Can he solve the mystery before it’s too late?

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The Third Nanny (Secrets of Redemption) by Michele PW (Pariza Wacek) – Review by Ashley Dover

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The Third NannyThe Third Nanny by Michele Pariza Wacek
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Janey is thrown back in time when she receives a letter from her sister, Kelly, who disappeared eight years ago. With the help of her friend Bryn, she sets in motion a plan to find out what happened to her sister.

Janey decides to become the Johnson family’s third nanny in six months. This was the job held by Ashley, whom Janey thinks is her sister from eight years ago. Janey steps in to help out the family hoping to become their next nanny. She works night and day only barely able to keep her friend, Bryn, apprised of her plan to find her sister. Unfortunately, things are not always as they seem in Redemption, Wisconsin.

Follow this twisted tale of Janey, the third nanny. Trust me! You will never believe the ending!

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STUMPED (TO LOVE A SPORTSMAN SERIES Book 2) by PAMELA Q. FERNANDES – Review by Ashley Dover

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Stumped: Love Behind the Wickets (To Love a Sportsman, #2)Stumped: Love Behind the Wickets by Pamela Q. Fernandes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Delilah Taylor falls head over heels in love with Claude de Lussan. Unfortunately, Claude has eyes for only one lady, her friend, Grace. Delilah finds herself being thrown in as the third wheel on lots of dates between Claude and Grace. That is until Grace is engaged to Claude’s brother. Delilah finds herself in the middle of a love triangle that can only end badly for all involved.

After a one-night stand with Claude, Delilah finds herself pregnant and married to the man of her dreams. Only this turns into her worst nightmare. Claude leaves her after finding out that Delilah knew that Grace was only with his brother to make Claude jealous. Claude leaves her and Delilah has to deal with a loss no one should have to bear on their own.

After two years apart, Claude comes to Lincolnshire as part of an off-season club for cricket. He and Delilah cross paths. Can the wrongs of the past be undone?

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The Girl and the Raven (The Girl and the Raven series) by Pauline Gruber – Review by Ashley Dover

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The Girl and the Raven (The Girl and the Raven #1)The Girl and the Raven by Pauline Gruber
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Girl and the Raven is a delightful tale of a girl that wants a less complicated life. Her personal struggles with herself and the life she left in Tennessee are described so accurately that you can feel her ups and downs as she meets new people in Chicago. Pauline Gerber created a plot that ignites a reader’s imagination with all the nuances of Lucy’s life in Chicago. What a great storyline to build a series off of!

Lucy is hopeless when her mother, an alcoholic and a drug addict, is dropped off in front of their trailer in Tennessee dead. Lucky for her, she has two loving uncles that live in Chicago. She craves a life where things are normal.

On arriving in Chicago, she runs into a man who sends electric shocks into her fingers. Not exactly what she was hoping for. At her uncles’ three flat, her upstairs neighbor is a teenage hunk! Marcus, the hunk, becomes her protector; only Lucy doesn’t know why she’s being protected.

Circumstances change quickly. Lucy learns about a world of witches, demons, and half-demons. Things that she has never heard of in her life. A lot of decisions must be made quickly. Will Lucy choose the path to her destiny? Will her decisions keep those she loves safe?

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Lake of Flowers (The Lord Hani Mysteries, book 5) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Ashley Dover

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Lake of Flowers (Lord Hani #5)Lake of Flowers by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lord Hani is a Royal Investigator. He is asked by the king to find out why there have been thefts and then returns of items within the king’s household. Beginning this investigation leads to a web of interrelated mysteries that Hani must solve including one that involves the king’s son whose parentage is being questioned. The issue of a baby swap comes to light as witnesses of this occurrence are turning up dead. Someone is after his daughter Neferet and her friend who are physicians of the king’s ladies. Caught between the kingdom’s politics and his own desire for the kingdom to return to Amen-Ra, Hani must solve all the mysteries to restore some truths to his life and lessen his anxiety over his daughter’s welfare. Can he solve them all before it’s too late?

Although this book is a part of a series, I have not read any of the previous books. The story still intrigued me with its complicated mystery plot.

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Check Out (The Bobbins Sisters Series Book 1) by Debra Parmley – Review by Ashley Dover

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Check OutCheck Out by Debra Parmley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! For all book readers out there, this is one that you definitely should read. Betsy Bobbin is the oldest of the three Bobbin girls. Betsy is the librarian at the local library in Bartlett, TN. She is taken aback when Nash Ware, a Marine who has returned home walks into the library.

Nash is not used to the kind of librarian that Betsy turned out to be. He sees her dark blonde hair, her green eyes, and her red lips as soon as he walks in the door of the library. That day he has a terrible headache and was a little rude with his reply to the sweet librarian. He wears an eye patch courtesy of a wound while on his last tour.

Nash and Betsy figure out that each is interested in at least a friendship, but Leann, Betsy’s younger sister is coming to town for a visit, and puts a damper on any future plans.

What is Leann keeping secret from her sister? Can Nash be the hero that Betsy is looking for?

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Unlikely in Love (A Parker Lake Novel Book 1) by Olivia Sherwood – Review by Ashley Dover

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Unlikely in Love (A Parker Lake Novel Book 1)Unlikely in Love by Olivia Sherwood
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book! The location, the people, the friendships, and the atmosphere of family is just memorable. Growing up in small town USA, I can understand the camaraderie that is built between members of the same community.

Annabelle Cleaver was raised by her grandmother, Sophie, at her farmhouse on the outskirts of Parker, Oklahoma. Sophie has just passed away, and after some neglect during her grandmother’s illness, Annie has to start to put the farm back into working order. Everything needs repairs from the house to the barn. It’s going to be a long, hot summer.

Wyatt Holloway has returned to Parker after serving three tours in Afghanistan with the Army. He has returned home scarred both mentally and physically. Physically, there’s a scar that runs down the side of his face. Mentally, he suffers from PTSD which causes him to go to dark places when he’s not busy and causes his night terrors.

Call it fate, or perfect timing, but Wyatt’s dad encourages him to go out to Annie’s farm to see if she needs any help. Reluctantly, Wyatt drives out to the farm and is spellbound by the adult version of Annabelle Cleaver. Annie cautiously agrees to have him come to help her on the farm.

How will this partnership between a grieving Annie and a scarred Wyatt help them both?

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The Murders of Lillian Ross by Sirena Van Schaik – Review by Ashley Dover

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The Murders of Lillian RossThe Murders of Lillian Ross by Sirena Van Schaik
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sirena Van Schaik wrote an amazing novel with The Murders of Lillian Ross. The characters and the plot tell a chilling story of how socialite Lillian Ross ended up on Death Row.

Allison McKinnon is a true crime writer. After a few books on the victims of violent crimes, she is approached to write the story of Lillian Ross from the viewpoint of the killer. Reading through the trial transcripts is a part of her research. Feeling that there is more to her story than the trial transcripts giveaway. Jumping in feet first she meets with Lillian Ross many times to hear her story.

Lillian Ross has lived a life of adversity. Her mother was a southern belle that just happened to fall in love with a man whose desire for power was greater than his love of family. After a particularly traumatizing experience as a teen, Lillian runs away from home. She meets Adam Laurent after being on her own for two months. She thinks he is her saviour. After a peaceful few months living off the street, Lillian comes face to face with the stark reality of the life of a female on the run and off the streets.

What will Lillian’s story reveal? Will her story set her free?

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The Heart of Baker Bay by Danielle Jacks – Review by Ashley Dover

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The Heart of Baker BayThe Heart of Baker Bay by Danielle Jacks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jody is what I would call an underachiever. She likes where her life is, and although she’s never kept a job for very long, it’s more about the familiarity with the places and people that she has in Manchester. Shortly after losing her job as a hotel maid, her grandmother in Clover Bay falls and hurts her wrist. Jody promises Adam that there will be a member of her family there the following morning to help. Much to her chagrin, her sister, Hannah, tells her that she will be the one to go to Clover Bay since she made the promise.

Adam is a lifer in Clover Bay. He enjoys his life in Clover Bay and doesn’t like outsiders. After Molly, the owner of The Botanist, Adam calls her granddaughter, Hannah, hoping that she can come and help while Molly recuperates after her accident. Instead, Adam is met by Jody at the top of the hill. She is dressed like a high maintenance, city girl, and he sees her as an intrusion to his quiet hometown.

After talking with Jody, Adam realizes that Jody is insecure. Her failings in life seem to be broadcast as she hopelessly tries to learn how to manage her grandmother’s tea shop and how to bake. Hoping he can make this a little easier, he takes small steps to help her achieve. During his time helping, Adam and Jody grow close. Can a small town man get a city girl like Jody to believe in the small town life? Or will Jody return to her city life?

Danielle Jacks did an amazing job with this sweet story.

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The Halfling’s Court (A Bad-Ass Faerie Tale Book 1) by Danielle Ackley-McPhail – Review by Ashley Dover

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The Halfling's Court: A Bad-Ass Faerie Tale (Bad-Ass Faerie Tales, #1)The Halfling’s Court: A Bad-Ass Faerie Tale by Danielle Ackley-McPhail
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Halfling’s Court is a truly great story, and the characters and plot produced in the writing of Danielle Ackley-McPhail are remarkable. I loved reading this book because of love for all things fae and the motorcycle club angle. The loyalty of an MC goes beyond anything that I have ever encountered.

Lucas Cosain is a halfling. He is somewhat baffled by his roots as his family will not share with him the secrets of his origin. He knows that his mother was fae and his father is human, but his mother died in childbirth. His father, Cameron Cosain, is a human who left him with his aunt and uncle, seeming to care little about Lucas.

As the leader of the Wild Hunt MC, Lucas is grounded by his human side. He has nubs where his wings should have developed, but his human side keeps them at bay. That is until his old lady is taken captive by none other than a dark fae. During the scuffle to get her back, his ride hand, Gavin, a fae, took him away from death’s door which threatened to send him back to ashes.

With fae magic now whispering in his head, Lucas is an adversary for the high king of fae, Dair na Scath. The king has known about the halfling, but now wants Lucas destroyed and his MC obliterated. Who will come forth as the victor…Lucas or the high king of fae?

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Beginnings and Endings: A Selection of Short Stories by Jane Suen – Review by Ashley Dover

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Beginnings and Endings: A Selection of Short StoriesBeginnings and Endings: A Selection of Short Stories by Jane Suen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Real life has beginnings and endings. Sometimes we must face an end to open our eyes to a beginning. This book contains three short stories that opened my eyes to the way that life just happens. We never know what is out there, but we have to keep searching until we find the right path for ourselves.

In Beginnings and Endings, the short story that spoke to me the most is called “The Accident”. In “The Accident”, there is a couple who are starting their day. The story speaks of all their hopes and dreams which were changed because of an accident. (I’m not giving away the story because it’s much better to read.)

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Chatroom With A View by Glenn Maynard – Review by Ashley Dover

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Chatroom With A ViewChatroom With A View by Glenn Maynard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Chatroom With A View is an incredible story. For some people who have experienced bullying and domestic violence this book may contain triggers.

The primary character in the book is Troy Cullen. After a childhood that involved domestic violence and an inability to find his place in society, Troy is still living at home for no other reason than to protect his mother. His father is verbally and physically abusive and does not care who receives the brunt of his anger. After an especially tragic night, Troy must face some new obstacles in life.

As a way of making himself feel more normal, Troy engages in chatroom dating. He met a girl named Veronica in this chatroom, and they hooked up a few times. Troy realized that he needed her out of his life because of her nature. Only when Veronica pops up with the story that she is pregnant does Troy truly know that he cannot be with Veronica.

Troy needs to move on with his life, but he is triggered when he learns that the waitresses from the diner where he works have been playing the field in the chatroom that he frequents. Decisions are made, plans are put into action, and it all comes down to who will make through the final showdown.

This is a fast-paced novel that will have you hanging on every word.

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Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures by Leon Stevens – Review by Ashley Dover

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Lines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and PicturesLines by Leon: Poems, Prose, and Pictures by Leon Stevens
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lines by Leon is a wonderful collection of poems, stories, and pictures. Some of the works that spoke to me include “Smile”, “Life”, “Book Cover”, “Addiction”, “Moments”, and “The Bookstore”. These speak to me at this time in my life as they are about books, living alone, moments that have passed, and how addiction affects a person.

Here is a sample of “Time and Time Again”:
Time passes
Only when you impose a starting point
Removing that restriction
Allows for things to just…
Happen

Take time out of your novels and read a poem or a short story. You will be amazed as I was at how these short works will grab your heart.

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Manifested Dreams by Dr. Yvonne Johnson – Review by Ashley Dover

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Manifested DreamsManifested Dreams by Yvonne Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Manifested Dreams is a wonderfully told yet heart-wrenching story of a family’s journey from slavery to freedom and beyond. The letters from the family members describe their personal experiences with slavery, post-Civil War living, the Harlem Renaissance, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and President Barack Obama becoming the first African-American president. Within these positive and uplifting stories are sad and calamitous stories of the Memphis Massacre, the Read Summer of 1919, and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

As a white woman born in the South, I have always felt the aspects of racism in my life. As an open-hearted person, I have believed since I was six years old that every person no matter skin color is equal. Our biology is the same. Only the color of our skin and our experiences separate us. It is truly powerful to hear the stories in these letters which validate that racism has always been a part of our country’s heritage. I appreciate Dr. Yvonne Johnson for sharing her family’s stories. I hope that she continues to share their history so that we all can better understand our country’s heritage.

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