Boy on Hold by J.D. Spero
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I absolutely adored this novel. The author did an amazing job of keeping the reader on the edge of their seat! It kept me thoroughly enthralled throughout. It was just the thing to get me out of my reader’s stump. I would definitely recommend reading this!
The God: A Greek Myth Fantasy Romance by Hazel Storm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
For me, it was nearly impossible not to fall in love with the book as well as the plot and the character it contained! Also the characters all bought a certain appeal, be it wit or sex appeal or basically a sense of humor I was truly hooked! I found this book easy to get into and go right along with the plot. It gave me points to main concepts to the first novel and it made it very easy to follow and comprehend what happened previously to where we are now and what is and was to develop.
The main two characters, Vanessa and Grey, seriously were the perfect combination of everything you would want! as if having a nice cold drink on a weekend day siting on a beach. You could take a sip, but be so intrigued you keep going back. I loved their personalities of both these characters. They both made the book so worth wile. Though, I will say the novel itself and things that happened around these characters and the others made me want to keep on reading seriously.
Vanessa, let me say in small words she was the most freaking fantastic character ever. I was filled on her previous back story, and she truly had a heart worth saving. Literally. She loved deeply, but yet she was and is not someone you want to get on the bad side of! Grey had been learning this the hard way again and again through their time together, but perhaps a man of darkness and who truly believed nothing could ever touch him…was actually doing that in the most least unexpected way?
Grey, he is in charge of the underworld. He had his wit as well we Vanessa but he was the whole attitude of this is my place, you don’t belong, I don’t need you here. Perhaps, though, things happen for a reason and there was more to the destiny for Vanessa and Grey than they both realized.. Besides they strongly disliked each other more than words could describe between the two of them.
Besides the characters and their steamy, well built, leaving you wanting more moments, I loved how the author described the details of the settings so freaking good. For example, The Underworld, the way she described it felt I was right there in the Underworld. With its pain and along and its darkness and corruption of a humans soul. It felt so real. I literally had to pick myself from reading at random times just to be clear I was just super involved in my reading.
What really fascinated me the most truly was the fact that Vanessa met so many shapes and forms of people and they truly were all different. And the relationships that grow between them all. It really was a book worth while to invest in. I was into this book I kept reading and was lost into it. When I reached the ending, I could not believe how good it was getting…let me say that cliff hanger left me hanging and wanting so much more. I truly need to know what will happen to my beloved characters that I truly have bonded with! I with strong anticipation am waiting for the next book to come released!
Again I loved this book with a fiery passion. The author truly has a great talent on how to entrain her readers and keep them wanting more. Even when us as the readers are given a lot, we keep wanting more and will not rest till we do. She wrote a wonderful series and I know she will continue to do so with an amazing plot and characters. She truly knows how to write! I am beyond words with this book. I truly loved it is an understatement. I look forward to the next in the series!
Boy on Hold by J.D. Spero
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book was my first by J. D. Spero and I look forward to more. It is a story about a 7 year old boy who just wants to catch a hedgehog to keep as a pet. Henry, or Hen as everyone calls him, sees a serious attack on his friend and neighbor Miss Sally, and then tries to figure out what is going on in his little world.
This begins a scary time for the whole family, Tyler, the big brother with some mental health issues, and his mom Marcella.
Marcella Trout doesn’t know what to do, her seventeen-year-old son has been arrested and she can’t help but worry that his recent mood swings are something more serious.
I love Hen, and the relationship he has with his brother is very heartwarming. This story really moves along nicely and becomes more than you thought it would with every turn of a page.
Boy Released by J.D. Spero
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
BOY RELEASED (BOY SERIES BOOK 2) by JD Spero
4 Stars
This book takes place many years after book 1. I enjoyed this one as much as the first one, but again got a bit confused in some places. This had everything you want in this genre. The mystery aspect was spot on, and I never knew what was going to happen next. I truly need to go back and reread book 1 and then read this one again. I love the storyline and I love the writing style. I felt like I had a good grasp on the characters and this author handled the mental illness aspect beautifully in my opinion.
I don’t recommend reading this one without reading the first, although this author did a great job bringing me back into the story, I still felt like reading the first was essential for me.
I will absolutely read more from this author and truly can’t wait to reread both of these books.
Sinful Daughter by Emily Bowie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This mafia romance had me feeling so many things!! This is my first Emily Bowie book and I learned that she is a great writer. This is a story about how a mafia princess secretly falls in love with an enemy. The book takes you through the ups and downs and difficulty love can bring when it is forbidden. Throughout the book, my emotions went on a roller coaster from anger to curiosity to steamy to heartache and to love. I literally was oohing, aahhing, smiling, and crying throughout. The way she uses description had me in the mix of this mafia family. She made it suspenseful, surprising, a happy ending that didn’t come easily, and left me wanting to read the rest of her series!! It was one of those books that when I went to bed last night I dreamt about the book because I was sad it was over!
Boy Released by J.D. Spero
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is such an emotional read. It follows on from the book Boy on Hold and I really recommend reading that one first so you get the full impact of this story.
It’s 10 years since Ty was convicted of murder and sent to a psychiatric institution. Now he’s back with his family and even though things seem to be improving for the family there is a dark cloud ahead.
When Ty’s mum is attacked in the hotel that they own Ty is the only witness to the attack. However, the wrong choice of words at the wrong time sees Ty go from witness to suspect and with his past conviction he is the most likely suspect.
His mother however knows this isn’t the case and now the family needs to fight yet again to stop Ty getting convicted for another crime. This one he didn’t commit. However you can sense and feel the doubt of his innocence from his brother Hen and the boyfriend of his mum. After all if Ty could commit murder why couldn’t he be responsible for this attack?
It is an amazing read and the author does a great job of handling the sensitive subject of mental illness and how having a mental illness cause automatically label you. The rollercoaster Ty goes on with his mental health is really interesting to go through but also to see and feel the effect it has on his family shows you that mental healthy doesn’t just affect the person with the illness.
Pet Me by Angelique Jurd
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Bailey Richards is young, sweet, and on the verge of dipping his feet into a mild kink. He goes to the adult store once a week to visit the unicorn tail that he has fallen in love with and is just itching to buy. Bailey can’t walk to the back of the store without tripping over something, knocking something over, or embarrassing himself completely.
Sam Thurston owns the adult store. Bailey caught his eye; he knows Bailey is old enough to be in the store as he checked his ID. Sam happens to stop at a diner for lunch and it just happens to be where Bailey works. Sam asks Bailey out and Bailey just can’t understand why Sam would want to go out with him. With Sam’s encouragement and help from the “brat brigade” Bailey not only finds friends, a lover, but more importantly; himself.
I enjoyed all the characters in the book, the “brat brigade” is such a mix of personalities yet they fit so well together. Sam and Bailey each have their own insecurities but find themselves blossoming under the care of each other.
Hold Me Forever by Lea Nolan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Lark Donavan is returning to the one place she really doesn’t want to go, back to Heron Harbor. Her sister is getting married, she can’t miss that! She pulls into town with Minnie, her RV, and Minnie promptly dies. The police officer that was driving by, turns around and comes back. Within minutes of returning to Heron Harbor, Lark is faced with her past in the form of Hunter McMullen.
The universe throws Lark and Hunter together for the span of her time in Heron Harbor. They both still feel the love for each other that they did six years earlier. Can they get over the past hurts to find that love again?
I love Lark, such a free spirit and black sheep of the family. She is faced with some truths from her past that she isn’t sure how to deal with, but with her belief in holistic healing and help from Hunter, she may just be able to find the truth that heals her heart. This was such a wonderful love story, with truths about how our family and what they say/tell us can alter how we feel about ourselves.
This was my first book by Carrie Pulkinen and my VERY first time listening to a book rather than reading it. I am content with the audio version but tend to create different voices in my head when I read. It threw me off a bit that this book would have normally taken at least half the time to read, but it helped allow me to do other things while I got to submerge myself into a paranormal-filled world. The story itself was great, the narration was well-done, and the characters’ dialogue made me laugh out loud a few times. I never knew that a reaper would want to take a vacation, nor that doing so could create such a great narrative. I loved both main characters and hope to see more of them in future books right after I go back and read the ones I missed so far!
Boy on Hold by J.D. Spero
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Boy on Hold by JD Spero is a captivating book that reels you in from the first chapter. A seven year old Hen sets out to find himself a pet hedgehog in the middle of the night, but not just any night as it was cabbage night. A night of tradition pranks. One prank gone drastically wrong next door to the Trout family while Hen is outside making him the only witness. The story revolves around this crime that has taken place. Hen’s older brother Tyler is arrested and his mother Marcella shocked. As a single mother working hard to raise her boys this is a blindside. It couldn’t be her son. Told in different points of view you gain a true connection to each character from little innocent Hen to hard-working loving mother Marcella and to the mental illness plaguing Tyler. As the tale unfolds will the truth come out on who done the crime so foul?
The Myder Bird Tattoo by Julia Colbourn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
An amazing fantasy adventure about a girl that finds out of the inter-racial conflict between the Ellisians and the Cadians. She finds her way while seeing the world for that it really is, and not what she was told. When the queen is assassinated there is a ruling conflict which creates the conflict with the people. The relationships Elfern cstarts building with the races as she questions everything she was taught and trying to make it better. She takes everything in strides and takes her role in leadership with a bad ass attitude. This book was a page turner, and emotional rollercoaster that will have you wanting to read more.
The Myder Bird Tattoo by Julia Colbourn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
An amazing fantasy adventure about a girl that finds out of the inter-racial conflict between the Ellisians and the Cadians. She finds her way while seeing the world for that it really is, and not what she was told. When the queen is assassinated there is a ruling conflict which creates the conflict with the people. The relationships Elfern cstarts building with the races as she questions everything she was taught and trying to make it better. She takes everything in strides and takes her role in leadership with a bad ass attitude. This book was a page turner, and emotional rollercoaster that will have you wanting to read more.
Fury of Conviction by Coreene Callahan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Hmmm..I really enjoyed the heck out of this story. I guess I just wanted completion of it. It seems to have ended kinda up in the air. I enjoyed meeting Hamersveld and Fen. Very interesting and intriguing idea from them. I want to know more! Do all dragons have a little friend or just water dragons?
Overall this is a short, quick high emotion read. I really liked it and it makes me wonder about others from this author.
Descallia: Dark Vampire Romance by Sylvia Black
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Such a great story! I always love vampire stories and this one is no exception. The story moves along at a quick pace and easily drew me into the lives of these characters. Salvatore is strong character who had drive. I enjoyed Lucianna and her powers. She has an independent nature that makes her zesty and full of fire. The chemistry between these two is palpable.
Secondary characters are a lot of fun. They added some lively times to the story. I think Embry is my favorite. She has some sauciness about her and she stands up for Luce then makes her smile. Just what a friend should do!
Overall this is an enjoyable read. It took me on an adventure of the best kind.
Hawke by Anise Storm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Hawke is book one in the Men of Syn series by Anise Storm. A new author to me, Anise Storm’s writing quickly became a very interesting addition to my ever expanding library. A creative and imaginative author capable of sinning a sinister and mysterious tale full of intrigue, passion and seriously hot characters. Appealing to my love for the alpha male and dominant men, Hawke ticked all the boxes and sent every single sense tingling.
The story grasped my attention instantly and had me gasping. Each character was complex, especially Hawke. Each scene well executed and thought out. Each sexy moment meant to create shortness of breath and spine tingling bliss. Not ever quite knowing what the next turn of the page would bring, this story was engaging, captivating and unforgettable. Hawke and Charlotte had history, worked their way past it and created memories and paved a new path to HEA. A thrilling read that satisfied and mesmirised. 5 stars.
~ ~ ~ ~ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Lea Nolan is a USA Today bestselling author who writes smart, witty contemporary stories filled with head-swooning, heart-throbbing, sweep-you-off your feet romance. Born and raised on Long Island, New York, she loves the water far too much to live inland. With her heroically supportive husband and three clever children, she resides in Maryland where she cracks crabs and bakes ugly birthday cakes.
~ ~ ~ ~ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Johannah Davies (JD) Spero’s writing career took off when her first release, Catcher’s Keeper, was a finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award in 2013. Since then, she’s found similar success with her young adult fantasy Forte series, winning recognition from National Indie Excellence Award (2014, 2016), Adirondack Literary Award (2015). Her newest release, Boy on Hold, was a winner in the 2020 Book Excellence Award and a 2020 IPPY Gold winner for Best Mystery/Thriller ebook. With a Masters in Education, Spero leverages her years as a high school English teacher in author presentations across the country, most notably at DFW Writers Conference in 2014. Having lived in various cities from St. Petersburg (Russia) to Boston, she’s settled with her husband and three sons in the Adirondack Mountains, where she was born and raised.
Drifting, Falling — Diary Of A Call Girl Suicide by A.J. Ullman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This book is a different kind that grabbed my attention because I’ve been through a lot just like Ripley but I wanted to see how she would overcome her suicide attempt. I even related to how she has bigger dreams but I was enthralled with how she could overcome so much. This book will take you to new heights as it pivots you into different places you’ve never dreamed of. I absolutely loved this read!
The God by Hazel Storm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The God, book #2 in the Her Three Immortals series, picks up right where the first story concluded. Vanessa is swept away to the Underworld with Grey, where he makes it clear she isn’t welcome. Once there, Vanessa befriends a gorgon, and finds a pet in her giant caterpillar, PK. Exploring the Underworld is quite an adventure for Vanessa, as she deals with Grey, her lover she left on earth, Raef, and their brother, Aroz.
Hazel Storm has done it again! This story is hot, full of steamy romance, adventure, humor, and loveable characters. The way she describes the Underworld is fantastic and is so different than what I have read before. The things that Vanessa sees, the people she meets, and the creatures she finds in the Underworld all combine to set the stage for a fantastic novel. This series is so light hearted and fun! This story was a great continuation in the series, and I can’t wait to read what happens next!
Boy 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.
Drifting, Falling — Diary of a Call Girl Suicide by A.J. Ullman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Ripley Luna has decided it’s time to end her life. She suffered through unspeakable childhood trauma, which led to her never reaching her goal of becoming an astronaut. Told through diary entries and the view of her psychologist, Drifting, Falling–Diary of a Call Girl Suicide is a book that gives the reader pause. Ripley is a likeable enough character, and the author does a great job of portraying her thoughts and feelings as if you are reading a real diary. The way the novel is written, there is a lot of history and facts interspersed throughout. This was a neat aspect of the story because it made Ripley, and her musings in her diary, seem more real.
This is not a happy story, where everything is wrapped up in a neat little bow at the end. I finished it a few hours ago and am still thinking on it. It’s one that I will remember for a long time.
Flirting with my Enemy: A Sweet Romantic Comedy by Laura Burton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I LOVED this book so much. Fantastic read from beginning to end. If you love a enemies to lovers cozy rom com please read this book. Elle is an owner of a bakery that was her mother’s. Big shot
Zane Masters owns Got Cake! and tries to buy off Elle and her bakery. Strange things start happening to Elle’s bakery like deliveries of dead fish, feeling like Zane is suspect #1 to try and run her out and Elle cannot be bought. Zane makes Elle realize he is not trying to sabotage her business and proves that to her. Elle’s long time friend, whom is more like a grandmother, then falls ill. You will learn how selfless Elle truly is. My heart on how determined she is to take care of Joyce just truly tugged at my heartstrings. This book is truly fantastic, I loved every piece of this book.
The God by Hazel Storm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The God (Her Three Immortals Book Two) is the second book in Hazel Storm’s Immortals is just as good as the first. These books should be read in order. Storm has again swept us up and away into her own little world, or in this case, underworld. With a great cast of characters, you will not go wrong picking this series.
We pick up where we left off with Vanessa Maan and her three gods. Vanessa has given her soul to the Grey, the Don of the Underworld, in exchange for her brother, Piper’s, life. Now she is living in Grey’s apartment in the Underworld. No one knows why the Judges placed her here, but she has made it her mission to find out.
This book was just as fun, quick, and easy to read as the first. It again ends on a cliffhanger, which is not my favorite, but hopefully we will not have to wait too long until we receive the third.
The God by Hazel Storm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
If you had of told me that I would be a huge fan of love triangle love stories, I would have called you crazy. The idea that one could love more than one person in the way that a woman loves a man, or vice versa, has always confused me. To be honest, I sat down, and finished Vanessa and Grey’s story in one day. The supporting characters have left me wanting more, and more. I have been looking forward to reading more of Hazel Storms work, and as soon as this novel popped up on my radar, I snatched it up. The way that this author grabs you and throws you right back into her characters, and this world, is astonishing! I found myself transported into the Underworld, walking around this bleak, and grey world, feeling her angst and loss when it came to those that she left behind at the end of the first novel, and couldn’t stop reading. I find that I was able to connect to the plot, and absolutely adore the way that you read from all the different characters points of view, and in turn, have a greater understanding as to how they all are pulled together. Vanessa is a very strong female character and has lost and loved more than most would her age, and I couldn’t be more vested in her story. She brings so much colour to their love story, and so much more. Bring on The Bow, I will be walking on eggshells until I get to read this next installment! Thank you, Hazel, for this amazing adventure. Well done!
The God by Hazel Storm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
The God by Hazel Storm is the second book in Her Three Immortals series. For me this book does need to be read in order as it follows on from book one in the series and reading them both would definitely enhance your reading experience.
This book was even better than the first one. I was pulled straight back into the story and the characters without an issue and I just had to find out what was going to happen to them now.
This author has done an amazing job a creating an exciting and thrilling story, both with this book and the first. Her writing style completely fits with this type of story and she knows how to get the best out of what she is writing. I really enjoyed this book and I am excited for what is next.
An Enduring Love by Wareeze Woodson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
An Enduring Love by Wareeze Woodson is another fantastic book by an author I am really taking to. With each book I read I think I have found the one that will be my favourite. And then I read another book of hers. I loved the story in this book. I thought it was such a well written book and I really felt like I connected with it. I was hooked on the story from page one and it lasted the whole way through.
This is still a relatively new author to me and I am really enjoyed her writing style. I get a thrill every time I start a new book of hers and I always look forward to more.
I would highly recommend not only this book but also the author to any fan of this genre.
Chatroom With A View by Glenn Maynard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Wow. This book starts off with a bang and just grabbed hold of me and wouldn’t let go. This author is new to me and I just loved this page turner. I was on the edge of my seat as I navigated the pages waiting to find out what would happen next. Just a really well written book. If you like a good thrill ride, this book is a must read.
Reviewed by @heatherlovelace
View all my reviews
Journeys Through SpaceTime by James Talisman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Journeys Through SpaceTime is the first book in the Journeys Through series by James Talisman.
I didn’t know what to expect when I started reading this book. The book is set in a ‘multiverse’ that consists of different worlds and spans across different times. What unites the chosen characters is the voice. Sounds confusing, but it soon makes sense. I love the concept of this story and for me, it more than lives up to my expectations.
The characters, like the book itself, are full of layers and personality. It is the kind of book where you need to pay attention. There are a lot of characters and events to keep track of, but it is definitely worth the investment of your time.
It is hard to believe that this is the author’s debut novel, his writing is engaging and experienced. It is obviously an idea that was a long time coming, it is so well developed. I can’t wait to read the next installment!
The Forsaken: Wraith by Martin Ferguson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoy Ferguson’s writing style and attention to detail. And I’m finding him to be a very versatile author that is very astute in writing appropriately for the genre. This book starts with immediate action, pulling the reader in and setting the stage for quite a bit of action. I immediately wanted to know more from the very first chapter and loved how the story progressed. Strong female lead, lots of action, just a well paced fantasy that kept me engaged from beginning to end. Loved it.
Reviewed by @heatherlovelace
View all my reviews
Master Tuscano: Dark Vampire Romance by Sylvia Black
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is book 2 in the Masters of the Consulate series. I really love these books. With their mixture of romance, danger, and supernatural beings it makes for a gripping read.
In this story we follow Christian and Delilah. After Delilah’s traumatic kidnapping she is set out for revenge against the person responsible. What happens next is a series of events which means that to save Delilah’s life Christian has to turn her into a vampire.
With the rest of the Masters of the Consulate not being happy with their relationship this added twist makes it even harder for them to be accepted by them.
Add to this upheaval the danger of not only the person responsible for Delilah’s kidnapping being on the loose but also the Syndicate that is out to destroy the peace between supernatural and humans.
Why is the Syndicate trying to destroy Lazareth when they were working in partnership? What does Lazareth know? Can Delilah prove to everyone that she is trustworthy and that she will remain by Christians side? And will their relationship even survive all this upheaval and danger?
