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Twisted Proposal (Central Florida Stories Book 3) by Victoria Saccenti – Review by Ayla Phipps

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Twisted Proposal (Central Florida Stories)Twisted Proposal by Victoria Saccenti
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

All consuming. This is the first book I have read by Victoria Saccenti, and though it is the third book in the series I have never read the previous two but plan to go back and read them. Twisted Proposal is just that, twisted but not exactly in all the ways you would expect. Told from both Ethan and Siena’s perspectives it pulls back layer after layer of secrets and twists to keep you hungry for more information.
Ethan was born into an empire of wealth but found his own interests and only stepped into his father’s role when asked. Siena, also born into money, had a hardship that took everything from her including her parents’ deaths. Now with a dream to start her own fashion design brand Siena seeks out investors. With some start up from her first cousin Joyce, later discovering it was stolen funds from her husband, Siena seeks the investment of The Big Seven. Ethan, the one person that has a deep-seated need for revenge on Joyce, ends up being the only one that can help her, but he has some terms of his own. With no choice and her brother going missing Siena accepts. Everything begins coming to light when Bart, Siena’s brother, goes missing and the mob comes looking for payment on his debts. Joyce, having cheated on Ethan when they were in their twenties, over ten years ago, feels that he is still hers. Under it all Ethan has been both determined to take out his revenge on Joyce by using Siena, and entranced with her in every way, from her beauty to her personality he can’t get enough of her.
Will Ethan get his revenge or let it go? Can Siena succeed in getting her brand started and turning her family’s money issues around? Will the truth of Joyce and the depth of her schemes ever be brought to light? The characters the author creates keeps you guessing on what they will do next and how they will respond to the circumstances that keep piling up against them. Enemies to lovers has always been my favorite troupe and this book checked all the boxes. Twists. Erotic. Complex. It has it all. I look forward to going back and reading more from this author starting with the first two books in this series.

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Brutal Nights (Hidden Valley Elite Book 4) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Ayla Phipps

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Brutal Nights (Hidden Valley Elite #4)Brutal Nights by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Anticipation. Once again, I cannot get enough of the Hidden Valley Elite series. Isla Vaughn’s ability to weave such complex emotions and twists into an effortless story is mind blowing. Book four, the second book in the Brutal duet about Damon and Skylar picks up once again in the same moment the first book ended in. They are coming down from an intimate moment when her mom and Gia are standing in the doorway having caught them.
What follows is nothing less than expectation with the fallout between Gia and Sky, fear of a teen pregnancy, and the overwhelming reality that while they try to label it all as fake it’s anything but. All along a greater threat is around the corner, Sky’s dad is set to be released from prison forcing both her and Damon to confront their feelings now or risk never seeing each other again. Damon on the other hand never cared as much as his brother about football and the NFL is more of a maybe for him but Skylar makes him see more beyond football. As everything builds to its climax Sky can no longer handle the guilt and tries to talk to Gia, leaving her with the parting words that “he’s getting out soon and we’ll be gone.” Admitting to Damon she doesn’t want to leave him he does the one thing he never wanted to do. Damon asks his dad for help, sees pictures of what happened when Sky was seven and some of the hatred, he holds for Raelyn is replaced with some respect. He realizes that Sky’s situation is very similar to Riley’s and her moms from the previous year, only no one is there to help Sky and her mom. Finally filling in Cole about everything with Sky, and her dad situation he gets a call from Gia……He’s there.
Will Damon make it to Skylar’s in time? Can Skylar and her mom survive and stay safe? Will Skylar and Damon finally get a chance to drop the “fake” from their relationship? This series has truly become my number one go to for an escape from the realities of life. The world, while nothing more than reality, the characters are what keep you drawn in. Over the course of two books the characters both take a journey, growing and becoming well rounded. Leaving you routing for them to come out on top and get their happiness ever after. Once again, knowing that a happy ending is always coming doesn’t take away from the story, it leaves you in anticipation of how they achieve it when everything seems against them, even themselves sometimes. I already have a countdown for the next book in the series, Cruel Start, June 29th, 2023, which is like Cole’s duet with the Savage Start prequel, this book serves as the prequel into Phoenix and Aspen’s duet, book one Cruel Hate, August 31st, 2023.

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Talks Like Thunder (Red With Native Blood Book 1) by Randal Nerhus & Marjorie Carter – Review by Ayla Phipps

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Talks Like Thunder: Red With Native Blood: Novella OneTalks Like Thunder: Red With Native Blood: Novella One by Randal Nerhus
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Inspirational. This is the first book I have read by this author and while I don’t usually read historical fiction books everything about this book drew me in to give it a read. Primarily told from Desert Flower/ Talks Like Thunder’s perspective we get a few glimpses from her Grandfather Gray Fox.
1871, Desert Flower is only seven years old, her father has long passed and now so has her mother. While he tribe, the White Mountain Apache’s care for her, lack of food and illnesses from the white-eyes (blue coats) has wiped out several leaving her the only child that survived the stomach rot. Enter her grandfather Gray Fox and several of his Chiricahua warriors. Having heard of her mother’s passing he has come to reclaim his granddaughter and take her to his tribe, the Three Hills Chiricahua Apache’s. Very quickly her spirit is strong while she doesn’t want to leave her friends and the family of her tribe, she overhears the fear of starvation if she stays. Riding a horse for the first time she is scared, leaving her people, surrounded by strangers, and going to a place she has never seen or heard of. As part of her assimilation into her grandfather’s tribe she is given a new name, Talks Like Thunder. Finally, she understands and feels her grandfather’s affection for her and in time he calls her daughter as a term of endearment. Mastering many weapons, she is invited to the Warrior’s Society, and she is determined to prove she belongs or at least not go down without a fight. Once she officially becomes a woman, she truly feels that this is her dream tribe, and she belongs.
Can Thunder fulfill her goal of becoming a warrior? Will she get the husband of her dreams Golden Eagle (Sparrow)? With the invaders all around will her tribe be able to survive the battles to come. Learning about our history is only one side of it. This book, while fictionalized, is built upon historical events, and the sadness fills my soul for the loss of so many. The details, world building for the period and growth of the characters leaves you wanting more. Thunder is the female protagonist we all need. She is strong and fierce, and she is a woman that wants a husband and family. Her determination to protect her people and those she loves gives her strength every step of the way. I can’t wait to read more of this series, Falling Star, novella two and see more of this side of history that’s often forgotten.

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The Synchronicity of Love: Stories that Heal, Transform, and Awaken by John David Latta – Review by Ayla Phipps

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The Synchronicity of Love: Stories that Heal, Transform, and AwakenThe Synchronicity of Love: Stories that Heal, Transform, and Awaken by John David Latta
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Eye opening. Before this book I had never heard of John David Latta and honestly, I wasn’t sure what to expect from his first book. The title is what drew me in as June is personally a very hard month for me. This year marks the third anniversary of my Irish twin’s death and people are never prepared for the longer lasting devastation that loss leaves on your mind, body, and soul. Be it physical loss, or the loss of a marriage, the lasting effects of seldom talked about beyond the materialistic or more so the loss of the connection to the relationship.
Quickly I realized that this was much more than just a book or even a memoir, it is a physical book on accepting that everything is not okay. That you can feel like your world is falling apart and as habit human beings cling to what they know. Order, to do list, tight schedules. The author mentions these early on how he found a type of comfort in the rigidity of what he knew. Until one day he finally took a chance on what he was being told in his groups, he is good at “doing” but he needs to learn how to “being”, to slow down and just be in the moment. Achieving this he finds a deeper connection to his son, and an understanding that the women telling him to do so might be onto something with it. Like David I find comfort often in keeping busy, having a list, and completing it but seeing the glimpses of my sons’ growing up faster than I emotionally can handle sometimes I have learned to take a break and let myself just enjoy the little moments. I have always been good at using the phrase but in recent years I have been slipping on living by it.
In reading this book over the past several days when given a chance to sneak in a couple of chapters I have begun to focus more on myself in the quiet moments after bedtime. Not just for myself but for my two little boys that deserve to have a fully present mother that can let go of the things that shouldn’t be poison inside my mind, body, and spirit. The three seeds David mentions in chapter one were planted within me and I look forward to seeing how they grow and what other insights will come from the book as I reread it again not just reading the words but processing them deeper and finding how I can become more entuned with myself and learn to love unconditionally in all things to let go of the argumentative, competitive and deep anger for my pain that I hold so tightly within.

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Seen by Lori Nelson – Review by Ayla Phipps

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SeenSeen by Lori Nelson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh wow. This is the first book that I have read by Lori Nelson, so I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect but the interesting cover and one word title was enough to draw my attention. The synopsis was very original and left me curious about how the story would play out. Told from the perspective of Mouse and Meph, SEEN takes you on a story with twist you never expected, even if the synopsis told you it was coming.
Mouse is three months away from turning sixteen, the legal age of being an adult in this world. Meph, her older brother is in his early twenties and has just returned home from a work assignment. Determined to stay local this time not only for his sister but his girlfriend Almira. Wendy Waters is the top news reporter in Hattiesburg, and her sister is the Mayor Samantha Waters. More importantly, Wendy is Mouse’s mentor, and what she aspires to be. Determined to get hired full time by the paper she writes for when she graduates Mouse is out looking for a non-fluff story to give her a bigger name, make them want to hire her. As mentioned, the cover drew me in and quickly you discover that the crow is Mouse’s drone Gossip. On her first trip out, she witnesses a double murder and kidnap, determined to find the little girl Mouse continues to head out each day even getting grazed by a bullet on day two in the arm. Day three everything changes, witnesses’ things she never should have seen and visual scars that will linger with her forever. Her main goal, to prove she is not a kid, that she knows what she wants and how she feels, and she will prove it with this story no matter what it takes. Even when she becomes part of it and her father is behind it all.
Will Meph succeed in the impossible choice, and be able to protect all of those he loves? Can Mouse get the evidence to her mentor and survive her father’s vengeance? The world the author builds is one of extremes. While a great deal is a dramatization or more so a concentration of real-world problems, the way she gives so many details while keeping the characters developing over time with the world and each other keeps you engaged and on the edge of your seat. The twists and turns and the funny little moments between Mouse and Meph keep you feeling like you know these characters. While the synopsis tells you that her father arranges for her kidnap and ransom along with other crimes you hold your breath reading as it unfolds and the characters morph doing what they must to survive.

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Truly Unfortunate (Welcome to Knollville Book 1) by C.A. King – Review by Ayla Phipps

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Truly Unfortunate (Welcome To Knollville #1)Truly Unfortunate by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

“Accidents”. While this is not the first book, I have read by the amazing C.A. King it is the first book of this kind, previously read Grave Digger Academy books one and two. The mystery that seeps off the pages fills you up until you can’t take it, reading as quickly as you can to discover the next twist and how it will all end. Told mostly from the perspectives of Truly and Jeff the mystery that is fortune telling is a dangerous one to follow, especially in Knollville.
Truly is currently twenty-four years old and working three jobs to afford the psychiatrist that is trying to help her recover her memories from age nine. Jeff also twenty-four years old is a detective in Knollville, and according to his partner Miranda they get all the weird calls because of his crazy ideas. Only one day the crazy call ends up triggering a memory, which gets stranger when it happens a second time in as many days. Two men on their phones walk into oncoming traffic and killed, both after getting a “fortune” that told of their demise. Jeff thinking back to when he was nine years old remembers an identical “accident” of the class bully Priscilla. Her favorite target was Truly. Knowing she is involved he gets his partner on his side and the captain agrees to get them a meeting with the detective from fifteen years ago that covered Priscillas case and the case of Truly’s mother and her boyfriends’ death. All three separate events but all three tied to Truly when she was only nine years old. Docter Stevenson (her psychiatrist) and Doctor Sven (hypnosis specialist) begin a hypnosis study on Truly for a book. The memories they are trying to uncover are from the time frame of the accidents when she was a little girl. Damionion, a magician that Truly states meeting when she was nine told her that he would handle all her troubles all she had to do was read their fortune. Several years later and she is hearing and seeing him again.
Is Truly really handing out her enemies’ demises or is she another victim of Damionion? Can Jeff solve the “murders” with his job intact? Who is Damionion and is he a real person? One of my favorite things about this author is their attention to detail even down to the more unappealing things such as the yellow sweat stains on Bernard’s shirt. She makes sure you get an entire picture, one that you can nearly smell sometimes. I can’t wait to the next book in the series, Serendipity’s Debt and see where Jeff’s career goes next when his gut tells him something is wrong in Knollville.

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The Wandering Isles: A Crown of Stones Novella (Soulbound Journeys Book 1) by C. L. Schneider – Review by Ayla Phipps

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The Wandering Isles (The Crown of Stones)The Wandering Isles by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Details. While this is not the first book, I have read by the talented C.L. Schneider, it is the first book about Ian Troy, and the world of A Crown of Stones that I have read. As the synopsis states this book can be either a continuation of the original series or an introduction. Being new to the series this book served as an amazing introduction to the characters of Ian Troy and Jarryd Kane.
Ian Troy was once the Fated savior of the Rellan people during the endless wars with the Langorians. Given nearly infinite power fear led him to give it all away and take on the addiction to magic of his entire race, Shinree. Jarryd Kane is the person, friend, crewmate, that Ian takes with him when he leaves his homeland and all that it represents. Leaving Mirra’kelan was one of Ian’s hardest decisions to make, and to ask Jarryd to leave his son and loved ones behind to follow him. Saving the people, he was a reminder of a history everyone wanted to forget and a savior that was no longer needed. Setting out on the fabled journey of his Shinree ancestors, the first stop was The Wandering Isles, thinking they were abandoned. Finding them they find more than they ever anticipated, they are magical beings but not one that Ian can identify or recognize the magic of. Isuara, their leader and her male attendant Taalman tell them the only way they leave is with a trade. With no choice they are taken from their ship, their clothes changed and thrown into their worst fears. Ian quickly becomes aware but when one moment can’t be contradicted with facts, he is left doubting himself. Jarryd is thrown back in prison, told Ian is dead and no help will ever come. He contradicts the words being said to him with his memories of events only for the hope to slip further away, his half soul left helpless and alone in the darkness. The only way to be free is to do it their way: Endure the process. Claim their bottles. Complete the trade.
Will they be able to endure the process, or will their minds be too broken to finish? Can they find their way back to each other and their ship? Did they make a mistake when they left their homeland? The first book I read by this amazing author was Necrosis, and like that book the level of details leave you sometimes squirming as the visual fills your mind. Her ability to give such a detailed, complete image in everything she describes is incredible. I anxiously await the next book in this series and am already planning to go back and read A Crown of Stones. This world is unlike any other I have ever read, and one little taste is not enough, I need more.

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Punk (Popov Boys Book 6) by Leslie Georgeson – Review by Ayla Phipps

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Punk (Popov Bratva #6)Punk by Leslie Georgeson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Anticipation. Having read two of the previous Popov Boys books, four (Thief) and five (Beast) I was very excited to read the next instalment in the series. This book takes place a few years after the previous book. Thanks to Efrem the Bratva is no more, and the family businesses are now all legal ones. Told from a dual perspective, we have Efrem Popov and Miranda Patton.
Efrem is the youngest male in his family and while a hopeless romantic that was picked on by his cousins, he is the last to find his happily ever after. Punk, his alter ego of sorts is the local vigilante of L.A., capturing criminals of all kinds and leaving a note for the police of their crime always signed “Punk”. Miranda is a record label CEO, after catching her husband cheating with three groupies, she files for divorce that gets nasty quick. Her previous bookkeeper was a friend of her ex-Mick and when he quits, she has no choice but to hire a new one. Efrem, being a genius with numbers like his father shows up in her office with an offer she can’t refuse, she accepts if only to have a little eye candy for the short trial period. Quickly the chemistry between them is evident and hard to deny, both giving in briefly before pulling back, trying to keep professional as boss and employee. Without realizing they share a similar secret, Efrem is Punk and Miranda is hunting for him.
Will Miranda allow herself to enjoy being wanted and forget about the superficial excuses? Can Efrem find redemption for his past sins? Knowing the book has a happy ending, the best part of the book is learning the journey the characters must endure to reach it. Once again, I love seeing this world and getting little updates about the previous books’ characters. Also, the author’s ability to introduce characters so early in the series but then show that it was only scratching the surface and that no amount of guessing could have prepared you for the story to come.

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Twisted Bond by Danielle Jacks – Review by Ayla Phipps

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Twisted BondTwisted Bond by Danielle Jacks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Speechless. This is the first book I have read by the talented Danielle Jacks, and I’m hooked. While the cover is certainly eye catching the synopsis is truly what pulled at my curiosity. Told from the dual perspective of Rose and Titan, the author takes the reader on the love story adventure you never knew you needed.
Rose is part of the Wolfbane coven, the moonstone that was the source of their magic was stolen long ago by the Dutchmen coven. Titan is the prince and next ruler of the Dutchmen coven. With a somewhat of a slow start the book opens with Rose and four other potential suitors arriving in the Dutchmen realm as the prince has come of age and needs a wife. Titan is instantly drawn to Rose; her look and her rougher ways reveal that she is not the noblewoman she is portraying to be. The other women quickly notice the prince’s interest in Rose and when given the chance to help her leave one takes it only for it to backfire. Getting a chance at completing her mission Rose succeeds but at what cost. They both have an infatuation with each other, he is determined to keep her as his and only his while she desires to be his she has a duty to her people and her older sister. The twisted bond between the Rose and Titan is threaded between love and hate, mixed with raw attraction. Blood spilled on both sides, futures reclaimed as their own, and a connection that leaves them confused but eyes only set on one another.
Can they escape the fates of the curse that bonds their families together? Are their feelings for each other real? In a world at war, and the smoke finally settles can love win? The world the author creates is a fairy tale that comes crashing down, the reality of actions long past leaving the descendants to pick up the broken pieces. Rose is one of the most amazing characters I have ever read about, her spunk and determination but also her heart and loyalty. She sacrifices so much in hopes of doing the right thing and at the end of the day she finally realizes that her greatest desire is to do what truly makes her happy without fear of how others will see her. Titan, while in the beginning seems like he will be the ultimate villain of the story ends up being just as interesting as Rose, his growth and development becoming worthy of Rose’s affections. Whilst on the edge of my seat the ending left me feeling satisfied and hungry for my next read by this amazing author. The perfect read on a rainy Monday.

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Brutal Days (Hidden Valley Elite Book 3) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Ayla Phipps

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Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance (Hidden Valley Elite Book 3)Brutal Days: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My oh my. So far, I have read every book in the Hidden Valley Elite series including the prequel to the first duet about Riley and Cole. Once again Isla Vaughn hooks you on page one building the tension and suspense of what’s going to happen next. Never expecting turns but always seeing the signs when you think back. Told from dual perspectives of Damon and Skylar we are taken on a very heated journey.
Finally, senior year, this was the last year of high school and Skylar’s best friend had made a to do list of her four goals for the year. One for each quarter of the year, get invited to the Ring, get a popular boyfriend, lose her virginity, and become prom queen. Gia is nothing if not ambitious, but Skylar is the one tasked with playing deal maker behind the scenes. After her best friend selects Damon, the one person that has asked her out not once but twice and failed she has no choice but to give into his demands for him to “date” Gia. Damon is suddenly in a whirlwind of intrigue about the mystery that is Skylar. Taking full advantage of their agreement he quickly becomes addicted and even obsessed with her and fiercely jealous, which is very new for him. Both on the edge of a double-bladed knife desire and hatred war between them. Damon is used to getting any girl he wants with a single word, but Skylar is not like the others, she has a backbone made of steel and fire and isn’t intimidated by him or the girls that swarm the Elites. Gia on the other hand had no backbone and was quickly had Skylar and Damon both furious with her for her lack of defending her best friend.
Can Damon and Skylar overcome their hatred? What will happen to Gia when they can no longer keep their feelings a secret? Skylar’s father is set to be released from prison soon. What does that mean for her and her mom’s future? Enemy to lovers is honestly by favorite troupe and Isla Vaughn has hands down became my favorite go to author. Each of her amazing stories is based on realistic situations with a hint of fairy tale, for the happy ever after at the end of each duet. Brutal Days has a lot more heat than the previous installments but that was to be expected with Damon’s high levels of excess energy and need for a release be it football, a fight, or intimate. June 22nd, 2023 cannot come soon enough to learn how Damon and Skylar reach their happily ever after in Brutal Nights.

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Healing Kiss by Amanda Uhl – Review by Ayla Phipps

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Healing KissHealing Kiss by Amanda Uhl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amazing. This is the first book I have read by the talented Amanda Uhl, and I found myself up way too late this morning unable to put it down. Told from the dual perspectives of Lillian and Tristan, this book is sure to make you fall in love from start to finish with the characters.
Lillian Milano has been hiding under an alias for two years, Zoey Mills, away from her family alone to protect them. When her younger sister Hannah is suddenly sick with a deadly virus, she risks everything to return to Cleveland to help her. While at the hospital doing all that she can she meets the computer tycoon Tristan King, while leaving the room of a little girl. Tristan King is the most eligible bachelor in Cleveland but meeting the mysterious Zoey gives him a mystery to solve that will forever change both of their lives. The connection between them is instant, neither understanding why they are so willing to share things that they usually keep bottled up. Tristan, while skeptical, is willing to take a chance when evidence is in front of him in two cases that Zoey (Lillian) is more than she appears to be and truly has some kind of gift for healing the sick. What starts out as a confusing but mutually beneficial agreement quickly turns into something deeper. Lillian’s mother was murdered by Kinetica, a genetic research and testing company that used her mother trying to make “super healers”, but she escaped leading them to finish her off but not before she was able to warn Lillian who fled her home and her family. Tristan being so focused on her notices that she is frightened and not just about her “friend”, seeing her physically become ill with fear when face to face with Dominic Raines the CEO of Kinetica he begins to have more and more questions calling his security company and friend Brian Townsend to investigate her. Leading to even more questions which are tangled with their deep feelings that build.
Lillian can save her sister but what will happen next? Has Tristan found a miracle worker that can help his mother? Will Zoey (Lillian) and Tristan be able to give into their hearts desires and get a happily ever after that neither thought was possible? While the world the author creates is one of reality the sprinkles of the paranormal and supernatural leaves you searching for more answers. The characters are perfect, their different facets that make them more complex than they appear on the surface, the way both felt the same, but fear and skepticism kept them trying to deny their hearts. I could not get enough of this book and didn’t stop until I had reached the end with all the answers we were searching for. I can’t wait to read more from the amazing Amanda Uhl and look forward to Hannah and Brian’s story.

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The Serpent and the Firefly by Courtney Davis – Review by Ayla Phipps

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The Serpent and the FireflyThe Serpent and the Firefly by Courtney Davis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Awakening. This is the first book I have read by the talented Courtney Davis and oh boy do I still have chills. Told from a dual perspective, Jade, and Baal. A perfect representation of making your own fate in many ways, not following the “order” of things because its prophesied.
Jade is a 30-year-old female that has finally broken free of her abusive, mobster ex by way of turning into a federal witness to his many crimes. Baal is the first King of Hell and is determined to get his throne back and live to see his sister free. Her parents died in a car accident when she was eighteen years old, just as she was beginning her adulthood, but little things she remembers them doing odd habits and almost ritualistic ways begin to make sense after she wakes up to a stranger who vanishes. Baal goes to investigate the old antique shop when his warding’s indicates that someone is present and it’s not a human. Seeing her laying in bed knowing who she is according to the prophecy he knows he should kill her but then an opportunity arises. He has no time to dance around truths or to be gentle with the world-shattering news, telling Jade he knows she is not related to the late Mr. Williams, saying “the Williams family blood stinks of old troll magic. You smell delicious, and pure like freshly fallen snow.” Jade’s parents had a very powerful binding spell placed on her at birth to hide her powers from all including herself. With a rare set of powers unlocked in Jade, Baal is more and more intrigued with her knowing she can be more useful than he ever expected. The only thing that saved her life the moment Baal wanted to kill her was her ignorance, not knowing who or what he was, and not knowing what she is. His blood calling her me makes a promise to her while she is sleeping that she eventually will be his. She feels ignited in many ways; feels alive every time he touches her no matter how innocent the touch is. The only thing driving them is their goals, his having the book translated, and return to his rightful place; her goal is to survive her evil ex and all his associates that won’t hesitate to end her the moment they find her.
Will Jade learn the truth of who she is? Can Baal hold up his part of the deal to protect her from all dangers, human and not? Prophecies are meant to be broken right? The world the author creates is so original, yes, the world itself is reality but all the hidden parts not only in the shadows but in the light. Seamlessly the author weaves reality into fantasy with the plot and every little twist and turn the story takes. I have been terrified of snakes for as long as I can remember but now, I must admit I am crushing on Baal, the best crushes are the fictional ones. I cannot wait to dive into more of her work and discover another world of her creation.

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Last King (Legacy of Riverfall Book 1) by Amabel Daniels – Review by Ayla Phipps

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Last King (Legacy of Riverfall Book 1)Last King by Amabel Daniels
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

WOW. So, this book’s cover drew me in with its Lord of the Rings looking cover, its beautiful and the synopsis had me intrigued but it couldn’t prepare me for the world within its pages. This is the first book I have read by Amabel Daniels, and I am truly in awe, no matter how fast I read it wasn’t fast enough.
From the first page you quickly discover that Maren is not some meek woman that will do as she’s told and be stepped all over. I quickly got the feeling of Dran being like the wildling’s village north of the wall in Game of Thrones. An isolated snow- and ice-covered land where nothing was easy, and an untold number of dangers lurked in the Sord Forest surrounding Dran. Maren is the only healer in the village. When the deputy arrives at her home to arrest her younger sister Maren does as she always does, she protects her sister. Knowing that she is more valuable to the village than they will ever acknowledge she threatens the deputy to stop making his tonic for the unfortunate ailment he got from a brothel in the next village over. Taking Maren in everything begins to change, the wind is different and everything in Maren is alert with danger near. Being defended against an impending attack in jail Maren quickly then defends the man who defended her using her blade for the first time in her life, drawing blood that soon sets everything in motion. The bell signals that Dran is under attack, the windows are smashed in and frecens fill the jail as screams soon follow. After every turn the mystery man that defended her Kane, both infuriates her and fills her in with wonder. Never leaving her side they escape Dran, years of dreaming of the moment she is quickly filled with a new sensation, her senses overwhelmed, and memories and current events blur her understanding. Waking up in a cage once more, she feels the danger in the wind. Kane tells her she is a fae and while continuing to deny it, the fae are royalty and she clearly is nothing special in her life. She continues to know when danger is near.
Is Maren truly a fae, if so, where is she from? Can Kane fulfill his mission and more so what is his mission? Will Maren be able to find the mythical plant to save her sister? The world the author creates fills you with wonder, you can picture the stunning creatures and see the landscapes in your mind. The characters are multifaceted, both strong and emotional, even when they fight to hide them. Through everything Kane stays beside Maren never abandoning her, even when it would guarantee his survival. He is in this with her, they are partners, and alliance. I cannot wait for the next book in this amazing series First Queen, May 26th, 2023.

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Obedience (Ties That Bind Book 1) by Liza Snow – Review by Ayla Phipps

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ObedienceObedience by Liza Snow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book I have read by Liza Snow, the unique cover and one word title drawing me in with curiosity. The synopsis brings mystery into the mix. Told from the dual perspectives of Cassandra and Chandler, this book will take you on a journey you didn’t know you were looking for.
Cassandra Blackstone, twenty-five-year-old female that has idolized the silk aerialist Chandler Moreau for half her life. Finally given the opportunity to audition at his family’s world class institute for circus acts she takes it. Chandler Moreau, forty-one-year-old male forced into returning to the academy by his father to attend auditions and then cornered into teaching his ex-wives class when she suddenly leaves. The one upside, he will become the talented Cassandra’s teacher, which he felt he should have been all along. Six months after her audition it is finally the first day of classes, her rainy morning goes from bad to worse when she discovers she will now be working for Chandler as his class assistant. After a terrible first class her best friend takes her to “the club”, one that draws visitors from all over to come visit. A brief discussion about her estranged Uncle Peter that is currently in jail, who she prefers was no more, she sees why the club is so packed. Monday night is the most erotic show the club has, the mysterious Maître. Quickly after being volunteered by her best friend to be his volunteer of the night for Japanese Shibari, Cass realizes who the mystery man truly is, Chandler.
Will Cassandra and Chandler find a way to work together? What happens when Cass tells him she knows he is that Maître? Is it possible to fully trust when secrets fill both sides? This author has such an incredible talent, the world she creates, the history she draws you into, and the characters you can’t help to love. Liza Snow has trapped me like a little papillon in a net, as I impatiently await the next installment of this series, Discipline, October 10th, 2023. I can’t wait to discover the next step in Cassandra and Chandler’s journey of love, trust, adapting and surviving their pasts. If they can.

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Corpse Pixie by Sinister Styx – Review by Ayla Phipps

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Corpse PixieCorpse Pixie by Sinister Styx
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book I have read by the incredible mind that is Sinister Styx. You can read the synopsis a hundred times but until you read the first page and dive deeper into their world you never know what you’re going to find. Something I didn’t expect was to connect so much with Rene, having suffered the loss of my Irish twin in June 2020. So, I felt myself connecting deeply to him and understanding his grief and drive to bring justice for his sister’s murder. Told from two perspectives, Belladonna Shade, and Rene Corbin.
Belladonna has been hiding for her survival in the woods, becoming content with the existence and plotting revenge schemes in her mind. Never imagining she would get a chance to follow through to have her own Thrall to help her get the justice her people deserve against the Hunters. Rene has grieved for three long years, only finding a distraction from his self-destructive ways three days ago at the latest crime scene. His twin sister Cerise and now three other women have become victims to an unknown killer. The interesting little twists and turns are one of the most captivating parts of this author’s work. Just when you think you know what to expect a little twist is thrown in deepening the plot and fleshing out the story more. Each discovery seamlessly leads to more questions with some answers in between. Belladonna and Rene become entranced with each other. She spent decades hiding without worry but since meeting him she’s lost count of the number of times she has left the woods to follow him, until she finally commits and makes him hers.
Will they find the killer in time before they claim another victim? After all this time, can Belladonna finally get her people some justice? Does Rene truly mean more to her than a means to an end? The worlds the author can create in such a quick read is a true talent. More so the depth of the characters truly pulls you in with their claws holding on to you until the last word. I can’t wait to read more of the amazing books by this author, don’t think it’s possible to get enough.

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Euphoric Wonderland by Ryan M. Becker – Review by Ayla Phipps

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Euphoric Wonderland: An Eclectic Collection of Psychedelic Poetry to Stimulate the Senses and Open the MindEuphoric Wonderland: An Eclectic Collection of Psychedelic Poetry to Stimulate the Senses and Open the Mind by Ryan M. Becker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first work I have read by the talented Ryan M. Becker. While initially I wasn’t sure about this book the cover and title stuck in my mind until I finally caved in to see what journey it would take me on. A collection of fifty-seven poems that range from a short half page to six pages long. This book will leave you scratching your head with the thoughts it provokes. Though I have the kindle version only for now, the art was a huge part of the poems as each one has its own design.
Amongst the collection I mostly connected with thirteen of them that reached a deeper part of me. That said I found a quote or stanza in nearly every poem that I felt a connection to, that made me pause for a moment and think deeper about why it affected me. The very first poem “The Story of Me and What’s to Be” had the following line that I couldn’t resist but to write it down to remember it later “…doctor made me manic, then made me panic he made my thoughts gigantic…” I feel all too often in our world that people would rather slap a label on something than figure out the route of the issue. Another thought-provoking line was from poem number five “Euphoric Rhythm in My Mind: A Voice Inside It Screams” which is “…night so mare, a scare so rare, never share what’s under there a secret you they thought they knew a better view that’s split in two…”.
This entire collection is strongly focused on music and how the author interpreted the lyrics and feelings into his own creations on paper. I finished this book about an hour ago and still have several lines stuck in my head that when strung together seem a little psychedelic, bits, and pieces from several of the poems. Overall, this book made me feel connected to the words within, though my thoughts or feelings mission accomplished by the author to Stimulate the Scenes and Open the Mind.

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Where Fire Meets Flame (Yours From The Ashes Book 1) by Elena Kincaid – Review by Ayla Phipps

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Where Fire Meets Flame (Yours From The Ashes #1)Where Fire Meets Flame by Elena Kincaid
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

WOW. So, this book had a very spicy start to say the least. This is the first book I have read by the talented Elena Kincaid, and I am already looking into her other work and ready for book two in the Yours From The Ashes series. Where Fire Meets Flame is a dual perspective, told from Riley and Tristan’s sides.
The book starts with Riley on a case into yet another cheating husband when she is suddenly hit from behind and memories of her car accident 6 months earlier lead into a flashback. Nine months earlier a chance encounter at her favorite coffee shop brings the two main characters together. Instant sparks on both sides but he has a complicated situation and doesn’t want the beautiful redhead caught in the cross hairs. Shannon, the living embodiment of evil if you will. Tristan had attempted to date her for about two months but his work schedule and the fact that there was no spark for him with her. After several instances he has no choice but to get a restraining order against Shannon, but she has a few loose screws and won’t let that stop her from getting near him. Riley and Tristan finally share their first kiss at a night club one night only for Shannon, or as Riley knows her the “grumpy brunette”, to appear. Suddenly, Riley was involved in a seven car pile up days later, and then Tristan is told she is dead. Returning to the present-day, Tristan is holding Riley in his arms trapped in a burning building, she’s alive and every terrible reality comes crashing down, Shannon is behind it all.
Will Riley and Tristan get there happily ever after? Can the police catch Shannon in time? The world the author creates is one based in reality; I have known people in similar situations with a crazy ex. More important is the amazing characters, breaking stereotypes, a petite female that loves kickboxing, and an over six-foot-tall man not afraid to show emotions when overwhelmed. This was the perfect short Sunday read to finish off the month of April and I anxiously await the next installment in this series.

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Esprit de Corpse by Ef Deal – Review by Ayla Phipps

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Esprit de CorpseEsprit de Corpse by Ef Deal
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First off, the author EF Deal is amazing. This is my first book in this genre and the first book I have read by this author. Esprit de Corpse is the epitome of the mystery driving you to test your reading speed just so you can discover everything faster. Jacqueline and her twin sister Angelique incapsulate both sides of the spectrum of personalities.
Jacqueline is very intelligent with four doctoral degrees by the time she was fifteen, her life revolves around science and her forge. Angelique thrives in the arts and socializing. The book starts off in the mist of Jacky having to save her sister for the fourth time so far that year from her own indiscretions. Ange is also a she-wolf, something that her sister mentions early in the book, but the mystery is that she is that way not of her own doing so why? The first chapter introduces so many mysterious things that continue to flesh out through the rest of the book with twists and turns to keep you glued to the pages. A mechanical man running next to the locomotive they are traveling home on from Paris before he throws himself in front of it. Jacqueline, determined as ever with her intrigue, discovers a soul trapped in the furnace and frees it only the sound and the feeling leaves her with more questions than answers. Taking the intricate machine home with her she begins her investigation into who made it and how it works.
Where did the mysterious machine come from and why did it try to destroy itself? Will Jacqueline be able to protect her sister from her the prince she stole from? Can Jacqueline learn to see the signs of things outside of science to have a more fulfilling life? The world is breathtaking not only the historical aspect but the characters that fill it. They are not just the cliché roles they are meant to follow but they march to their own drums. Jacky is a role model for breaking the norm, following her dreams, and not apologizing for her intelligence or skills. I so hope to read more of this world soon.

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Savage Truth (Hidden Valley Elite Book 2) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Ayla Phipps

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Savage Truth: A High School Bully Romance (Hidden Valley Elite Book 2)Savage Truth: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Finally, the conclusion I have been waiting for since February when I read the prequel to this duet. Isla Vaughn’s ability to leave you hanging at the end of the first book, Savage Lies and pick up in the same moment in Savage Truth is pure talent. This book starts up exactly where the first one ended, Cole has a name that can reveal everything.
The emotions warring not only in Riley are reflected in Cole. Riley finally joins the swim team only for her to overhear an argument between her mom and Cole’s dad the same day as her first practice. He’s saying it’s too soon he had plans to get Riley seen by scouts without media attention or risk. Cole finally unleashes the secret he had been holding in for a year, that Raelyn, Riley’s mom was the woman with their dad “that weekend”. Fear is laced through both Riley and Cole at every interaction. She tries to stick to the rules that have kept her and her mom alive for years. He’s tired of the lies and is ready to get Riley and her mom out of his home and out of their lives, only he can’t stop the unrecognizable emotions racing through him. Riley has never had the chance to live, she has only had a life of running to survive until now. Feeling like she has it all she holds back keeping doubt at the forefront of her mind, that girls like her don’t get what they want. Cole recognizes his obsession with Riley but in the past, he’s never felt anything deeper than the physical, but with Riley he feels everything and he’s not sure he wants to give that up. Riley’s dad’s name is finally revealed, Nick, too many warnings, they have been in the same place too long and when she learns her father has a “contract” and plans for her upcoming 18th birthday Riley is ready to run again. Raelyn says no, this time is different we aren’t running we are staying.
Can Riley and Cole end their war and just accept what they feel? Are they safe, can her mother be telling the truth? What will happen if Nick finds her? The characters the author has created continue once again to evolve in this amazing book. With each book we learn more and more, not only what they like or dislike but how deeply they feel, the pain of never being still for Riley has tormented her and now she has a chance to live. Cole makes her feel things she never experienced in her life, safety, and trust in someone other than her mother and uncle. Riley makes him feel everything, more than physical, he can confide in her and know she cares. The long-awaited promise of a happy ever after is worth the wait, you truly fall in love with the characters and pray they get all that they deserve. A chance to live, love and feel without fear.

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REIGN: The Rise of the Lich (The Silver Blood Knight Book 2 by Carol McKibben – Review by Ayla Phipps

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REIGN: The Rise of the LichREIGN: The Rise of the Lich by Carol McKibben
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was an amazing way to spend my 33rd birthday. This is the was the first book I have read by the incredible Carol McKibben. Before this book I had never heard of her and was amazed by the amount of emotion I felt for the characters from the first page. Yes, this is the second book in this series, but it does not take away from the story. I didn’t read the first book before this one and didn’t feel that I was missing any information or details that would lessen the impact of the overall plot of this book.
The book starts with Reign having a vision, watching as the ritual that turned the president of Italy into a Lich. With his kindred Reign, James, Adam, and the Moretti brothers have been anointed by God as his warriors, to protect the Earth from evil. After a run in with several creatures from Greek mythology, the group begin to form a plan on how to rid Rome of the terror that is the Lich. The way the author combines so many different elements together to make one cohesive world is inspiring. Flowing nature like water from one instant to the next, the book has a seamless forward movement that doesn’t keep you waiting too long for answers. While also incorporating the main plot for the third book into the middle of the second book that keeps circling in the current goal as a mystery to handle next, after the lich is gone.
Will the group succeed in ending the Lich’s reign over Rome? Can they all make it out of the battle alive? What will happen to Zander? The author truly knows how to entrance the reader, you start the book and before you realize it you finish it craving more. I am beyond excited for the next book in The Silver Blood Series, Reign and the Evil Plagues. In the meantime, I will be going back and reading book one in the series. Also, as this was my first experience with this author, I didn’t know that she was known as the author who writes from a dog’s eyes. With that said the entire book I loved reading the little unconscious actions of Reign, such as randomly standing and spinning in circles mid conversation before returning to his place, never missing a moment.

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Return to Hoodoo (Boudin, Bourbon, and Barbecue, Book 1) by Reggi Dupree – Review by Ayla Phipps

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Return to Hoodoo: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel (Boudin, Barbecue, and Hoodoo Book 1)Return to Hoodoo: A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novel by Reggi Dupree
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holy wow. So, this is the first book I have read by the incredible Reggi Dupree, and I am so sad it took me six months to find this gem. This is by far one of my favorite books of the year. Gwendolyn Carter is the last member of her matriarchal bloodline. While that could be viewed as a good thing to some considering the stunning house and fortune to change her entire life, Gwen is not an average person.
Forty-fifth birthday, the curse that had claimed the lives of every woman in her bloodline at a young age was rumored to end if you made it past your forty-fifth birthday alive. Only she is shot in the back and killed but she’s from Hoodoo, Texas and death isn’t one of those black and white finalities. Twenty-seven years ago, at the age of eighteen Gwen had been forced out of her hometown, accused of murdering one of her best friends. Now summoned back for a mysterious inheritance and a promise to her mother after he second death, to return to Hoodoo and find answers. Twelve hours, that’s how long she allotted to being back in the town that threw her away nearly three decades earlier. A catch to keep her legacy intact leads to her having to live in the family home for six months to receive her inheritance, seems simple enough, right? Her first love Carlos, who betrayed her, is now the sheriff. The man Ash that she met just before she was shot suddenly appears in Hoodoo. Duncan her best friend that forced her into a blood vow to keep his dark secrets, whose lies written in his journal led to her being accused of murder and ran out of town haunts her everyday since his death when they were eighteen. He warns her that he wasn’t the only one lying to her back then that she needs to know the truth to protect herself, and now the evil has returned and is near his sister Rita and his mom. Needing her help, he begs for her to listen if afterwards she’s done with him, he will leave her alone for good if she listens.
Carlos warns her that Ash isn’t what he claims, but what is he? Her new home holds the history of her family, but will she survive long enough to discover its truths? What is “the Evil” and why is it back? The world the author creates sucks you in, with its wonder, mystery, and humor. While the cover drew me in, making me curious about the boots, the synopsis had me ready to jump into the pages and discover the truth for myself. From start to finish this book keeps you on your toes and I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this amazing series, Conjure Ink. Also, I am going to have to go back and read the novella Hoodoo Heaven, the prequel of Return to Hoodoo, when she meets Ash.

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Insomnia: (A Short Stories Collection) by Kelly Covic – Review by Ayla Phipps

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Insomnia (A Short Stories Collection)Insomnia by Kelly Covic
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First off, wow. Before this book I had never heard of the insanely talented Kelly Covic. While I enjoy creepy stories, I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect with a collection of short stories, but from the first story I was hooked and wanted more.
While some of the stories left me flabbergasted others left me thinking “what just happened?”. The very first story has a twist that leaves on you your toes thinking wait what no, no, no that can’t be the end. So many of these stories made me crave more information, a full-length book to explore the intensity she began in just a few pages each. One of the short stories has already led to a full-length book called The Drake House by Kelly Moran, that I will be looking into soon.
The author has an unattainable level of skill with her words, and the way she creates such in depth fantastic spine-chilling stories that leave you with a range of emotions once finished. One story leaving me speechless, another leaving me with my skin crawling or in shock. I cannot wait to read more of her amazing work and will be keeping my eyes open for what she has coming next.

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Operation Escape (Space Force Rejects Book 2) by Landra Graf – Review by Ayla Phipps

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Operation Escape (Space Force Rejects Book 2)Operation Escape by Landra Graf
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book I have read by the talented Landra Graf, the first being Operation Pinpoint which is the first book in the Space Force Rejects series. At first, I was slightly disappointed that this book didn’t pick up where the first one left off as it was a cliffhanger, but I quickly swallowed those words as the world became more complex. Told from two perspectives once again you get a bigger understanding of the original plot of book one and learn more about the Space Force and how terrible they are. Book one does not have to be read to understand this book.
Sera is the daughter of the head of the Space Force, but she was deemed a failure by him due to her small size and he ordered her the termination of her. Uncle Garsett (Dr. Garsett in the first book) is the person who saved her and raised her. He was the only person to believe in her and now three months after his disappearance she finally can search for him herself. Markus Engle, once Captain in the Space Force Special Ops, and a talented pilot is the only person that she can trust now. While raising her, her uncle told her repeatedly that in case of an emergency to find Captain Markus Engle he can help and will protect you. Blindsiding him, Markus is obligated to help her, if he refuses the bond her uncle forced on him will cause him physical pain. During their mission, they both constantly fight the bond that he knows about, but she is clueless as to what is happening to her and why she has such an intense magnetic pull to this man she has just met. Quickly her carefully planned mission is flipped on its head when her informant steals their ship and leaves her and Markus stranded on Earth, the prison planet with no way to escape. With the help of Paavo (Hirudian), Cy (Levian) and Haylee (splice, human robot hybrid), Markus has no choice but to try and give trust before it is earned to ensure that Sera survives and makes it off the prison planet alive.
How can Sera be such a menace and yet so innocent and naïve? Can all five of them trust each other to make it off the planet alive? Is this bond truly pheromones only or is it deeper, is it more? The world the author created in the first book is filled in more with this book, leading to more adventures and deeper bonds formed over time. Nothing is given, everything must be earned. Reading about the characters overcoming the obstacles placed in their way while growing closer makes you route for them from start to finish. I cannot wait for book three to learn more about this amazing world and characters.

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Undying Light (The Stella Maris Series Book 1) by Aurora Wildey – Review by Ayla Phipps

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Undying LightUndying Light by Aurora Wildey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book I have read by the talented Aurora Wildey, and I wasn’t sure what to expect other than an original story plot. Original, seems too simple of a word but Undying Light is a unique plot that follows the perspectives of three different individuals.
Terran is the only son of an old money family in his hometown with a secret “affliction” that only affects the males of his father’s family. Kaela is an extremely intelligent young woman that is 18 and about to finish college as a registered nurse. Seth is one of only six of his kind still in existence. Terran is determined to bring justice to those who escape true justice. Kaela is set on healing those that can’t afford it. Seth is determined to find his belongings that have been stolen again. In a flurry everything comes together, Terran and Kaela find each other in a lifesaving moment that triggered more events to unfold. Seth discovers the first new undying in more years than he can remember.
What will happen to Kaela? Can they achieve their goals in one piece? What exactly is Kaela and what makes her existence so important? The world the author creates is truly otherworldly while still being routed in reality. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.

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Rogue (The Talisman Series) by Tam DeRudder Jackson – Review by Ayla Phipps

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Rogue (The Talisman Series Book 6)Rogue by Tam DeRudder Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book I have read by Tam DeRudder Jackson; the original synopsis drew me to this story immediately. Within the first few pages the story developed into so much more than I expected, while Baz is a rogue it is not exactly by choice. Taking the best option in a bad situation he has been a rogue now for three years, but his key goal is to introduce a new class of Celtic fighters outside of the current black and white status of warriors and rogues. Reading that a warrior has until their 28th birthday I thought it was some type of trinket but meeting Delaney you quickly learn that it is the fated mate of a warrior, she is his talisman.
Working for the war goddess Morrigan is not an easy task but it’s better than allowing her to kill you the day of your birthday when you fail to find your talisman. While Baz completes every mission Morrigan gives him, she is not his true patroness, and he has an alternative goal in his life. He wants to go to one of the many other deities and start a third class of Celtic fighters, mercenaries, with him as their leader. Morrigan has her rogues hunting the Sheridan family warriors though, it is through Delaney’s perspective you learn why. A Sheridan ancestor denied the goddess’s offer to go to bed with her, being that they are descendants of a clan of demigods they can survive a night in her bed without dying from the experience. A thousand-year curse finally broken by Rowan and Alyssa Sheridan’s wedding giving rogues and talismans until the age of forty-two to find each other, which is a huge thing considering they originally only had seven years to find each other between the sign ceremony and their 28th birthday. Delaney now has hope once again for the first time in two years that she may still have a chance at love and happiness. Baz while pondering the possibility he wonders more so how it could affect his ultimate mission. When given the opportunity to move and have a training room for his rogues he takes the chance leading to the unexpected.
Will Baz succeed in getting his own class of fighters? How do Delaney and Baz find each other? Is their bond strong enough to save her? The incredible world the author creates pulls you in on page one and continues to build until the very end. I found myself feeling the irritation and shock with the characters and the ultimate fear and love Delaney and Baz feel when she is robbed of her memories. This is a page turner from start to finish and is a refreshing read. Instead of the young coming of age stories of olde this book is with older characters in their early thirties getting the chance to find their warrior and talisman. I look forward to reading more of this amazing series very soon.

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Dawnbreaker: The House of Blood and Sun by Hadley Thorne – Review by Ayla Phipps

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Dawnbreaker: The House of Blood and SunDawnbreaker: The House of Blood and Sun by Laura Morgan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Before this book I had never heard of the talented author Hadley Thorne, but this book was wonderful. I have always loved supernatural books and this one has it all, vampires, fae, magic, immortals and even real world events into her stories. The interesting title and then cover drew me in, but reading the synopsis I was quickly pulled in and needed more details.
Connor O’Brien is a vampire, that after a century still seeks revenge for the person responsible for turning him. Niamh el Ri’ili is the high princess of the Emerald City Under the Mound, who has long wished for something more then just sitting in her castle. Until the night Conner and Niamh met, the moment changed both of their lives. He no longer felt he existed to protect his family and seek revenge. Niamh’s long dormant powers awakens them in a new world of blood and sun. Suddenly, as if awoken when her powers did, an old foe returns robbing Niamh not only of her powers but of her memories. Determined to get her back Connor prepares to do whatever is needed in hopes of breaking the spells hold on Niamh, to bring her back to him.
Is Connor’s love for Niamh enough to save her mind from the spell? Will Niamh be able to survive the strange world of men without her powers? Or will Niamh fade into oblivion without her memories? The world the author creates is both one of magic and reality, I often found myself relating to the amazing characters. Also, the take on Connor, that yes he has been around for a century but unlike most stories he hates being a vampire, an immortal being with seemingly no purpose but to protect and seek revenge. Niamh in many ways brought Connor back to life, giving him a greater purpose, a life worth living with love, desires, and intrigue. If you’re looking for a great read of the supernatural this is the book for you. I will definitely be looking into more of the authors books very soon.

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Savage Lies (Hidden Valley Elite Book 1) by Isla Vaughn – Review by Ayla Phipps

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Savage Lies: A High School Bully Romance (Hidden Valley Elite Book 1)Savage Lies: A High School Bully Romance by Isla Vaughn
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book I have read by the talented Isla Vaughn. The first being the prequel to this duet, Savage Start. While not necessary to read it to understand this book it is helpful. Savage Lies picks up one year after the events of the prequel, and while the events of it are mentioned no background is given to give a full understanding of the heat and thus hatred that fuels Riley and Cole.
Riley and Cole are both seniors at Hidden Valley Academy in Santa Monica, California. Riley and her mother never hit a place twice and yet for some reason they have returned here of all places. While she looks different this time Riley still remembers everything that happened the first time, including the amazing soul changing kiss with the stranger at the beach party. Cole still dreams of the little thief from the beach party, with the perfect little body that perfectly fit against his. Now a senior Cole has one goal make it through the year and escape his father, at least until he unknowingly meets his same little thief on the first day of school. While Riley recognizes him, he was drunk the first time and thus clueless now, though he feels something familiar about her tugging in the shadows of his memory. After a conversation with his dad its revealed that Riley’s mom is his dad’s new girlfriend. In his mind that means one thing only, she is trouble, and he needs to make sure they are gone quickly. Only they have invaded every part of each other’s minds. With a determination to both have her and destroy her Cole makes it known around their school that Riley is off limits. To Riley he makes if very clear that she already belongs to him so she might as well face it. Riley feels betrayed and abandoned for the first time in her life, her mom has always been her best friend and filled her in on everything but after nearly 18 years she is telling Riley to turn her back on everything she was raised to do and remember and be a normal teenager. To go out for the diving team, to go to parties, have friends, enjoy living her life like a normal girl.
Can Riley survive being the target of Cole Savage? Is Riley’s mom really trying to be normal after all this time? What does normal mean to a girl raised like Riley was? I loved the prequel and impatiently waited for the main books to come out and I was not disappointed. Savage Lies continues to build the world of Cole and Riley, giving more insight to their desires, and hatred. The cliffhanger once again had me on the edge of my seat and I can’t wait for the final part of the duet Savage Truth, April 27th, 2023.

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A Dress To Remember: A Fairy Tale by K.L. Small – Review by Ayla Phipps

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A Dress To Remember: A Fairy TaleA Dress To Remember: A Fairy Tale by K.L. Small
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book I have read by K.L. Small, and I was very surprised. While the synopsis seemed interesting, I wasn’t sure if I would truly enjoy a juvenile rated book, I thought quickly vanished. Zarina, the youngest and most beautiful of the parents 13 children she is also the most selfish and lets it be known that she doesn’t care.
In two weeks, Zarina will officially have her Royal Advancement Ceremony and get her own chair in the grand room with her family. With recent reports of raiders attacking outlying homes and taking everything of value including food and clothing, the King decides to have a summit. Zarina’s birthday will be the biggest birthday event thus far, including a gala. Finally, she will be allowed to wear a true ball gown and not a little girls dress, only it must be “A Dress to Remember”. Having been told of a seamstress that has “magical” like abilities with what she can create with fabric Zarina ignores all her father’s warnings to get a one-of-a-kind dress. Like with all deals the hidden meanings in the riddles are what set Zarina on a great adventure to return to the castle. Quickly she learns that the subjects of her kingdom, whom she disliked looking at because they always looked so unhappy, start to inform her of how her father and the overseer treat them. She is informed by multiple people on her journey of them taking everything, beatings just because they looked like they might break a rule and told of being thrown in the castle’s dungeons. Venny, one of the men in the village as the scars to prove his claims, only Zarina can’t shake the feeling that she knows him, the slat of his nose the shape of his eyes, she once knew someone with those exact features, but the memory is fuzzy. Finally reaching the castle her heart quickly drops as something is wrong, the guards don’t bare her families royal seal, the banners on the turrets are missing, and the courtyard is filled with raiders.
Can Zarina go from a spoiled selfish girl to someone worthy of the peoples love and respect? What happened to her family? Will she be able to rescue Venny and save the village from the Overseer? The magic in her dress is limited, what will happen when the magic is gone, and her fate is determined? The world the author creates is truly like a fairy tale and yet feels realistic. I can envision the events playing out like a movie in my head and my heart racing that Zarina will succeed. I found myself glued to the pages having to know how it ends. Beautiful quick read with magic, personal growth, villains, and more trapped within its pages.

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Shadow (Devil’s Handmaidens MC: Timber-Ghost, Montana Chapter Book 2) by D.M. Earl – Review by Ayla Phipps

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Shadow (Devil's Handmaidens MC-Book Two)Shadow by D.M. Earl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Devil’s Handmaidens MC and once again D.M. Earl delivers. The continuation of learning more about Shadow is seamless in a way. In Tink, book one, we get glimpses of the fierce enforcer but in this book everything is laid out at our feet breaking our hearts and lighting our torches again. Similar to the first book this book gives us multiple perspectives including more from Tink.
Shadow’s story is finally revealed, the reason for her face tattoo, the reason for her indestructible walls that she hides herself behind, everything. After years of praying Tink finally believes in God when he not only heard her prayers but answered them in the form of Panther. In her words anyone with eyes could see he was in love with and only has eyes for Zoey (Shadow). He sees her true beauty, feels the tattoo on her face only enhances it, everything about her has him entranced. Panther has been tracking a pedophile ring for years and finally has a chance to take them down, calling Shadow for assistance everything suddenly goes belly up when the ring leader only wants Shadow. All hands-on deck as the search for Shadow begins.
Can they find Shadow in time? Will Panther succeed in getting through her walls? Shadow has found someone that loves her and everything about her, but can it survive all that is thrown at them? This series has a way of hooking into your soul and dragging you back for more no matter how much your head tells you to walk away for a moment to breath. These women are more than heroines they are everything and more to the survivors they rescue, because they are survivors themselves. They understand the pain and the demons each victim has survived and shows them they can fight those demons and win. I can’t wait for book three, Taz, May 18th, 2023, to learn more about these incredible women.

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Tink (Devil’s Handmaidens MC: Timber-Ghost, Montana Chapter Book 1) by D.M. Earl – Review by Ayla Phipps

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Tink (Devil's Handmaidens MC-Book One)Tink by D.M. Earl
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the first book I have read by D.M. Earl, and she set a high bar for other MC books. I haven’t read any others before this and the over all story and the work that the Devil’s Handmaidens take on is awe inspiring. While this book is Tink and Noodles story its so much more than that. Being the first book in a new series Tink sets up the world and introduces you to the characters that make the world what they want out of it. As a survivor myself of sexual assault I found Tink’s flashback of when she was 12, to be a little difficult to make it through and had to take a few after to continue but it was well worth it. Told from not only the main couples’ perspectives we get the perspective of Shadow also.
Tink is the president of the Devil’s Handmaidens, after a tragic event when she was only twelve years old and then another one at eighteen; she discovers her hearts mission, ending human trafficking and abuse. Noodles is a Navy SEAL veteran that is new to Timber-Ghost Montana helping a friend Ollie, with his heart mission. Building a sanctuary for military vets and animals. No longer wanting to play games and wanting to settle down Noodles is up front and honest with Tink, informing her that he is interested in her and doesn’t want games but to see where things go. With a little shove from Shadow, Tink gives him her number and things begin. Shortly after an intruder on Tink’s ranch has her and everyone around her searching for the person responsible and asking the question why. Shadow is the Devil’s Handmaidens Enforcer; she does what she must so the others don’t have to. Being one of Tink’s only constants she is family, not by blood but by heart. After the break in and the warning of “soon” written on her wall Tink has no choice but to share her survivor story and the reason for her life’s mission with others outside of her family and MC. Hannah, the result of her assault at age 12, raised by her parents as her sister. Six years later while out with Maggie (Tink) she is kidnapped and disappears.
Will Tink ever find Hannah? Is Noodle truly the one meant for Tink to bring her solace? Can they make it through and still have a part of their souls intact? The world the author created, the characters, the plot and twists this book is everything I never knew I needed. Tink is truly tiny and mighty as her father says. I can’t wait to read book two, Shadow, and learn more about this fierce woman that finds a way to keep going after everything she’s come face to face with.

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