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Lucky Stars by Fantasia Yu – Review by Darla Yocom

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Lucky StarsLucky Stars by Fantasia Yu
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was intrigued to read this wonderful space romance novel when I saw the gorgeous colors on the cover giving off galaxy vibes. Then I read the synopsis and you had me at Space Pirates. I think any fellow star wars/trek or Guardians of the Galaxy fans will enjoy this book and Princess Mora’s dilemma to fight for the life that she wants and deserves – or – the life her family wants her to follow, as the first born Princess. I honestly had quirky Space Balls vibes when reading this story.

This was absolutely a fun read and not what I expected which was quite refreshing. I loved Mora’s personality, quirks and all. Somehow I knew immediately that Darin would be her forbidden interest in this story. I mean the idea of marrying someone you do not know, love, etc does not sound appealing to me in any shape or form, but that is because this is not a custom that I’ve ever had to accustom to; however, I would assume that I may react to such a demand in much the same way. Stay and be forced to share a life with a complete stranger or leave your life behind and have fun adventures with a handsome stranger who quickly becomes more.

I love the vast imagery and world building described throughout the story. This could easily be adapted to the big screen. The author also did a remarkable job building up the characters and their story arc.

Sci-fi lovers and those who enjoy a good romantic adventure will highly relish this book and the author’s craft.

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Shore Lodge by Susan Specht Oram – Review by Darla Yocom

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Shore Lodge: A high-stakes psychological thriller (The Millersville series)Shore Lodge: A high-stakes psychological thriller by Susan Specht Oram
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book is described as a psychological thriller and that is exactly what this author created. Initially the story starts with a sad story regarding the main character, Jacklyn Stone, losing her true love, her husband of many years, her rock. She deals with the aftermath of his passing that most of us would struggle with if put into this situation, including the fact that she finds that her husband made a number of questionable decisions related to their financing. Due to this fact, she will be unable to sell their business since she will be forced to recoup the money taken from their savings.

While Jacklyn is riddled with grief, which is expected, she finds that she sometimes struggles to remember things like the placement of her keys, her last name, etc. Her two children, a son named Dusty and a daughter named Rose, are very concerned for her well being. Therefore, they decide to look into a medical facility that could assist their mom in the grieving process and help her deal with latest struggles.

When Dusty and Rose present her with the opportunity to stay at a nice retreat that helps grieving widows/widowers, Jacklyn is not immediately receptive. After a bit of convincing and assurance that she will only stay a few days, she agrees to a few days of extra rest and relaxation. This is when readers learn of the Shore Lodge, where nothing is quite what it seems. Quickly Jacklyn realizes that her children were not very forthcoming or truthful with the details surrounding her stay and she finds herself in a scary and dangerous situation.

Readers will commiserate with Jacklyn and her situation. Anyone dealing with an abrupt change in circumstances could understand why such an aggressive response should be expected in this situation due to the overwhelming feelings of helplessness. Thankfully the main character is stronger than even she expected and has a lot of fight left in her as she deals with the heartbreaking betrayal and struggle for control over her life again. All she wants is to return to her own home and continue to own/run her impressive and successful garden store.

I enjoyed this book from the get go and it made me internally question what I would do if I were ever in this situation. I think readers will enjoy this book as well while trying to determine how this story will end with so many twists and turns.

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Delicious Death (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries Book 2) by Byrd Nash – Review by Darla Yocom

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Delicious Death (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries #2)Delicious Death by Byrd Nash
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This gas lamp fantasy novella is number 2 of a 6 part series that mystery lovers will enjoy.

Mysterious deaths, Royal families, unknown motives, and a chef competition makes this a lively and endearing mystery.

Elinor is a strong main character that appears witty and charming. She’s also quite intelligent which comes through quite clearly throughout the story.

A little ghosts and intrigue makes for a good read. I look forward to reading the next novella in this series.

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Practically Pagan – An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie – Review by Darla Yocom

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Practically Pagan - An Alternative Guide to Magical LivingPractically Pagan – An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed reading this book. I think anyone interested in the Pagan lifestyle, magic, or a new way of thinking about life will thoroughly enjoy this one.

You can immediately feel the energy and passion the author has when describing the many different topics covered in this book. I had a feeling as if a teacher was thoroughly explaining the subject to me in a way that I can easily comprehend the subject.

I look forward to learning more from the author.

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Revenge Never Rests (Tallie Brown Suspense Book 2) by Laurie Lewis – Review by Darla Yocom

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Revenge Never RestsRevenge Never Rests by Laurie L.C. Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is Book 2 of the incredible tale of Tallie Brown. I never read the first book but I’m now a convert and huge fan of this author. The characters are rich and their growth is quite refreshing.

Tallie has baggage and an extremely complex background that she struggles to hide from herself and others. The pain of loss, the confusing secrets unveiled because of the loss, new relationships and a scary new mission with ties closer to home.

If you enjoy mystery, adventure, drama and suspense, you’ll enjoy this book.  It was a page-turner.

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Return to Gallanvaig (A Quirk of Destiny Book 2) by Catherine Greenall – Review by Darla Yocom

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Return to Gallanvaig: Beyond A Quirk of DestinyReturn to Gallanvaig: Beyond A Quirk of Destiny by Catherine Greenall
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Book two of the “Quirk of Destiny” trilogy was mind blowing. Based on a post apocalyptic world, genetically modified food has greatly reduced the world’s population and caused the humans to agree to no longer eat animal based foods. On the other hand, the newly gene-mutated diseased humans, also known as “Genies”, are attempting to make a grab for power.

The author did an impressive job with this work of fiction that has a creepy twist of possible truths hidden within it. It also is a great adventure with a good vs evil storyline. It is a refreshing take on a fictional tale with wonderfully compelling characters and riveting story building. What a great addition to this series and I think readers will thoroughly enjoy it.

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Freedom Rings (The Circle Book 3) by Brenda Hardwick – Review by Darla Yocom

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Freedom Rings: Book Three of The CircleFreedom Rings: Book Three of The Circle by Brenda Hardwick
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Fantastic writing, great storytelling and a real gem of a book!

The main character, Soraya is a well rounded character who has yet to tap into her full potential. In this book she heads up the investigation into the killing of the Elders. She finds herself in a pickle when using her new found leadership skills while dealing with the Circle, only to find an antagonist is waiting to try their hand at leadership.

The need to unite together may take some convincing but can they survive without it!? The power struggle is real and creates a lot of drama and action in this book which is fitting for the finale of this trilogy.

I think readers will become true fans after reading this book, no matter if they’ve read the previous titles in this trilogy. The author’s brilliant talent shines throughout this story.

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Better Gnomes & Gardens (Mysty Haven Mystery Book 1) by Casey Cardel – Review by Darla Yocom

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Better Gnomes & Gardens (Mysty Haven Mystery)Better Gnomes & Gardens by Casey Cardel
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bob McLarney recently moved to a quaint little town called Mysty Haven. He also started a new job at a local newspaper but after a disagreement about a creative story about a Bigfoot sighting, he is fired. Down on his luck, he falls into an odd situation that presents itself in the form of an investigative job regarding a missing gnome named Charlie. Could Bob’s luck be turning around?

While investigating the intriguing missing gnome case, Bob learns more about the different folks living in Mysty Haven. Nothing is quite what it seems and could undercover a few secrets in Bob’s lineage.

I loved the quick wit and dynamics between the main character, Bob and the supporting characters in this supernatural story. I found the book to be quite refreshing and had me hooked from the get go. It was an easy read and flowed well. I can’t wait to read more from the Mysty Haven world.

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And Then She Fell by Dreena Collins Review by Darla Yocom

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And Then She FellAnd Then She Fell by Dreena Collins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This intriguing story follows Catherine Keely and her emotional journey after losing her 20-something daughter in a tragic accident.

While searching for answers, Catherine revisits the overseas location of the tragic accident, while chatting with some of the locals who recall seeing her daughter during her previous visit. Although she finds a bit of comfort speaking about her daughter with others, her preconceived notion’s about the character of her daughter’s friends/acquaintances creates havoc once she begins to receive conflicting accounts of her daughter’s lifestyle.

The author was extremely creative when describing the heartache a mother experiences after losing her oldest child under questionable circumstances. Some questions are never quite answered but perhaps that adds to the intrigue of the storyline leaving it up to the reader to come up with their own answers.

I loved how the supporting characters added more drama to the already emotional scenario.

If you enjoy drama and mystery, I think you’ll enjoy this book.

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The Perfect Mrs Claus by Barbara Matteson Reciew by Darla Yocom

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The Perfect Mrs. ClausThe Perfect Mrs. Claus by Barbara Matteson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Savannah is a widow and mom who is struggling with the fact that she will spend the holidays without her family since her son has made other plans. She makes an incredible decision to visit a gorgeous location for a special holiday vacation at The Blue Spruce Inn in the gorgeous mountains in New Hampshire. The Inn’s holiday itinerary makes Savannah crave to be there ASAP. So, she has chosen to save money by limiting her spending which is always a good idea.

While visiting Howardson’s around Halloween time, she reminisces about life with her young son when visiting the location during the holidays, specifically Christmas time. Their Christmas displays were always impeccable and memorable. Little did she know that by visiting Howardson’s on that date would literally change her life forever. A chance meeting with a handsome man results in the receipt of an intriguing proposition. She was not immediately sold on the idea, but charming Matthew was able to change her mind.

This delightful story follows Savannah and Matthew’s adventure in learning about themselves and each other. I found Savvanah’s sense of humor charming. Matthew’s personality, especially after meeting Savannah was quite endearing as well.

I really enjoyed how the author built up the imagery of the Inn and I found myself wishing I could visit the location around the holidays. Who wouldn’t enjoy a gorgeous mountain vacation!?

This story was funny, dramatic and sweetly romantic. I think most readers will enjoy the journey and getting to know the characters as they progress and grow.

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Divided Lives by K.R. Mullins – Review by Darla Yocom

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Divided LivesDivided Lives by K.R. Mullins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I’m such a fan for a good historical fiction book this did not disappoint. Like a great movie, the cast is made up of a group of fantastic characters, especially Lottie, Rose, Chris, & Lisette.

The overall story harbors all levels of murder, mystery, drama and the court room shenanigans reminds me of a great true-crime drama.

The plot is entertaining and the fast paced story will keep you engaged.

Another great book by this gifted author!

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River Witch by Cheryl Burman – Review by Darla Yocom

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River WitchRiver Witch by Cheryl Burman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a fantastic historical fantasy adventure! River Witch was captivating, intriguing and full of incredibly written content. The characters were enchanting and the overall plot was incredible.

Who could not relate to characters living in one manner but yearning for something more meaningful. It’s a coming of age type scenario that plays out beautifully throughout this book.

The author describes the forest, river, vivid dreams and characters, Hester & Aaron so well that you feel like you are truly inside of the story surrounded by their lives. I was highly impressed.

I believe most readers will thoroughly enjoy this read thanks to the author’s extraordinary gift. I can’t wait to see what else the author creates.

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Moby Plays the Flute by Eeha Bhatt – Review by Darla Yocom

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Moby Plays the FluteMoby Plays the Flute by Eeha Bhatt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This children’s book is beautifully written. The brilliant illustrations really pop and exudes the author’s descriptions perfectly.

The main character, Moby is a darling young lady dealing with the struggles of being less than stellar in school and in most things she attempts to complete. We can all sympathize with the situation at some point in our lives. The overall message plays out well and I think children will enjoy reading it while also learning a lesson or two.

Any military family knows the struggle they go through when a parent is deployed. The author did a fabulous job describing this in a kid friendly way as well.

Overall, I believe this beautiful story is a great option for children that the adults will appreciate.

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Grave Digger Academy (Grave Digger Academy Book 1) by C.A. King – Review by Darla Yocom

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

I enjoyed the concept of a paranormal book series surrounding a strong and witty female lead character. So I was excited to jump head first into this book. Now that I am finished, I cannot wait to read books 2 and 3.

Like most young folks, Makayla hopes to get into the school of her choice but there is always a chance of only getting accepted to the Grave Digger Academy. When she finds out that she was chosen for the inevitable Grave Digger Academy, she is crushed, and her family is heartbroken. What’s a girl to do other than make the best of her situation since she has no other options, right?

I enjoyed how easily the story flowed and found that I read this in one sitting. While I experienced this in a short period of time, I found that it packed a punch. It had everything that you need: a great plot, well developed characters, and a lot of activity to keep you enthralled throughout the pages. Plus, who doesn’t love a good story that has a magical fantasy plotline? You’ll enjoy reading through M’s progress from someone who hates the idea of attending the academy to maturing to a talented student.

I think anyone of any age will enjoy this book and be intrigued to try the entire series. I give this book a 5 out of 5 stars.

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Euphoric Wonderland by Ryan M. Becker – Review by Darla Yocom

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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

Poetry is a passion of mine so the synopsis of this title piqued my interest. The author did an incredible job with this beautiful ensemble. The rhythm and descriptive words help you see within their mind, body and soul as they create a depiction of life utilizing their eloquent words and emotions.

Don’t be fooled by some of the entries that are shorter than others, as they too will pack a punch. Some of the poems will make you smile, laugh, feel, etc. To evoke any and all of these actions is a testament to this author’s gift of word.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to any future publications.

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In Plain Sight (Logan McKenna Mystery Series Book 8) by Valerie Davisson – Review by Darla Yocom

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In Plain Sight: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 8In Plain Sight: A Logan McKenna Mystery Book 8 by Valerie Davisson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Logan McKenna is a badass character that everyone will fall in love with within the first few chapters. She’s married to her soulmate, Ben who seems to be her perfect match. If you’ve read any of the previous books in this series, you’ll recognize this book continues with their story. As per usual, suspense and mystery seems to follow them everywhere.

As a fan of crime mysteries, I felt this book was an impeccable addition to this genre. I also enjoyed the details regarding the beautiful winged friends described within the storyline.

I felt as if this story had a perfect amount of plot twists that will keep the reader intrigued and second guessing themselves when trying to figure out what comes next. This is anything but predictable.

The author did a fantastic job and fans of this series will be overjoyed with the new addition. For those new to this series, I think they will enjoy this book and want to grab another from the series or start at the very beginning.

This book had great imagery, a beautifully designed plot and fantastic characters.

5 out of 5 stars!

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Ashes (Modern-Day Fairy Tale Book 1) by MK Harkins – Review by Darla Yocom

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Ashes (Modern-Day Fairy Tale, #1)Ashes by M.K. Harkins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I LOVED this book and if I could give it all the stars in the sky as pet of my review, I would.

It feels like the main character, Ashley Adams could easily be one of my closest bff’s. Her amazing qualities made her all the more endearing, as you get to know her throughout this incredible story. Besides being smart and sometimes underestimated, she has the most impeccable timing with her witty remarks.

Also when Harry James was first introduced, I immediately thought of comparing his status to Harry Styles’ celebrity status. Had something like this occurred in the real world with so many HS fans, I’m sure most would close-mindedly assume he should not associate himself with someone like Ash.

I was sold on this book the moment I read the synopsis that mentioned it contained a plot with fairies and magic. Little did I know that it would open up into a magical world with phenomenal imagery and content.

Also I loved the cover art! It gave off dark Cinderella vibes and I adored it.

I think teens and adults will enjoy this book like I did. I give this title 5 out of 5 stars.

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A Quirk of Destiny (Quirk of Destiny Book 1) by Catherine Greenall – Review by Darla Yocom

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A Quirk of Destiny: Ignoramus et IgnorabimusA Quirk of Destiny: Ignoramus et Ignorabimus by Catherine Greenall

This is book one of this Sci-Fi series and exceeded my expectations on all fronts!

Catherine Greenall does a tremendous job w/ the creation and building of the intriguing multi-faceted characters within this book. I love a great dystopian twist and the dramatic build up had me on the edge of my seat. Normally I would hate to read a book with a cliffhanger, but I’m convinced that book number two will be even better than the first.

I think the author’s scientific background enhances her ability to create an extremely convincing scientific plot within this story. Science and greed pits society against those who have a bit too much power, and it has all gone straight to their heads. The main character, Calum works for the Dept of Food and Environment as a scientist, testing the safety of food related technology. He begins to investigate strange happenings that he believes has a scientific reason behind them. Soon, he finds the world in a full-blown epidemic that quickly overwhelms the world. Calum believes he may have uncovered the truth and soon takes those immune to the questionable contagions under his wing to embark on one heck of an adventure.

This is a quick paced read and was entertaining from page one.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars. If I could give this a higher “grade”, I would.

I think folks will enjoy this read and find themselves engrossed in a new series!

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Blood & Vengeance (The Casket Girls Book 2) by A.D. Brazeau – Review by Darla Yocom

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Blood & Vengeance (The Casket Girls #2)Blood & Vengeance by A.D. Brazeau
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was so excited to get to read book 2 of The Casket Girls series and it did not disappoint. The story picks up right after the end of book 1, then expands on a few new characters and personalities.

Book 2 finds Desiree with a plan to help all of those residing in New Orleans and that included clearing out all of the vampires. All except for Jaxon and Theron, of course.

With Greer away, Theron has to learn to cope without her. He joins Jaxon and Desiree with the new adventure.

While the imagery and plot are dark, the romance and mystery livens up (and lights up) this book which is a great addition to the series.

The way the author goes into such detail when describing New Orleans helps transport you into another time.

If you are a fan of paranormal mysteries with a romantic twist, this is the book for you. I loved it!!

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The Prospect of Death (An Alyssa Chalmers Cozy Mystery) by Carmen Radtke – Review by Darla Yocom

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The Prospect of Death (Alyssa Chalmers mysteries, #2)The Prospect of Death by Carmen Radtke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I give this book 5 stars!

Reading this book will truly make you appreciate the marvelous modern luxuries we currently have in comparison to the time frame described in this book (gold rush).

Alyssa is the main character and truly Carrie’s the story from start to finish. She agreed to participate in the act of traveling to a different country to become a bride to someone she doesn’t know, but planned on leaving right away. As always, life has a different plan in store for her, so leaving is not an option.

A sudden and unexplained loss immediately starts the mysterious who-done-it response and from there the story builds into a magnificent piece of art.

The author did a phenomenal job creating a beautiful historic tale with the endearing characters. You will be hooked from the first page. I hope you all will give this book a fresh read so you can partake in Alyssa’s journey.

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The Lie That Binds by Amy Argent – Review by Darla Yocom

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The Lie That BindsThe Lie That Binds by Amy Argent
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lies, betrayal, teenage hormones, high school drama, bullying, and the effects of a serious medical condition makes for a very dramatic storyline.

Holly finds herself at a new high school, trying to fit in with the in-crowd. She finds the popular crowd are not welcoming but one handsome guy catches her eye. She quickly learns that this handsome fella is a bit mysterious due to his strange absences. This pet of the story quickly gave me Twilight/Edward Cullen vibes for a few seconds. Holly soon learns that although this guy is handsome, he’s definitely a jerk.

Nathan is the mysterious guy that has caught Holly’s attention and he has a secret. By accident, Holly learns of his secret which could have devastating circumstances for Nathan if she chooses to leak the information to their fellow high school students. Nathan has to decide how to handle the issue and to what extent he will protect his secret. Drama ensues.

I found the book to be a fast read and enjoyed the character building. The author did a great job representing the behavior and actions of a bunch of hormonal teenagers.

Hang in to your seats while this roller coaster of emotions hit you from beginning to end.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

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The Mermaid and the Ice Cube Necklace (Mermaid Science) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Darla Yocom

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Mermaid and the Ice Cube NecklaceMermaid and the Ice Cube Necklace by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This adorable book is such a fun learning experience for children. Not only is this an easy and interesting read but I loved that the story teaches the reader a bit of science in the midst of the small adventure.

The illustrations are beautiful and colorful. The overall story is well written.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

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Deadly Sommer (Nora Sommer Caribbean Suspense Book 1) by Nicholas Harvey – Review by Darla Yocom

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Deadly Sommer (Nora Sommer #1)Deadly Sommer by Nicholas Harvey
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my first book that I’ve read by this author and I am not disappointed. I love the main character, Nora Sommer. She’s so smart and although she’s a rookie constable, I think she has the potential to be a real badass! Plus, the story takes place in the Royal Cayman Islands. Sounds like heaven, with a little bit of murder and mystery.

The author did a great job keeping you intrigued and entertained with the suspenseful story telling.

I think all book lovers will enjoy this one, no matter if they are looking for mystery, suspense, fiction, etc.

If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would.

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Thorfinn and the Witch’s Curse (The Forerunner Saga Book 1) by Jay Veloso Batista – Review By Darla Yocom

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Thorfinn and the Witch's Curse (The Forerunner Series #1)Thorfinn and the Witch’s Curse by Jay Veloso Batista
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m a huge fan of anything related to Vikings, so I was thrilled to start this book, which is the start of The Forerunner Saga. Finn, the main character is very young, but is quickly thrown into a different way of life once the Witch’s Curse is revealed. Honestly I’m not sure how he managed to grasp the idea of what was changing in his life, let alone live through it. He is a strong young man, full of courage, curiosity and obviously resilient.

This book engages the reader and I think young adults will enjoy it. You will find a lot of historical details mixed with a bit of fantasy. The author did a fantastic job with the writing and apparent research into Viking/Norse mythology. I cannot wait to read book number 2.

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The Day the Librarian Saved the Galaxy by Stephanie Wilson Peterson – Review by Darla Yocom

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The Day the Librarian Saved the GalaxyThe Day the Librarian Saved the Galaxy by Stephenie Wilson Peterson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Third grader, Sophia Boyd enjoys her class’ weekly visits to the school library. Often she will search for a book by her favorite author. She also adores helping out her favorite librarian, Mrs. Booker, each week. Sophia is used to her weekly routine, but quickly learns that today would turn out to be a bit different.

It’s Hot Dog Day and who would have thought a 3rd grader like Sophia would need to help Mrs B save the galaxy. On this day, they find themselves in quite a pickle thanks to green hot dogs, pink aliens & violations of the Planetary Code.

This sci-fi book is a great adventure story for kids and families to enjoy. The cover art is colorful and matches the story perfectly.

This story was enjoyable and captivating.

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Flame and Crystal Thorns (Fae and Crystal Thorns Book 1) by Kay L. Moody – Review by Darla Yocom

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Flame and Crystal Thorns (Fae and Crystal Thorns, #1)Flame and Crystal Thorns by Kay L. Moody
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What an incredible read!

This is my first read by Ky L. Moody and I must say it was brilliant!

I fell in love with the main characters, Chloe and Quintus. Their story arcs should result in a beautiful series.

I have not read the original series which resulted in this spin-off series but if it’s anything like this book, I will love it. I did not feel as if I was missing out on any information by not reading the other series first so do not be afraid to start with this book.

The author’s take on this fantasy plot was very creative and enticing. I think all readers will enjoy it. I cannot wait for book 2.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

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The Curse of a Faeblood by MK Lorber – Review by Darla Yocom

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The Curse of a FaebloodThe Curse of a Faeblood by M.K. Lorber

Ember finds herself alone, fending for herself and missing her late mother’s company. She’s tired, hungry and bored with running from territory to territory. She’s running from her past and not looking for any distractions but finds herself caught by a tall, brawny man named Gavyn. He’s tall, a bit grumpy and not afraid to call Ember out on her thievery.

Thankfully, the cart owner, Jade whom Ember attempted to steal from, takes pity on her, much to the chagrin of her brother, Gavyn. Jade’s tender and trusting heart took pity on Ember, gave her food, asked her to help in the kitchen to feed their community and allowed her to stay with her for the night. From that day on, Ember’s life changes.

With the struggle of missing her mother, not knowing the identity of her father, and trying to hide her hidden talents, Ember finds herself falling head over heels in love with her surroundings, yet is constantly afraid that her past will catch up with her and her new friends. Should she stay or should she go? That is the question running through her head each day, as she awakes in this beautiful village.

The author paints a gorgeous picture of the village, the surrounding kingdom and the engaging characters. There is a a number of descriptive sex scenes throughout the book which definitely paint a picture for the reader; however, I do think they sometimes take away from the overall tale being told.

I hope the next book will expand on the story and keep the reader intrigued, as this book did.

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars.

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Taming of the Few (Guardians of Phae Book 1) by Rowan Dillon – Review By Darla Yocom

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Taming of the FewTaming of the Few by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This beautifully written book is a treasure and I hope all fantasy fans get the chance to read it. The gorgeous cover had me hooked with the deep colors with a pop of brilliant gold in the center. This magical story starts with following Anna, a young woman who realizes she is in danger once her special abilities come to light and impacts her teaching position. Fate helped her escape the states and travel to Ireland for safety. She meets others like her with strange magical powers, all while trying to learn more about her own power, how to protect herself and others, as well as trying to make a decision about volunteering for a future position within the Phae organization.

Anna finds herself partially covered in scales with skin that screams for the water. She also has a spectacular affinity for somewhat controlling water. However, due to fear and discrimination of those who are not of Unhidden Blood.

The story also introduces other incredible characters such as Max, a military vet with a love of flying and the habit of drinking. He wasn’t thrilled about coming to Ireland, but fellow newbie Phae recruiter, Hiroki, successfully recruited him by making several promises, one of which was access to a new plane. Max is a grumpy old man, he has an impressive background and is a great pilot. He also has the magical ability to speak to the wind, which he is struggling with at the beginning of this book.

The Byrne family’s farm is one of the many training locations for the Phae and they welcome the new folks who have uncovered their Unhidden Blood talents. The family’s personalities are incredible, including the wonderful children. I truly enjoyed the way the author incorporated the different folks into the training location along with the Byrne family. With a large group of folks in one single location for any amount of time could prove to be interesting in any setting, let alone one where the Phae are often on alert for any type of attack from those who misunderstand and refuse to accept those with Unhidden Blood.

I cannot wait to see what the next book will have in store for the characters/story/plot.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

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Blood & Ravens (The Casket Girls Series Book 1) by A.D. Brazeau – Review by Darla Yocom

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Blood & Ravens: A dark, paranormal romance (The Casket Girls Book 1)Blood & Ravens: A dark, paranormal romance by A.D. Brazeau
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 out of 5 stars

This was a beautifully written paranormal fantasy book 1 of this series.

I need to start by saying if I could give this more than 5 out of 5 stars, I would. I’m a huge paranormal/fantasy fan so I was hoping the first book in this series would be a bit interesting and needless to say, it blew me away. I stopped all other books that I was reading so I could solely focus on this one and I finished in less than two days (I had to sleep)!!

The book cover was dark and stunning. From the start, I was intrigued by Greer and her unfortunate circumstances. She started out as a timid wallflower who often went unnoticed except something caught the eye of a dark and mysterious stranger. She finds herself on a boat traveling with other young women like herself to New Orleans, but in her situation, she has no recollection of how she got there.

Soon her new journey was filled with bizarre vivid dreams, a mysterious illness, a group of nuns who we quickly learn have absolutely no maternal instincts whatsoever, cryptic instructions advising each individual young woman that they must exchange their ticket for their cassette (suitcase), and that they would soon be married off to unknown men. Nothing about this arrangement makes you think the girls will have a promising future. Yet, you soon learn that most of them have the courage to sense to work together and try to devise a plan to find out if their futures have something else in store for them.

You meet the dark and enigmatic Theron who is a tortured individual struggling with a new sense of reality and trying to come to terms with his inability to return home. He’s drawn to Greer and her inner essence which causes an overflow of confusion, feelings, etc – all things he isn’t used to.

As the story grows, so does the arc for both Theron and Greer. I think their background and future story could definitely continue and expand in future books if the author chooses to stick with them.

This was an enjoyable story and I look forward to reading book two.

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This Night Has Ended (Vampire State Book 5) by Alexander Charalambides- Review by Darla Yocom

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This Night Has EndedThis Night Has Ended by Alexander Charalambides
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a beautifully written book wrapping up this incredible series. The author should be very proud of this body of work.

The main character, Rowena, is a bad-ass and continues to embark on quite an adventure in book number five (5). She has a dilemma that will impact the empire and its future, as well as her own. Heavy is the burden of those who have power and responsibility.

I’m a huge fan of anything Paranormal/Supernatural, especially the vampire world, so this series was definitely a great fit for me but I do not think you need to be a fan of this genre to appreciate the brilliance created by this author.

I feel this book is binge-worthy, as is this series due to the intelligent way it was written. Between the impeccable world building and thriving character arcs, the ending plot design delivers a satisfying conclusion to finalize the completed series.

The gorgeous book cover caught my eye so had I not known of this series prior to reading this book, I would have been intrigued from the get go.

This was a quick read and kept my attention from start to finish. I am so thankful to have had the pleasure to read this series. I cannot wait to find another title from this author so I can launch into another breathtaking reading journey.

5 out of 5 stars!

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