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Basil (Silver Springs Pets Series) by K. Rose – Review by Callie Luna

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Basil (Silver Springs Pets, #7)Basil by K. Rose
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Basil is a spicy, fun, and funny read. Basil is a vegan that has been turned into a vampire. She refuses to drink human blood. With her Biomedical Engineering skills, she develops a synthetic blood mixture that she takes with healthy smoothies. That is just the start of Basil’s new life, she buys a new place to live and run her new smoothie shop in the town of Silver Springs. She happens to have not one but three soul mates! Things get spicy from there on out. I loved the new take on Basil’s supernatural dilemma and the creativity. Basil is a fun and easy read that makes you feel good as she achieves in her newfound “life”. Basil is a standalone book; I have not read the other books in the Silver Springs series and thus it did not affect the story at all for me.

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Murder At Music Hall (True North Murder Mystery Book 1) by A. J. Ullman – Review by Callie Luna

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Murder At Music Hall (A True North Murder Mystery Book 1)Murder At Music Hall by A. J. Ullman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I highly enjoyed following Trueman “True” North to find the true murderer of Stoddard Skidmore. As True digs into the case with his investigation skills he realizes that it isn’t quite as open and shut as it seems. Not only is there a compelling murder, but the reader also gets to learn more about True and his backstory as well. The book is set in 1977 with some embellishments in historical details, which the author explains at the end. It is a dark crime mystery; the pacing of the story is fantastic. The clues are there for you to find out the murderer before the reveal, but the reason why is even more compelling. I personally won’t hesitate to pick up the next book in this series!

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Test of the Four: Book Two of The Serrulata Saga by A.E. Bennett – Review by Callie Luna

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Test of the Four (The Serrulata Saga, #2)Test of the Four by A.E. Bennett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Make sure to read the Gathering of the Four before the Test of the Four! It picks up right where the previous book ends. They have finally reached outside the Realm, into the unknown world. Leora continues to develop her magic. Leopold recovers from his injuries and is trying to heal from this past as well. Roland and Aurora continue their newly formed relationship. Old and new characters are added to the mix. I highly enjoyed Eve’s continued development in the story. I also enjoy the blurb before the chapter because it gives the readers hints about what is about to happen and helps the reader to piece the information together. More of the technology and the city is revealed in this book. It is set in the distant future with alternative events to our current day. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

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Gathering of the Four (The Serrulata Saga Book 1) by A.E. Bennett – Review by Callie Luna

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Gathering of the Four (The Serrulata Saga, #1)Gathering of the Four by A.E. Bennett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I highly recommend this book due to the characters and the twists and turns throughout the series. Leora of Mae wants to escape her foster family that wants to sell her into servitude. Roland is a thief who lives by illegal means. Aurora is a lady of high society (gentry) whose family has been overthrown. Finally, Leopold is an ex White Rider that has many secrets and is looking for redemption. These most unlikely characters cross paths and stick together on an epic journey to survive. The book is set in the future after the fall of technology and seems to be back in the Middle Ages. There is magic, knights, and politics. Many of the secrets are revealed along their journey but the book ends in a major cliffhanger. I can’t wait to read the next book!

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Kingdom of 7 Sovereigns – Wolf (Kingdom of 7 Sovereigns Series) by R. C. Reigh – Review by Callie Luna

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Kingdom of 7 Sovereigns: WolfKingdom of 7 Sovereigns: Wolf by R.C. Reigh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Kingdom of 7 Sovereigns was a good introduction to the series. I enjoyed that the point of view changed to get the full story. Amelia is a princess that wants to have her freedom. Instead she is being forced into an arranged marriage with a wolf prince (Dane), it is the last thing she wants. Her cousin Cora is her protector and a master on the battlefield. Prince Dane is a strong fighter and protector of his pack. He will stop at nothing to protect his kingdom and promote peace. And don’t forget the dragons and the necromancers daughter ready to stir up trouble. They are all attending the same academy with the other nobles of the 7 kingdoms. The chapters are short and easy to read. I’m interested in reading the next book in the series due to the ending.

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Song of Earth and Claws (Faelands Series) by Lena Abram – Review by Callie Luna

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Song of Earth and ClawsSong of Earth and Claws by Lena Abram
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lannahi is a princess that takes her fate into her own hands. She feels her only escape is to take over a kingdom due to a curse placed upon her. Will she be able to defend herself and her new kingdom from harm?

I enjoyed Lannahi as the main character. She is a strong and fair ruler but questions her actions. The citizens of her kingdom don’t automatically accept her, and she captures the old queen as her slave. There are a lot of names in this book and sometimes I was confused with the number of side characters. The world building was good, but I feel like it could have used more details to bring it to life. The story is original, and the ending was unexpected.

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The Uncrowned King (The Blood Prince Series) by Ayla Marie – Review by Callie Luna

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The Uncrowned King (The Blood Prince Book 2)The Uncrowned King by Ayla Marie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Uncrowned King is sequel of The Blood Prince. I would recommend reading that one first before diving into this next part of the story! The Uncrowned King picks up right at the height of the action with Leo and his siblings surrounded by the court of IIlena. Are they any safer in this new place? Leo must make some tuff decisions to keep his family safe. Will all hope be lost? The book has three main perspectives (Leo, Elena, and Cael). I like the change of narrator because we get more insight into the other characters. I recommend reading book these books by Ayla Marie, she is talented writer! There is a minor cliffhanger at the end of the story so I am anxiously awaiting the next book.

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A King So Savage (The Savage Duet) by April Moran – Review by Callie Luna

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A King So Savage (The Savage Duet #1)A King So Savage by April Moran
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ava Bella Blue is taken as collateral due to her brother’s massive debt he owes to Kingston Vaughn Winter. Kingston gets to decide Ava’s fate but in the meantime that doesn’t mean he can’t enjoy himself. What will he decide to take from Ava?

I enjoyed how strong Ava is and how much she fights Kingston to get free of his clutches. Kingston is strong, dominating, and controlling. He won’t take no as an answer. The viewpoint changes between Ava and Kingston so you can get deep into the action. The scenes are good but since it is dark it puts me on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait to read the next book since it ends on a minor cliffhanger.

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Orenda (The Latitude Series) by T.S. Simons – Review by Callie Luna

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Orenda (The Latitude Series Book 2)Orenda by T.S. Simons
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Orenda is the second book in The Latitude Series and a continuation of the Antipodes Series. Orenda continues the story of Caitlin and Giovanni. Caitlin is sent to fulfill her roll as ambassador to Canda while Sera goes to Japan with Matto. She must overcome the challenge of being in a new place and position while being young and still learning.

There is so much growth in this book, maybe even more than the first one. What makes T.S. Simons narration powerful is her characters going through unfortunate events and growing through the trauma. She writes each character as imperfectly perfect people. They are trying to live in societies that are self-sustaining but with new problems that they must solve and face to continue surviving. I love the message I get out of this series that time is too short, live in the moment, and live a sustainable lifestyle. I highly recommend reading Orenda and the entire Antipodes Series! I can’t wait for Bifrost, the next book in The Latitude Series!

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Secrets at the Café: A Novel of Suspense about Family and Friendship by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Callie Luna

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Secrets at the CafeSecrets at the Cafe by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Karina promised to run her grandmother’s business, Gigi’s Café after she passed away. Unfortunately, one busy day at the café causes Karina to lose Gigi’s diary. The whole town of Millersville is actively looking for the diary due to the potential for a large sum of hidden money. Join Karina to unravel the truth of the missing journal and discover family secrets. I highly recommend reading Secrets at the Café! All the characters are relatable. The book has perfect suspense and great plot twists.

Secrets at the Café by Susan Specht Oram was a wonderful addition to the other stories that take place in Millersville. I loved that she included characters from Shore Lodge and The Thieves. Bets and Zerk make an appearance in the first few pages, they are married and have left their life of crime behind. I absolutely loved the tie ins from the other books she has written. I look forward to reading more tales from Millersville!

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Grave Digger Academy IV (Grave Digger Academy Series) by C.A. King – Review by Callie Luna

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Grave Digger Academy IVGrave Digger Academy IV by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Grave Digger Academy IV is Makayla’s fourth year at Grave Digger Academy. This series is starting to get dark! Helpers have been outlawed. Mary Meet is no longer running the GDA. Makayla is in damager of being betrayed with every step. She finds out more about her family ties and starts to learn more magic. This year students are learning about familiars and grimoires. I highly enjoyed this part of the series because of the interesting twists and turns this series is taking. I cannot wait to read the final book in the series, this one ends on a cliffhanger!

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Grave Digger Academy III (Grave Digger Academy Series) by C.A. King – Review by Callie Luna

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Grave Digger Academy IIIGrave Digger Academy III by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Grave Digger Academy III is Makayla’s third year at Grave Digger Academy. She is stuck at Grave Digger Academy due to her lineage and is being watched by the Crones. Students and teachers have disappeared. Maybe they have just not come back for the school year? Join Makayla and her friends as they continue to unravel the GDA secrets. I enjoyed this book because Makayla started to learn and practice more magic. I would recommend it for those in middle school but can be enjoyed at older ages as well. I look forward to reading the next part of the series.

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Grave Digger Academy II (Grave Digger Academy Book 2) by C.A. King – Review by Callie Luna

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Grave Digger Academy IIGrave Digger Academy II by C.A. King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Grave Digger Academy II is Makayla’s second year at Grave Digger Academy. This time there is a competition among all the academies. Makayla’s brothers are hoping to beat her school. This book is extremely easy to read. I loved Makayla’s new helper in this tale. I would recommend it for those in middle school but can be enjoyed at older ages as well. I look forward to reading the next part of the series.

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Grave Digger Academy (Grave Digger Academy Series Book 1) by C.A. King – Review by Callie Luna

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Grave Digger AcademyGrave Digger Academy by C.A. King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Grave Digger Academy I is a short tale about Makayla. She gets sent to the Grave Digger Academy, which just happens to be the last choice that students have. It turns out that she may have unexpected powers that tie back to her family tree. The book has magic, humor, and is easy to read. I felt a touch of Harry Potter due to the magical school setting for young witches. I would recommend it for those in middle school but can be enjoyed if you’re older as well! I look forward to reading the next installment.

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The Crown of Stones: Magic-Scars Audiobook (The Crown of Stones Book 2) by C. L. Schneider – Review by Callie Luna

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I’ve read Magic-Scars and the entire Crown of Stones Trilogy before but wanted to enjoy the book again; this time in audiobook format.

The narrator, Jonathan Ricardo, brings the voice of Ian Troy to life. The intensity of the book increases from listening versus reading it ten fold. I loved the pacing and cadence of his voice, he portrays Ian perfectly.

Magic-Scars starts two and a half year after Magic-Price (the first book) ends. Ian Troy gets rescued from the mines and has no memory due to Draken drugging him. He has been tortured and forced to do heinous acts. As he slowly gets his terrible memories back bit by bit, he must forgive himself again for the death and loss of those around him. He doesn’t know who to trust or how he acted before and is going solely by instinct. Join Ian on his journey to rediscover his past and to right the present.

This audiobook is only meant for adults due to the graphic scenes, including sex. I loved this book even more than the first book due to feeling a great connection to Troy from the loss of his memories. He keeps trying to do what he believes is right and protect those around him while trying to break the mold he was shoved in. I was shocked towards the end of the book when I believed all hope was lost, I was crushed and cried only to be saved a little towards the end.

C.L. Schneider is by far one of my favorite authors! Any book she writes I want to read and/or listen to. I can’t wait to enjoy the rest of The Crown of Stones series in audiobook format.

Necromancy the Musical by Debbie Hibbert – Review by Callie Luna

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Necromancy the MusicalNecromancy the Musical by Debbie Hibbert
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Necromancy The Musical is an amazing book filled with mystery, suspense, and humor. CeCe is a Necromancer that occasionally helps her dad with police work since she can raise the dead. Add in a trip to drama camp for a week and this is a story that is so engaging and entertaining. I love all the characters; they were all fleshed out nicely and helped to build the world around CeCe. The slow romance between CeCe and Zach is the icing on top. The plotting and magic of this story is done perfectly. I highly recommend it for all ages and can’t wait to read the next book!

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Necrosis Audiobook by C.L. Schneider – Review by Callie Luna

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Necrosis is the short story about a mother and daughter trying to stay alive during a zombie apocalypse. It is a fast-paced story that keeps the tension on survival. It shows how much any mother would do to help their children survive. The descriptions are perfect and help to build the world all the way to the last scene. C. L. Schneider is a master at creating intense combat and making you root for the characters.

The narrator Jess Jacob does a great job bringing the tension of the story to life. I can hear the anguish, despair, and desperation in her voice. I highly recommend Necrosis as the audio book due to how much the story came to life with these fantastic elements.

 

My Murder Year by Kate Larkindale – Review by Callie Luna

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My Murder YearMy Murder Year by Kate Larkindale
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Stas is your typical high school teenager who is still trying to find herself. She thinks that the biggest issues she has are her weight, which she believes makes her incapable of dancing and be able to wear the clothes she wants. After the tragic murder of her mom the story becomes even more emotionally charged. To make matters worse the prime suspect is her father. Now she must find out who really did kill her mother. She is ultimately on a journey to find herself and to heal from the loss of her mom.

I enjoyed reading My Murder Year due to how much Stas changes from the start of the story till the end. There is a good amount of suspense and twists and turns to keep it interesting. It was realistic and at times heart breaking. It is worth the read of you love stories with suspense, romance, and lots of heart!

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Mystical Midlife Mate (Boudin, Barbecue, and Hoodoo Series) by Reggi Dupree – Review by Callie Luna

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Mystical Midlife Mate: A Paranormal Women's Fiction NovelMystical Midlife Mate: A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novel by Reggi Dupree
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book in the Hoodoo Texas Novel series. Reggie Dupree did not disappoint! Gwen must navigate finding out she was a demon, a mating bound, and her biological dad coming to pay her a visit. There are so many great parts in this story that my head was left spinning, much like Gwen. Again, Gwen’s kick ass humor brings a smile to my face. The ending felt a touch rushed but it did wrap up with the potential to another book in the series. There are many parts in the book that I felt empowered as women, which is a nice touch. I highly recommend it if you love romance, small towns, southern hospitality, and magic.

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House of Blood and Whispers by Natalina Reis – Review by Callie Luna

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House of Blood and WhispersHouse of Blood and Whispers by Natalina Reis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’m in love with Cahki and Sung-jin! Cahki is a wild woman from Northern lands filled with ice and snow. She has been captured by slavers to be the emperor’s concubine. Sung-jin is the son of a tyrant emperor. With the proposal of getting married being Cahki’s only option of escape and Sung-jin’s desperate attempt to overthrow his father with an unlikely ally. The growth between these two characters really makes the House of Blood and Whispers worth reading! So many good surprises in store! Natalina Reis is an amazing author with her details and suspense perfectly hitting chapter after chapter. I am anxiously awaiting the next book, House of Blood and Pirates.

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The Calamities of Camden Callahan (A Revenant Novel) by Brittany Tucker – Review by Callie Luna

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The Calamities of Camden Callahan (A Revenant Novel)The Calamities of Camden Callahan by Brittany Tucker
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I cannot describe how amazing this book is! The beginning was the perfect setup to meet the main character Cam (a man of many names). He has been working under a pirate crew since his mom was killed. After taking a dangerous mission he instead finds himself waking up with new powers of flame. He must now try to save his crew from the hands of an evil doctor.

I absolutely love both Cam and Annie! Cam is a kick ass pirate that is trying to the best he can in his life. Annie has been forced to endure horrible acts by her adoptive father. The plot continues to thicken and comes to life with many twists and turns as we discover more about the key players on the island and their true intentions. Get ready to trust no one!

This book is full of suspense, mystery, and great world building! I am anxiously awaiting the next book in this series.

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ALTERATIONS TRILOGY: Alterations, Game Changer, Primal Will by Jane Suen – Review by Callie Luna

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Alterations / Game Changer / Primal Will (Alterations #1-3)Alterations / Game Changer / Primal Will by Jane Suen

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Alterations Trilogy is a must read! It is a short read since the entire trilogy took me about 4 hours in total. It revolves around the story of three women who have been implanted with a mind control microchips. One of the chip malfunctions and causing one of the women to attempt killing herself. It turns out that 2 out of the 3 chips are faulty. The book alternates chapters between Gigi, Ellen, and Lilly, as well as other supporting characters. All their stories are very different, but they all tie together nicely at the end of each book. The number of twists and turns and connections between the women kept me reading to the very end. You will be on the edge of your seat with the Alterations Trilogy.

 

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The Crown of Stones: Magic-Price Audiobook (The Crown of Stones Book 1) by C. L. Schneider – Review by Callie Luna

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I’ve read Magic-Price and The Crown of Stones series, but I wanted to listen to it because I love this series! The audio book did not disappoint. The narrator for Ian Troy brought Magic-Price into a whole new light. I loved getting to re-meet all my favorite characters.

I highly recommend reading Magic-Price if you love epic high fantasy. The main character is not perfect and is trying to atone for his prior sins. There is magic, love, friendship, and forgiveness.

The Secrets of Arkaim (The Reeds of West Hills) by B. E. Padgett – Review by Callie Luna

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The Secrets of Arkaim (The Reeds of West Hills #2)The Secrets of Arkaim by B.E. Padgett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed reading The Secrets of Arkaim, it is the second book in The Reeds of West Hills series. I didn’t read the first book in the series, but I feel like I still had the needed information to enjoy the story. Jon and Frank are twin boys from a large family that have discovered they are “gifted” (they have magical powers) and thus go to school to learn how to control them. This year school is extra exciting because of the Zodiac Games. Unfortunately, students are becoming sick, and they must figure out how to save them. The friendships and relationships in this book are fantastic. I highly recommend anyone looking for a good mystery story with a touch of magic. If you love books like Harry Potter and/or the Percey Jackson series, you’ll love this book. I look forward to reading the first book and next book in the series.

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Rogue Wolf (Protector Wolf Shifter Series Book 3) by Lilliana Rose – Review by Callie Luna

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Rogue Wolf (Protector Wolf Shifter Series Book 3)Rogue Wolf by Lilliana Rose
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rogue Wolf is the third book in the Protector Wolf series. It picks up where Marked Wolf left off with the destruction left behind by the vampire attack. The shadow clan must rally together to defeat the vampire threat and get the blood opal back. Tamaska wants to become a wolf and part of the pack, but questions arise on if this is even possible. The ending of this book is worth the read and finally, it left on less of a cliffhanger than the rest of the series. I will be patiently waiting for the next book to come out.

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Fortune’s Favorite (Soulbound Journeys Book 2) by C. L. Schneider – Review by Callie Luna

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Fortune's Favorite (Soulbound Journeys #2)Fortune’s Favorite by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I cannot say enough amazing things about C.L. Schneider! Fortune’s Favorite is the second book in the Soulbound Journeys. I also recommend reading The Crown of Stones Trilogy first. I absolutely loved this adventure of Ian Troy and Jarryd Kane. It picks up after the events of The Wandering Isles with both of them continuing the Shinree’s ancient journey. At first glance, Maldarehm is a prosperous city without war or struggles. Though Ian has an uneasy feeling about the island and its inhabitants. Ian searches for clues on the island’s past while Jarryd gets wrapped up in gambling where the stakes increase drastically. The growth that Ian and Jarryd go through in Fortune’s Favorite makes the impact of the story much more chilling. The layering in this story and the bond between Ian and Jarryd make it impossible to put the book down. I cannot wait to pick up the next book by C.L. Schneider!

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Mr Lucky (Trentbridge Tales Book 1) by Lee Wood – Review by Callie Luna

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Mr Lucky (Trentbridge Tales #1)Mr Lucky by Lee Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mr. Lucky is a great book to read. I started reading it thinking that crime would take place and our main character, James, would have to solve it since he is an ex-detective. James’s story slowly is revealed in the beginning with him begging on the streets and how he got there. It is incredibly heartbreaking what he has been through and details his life trying to survive on the streets. There are many different points of view in the book that move the story along including Dave Rex who is the main opposing force in James’s life. Once James gets incredibly lucky is where the story starts to pick up and I didn’t want to stop reading it to figure out how the story would end. Mr. Lucky is a different book with a great emotional impact on the reader. I feel like Lee Wood is giving us hope and showing us positive changes that can make a difference in the lives of others.

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Marked Wolf (Protector Wolf Shifter Series Book 2) by Lilliana Rose – Review by Callie Luna

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Marked Wolf (Protector Wolf Shifter Series Book 2)Marked Wolf by Lilliana Rose
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Marked Wolf begins immediately where the first book (Shadow Wolf) left on a huge cliff hanger. Stepping back into the action of trying to get the blood opal back from the vampires, Tamaska’s fear of dogs, and Kodiak’s pack refusing him a relationship with Tamaska due to her being a human. Most of this book focuses on these key issues with a few extras added. Unfortunately, for me it took too long for the good parts in this book and when it did it feels like key parts were not explained. The ending was the best part, but it still felt rushed. It ends on another cliff hanger as well so I will need to read the next book.

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Forbidden Wolf (The Shadow Chronicles Book 1) by CR Robertson – Review by Callie Luna

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Forbidden Wolf (The Shadow Chronicles)Forbidden Wolf by C.R. Robertson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Forbidden Wolf is about a pair of star-crossed lovers. Tasha is a vampire and Levi is a Lycan and unfortunately their species are at war with one another. The punishment of being caught together is death yet they cannot stay away from each other. Most of the book is set in Tasha’s point of view with a few chapters from Levi to tie it together. They are both realistic characters that have a strong drive that will not stop. I enjoyed their blossoming forbidden romance and hoped for them to run away together. I originally thought that this book was going to be extremely predictable, but this was not the case. Amazingly the twists and turns in the book and the ending were even better than I hoped for. Can’t wait to read the second book Forbidden Mate!

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Forbidden Mate (The Shadow Chronicles Book 2) by CR Robertson – Review by Callie Luna

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Forbidden Mate (The Shadow Chronicles)Forbidden Mate by C.R. Robertson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Spoilers for the previous book, Forbidden Wolf, are ahead. Tasha and Levi are finally able to be together due to an uneasy truce between the vampires and lycans. Both species have a common enemy now – the hellspawn. More secrets are revealed about the unlikely but destoned pair as they uncover more secrets of the vampires and lycans. I love Tasha and Levi finally being together and further building their relationship, they are perfect for one another. Forbidden Mate has several twists and turns starting about halfway through the story. The ending caused me to pick up the next book, Forbidden Moon, immediately.

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