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To be a Fae Rogue (Realm Chronicles Series) by Tricia Copeland – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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To be a Fae Rogue (Realm Chronicles Book 4)To be a Fae Rogue by Tricia Copeland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Titania has sacrificed her position in order to save her people. Everyone thinks that she is dead. Well, all except for a few trusted fae. Sonia’s threats against her kind will cease because of this lie. As long as she can keep up the ruse, all will be well. But is she cut out for a quiet, country life? When the attacks on earth start bleeding into her realm, can she sit by and watch? As Titania faces these challenges, old rivals become bold, and a deep loss has her questioning her purpose. Will her sacrifices be enough to stave off Sonia for good?

This is the fourth book in this series. You definitely need to read the previous books so that you understand everything that is happening. In my mind this book reminded me of how the 7th book in the HP series played out. It has a lull that is needed to understand Titania’s struggles and then all the action happens, and you are left reeling. However, while the other book finished the series, this book feels like the main conflict is just beginning. And I will be here for it! It is exciting and very unexpected tragedy.

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Unmasking a Cowgirl (Match Made in Montana Series) by Rachelle Paige Campbell – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Unmasking A Cowgirl (Match Made in Montana Book 3)Unmasking A Cowgirl by Rachelle Paige Campbell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Abby has a secret the whole town is about to find out about. Her ancestor just happens to be the villain in all the stories of the town’s founding. Joe has spent the last several years delving into the history of Herd and feels like he has a good handle on what happened all those years ago, but he is missing something. He does not like Abby from the moment he meets her. There is a vibe that she is not being completely honest about who she is. When Joe is proven right in that Abby was in fact hiding who she truly was, is it too late to get her side of the story? Has his animosity toward her pushed her too far? Will she stick it out in Herd and prove that she is more than her ancestor’s mistakes?

I enjoyed this story. The characters in Herd depict small town living at its best and worst. Everyone knows everyone else’s business and they are loyal to a fault. However, betray that trust and instantly a person can be shut out. I found Abby learning the hard way, because she never stuck around long enough anywhere to have to fight for her right to stay, to be inspiring. I appreciated the way that Joe found his victory to be hollow and needed to reevaluate himself to find that he was at fault and also culpable in how the town responded. Of course, it would have been nice if he had realized it sooner, but then there wouldn’t be this fun book to read! I will miss reading about Herd, Montana and secretly hope that there are more books!!

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Master Bistrita (Masters of the Consulate Book 11) by Sylvia Black – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Master Bistrita (Masters of the Consulate #11)Master Bistrita by Sylvia Black
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Master Bistrita has watched all the other Masters find their fated mates. He has convinced himself that fate won’t have anyone for him because of his preferences. When Chara charges into an exchange with other Masters in concern for her friend, he is annoyed and intrigued. Chara isn’t new to the world of vampires, per se. She works at his club and her best friend is newly changed. When she realizes that she is in fact Master Bistrita’s fated mate, can she find a role in helping the others save mankind from a hostile takeover from rogue forces that want life to essentially go back to the dark ages? Will Master Bistrita embrace that gift that fate has given him before it’s too late?

I have read this series from the beginning. It was a quick read for me, as I knew a lot of the backstory. I felt like the author touched on it enough for me to remember but others coming into it thinking this is a standalone, might want to think about going back to the beginning for more depth to the storyline. Chara challenged Bistrita endlessly, and I enjoyed his torment in thinking that he could make her into a submissive person. Additionally, I liked that in this book the next Master is introduced with the love interest for him. (I am looking forward to seeing him squirm.) Each book has its own purpose on the path to the end and this one wasn’t anything less than the others. I am truly looking forward to the culmination of this series!

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Notebook Mysteries ~ Art of Deception (Notebook Mysteries Series) by Kimberly Mullins – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Notebook Mysteries ~ Art of DeceptionNotebook Mysteries ~ Art of Deception by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Emma and Jeremy are in the thick of it with this mystery! When their friend’s brother ends up dead and no leads on who or why, they are thrown into the middle of a mystery! In order to flush out a past that is full of questions, they have to go undercover. As the investigation progresses, so do the stakes. With their family growing and responsibilities changing, can they balance it all to find out who the culprit is before it blows back on their family and friends? Or have they finally met their match?

I truly enjoy these stories! To me, this one felt a little like a novella than a novel. Usually there are multiple mysteries happening that all kind of feed into each other in some way; this one is not like that at all. Don’t get me wrong, I am not complaining! It was quite nice to just have the one mystery to keep track of in my mind. I liked getting to know a new character that is very similar to Emma. I think she needed someone to give her a run for her money! I hope to see their return in any upcoming books!

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An Ember of Hope (War of Destiny Series) by Theresa Van Spankeren – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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An Ember of Hope: War of DestinyAn Ember of Hope: War of Destiny by Theresa Van Spankeren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Matthew de la Roche is struggling with finding who he is without his ka-tet and his soulmate. He was betrayed by a member of his ka-tet which led to his capture, torture, and rescue. Unfortunately, his freedom resulted in the death of his soulmate, Christy, and the loss of his power over fire elements. Matthew walks away from his ka-tet and any resistance vampires in order to reset and figure out how to regain his power. As he is settling into his new city, he steps in to save a young girl from being trampled by a horse. In doing so, it puts him into debt with the Medici family. Matthew has never been one to spend a lot of time with humans, yet he finds himself drawn into their lives and becomes one of their closest friends. When strange attacks begin to happen and soldiers turn up missing, Matthew feels drawn into the conflict. He recognizes the type of attacks and begins to help train the Medici men on how to protect themselves and how to attack these strange men that only attack at night. However, he feels the lack in himself with the loss of his fire element. Can he regain what he has lost in time to protect those who gave him a safe haven to heal?

I have kept up with this series and I am really glad that the author added Matthew’s story to it. This book gives insight into what happens with Matthew when he walks away from his ka-tet members. It explains what struggles he has to overcome before he can even begin to forgive those who betrayed him. I think that he had a lot of self-discoveries to go through to get to a place of even considering forgiveness. I think the author did a lovely job of balancing the past with his present and defining his self-discovery path.

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The Veil (The Veil Realms Series Book One) by Karli Rush – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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The VeilThe Veil by Karli Rush
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Selene’s life is that of a small-town girl, newly engaged. She owns and runs her family’s herbal store, until her life is abruptly thrown into chaos the day that a veil rips through the center of her town. She is stuck on one side while her fiancée is on the other. Terrified she is taken into another realm with other women from her town. As she learns more about her new surroundings and species of people, she begins to understand that to survive she is going to have to adapt quickly. When her fiancée is taken and he sees the changes in her, can he love her despite the changes? Can she still love him? Or will she choose to stay and explore this new life that she has found?

I can honestly say, I had no idea what was coming next in this book. It kept me guessing from chapter to chapter as the story progressed very quickly. The cover didn’t give anything away either. About the time that I felt comfortable with what I knew, it changed. I would have liked to have had more information but that is only because I like to have a full picture. However, I found that in the end, I didn’t really need more information. There was enough for me to figure out what was happening. All in all, I liked this book. It was not my normal type of read, but I enjoyed it!

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Secrets, Lies and Betrayals (Protect and Honor Series) by Lynn Wood – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Secrets, Lies and Betrayals (Protect and Honor Series #1)Secrets, Lies and Betrayals by Lynn Wood
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lea’s earliest memory is one of tragedy and it has shaped her whole life. As she navigates the world as anonymously as possible, she finds her passion but never a love that others seem to find. How can she when she lives a half-life? Her constant protector, who is more of a father than her biological one, with her maternal grandmother push her to look outside of herself and to live life. About the time she sees a glimmer of a possible future with an Italian Conte, she finds herself once more in the midst of tragedy. Can she take all the lessons that life has handed her over the years and put it to good use? Or will she be destined to be a shadow of the person she could have been if tragedy never touched her?

This book was not what I expected it to be. It follows Lea’s story loosely but catches the highlights of what really seem to shape her. I spent a lot of time thinking that I knew what was coming, only to be surprised it didn’t take the turn that I expected it to. There were also moments where I thought the story was wrapping up, only to be pleasantly surprised that it kept going. I found it interesting that someone so young and sheltered could speak so easily to thousands of people. While there are a lot of political points made, I did not find them divisive which is refreshing. All in all, it was a good read for the times that we are in.

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Catch a Cowboy (Match Made in Montana Series) by Rachelle Paige Campbell – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Catch A Cowboy (Match Made in Montana Book 2)Catch A Cowboy by Rachelle Paige Campbell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ted is a man with a quiet demeanor and a story. When he was at his lowest, Hank Kincaid took a chance on hiring him to help with the ranch and has not regretted it for a single second. Stephanie is a woman with a plan and an organizational chart for everything! She finds herself drawn to Ted, but fears that their age difference might be too vast to bridge. When Ted’s sister shows up unexpectedly with her daughter in tow, Ted is thrown into parenting his niece for a couple of weeks while his sister transitions to Herd. When Stephanie agrees to help his niece adjust as her Kindergarten teacher, it is not all selfless. She’s hoping to get to know Ted better and to maybe find a way to traverse the bridge between them. Can Ted let go of his past to see his present? Or will the gap be too great between the two of them?

I really enjoyed this book. It was a good, clean read with a lot of emotions involved. I could not help but feel drawn to Stephanie and to root for her! She is literally, the sweetest and Ted is the kindest. Their story was a very sweet one. The town of Herd sounds like a place that I would love to live in, too. After living in several small towns, I could feel the nuances of Herd as if I was there myself. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series!

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Make Me Want to Love You (Love in Emerald Creek) by N.D. Jackson – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Make Me Want To Love You: Love in Emerald CreekMake Me Want To Love You: Love in Emerald Creek by N.D. Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Shayna is just trying to live her life after divorce. With two kids that depend on her, she does not have time for romance or even the time to entertain the possibility. Burke shares a best friend with Shayna and cannot help but be intrigued by her. Having just been burned by an ex-fiancée, he is not sure he wants to dip his toes into the dating pool again. However, he sees what others gloss over when he looks at Shayna. Can they find their way to each other? Or will past baggage get in the way of their possible happily-ever-after?!

This was a fun book to read. I feel like the author did a wonderful job capturing single mom life, and dysfunctional family issues. I could not help but be drawn to Shayna and Burke’s story. While I cannot identify with all the aspects of this book, the human emotion captivated me. I did not pick up book one in this series and only realized about part way through that I must have missed it. It would have been nice to read the first one, but I do not feel like it was necessary as there was enough background information given throughout. If you are looking for a quick, fun, summer read, I would pick this up!

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Master Oradea (Masters of the Consulate Book 10) by Sylvia Black – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Master Oradea (Masters of the Consulate #10)Master Oradea by Sylvia Black
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Master Oradea is tasked with bringing rogue vampires and shifters to justice that are hiding in his territory. The syndicate family in his area are hesitant to join in his pursuit until their sister Natalia is threatened. It is an instant love match that fate has brought into play at just the right time. Unfortunately, there is betrayal and distrust between the vampires and their witch mates. Can they survive to see forever together? Or will fate step in once again and help the rogues to stay one step ahead of Master Descallia and his consulate masters?

This is a quick read. There was an unexpected twist/betrayal that I was hoping would not happen, but at the last minute… ugh. It was a stab in the heart, for sure. At this point, I feel invested in this series, and I want to see it through to the end. While I want to know how it all ends, I am not quite ready to say goodbye to all of these characters. I feel like there is so much more that I need to know about them. All in all, a wonderful addition to the series.

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Finders Keepers, Cowboy (Match Made in Montana Series) by Rachelle Paige Campbell – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Finders Keepers, Cowboy (Match Made in Montana #1)Finders Keepers, Cowboy by Rachelle Paige Campbell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Meg Hawke comes from a founding family line for the town of Herd, Montana. While she didn’t grow up there, she did visit her grandparents nearly every summer. As she grew up, she realized that her heart belonged to the town and worked her way to moving back permanently. Her shop, Finders Keepers, is a resale shop of vintage items that she finds. When her neighbor Hank Kincaid asks her to go through his shed of treasures, she cannot help but jump at the chance. Hank is like a bonus grandfather to her and his grandson, Ryan, has taken over the farm for him. She’s always had a secret crush on Ryan and looks forward to seeing more of him. Ryan, however, is not thrilled with having Meg underfoot and is in fact annoyed; until he realizes what life would be like without her. Can he get past himself and his insecurities to find his happily ever after?

I really enjoyed reading this book. The storyline moved along at a good pace and the characters were relatable as well as likeable. I could not help but root for Meg. I thought the author did a wonderful job of developing their love interest and even interspersed some peer pressure that Meg did not capitulate to. I liked that the author had her hold her ground. Hank was a loveable meddler in his grandson’s life. He could see the good thing that Ryan could have if he just got out of his own head. I am looking forward to reading more about the rest of the single characters in the town of Herd getting matched up by Hank!

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Family Ties Family Lies by Jacqueline Boulden – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Family Ties Family LiesFamily Ties Family Lies by Jacqueline Boulden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rose Webster is a photojournalist on the mend and questioning her next steps for her life. Her most recent assignment put her in the midst of a riotous protest where she was pushed to the ground. Unfortunately, her fall ended up seriously injuring her camera arm. As she is contemplating what comes next for her, her aunt calls and tells her to come home to her hometown of Lake Amelia to help her mother -whose health is in question. When her mother receives bad health news, Rose knows she cannot leave her side as she is her last living parent. In helping her mother prepare for her end stage of life, Rose comes across books signed to her father from an unknown person. When a picture falls out of one of the books, her photojournalist side cannot help but look into it more. As more of the puzzle is revealed, will Rose find the answers she is looking for or will she only find more questions?

This is my first time reading this author and I was not disappointed. The author weaves a very intricate story about family love, loyalty, and forgiveness. Rose discovers that maybe her personal struggles are not so personal but instead an observed behavior that she picked up on growing up. I appreciated how the author brought in other characters from Rose’s formative years who also helped her solve the mystery. The background information given for them wasn’t extensive, but it didn’t need to be, and it was perfectly done. The answer to the mystery was also well done. I didn’t even guess who it could be until a couple pages before the reveal. All in all, it was a good read, and I would pick up a book by this author again.

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Master Botosoni (Masters of the Consulate Book 9) by Sylvia Black – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Master Botosoni (Masters of the Consulate #9)Master Botosoni by Sylvia Black
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Master Botosoni has been tasked with hunting down rogue vampires and traitor shifters who have taken up hiding in his region. When his local bosses send him to a known psychic living in his town, he finds himself in the middle of not only a hunt for the enemy, but also a responsibility to save this young woman from her terrible family. The rest of the masters show up with their mates, and the confrontation is set up. Master Botosoni does his due diligence in furthering the mission first, but will it cost him his mate?

I have been reading this series for a while and enjoy this author. The storyline moved quickly and characters from past books played a role in this book. The traitor was a surprise to me and left me wondering if I had misread past books! I would have liked to have had more information about moments in the book, or more set up for things that occurred. It seemed like an event happened and then there was a little bit of information after the fact. This author is usually very thorough with their writing, so I was a little surprised by it. However, because I have read the previous books, I could fill in information on my own. All in all, this installment moved the series forward and is setting up for the finale.

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Kingdom of 7 Sovereigns – Wolf (Kingdom of 7 Sovereigns Series) by R. C. Reigh – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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

Kingdom of 7 Sovereigns is the first book in this series about four young royals managing their way through a school that began as a way for different kingdoms to build relationships with one another. Coming out of a war that their parents almost lost against the underworld, the royals realized that they had to stop infighting so that they could defeat their common enemy. The forming of a school to teach their children altogether is their hope for a better future of peace. However, their children also have a mind of their own.

Amelia of Avonlee has been promised to Dane of Carpathia and is not too happy about it. She would much rather choose her own path. Dane does not want to make anyone do anything they do not want to do, but fate steps in and has other plans. Cora wants nothing but her cousin Amelia’s happiness and safety. Kessara, the necromancer’s daughter, is a loner that just wants to cause chaos. New friendships are made, hearts are crushed, and attacks abound on this new school. Can these teens work together or will they end up mortal enemies?

This is my first time reading this author. I have to say, I really enjoyed this book! I would have liked more background information on the war, but there is enough given that I could piece it together. The characters were easy to read about and picture in my mind. The relationships made, the self-discovery, and disappointments were relatable even though it is fantasy. I am looking forward to the next book to see where this story goes, especially with Kessara. I hope the author will surprise the readers with a character twist!

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Lost Property (The Tom Grant Series Book 6) by Samantha Adair – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Lost Property: A Tom Grant Novel (The Tom Grant Series Book 6)Lost Property: A Tom Grant Novel by Samantha Adair
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Both Melody and Annika are wanted for the information that they know. With their handler dead, there is only one person they can trust and that is Tom. Tom, however, is out of the game… he’s done. Until…. he gets a call from James asking for help. Isabella is thrown into her past with the emergence of the two girls running from their “owner”. With agencies working hard to bring down the crime ring, can Operation Sweetpea finally be over? With leaks and betrayals at every turn, the race to end it all is proving to be costly.

I enjoyed reading the end of this series. There was so much going on and happening, but I was able to keep track of it all without feeling overwhelmed or lost. The author did a great job of tying up loose ends and wrapping up the storyline. The twists were perfect and kept me guessing. I was very pleased with end and how it all played out.

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Unexpected by Laylah Abrams – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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UnexpectedUnexpected by Laylah Abrams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Claire Morgan has perfected a fake, social personality that she shares with the world at large. She doesn’t have many true friends, and inside she is dying a slow death that no one sees. Nick Holden is struggling to become an artist. His mom is the only one who believes in him and he’s slowly losing hope that he truly can accomplish his dream. One chance evening, the two meet across a restaurant table. Literally. He’s the waiter and she’s the socialite at dinner with her famous friends. They both surprise each other by seeing through the other’s facade. Can they find a way to be together when their worlds are so completely different? Or will the chasm of class keep their love from becoming a reality?

This was a fun read for me. I truly enjoyed the story! The author did a wonderful job of capturing each of the characters vulnerabilities and expressing it well through words. Even though I could not identify with being a rich heiress, I could identify with her feelings of not being good enough and not believing in herself but able to encourage others. Her heartbreak was all too relatable. I felt drawn into the story and didn’t want to put it down until I knew how it all ended. Good read!

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Orenda (The Latitude Series) by T.S. Simons – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Orenda (The Latitude Series Book 2)Orenda by T.S. Simons
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Caitlin and Gio find themselves surrounded by Caitlin’s family. Gio is learning new things through the medical community and getting used to walking on uneven ground. Caitlin is wrapping her head around becoming an ambassador for the collective to the communities that are not included in it yet. Before embarking on their next adventure, they get married with family as witnesses and even share the day with two others! Life seems to be moving along happily until an old nemesis comes back into play. Tragedy strikes and threatens to destroy Caitlin and all that she has worked hard for. Will she be strong enough to get through to the other side? Or will the enemy of improvement win?

While this is only the second book in this series, I have been reading about these communities and people involved in the story for a while. They are like familiar friends. The author has pulled me into this story, and I feel invested in these people’s successes, failures, and heart break. This was a tough book to read in the sense that the tragedy that happens is thoroughly heartbreaking. I couldn’t bring myself to put the book down until I knew how it played out. It is so well written, and I hated that it was over. I always enjoy how the author pulls their titles into the book, too. They always find a way to weave it in and I learn something new with each book I read. This is such a good series. I look forward to seeing what comes next!

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1897 A Mark Sutherland Adventure (Mark Sutherland Adventures) by Kimberly Mullins – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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1897 A Mark Sutherland Adventure1897 A Mark Sutherland Adventure by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mark Sutherland loves adventure! In order to support his ideal lifestyle, he became a reporter. His dream is to go to the Yukon and experience the Canadian Gold Rush. However, he has to pay and exorbitant amount of money to get there. Not to mention, a year’s worth of supplies (including a stove) to be able to survive there, because once you get there, you are iced in until spring. So to save his money to get there, he takes other trips out to Texas and Oklahoma. He has other adventures and ends up befriending Gus, who becomes a good, reliable friend. When he returns from those, he finds out that his trip has been approved, but it comes with a few strings. Can Mark agree to the terms to gain the trip of a lifetime? Or will it become too much to ask of him?

I really love reading this author! Their stories always make me feel like I am right there in history watching the adventures play out in my mind. The characters are written in such a relatable/likeable way that it is easy to want to be their friend! I also enjoyed the mention and interaction with Emma from the author’s Notebook Mysteries series (if you haven’t read that series, you should!). I love that their story is still continuing on with the next generation. It was an enjoyable read and am looking forward to the next in the series!

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Tracker (The Talisman Series) by Tam DeRudder Jackson – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Tracker (The Talisman Series)Tracker by Tam DeRudder Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Riley, with his brother and friend, goes to a party after attending a training on how to find their Talisman- their other half to help guard their back in a battle. All are looking for a good time but also, they each secretly want to be the first to find their Talisman. Lynnette and her friends are at the same party. Knowing that they are to be on the lookout for their warrior, no one really thinks it is going to happen THAT night. Low and behold, Riley and Lynnette are matched pretty quickly. Riley takes Lynnette to a cabin to finish their bonding. However, in his boldness and thrill of being the first of the guys to find his Talisman, he forgets the most critical part. He has left them unprotected and open to attack. Can they complete the ritual before it is too late? Or will they be forever separated because of Riley’s pride?

I started reading this series prior to the prequel. It was nice to be able to read Riley and Lynnette’s origin story. It added a different insight as to how they play their parts in the books I have already read. I do not think I was missing anything, but I enjoyed reading their action-packed story. It was like experiencing a flashback in a movie, only in the book series. It was a quick read and worth reading because I can see the character added in this book coming back to play a bigger role. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series!

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Shadow’s Fall (Shadowstalker Series Book 3) by Natalie Johanson – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Shadow's Fall (Shadowstalker Series Book 3)Shadow’s Fall by Natalie Johanson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rose Trewin finds herself as the newly appointed Chief of the magical Shademaker Clan while trying to control her magic. King Micah had set out to the south in order to capture Gerik, a powerful, evil mage; however, his plans are thwarted and Gerik escapes. When Rose finds out, she instantly knows that her top priority is to track down Gerik and put an end to his evil plans before he can destroy everything and everyone that she loves. As Rose leaves, the king returns to his kingdom only to find that a religious zealot group has turned his peaceful people into intolerant people. Both face their own struggles and trials. As they lean on each other for support, feelings begin to build between the two. Can they both conquer their different trials and find their way back to each other before it’s too late?

I enjoyed the continuation of this series. Rose has to find the courage to face her greatest tormentor and her greatest fear. Micah finds himself stuck between his heart and his duty to the crown. I feel like the author does an excellent job of describing their struggles and how they work through them. The storyline is still building, and I am looking forward to seeing how it all pans out. I am rooting for Rose and Micah!!

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The Calamities of Camden Callahan (A Revenant Novel) by Brittany Tucker – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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The Calamities of Camden Callahan (A Revenant Novel)The Calamities of Camden Callahan by Brittany Tucker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Camden has been running from his true identity since he was a young boy. Before his mother dies, she entrusts him to a pirate to save him from a fate worse than death. However, death comes knocking in the form of a Revenant (a person who has died but comes back with elemental powers) attack on his boat. Even though he should have died, he finds himself awakened as none other than a Revenant with fire powers and his captain and friends missing. His search brings him into a partnership that needs him to claim his true identity. Can he find his captain and friends before his past catches up to him? Will he be able to turn an acquaintance into a partner before it’s too late?

This was my first time reading this author and I truly enjoyed reading this book. I loved getting to know Camden and his mates, as well as his newfound friends. This wasn’t at all what I was expecting as I got deeper into the book. I did like the justice that was served and the opening for more books in this series. The fact that there is room for character growth is what will bring me back to read the next book. I want to see the fallout continue for the people pulling the strings, per se. Overall, I felt that it was very well written and well thought out.

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Notebook Mysteries ~ Parisian Intrigue (Notebook Mysteries Book 6) by Kimberly Mullins – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Notebook Mysteries ~ A Party to RememberNotebook Mysteries ~ A Party to Remember by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Emma and gang are preparing for the holidays, as well as a wedding for her co-worker and friend. In the midst of all the preparations, an invitation arrives for a party thrown by an acquaintance. Normally, Emma loves a good party, but this invitation falls under suspicion when she finds out who the rest of the guests are. Is Emma’s intuition, correct? Will this be a party to remember?

This is such a great addition to the Notebook Mysteries series. This novella was fast paced and full of moving parts in the plot. Past characters resurface and Emma is thrown into the middle of trying to figure out the line between trust and suspicion. And on top of that, she and Jeremy are now guardians of a small girl. I really think we are going to see Emma grow more in her roles as the series continues. Looking forward to the next installment!

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Master Campania (Masters of the Consulate Book 7) by Sylvia Black – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Master Campania: Dark Vampire Romance (Masters of the Consulate Book 7)Master Campania: Dark Vampire Romance by Sylvia Black
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Master Campania is not happy that he has witches in his territory, and what is even worse is that they are defectors. When he is tasked with finding them and getting information from them, he can’t help but feel pulled toward one spunky witch in particular. Willow has heard about pure blooded vampires, how dangerous they are, to steer clear and to never trust one. However, as she is forced to help Campania find rogue witches that will in turn lead to rogue vampires, she can’t help but feel like she was lied to. Both have been told witches and vampires should never mix. Yet there is a definite magnetism between the two of them that neither can deny. Or can they? Will they be able to put aside past prejudices and work together to find the rogue witches and vampires?

This was a quick read for me. I have enjoyed reading this series from the beginning, and it was a good addition to the series. I would have liked to have had more story between Campania and Willow. But that is just me wanting to be immersed in their world a little bit longer. It seems like there will be one more book to wrap up the series. I am looking forward to seeing who has taken up the mantle of dissent. There are so many characters in this world that I would suggest reading them in order.

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The Ring of Eagna (The Cross of Ciaran Book 4) by Andrea Matthews – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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The Ring of Eagna (The Cross of Ciaran #4)The Ring of Eagna by Andrea Matthews
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ciaran and Aodhan Donnelly are brought back together in Ireland to celebrate a wedding for one of their chosen family members. As they both have families of their own now, they find their past is not quite ready to stay there. Their book from their Tuath has a clue as to where there are hidden treasures, and the team/family is all for solving the riddle. However, they soon discover that someone else is also seeking the same treasures. When lives become threatened, can they discover the answer to getting to the treasure first to protect it? Or will they be doomed to losing a big part of their past to wily thieves?

I enjoy reading this series. The author does a wonderful job of writing inner dialogues that one would have with themself, should they be a person in the situation presented. For instance, Ciaran is used to being the center of attention with his wife. When he feels pushed to the side by the presence of his children, the author does a fantastic job of going through how he feels, recognizing that his behavior is selfish, and looking beyond himself to see what his wife is going through as well. There is growth in not only their relationship because of this, but also in the relationship that Ciaran has with his family members that help him confront his thinking. I like reading examples of good family communication, even if it is a fictional family! I am left wondering and hoping that there will be more in this series. If there are more, I will be picking them up to read!

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Notebook Mysteries ~ Parisian Intrigue (Notebook Mysteries Book 6) by Kimberly Mullins – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Parisian Intrigue (Notebook Mysteries #6)Parisian Intrigue by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Emma, Jeremy, Dora, and Tim receive an anonymous gift of a trip to Paris during the time of the Exposition. After checking to make sure the gift is legit, they hop aboard a train to get to the ship that takes them across the pond to France. Both couples make new friends on the trip over, and Emma has a hard time adjusting to the idea of not having Dora to herself. She finds herself feeling suspicious of Dora and Tim’s new “friends”. She tries to put those fears aside and just enjoy the trip, but too many “happenings” pop up to keep it all as innocent as it seems. Of course, there is mystery and hijinks happening… I mean, it’s Emma! How could there not be? As the mysteries begin to pile up, Emma finds that her reputation precedes her, which works out fortuitously for all involved!

I truly enjoy this series! The antics, the banter, the characters, they all draw me into the story and time. The author does a fantastic job of finding historical stories and adding her characters into the mix of what could have been happening behind the scenes. The amount of detail and care taken to describe what is going on around them and how the characters feel about what is happening was perfect for me. I felt like I could see their expressions and excitement as they first beheld the Exposition and all of its grandeur. I felt the crush of the crowds as they tried to work their way inside or out of exhibits. It was engaging and very well thought out. I look forward to the next one!

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Forbidden Blood (The Shadow Chronicles Book 4) by CR Robertson – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Forbidden Blood (The Shadow Chronicles Book 4)Forbidden Blood by C.R. Robertson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Kimber has been hidden away for the majority of her life. When she gets to her tipping point, she finds her destiny in Fabian. He sees her for who she really is and teachers her how to come into her power to take her rightful place in the role of the war they are in. Everything isn’t simple though and there are other entities at play that have only been watching for far too long; refusing to intervene. Can Kimber reach her full potential before they can be ripped apart? Or are they doomed to find each other only to lose everything to the war at hand?

I really enjoy this series. I love seeing the characters find their people and new ways to beat back evil. Fabian was a wonderful addition to the storyline. He brings his unique perspective to the table and calls out a lot of mistaken thought processes. He single handedly manages to baffle every one of the team at one point or another too. I look forward to more of this series!

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House of Arsceneaux (Servants of Morrigan: Immortal Creatures) by Caterina Novelliere – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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House of ArsceneauxHouse of Arsceneaux by Caterina Novelliere
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Caitlin DeDanann is a woman full of ambition. She loves her job but is looking forward to a good break from it. Her boss has other ideas that include adding on a week of work to her vacation. And as much as she hates to do it, she does. Little does she know that the past is about to catch up with her. When she is drawn to a strange chef, she finds out that they have a shared history. As it all start rushing back to her, they find out that there is a more to their past lives than they originally thought. Can they find a way to beat the curse that was laid on them centuries ago? Or are they doomed to be lost to each other again??

This is my first time reading this author and now I feel like I need to read more of their stories! The story drew me in very quickly with all the little hints as to what was going to happen. And just as I thought I had it figured out, there was MORE! It was a good read, quick paced and fun. I enjoyed the characters and how she wasn’t a damsel in distress that needed to be rescued. I look forward to more from this world that the author has written.

This is an adult book. 🙂

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Soul Redeemed (War of Destiny Book 5) by Theresa Van Spankeren – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Soul Redeemed (War of Destiny #5)Soul Redeemed by Theresa Van Spankeren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Julia is still honing her skill to reach out to the spirits of passed friends. With her ka-tet, she finds building trust with them all to be daunting. While some are willing to believe that she can speak to the dead, others remain skeptical. As Valentino’s band brings trouble to their area, can she manage to strengthen her abilities to help defeat them, or will she still be the weak link that they fear and cause their destruction?

This series seems to be building to a big face off, and I am looking forward to it. With some many characters in different areas, I found myself hoping they would all gather together in this book. They didn’t, but there are reasons for that which are left to be seen by the reader. I appreciated the author taking the time to describe how Julia works through her trauma, how others encourage her, and how they help her. Definitely looking forward to seeing the outcome and how everyone pulls together to defeat Valentino in the end.

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The Hussar’s Duty (The Winged Warrior Series Book 3) by Griffin Brady – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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The Hussar's Duty (The Winged Warrior #3)The Hussar’s Duty by Griffin Brady
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jacek is a man bound by duty to his country. He loves his wife and his children deeply, but the call of his country runs deeper. As he is once again called upon, he feels the same invigoration of going on campaign and readying for war. However, this time his wife has decided to accompany him part way. Her observations of what she sees happening falls on his loyal-blind eyes. After their first conflict, he finds scales falling from his eyes and finally sees what his wife observed. Is he too late to return to his family? Will this be his last campaign?

Being a military spouse, I feel like this book resonated with me on a deeper level than maybe a person not connected to the military. It gave me a different perspective on how my spouse perhaps looks at his duty to his country. I appreciated seeing Jacek battle with his feelings and finally seeing that his wife’s observations were truer than he wanted to see. On the other hand, I also liked seeing how his wife supported him despite his duty-bound heart. In truth, this was a timely read for me.

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Bound by the Hinterlands by Bree M. Lewandowski – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Bound by the HinterlandsBound by the Hinterlands by Bree M. Lewandowski
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cressida’s father is not one for affection. In fact, he is downright abusive. As his health is failing, she begins to see a glimmer of freedom at the end of a very long and stressful tunnel that has been her life for twenty-five years. However, just as she thinks that she will be free of her life of burden, she has the rug pulled out from under her once again. She finds out that she has been betrothed to someone and it is not just anyone either, but the ruler of the neighboring county in the Hinterlands, Baron Caravahl Alzeid. The Hinterlands are known for their strange, creepy woods that surrounds the keep. Stories that are shared of it are ones that give children nightmares, and she is going to live there and help rule.

Once married and on their way, Cressida finds that while the rumors of the Hinterlands are partially true, she is pleasantly surprised to find the Baron is actually a man of honor who loves his county and people dearly. She discovers that she is happy to be his helpmate in preparing for unexpected guests and in all things to help with the county’s residents. As more background about the Hinterlands comes to light, there comes a point where a choice has to be made by the baron. Can he share all things that ruling the county comes with or will Cressida falter and flee in fear? Can they trust each other implicitly with each other’s hearts and break the curse of the land or will they be doomed in the demise of the land?

I enjoyed this read! It was quick and easy to get into and feel like a part of the story. There were sad parts of the story where I just wanted to give Cressida a great big hug and times where I wanted to cheer for her. She’s a spunky character that doesn’t let her upbringing dictate her future. She takes charge, as much as she can at times, and always works for the betterment of others. I feel like the author did a wonderful job of having them fall in love in the right time and not be over the top about it.

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