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Scepter of Flint (The Lord Hani Mysteries Book 3) by N.L. Holmes – Review by Betsy Melano

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Scepter of FlintScepter of Flint by N.L. Holmes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

One of my favorite kinds of books to read is a historical fiction novel. I love to picture the way things looked back in ancient times. N.L. Holmes describes ancient Egypt beautifully adding to the task at hand for Lord Hani, and his assistant Maya. They must find out who is robbing several tombs while a plague is taking the lives of rich and poor alike.
I am sad to say that I have not yet head the pleasure of reading the first two books in the series. I will definitely be reading them very soon.

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Her Blackened Soul (The Blackened Series Book 1) by Isra Sravenheart – Review by Betsy Melano

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Her Blackened Soul (The Blackened, #1)Her Blackened Soul by Isra Sravenheart
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A different perspective

I really liked that the book was written from the perspective of the dark witch. Lady Isra’s character and the dark world she lives in reminded me of all the fairy tales I used to love reading about as a child. The story was well written and kept my attention. This is the first book I’ve read by Ms. Sravenheart and and I’m sure I’ll be checking out her other books.

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Breaking Traditions: The Shifter And The Mage by Madilynn Dale – Review by Betsy Melano

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Breaking Traditions: The Shifter And The MageBreaking Traditions: The Shifter And The Mage by Madilynn Dale
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Family traditions

I really enjoyed reading Breaking Traditions: The Shifter and The Mage by Madilynn Dale. Natalie, a shifter, is just starting college, getting to know her roommate, and getting used to living in a dorm. She broke off a long term relationship with her ex before college. Early in the semester Natalie meets Alex, a mage, and feels a connection to him she has never experienced before.

Natalie’s family has always followed their shifter traditions. Although Natalie understands her parents expectations, she feels pulled to be an independent woman with different views. A wonderful coming of age type story I couldn’t put down.

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The Princess and the Pit Bulls (The Fairy Tale Series Book 4) by Jody Lynn Daniels – Review by Betsy Melano

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The Princess and The Pit Bulls (Fairy Tale Series book 4)The Princess and The Pit Bulls by Jody Lynn Daniels
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sweet Romance

Chloe is a young clothing designer who seems to have it all – a job she loves, living in New York, working with her best friend Maria, and a new boyfriend! While she is at her big sisters wedding. A wonderful celebration of love and family. One of the most important things to happen at the wedding is Chloe & her extended family meet Sebastian, the net veterinarian in town. Sebastian seems to fit right in, is smart, and is very attracted to Chloe.

I don’t want to give away the story. However, I will say that this is a lovely romance. Shows different kinds of people that make up an amazing extended family. As with any couple, Chloe & Sebastian have their ups and downs. I really enjoyed this story and I’ll be checking out the earlier books in the series soon.

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FALL: The Ragnarök Prophesies: #2 by A.K. Morgen – Review by Betsy Melano

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Fall (The Ragnarök Prophesies, #2)Fall by A.K. Morgen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

As soon as I finished Fade (book 1 in the series) I had to start Fall. The story starts within moments of where the first book ended. Arionna is recovering in the hospital and Dace is beating himself up because he couldn’t keep her safe. These two have a bond that has kept them together for many lifetimes. Their relationship is strained at times but as the books progress, you can really see how much they love each other and how committed they are to saving everyone. There are moments when Arionna seems to get swallowed up in her feelings but isn’t that what many of us did when we were young and trying to figure out what we are on this earth for?

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Eagle of the Empire (Relic Hunters) by Martin Ferguson – Review by Betsy Melano

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Eagle of the Empire (Relic Hunters, #1)Eagle of the Empire by Martin Ferguson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A great first book in a series I can’t wait to read more!

Adam Hunter, a teenager, finds out his older brother Matt is missing. The people who tell him about his brother’s disappearance, are people his brother had never mentioned. But they show him Matt’s journal which he can’t believe isn’t in Matt’s hands, he rarely lets it out of his sight! This prompts Adam to start searching for Matt. What else Is a younger brother to do?

This is a great YA book full of adventure. I know I would have loved a book like this when I was a teen. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

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REBECCA STEELE FINDING A DREAM (REBECCA STEELE SERIES BOOK 2) by JOANNE PATTERSON – Review by Betsy Melano

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Rebecca Steele Finding the Dream (Rebecca Steele Series #2)Rebecca Steele Finding the Dream by Joanne Patterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I didn’t read the first book in the series, but I had no problems getting to know Becky and her friends. You can feel the loyalty and love the characters have for each other. The lifelong friendship Becky has with Emily and how well they know each other is a important part of the story. So many of us wish we could have friends like that, who know you so well you don’t even have to say anything for them to know what you are feeling or thinking. It sure warmed my heart to read this and can’t wait to read the first book and I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.

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New Jerk in Town: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romantic Comedy (Carolina Kisses Book 2) by Sylvie Stewart – Review by Betsy Melano

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New Jerk in Town: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romantic Comedy (Carolina Kisses Book 2)New Jerk in Town: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romantic Comedy by Sylvie Stewart
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A seaside town, a local boy named Milo who is recuperating from an accident when he meets Jill, a girl who wants to be an actress visiting with a plan to be in a movie. Their first meeting makes Milo seem grumpy and Jill reacts the same way…but is there more than meets the eye?

It’s more than a decade later and both Milo and Jill end up in the same town where they first met. They both have lingering memories and feelings for each other. However, it seems their animosity from the past is what comes out! Whatever will happen to these two?

I love how the author Sylvia Stewart walks us through the past and the present to create such amazing characters with chemistry. My first time reading a book by this author! I will definitely be checking out her other books.

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Love Gaia: The Diary Directive by TL Clark – Review by Betsy Melano

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Love Gaia: The Diary DirectiveLove Gaia: The Diary Directive by T.L. Clark
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a Dystopian story that got my attention right away. The story line has those left alive find ways to teach their children how to make better decisions than their ancestors did by reading one of the ancestors diary. The ups and downs of this story kept me so concentrated on what might happen next, I couldn’t put it down.
What an amazing story written by T L Clark! I am looking forward to reading more of her books.

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Girl Trap (A Madeline Dawkins Mystery Book 3) by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Betsy Melano

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Girl Trap (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 3)Girl Trap by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Girl Trap (A Madeline Dawkins Mystery Book 3) by Cynthia Hamilton

The 3rd installment of Madeline Dawkins series! This book digs into human trafficking as Madeline (a PI in her own right) and her business partner and friend Mike are asked to help search for two missing sisters from Minnesota. What will Madeline and Mike find as the search intensifies?

One of the things I like best about the Madeline Dawkins series is how Madeline’s character keeps learning and changing. It’s so much more like real life, it make you connect with the characters better.

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A Book Signing To Die For: Beach Reads by Judy Moore – Review by Betsy Melano

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A Book Signing To Die ForA Book Signing To Die For by Judy Moore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Book Signing To Die For is the first book I have read by author Judy Moore. What a fun setting for a book – Beck O’Rourke and her Grandma Alice co-own Beach Reads bookstore. Wouldn’t that be fun? Grandma Alice is a no nonsense, say it as it is character, Lizzie the younger sister is a lifeguard who wants nothing to do with the bookstore, and Beck is the main character who can be shy but as she gets older she is growing out of her shyness and is finding her true calling.

The story gets your attention from the beginning. The Beach Reads bookstore sounds like a wonderful shop to visit. The premise of this book is that the bookstore has a book signign and a meet & greet with authors from time to time. On this fateful night, one of the book signing attendees is found dead near the shop. The mystery gets Beck to realize her passion of crime solving.

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Winter’s Wolf (The Cursed Series Book 1) by Lou Grimes – Review by Betsy Melano

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Winter's Wolf (The Cursed, #1)Winter’s Wolf by Lou Grimes

Winter’s Wolf by Lou Grimes

The first couple chapters took me a bit, but once I got through that the book got so much better. Louvette and her mother Sarah are struggling and having to move often due to Louvette’s propensity to get into fights at school. This all changes when they are given the chance to start over due to a death in Louvette’s family. The new chance isn’t just a new home but a different life all together. As Louvette tries to be a better daughter and not get into fights at school, she finds some amazing friends with amazing secrets that also relate to her anger issues. The story gets you and keeps you guessing what will they learn next.

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A High Price to Pay (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 2) by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Betsy Melano

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A High Price to Pay (Madeline Dawkins, #2)A High Price to Pay by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Madeline Dawkins and her friend Mike have completed their apprenticeship to become PI’s. On top of that, Madeline’s event coordinator business is preparing for a lavish weekend extravaganza for a client’s fortieth birthday. On top of these good things happening to her businesses, Madeline finds out one of her kidnappers is being released from jail. The release of one of her captors is not something Madeline was expecting only 3 years after she was abducted.

As the weekend birthday party is in it’s final days of preparation, a simple background check is requested by the matriarch of the family. This simple job turns into a murder investigation. What will Mike and Madeline find out about this family…

I loved the first book in the series and this one didn’t disappoint.

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Humiliating Revenge: Contemporary Young Adult Romance by T. Christensen – Review by Betsy Melano

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Humiliating RevengeHumiliating Revenge by T. Christensen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A story about a young love cut short, full of regret when they come face to face several years later. Olivia Crawford seems very uncomfortable in her own skin. There is so much Olivia worries about as a daughter who is abused with very few she can consider a friend.

Calum Breen was the guy that was dumped, who works hard to become an MMA fighter and come home to show the girl who humiliated him how well he is doing now. The interactions between the older Calum and Olivia starts to show him that maybe he missed something back in high school.

The story was well written and I appreciate how the author showed growth and change in the characters.

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SPOUSE TRAP: Madeline Dawkins Mysteries (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 1) by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Betsy Melano

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Spouse Trap (Madeline Dawkins, #1)Spouse Trap by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Imagine waking up in a hotel room alone and naked, not knowing how you got there. You manage to figure out where you are and find your way to your beach house. A few days later, your husband shows up with compromising pictures of you and demands a divorce.

Madeline Dawkins, the main character, finds herself in this harsh reality! Through her tears, frustration, overwhelming deceit, and everything else thrown her way, Madeline finds her inner strength.

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Phoenix Team One: Selected (Mythical Alliance: Phoenix Team Book 1) by Claire Luana – Review by Betsy Melano

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Phoenix Team One: Selected (Mythical Alliance: Phoenix Team Book 1)Phoenix Team One: Selected by Claire Luana
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A series I can’t wait to continue!

Zariya Chanji is on the search for whoever killed her father. She is sure his death wasn’t an accident. Her father like her, is a Supernatural creature. He worked for MASC which governs super like her and her father worked there…

As Zariya works past her grief, she begins learning more about what her father’s job entailed. She can’t believe it but at the same times must come to terms with who he was.

What a great start to a series! I’ll definitely be checking out more books by this author.

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Love is What You Bake of it (The Meraki Series Book 1) by Effie Kammenou – Review by Betsy Melano

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Love is What You Bake of it (Meraki, #1)Love is What You Bake of it by Effie Kammenou
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an emotional roller coaster!

Kally Andarakis believes she isn’t love able. This comes from the few relationships she’s had. Instead, she pours her love into her cafe and the pastries she makes. The pastries and coffees the Kally creates sound delicious!

In walks in the hunky Max Vardaxiz policeman. Is Max a complication Kally doesn’t want in her life or is he the answer she’s been looking for?

This is a wonderful story of love and the misconceptions we come across in life.

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Enemies of Doves by Shanessa Gluhm – Review by Betsy Melano

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Enemies of DovesEnemies of Doves by Shanessa Gluhm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

At first I wasn’t sure I’d like this book but it didn’t take long before I was engrossed in the story. Families can can have secrets that entangle them for life.

As Garrison Stark starts researching where his grandfather came from and what happened, he meets his grandfather’s brother Joel. Joel is in jail for murder and Garrison has a feeling Joel is hiding something important.

The back and forth between 1932 and 1991 can be tricky but Ms Gluhm does a wonderful job of it. I would recommend this book to friends!

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Holding Out for You by Anna Paige – Review by Betsy Melano

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Holding Out for YouHolding Out for You by Anna Paige
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holding Out for You by Anna Paige

Seriously, this is a book I couldn’t put down for long. I had to finish it within a couple days even if it meant less sleep!

Becker and his best friend Ashton have been best buds as long as anyone can remember. Becker’s little sister Blair has always considered Ashton to be a thorn in her side. One very eventful night, things start to change…

The best part of this book is the relationships and interactions between the 2 groups of best friends – Blair/Charli and Becker/Ashton that continues from childhood to young adults. As the 4 of them process and struggle through the life changing event, their bond gets even stronger! The story is so captivating you can’t help but wish it would last forever.

This is the first book I’ve read by Anna Paige and I can’t wait to read the rest.

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A Gentleman’s Stipulation (The Scarlet Salon Book 4) by Jean Wilde – Review by Betsy Melano

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A Gentleman's Stipulation (The Scarlet Salon, #4)A Gentleman’s Stipulation by Jean Wilde
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Gentleman’s Stipulation (The Scarlet Salon Book 4) by Jean Wilde

Lady Victoria Gilbert, a noblewoman, is looking for a husband. Lady Victoria is a strong, confident woman looking to marry for love, not a contract marriage of title and money. The last person she wants in her life is the opinionated Blake Hall, a son of a mill tycoon. They despise each other until they agree to be civil because they both sincerely care for Patience Hall, Blake’s younger sister. After a while the two find themselves in a compromising situation when Blake suddenly hatches a plan to help keep Lady Victoria’s reputation intact. What happens next is something neither one expects…

This story grabs hold of you and you’ll want to keep reading it. I will definitely be reading more books by this author in the future.

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Endless Night (Dylan Hart Book 2) by R.M. Gilmore – Review by Betsy Melano

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Endless Night (Dylan Hart #2)Endless Night by R.M. Gilmore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Endless Night (Dylan Hart Book 2)

The second book in the Dylan Hart series doesn’t disappoint! The book starts several months after the Dylan’s run in with the vampires. She’s been invited to accompany her old friend to New Orleans… right smack dab in the middle of not only vampires but Dylan comes across a new enemy! How will witty, spunky Dylan survive this new foe?

A fast paced book that will have you laughing and waiting to see what happens! Go Dylan!!!

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