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To be a Fae Legend (Realm Chronicles Book 3) by Tricia Copeland – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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To be a Fae LegendTo be a Fae Legend by Tricia Copeland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Titania finds herself in the midst of helping the witches thwart evil, courting -not one, but four suitors, and keeping up with ruling her kingdom! She is stretched to the max but will do anything to keep her fae safe. As she comes into more of her role as queen, she is greeted with resistance from other kings and even some princes. Since she is struggling to tap into her power, she seeks out help from the witches and then from her cousins. Can she find a way to her power before it’s too late? Will she be able to find a prince that she can align herself with and grow to love? Or will she just be destined to fail on all fronts?

This is a really interesting series. Titania is a force to be reckoned with and a lot of the older male fae don’t know how to deal with that. She is constantly coming up with ways to save her kingdom in innovative ways, but it never seems to be enough. I hope that eventually they see what she does for all of them, not just her kingdom, and are grateful. The intrigue has me coming back and wanting to finish the series, so I know how it all ends! This was a fun read and an excellent addition to this series! Can’t wait for the next one!

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The Crown of Stones: Magic-Borne (The Crown of Stones Book 3) by C.L. Schneider – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Magic-Borne (The Crown of Stones #3)Magic-Borne by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ian Troy has taken the power of the crown into himself to keep his father from using it against the realm. As he continues to figure out the cost of that decision, he is faced with a dire vision of a future he’s not sure he can change. However, to save those he loves, he will do what it takes to see peace. Or will he? Inevitably he and his friends face death and destruction in the final showdown with his father. Will the cost be too great for Ian? Or will peace finally reign?

This was the final book in this series of Ian Troy and The Crown of Stones. It was a good closing to an epic ride, but also left it open for the next series to spin off. Ian’s sacrificial love for those who are part of his inner circle, is that of deep familial love. He drew people from different backgrounds together and built a chosen family that fought and sacrificed for each other. There were times that he was surprised that others would take up for him, even though he would -without question- stand for them. I think a lot of people think the same way. We would sacrifice for the ones we love but are surprised when they choose to do the same for us.

I enjoyed this series. I was a little sad that it was the ending, but then happily surprised to find out that there is a spin off in the works!

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

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

Baz used to be a warrior but when he turned 28 without finding his talisman, he chose to become a rogue. He couldn’t bear the thought of living in hiding trying to stay alive, so he chose to fight and find other rogues like him who still had some sense of honor left. Unbeknownst to him, his talisman can still be found and is very much in the area. Delaney Ferrell comes barging into his life when she finds a rogue (him) checking out her truck. She doesn’t take kindly to him being near her, her truck, or finding out that she is his talisman. As they work together to figure out how a rogue can still find his talisman even after their window of opportunity is missed, they find themselves stuck between the warriors and the rogues. Can they find a compromise to make it work? Or will they be doomed to be outcasts of both?

This series intrigued me from the beginning. It was fun reading about a rogue and what they might be going through in regard to how they feel when they don’t really have a choice about their future. Since the warriors are always fighting against them, it was good to see how they might feel when confronted with someone that they trained with that felt they had to pick the other side. Delaney is a strong female character that wasn’t afraid to hang with the boys or duke it out. All in all, it was a quick read. Definitely an adult read as the bonding is graphic.

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Fallen Soul (War of Destiny Book 4) by Theresa Van Spankeren – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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

Lane Marlow is a wanted vampire and has been for decades. He has been forced to travel and survive on his own due to Valentino’s edict to kill him on sight. When he is surprised one night by a vampire named Julia that doesn’t know him, isn’t scared of him, and actually apologizes to him for catching him off guard -which has never happened before- he is intrigued. It’s been a long time since anyone was even remotely close to being friendly with him. As he gets to know Julia and her group, he finds himself at a crossroads. He could help them or stay out of their power struggles with Valentino. However, could this be the answer to ending his forced solitary lifestyle? Could they actually become friends??

This book is Lane’s perspective of what happened in book 3 of this series. I appreciated that the author gave him his own book so that the reader could get a different point of view of what happened AND gave us backstory on how Lane came to be a feared loner. I feel like the thought process of someone that has been on his own for a long time was captured well. I am looking forward to the next book to see what happens next.

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Notebook Mysteries ~ Suspicions (Notebook Mysteries Book 5) by Kimberly Mullins – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Notebook Mysteries ~ Suspicions (Notebook Mysteries book #5)Notebook Mysteries ~ Suspicions by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Emma and Jeremy find themselves in the middle of a very unsavory mystery involving children. While they work their way through finding the person in charge of these despicable crimes, they are brought back into contact with someone from Emma’s past. Sorting through everything drains them both physically and emotionally. When they are surprised with a much-needed beach vacation, they jump on the chance to go. As they part ways to work different cases, they think life will return to a more normal pace. However, a friend’s visiting family member starts acting a little too forward in his attentions to Emma. Will Jeremy make it back before this person crosses the line? Can they answer the questions that arise because of him?

I enjoy this series. This book was heavier than any of the others concerning the subject matter. While the topic was heavy, the author didn’t get bogged down in the details of how heinous some acts were, letting the reader come to their own conclusions. I appreciated that immensely. Emma is still her precocious self, and Jeremy loves her quirkiness. The reader gets to see a very protective side of Jeremy in this book that I liked too. Sometimes he seems to just go with the flow, but he really put the pants on with their unwanted guest. All in all, it was an excellent addition to this series!

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Spirit Guide (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries Book 3) by Byrd Nash – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Spirit Guide (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries #3)Spirit Guide by Byrd Nash
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Elinor Chalamet is BACK and has a pesky apprentice to boot! After not hearing from the Duke de Archambeau for months, he suddenly reappears with a request for help from Elinor. His friend’s daughter has disappeared, and the man is adamant that the Morpheus Society is to blame. Seeing as how this is the very institution that helped Elinor hone her skills, she feels obligated to investigate. As she digs deeper into the mystery, she discovers that her annoying apprentice, Twyla, is skilled in getting into The Beyond. With the stakes high, the duke adds a kiss to the mix to have Elinor questioning his high handedness with how she is working the case. Will she finally get answers from him about how he feels towards her? Will she be able to find the missing daughter before it is too late?

I thoroughly enjoy this series. Elinor is such a fun character! She has so many questions and you think she’s going to get the answers but for every one answered, it seems like 4 more pop up. I felt bad for her for not getting all of the answers she was looking for but also encouraged because she deserves some happiness. While she isn’t thrilled with having an apprentice, I can see how she is going to mold her into someone that will be an asset to her growing team of mystery solvers. Can’t wait for the next book!!

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How To Write A Historical Novel And Love It by TL Clark – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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How To Write A Historical Novel And Love ItHow To Write A Historical Novel And Love It by T.L. Clark
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow. This book is fantastically written, in my opinion. The author truly dives into every aspect of writing a book. From characters to publishing to picking the time frame of the story, the information is perfectly done. I didn’t feel like I was being pulled into the weeds of the how-to part of writing. The author gave a great overview of how to think about writing as well as executing it. I got the digital version of this book, and I will be looking to get a print copy. This way I am able to flip back and forth through the chapters and tab the most helpful (to me) parts!

After reading this book, I feel like I was given information to write a book to the best of my ability with the options laid out, as to how I would go about getting published. I don’t know that I am particularly ready to write at this point, but for sure will be keeping this book close to ruminate over in the coming months.

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What I Wish I’d Known: For Writers by H.D. Thomson – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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What I Wish I'd Known: For Writers: 100 Authors Reveal What They Wish They'd Told Their Younger SelvesWhat I Wish I’d Known: For Writers: 100 Authors Reveal What They Wish They’d Told Their Younger Selves by H. D. Thomson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed reading this book. It was fascinating to see inside the minds of different authors and how they each felt about their writing careers. Topics covered ranged from actually writing to the power of faith in yourself and the process of dealing with self-doubt, advice and the worth of persistence. All in all, I appreciated getting an insight into the author’s retrospection on their career and how they became published by finding their own process. It was encouraging and enlightening, all at once!

If anyone is thinking of becoming an author, I feel like this is a great book to add to your library to encourage you on days that are hard. Something you can have in your back pocket on to pull you out of the mire of bad thoughts.

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Master Calabrea (Masters of the Consulate Book 6) by Sylvia Black – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Master Calabrea: Dark Vampire Romance (Masters of the Consulate Book 6)Master Calabrea: Dark Vampire Romance by Sylvia Black
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Master Calabrea is in charge of finding the traitor, Isala, and bringing her in alive for interrogation. He is prepared to do just that, until he is paired with a red-headed, vixen named Tansia. He doesn’t know what to make of her at first. She’s feisty, tough, and seems to be able to hold her own. As Tansia begins to have psychic abilities emerge, she finds that she is useful to their cause and that deep down she WANTS to be a part of the world she is helping to defend. When she’s attacked and left for dead though, can she be saved in time? Or is it too late for her to find a future with Master Calabrea?

This book was fast paced, much like the other books in this series. I appreciated how the author has Tansia work though her baggage from a past relationship and how it hinders her moving on -being honest not only with herself but with Calabrea, as well. The story ends in a HUGE cliffhanger that will have me looking for book 7! I felt like the series was ALMOST wrapped up but then I find out there are MORE bad guys?!? Definitely, looking forward to what will happen next!

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True Colors (Landry’s True Colors Series Book One) by Krysten Lindsay Hager – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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True Colors (Landry's True Colors #1)True Colors by Krysten Lindsay Hager
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Landry dreams of being someone that lives an interesting life. A life where people stop you to ask about it, admire it, and are even a little jealous of it. When she gets chosen to advance in a modeling opportunity and her two best friends don’t, she starts to see that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. In fact, sometimes it is a very lonely place to be. Her “friends” drop her, and Landry is left to find new friends. As she begins to make a new friend group, and finally feel like she’s on even ground again, her old friends pretend like nothing ever happened! Stuck in the middle of two sets of friends, Landry finds who herself really questioning what a good friend really is. Can she reconcile with her two best friends and not alienate her new friends? Or will she have to choose between them?

This is my first time reading this author and I have to say, I was pretty impressed! I think they did an excellent job of tapping into a fourteen-year-old girl’s mind! I was kind of blown away by how many feelings it brought up from my own past middle school friendships. I felt like all the teenagers and their parents were depicted in a down to earth, very relatable way. It was easy to see the story playing out in my mind while I read this. lf I had a younger daughter that was preparing for eighth grade/freshman year of high school, I would have her read this!

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The 45th Parallel (Antipodes Series Book 6) by T.S. Simons – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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The 45th Parallel (Antipodes, #6)The 45th Parallel by T.S. Simons
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Caitlin and Seraphine are fed up with their lives being ordered around and planned for them. They long for adventure! One way to get to an adventure faster is to reactivate the Nexus that their parents shut down fourteen years ago. Imagine their surprise when they do such and then find themselves in a completely different community; one they never even knew of existing. They quickly learn that there are more communities like the one they landed in, and they are all underwater. While some of the communities have thrived as best they can, other communities have become more militaristic in their pursuit to stay alive. All of the lessons that they have learned over the years, be it by schooling or punishment, serves them in their very real situation of trying to stay alive long enough to contact home. Can they get back home at all? Or will they have opened up home to invasion by the communities that are struggling to survive? Will there even be a home to return to?

This was a fascinating read for me! Having read this series from the beginning, it was fun to see the girls’ point of view on how they saw things transpire. The book is from Caitlin’s point of view, and she is a 21-year-old struggling to come to grips with what it means for her to have a “special role” to fulfill in order for mankind to even have the possibility of living outside the domes and underwater communities. I think the author caught her angst of wanting to be on her own, but guilt at how she snuck around, and also leading her sister into danger. It was interesting to find out there were whole new communities and their struggles; seeing how they chose to deal with dwindling resources. While some exceeded expectations, other grew hostile and guarded.

I am looking forward to seeing the next installment in this series and what the author adds next!

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Titanian Warrior (Titanian Chronicles Book 3) by Victoria Saccenti – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Titanian Warrior (Titanian Chronicles #3)Titanian Warrior by Victoria Saccenti
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Hagan has almost lost himself to the unmated Titanian curse. He knows he has gone too far and tries to make amends for his wrong doings. However, that lands him in the hands of a very deadly necromancer. His saving grace is there waiting for him, though. Faiza takes one look at Hagan and KNOWS that she has to save him. In the process of rescuing him from a fate worse than death, Faiza discovers that she is part of an even bigger plot by the universe to help save mankind. Can she come to terms with this new life of Titans, mates, and evil necromancers in time to be of help? Or will she condemn them all to a worse fate because she cannot trust her new life, mate, and friends?

This is the third installment of this series. I HIGHLY recommend you read them in order from the beginning. There are so many characters filling different roles that it would be easy to get lost in the plot. They are strong characters that all work together to overcome the evil that threatens our world, though. Faiza’s struggle to move past familial loyalty was well written as well as her doubts about what was happening to her. Her acceptance of herself is struggle that I think everyone can identify with. It will be interesting to see how the series progresses from here.

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Talisman (The Talisman Series Book 1) by Tam DeRudder Jackson – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Talisman: The Talisman SeriesTalisman: The Talisman Series by Tam DeRudder Jackson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rowan runs his family’s security firm by day and is a warrior by trade, fighting against the curse laid on his family by the Morrigan centuries ago. (A warrior has to find his talisman before his 28th birthday or he has to options. Become a slave to the Morrigan or become a rogue warrior fighting for his life.) As he nears his 28th birthday, he finds himself trying to beat the clock to find his talisman, his protector. Alyssa just wants to make it through her dissertation on Celtic history. After the loss of her grandmother and her fiancée walking out, she is just not sure how much more she can handle. So, when she finds footprints around her house, she seeks out a security firm to help her safeguard her house. Unbeknownst to her, Rowan is the answer to all of her problems and vice versa. As he thrusts himself into her life and inundates her with information that her grandmother should have given her, she becomes even more overwhelmed. It’s not every day that you find out that you are destined to break a centuries old curse on the families of warriors and talismans. Can she handle all the pressure to defeat Morrigan and her sister and break the curse, once and for all? Or will they all be destined to repeat the process for another century?

This was a fascinating read in the sense that I felt like I was learning and reading a story. The characters all had relatable insecurities as the work together to defeat the Morrigan. I think the author did a wonderful job of writing a wallflower’s perspective of being thrust into an unknown world and trying to navigate everything essentially as an outsider. Having to earn trust is huge, especially when it has been broken before. As the first book in the series, it left the door open for more exciting things to happen. Looking forward to seeing what comes next!

This is an adult book.

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Delicious Death (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries Book 2) by Byrd Nash – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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

Elinor is invited to attend the king’s Winter Revels – where chefs compete for the king’s favor. She is thrilled to be attending because life has been a tad boring, and her favorite chef will be competing! Elinor brings her friend, Dr. LaRue, along so they can both enjoy good food and some relaxation. However, when the king is poisoned and there is trouble afoot, who better to help the king’s man, Duke Archambeau, solve the mystery than Elinor? Can they find the culprit before it’s too late?

This continuation of the series did not disappoint! I feel like I was drawn in even more to the mystery of Elinor and the duke! The other characters and their issues were well rounded and a fantastic addition to the story. I am truly enjoying this author’s work. They explain what is happening well enough that you do not feel inundated with information.

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Ghost Talker (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries Book 1) by Byrd Nash – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Ghost Talker (Madame Chalamet Ghost Mysteries #1)Ghost Talker by Byrd Nash
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Elinor is a Ghost Talker in league with the Morpheus Group. She works with the local authorities and her friend, Dr. LaRue, who works in the morgue to solve murders. When a man related to the king winds up dead, a crown goes missing, and everything is hanging on both to be solved before it becomes a political nightmare… Elinor finds herself adding yet another accomplice to solve this mystery. The widowed Duke Archambeau is the king’s man, not one to look for help, and definitely NOT a believer in Ghost Talkers. However, as he finds himself in need of Elinor’s help, he can’t help but become a little intrigued by the whole ghost talking thing, as well as Elinor. Will they be able to solve the mystery before it causes political unrest? Can Elinor resist the lure of solving Duke Archambeau’s supposed ghost?

I really enjoyed this book. It was quick moving, well written, and I loved all the characters. I couldn’t help but love Elinor’s frankness with the duke, and how he just didn’t really know what to do with her. I like that they didn’t instantly fall in love, but all signs point to a slow building relationship. This is a fresh hearted and informative read. I am looking forward to reading the next installments of this series. I truly cannot wait to see how their relationship continues to grow!

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Whispers in the Waters (Blood of the Fae) by Sarah Chilson – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Whispers in the WatersWhispers in the Waters by Sarah Chislon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Jessa is the youngest daughter of a widowed father, who has his sister filling the void of mother for his daughters. Growing up, Jessa is inexplicably drawn to plants and flowers. They seem to want to sing to her, but her father has strictly forbidden her from pursuing such thoughts as it could lead to being “fae-touched”. People who are “fae-touched” are turned over to the Vigil, who in turn take them away to some unknown place. When her aunt is summoned to help a friend in a border town, Jessa jumps at the chance to leave their quiet town for the opportunity to sketch other plants and protect her aunt. However, she finds it harder and harder to block out the whispers as she is drawn into a mystery that must be solved before the wrong person is blamed. Can she keep the whispers at bay? Or will she find that she must embrace the whispers to solve the issue at hand?

I really enjoyed reading this book. The characters were well written, and the story moved along at a good pace. It was interesting to read how Jessa worked through her struggles and found herself in the process of solving the mystery. There is more to her story then the author let the reader in on and several questions left unanswered in regard to her family. I am looking forward to reading more about Jessa’s story!

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The Daredevil (WaterFyre Rising Book 2) by Nadia Han – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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The Daredevil (WaterFyre Rising, #2)The Daredevil by Nadia Han
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Michelle is a travel blogger who writes from her heart. When she is approached by a beauty company based in Iceland to help promote their natural based beauty products to consumers, she decides to jump on the chance to return to the country that spoke to her soul years prior. Before she can get settled into her surroundings, fate seems to step in and make her life difficult by bringing in accidents and old nemeses, However, it also provides her with someone to help her. And that someone happens to be Royce. She kind of knows him through mutual friends but quickly discovers that she really wants to KNOW him and what makes him tick. Can she separate business from pleasure? Or will she be lost to his overwhelming Viking charisma?

Royce has seen Michelle and interacted with her on the peripheral for years. She is the best friend of his best friend’s sister. He’s always been intrigued by her, but their lives never seemed to line up to really get to know each other. The fates align when she takes a job in Iceland, his home country, and needs help on day one. As he spends more time with her, he finds that he is fascinated by her and wants to know her on every level. As someone who doesn’t believe in love, he finds himself questioning his own line of thinking. Can Michelle change his mind on love? When her livelihood and life are threatened, can he keep her safe and not get entangled?

The second book in this series was not a disappointment. Both Michelle and Royce have their own demons that they are fighting daily. When they open up to each other, they finally find healing. I enjoyed how they knew each other and when they looked back over their lives, there were instances that drew them together without them really knowing it or seeing it until they thought about it. If fates truly aligned, this is a perfect example of it.

The continuation of the overarching mystery gathers more depth and encompasses so much more than just the crime that the guys witnessed. It seems to be growing larger than just their city, too. It will be interesting to see where the author goes with it! Looking forward to the next book!

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The Mastermind (WaterFyre Rising Book 1) by Nadia Han – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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The Mastermind (WaterFyre Rising, #1)The Mastermind by Nadia Han
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Audri has known Remington for years. He is her brother’s best friend. So, he should be off limits… but she has harbored a HUGE crush on him for as long as she can remember. When he buys the company she is currently working for, could it be fate stepping in to push them together?

Remington has always been drawn to Audri from the moment he met her. However, he won’t cross the line to pursue anything because it goes against the bro code. But when her life is threatened and it seems like someone is gunning for her, he can’t help his overwhelming desire to protect what he considers his. Can he hold the line and just protect? Or will he lose his heart to someone who can help make him whole?

This is my first time reading this author and I genuinely enjoyed it! There’s an overarching mystery that is playing out over this series, a crime the 5 male friends witnessed in their teens. They think they can ignore it and it won’t bother them and theirs, but they are mistaken as it starts to pull in the loves of their lives. The set up for this mystery was done well, in my opinion. I liked how things are mentioned in passing and then become bigger later on in the book. There were some twists that I didn’t see coming and it kept me reading.

Looking forward to the rest of the books in this series!

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Much Ado About Dying (Guardians of the PHAE Book 2) by Rowan Dillon – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Much Ado About Dying: An Irish Urban Fantasy NovelMuch Ado About Dying: An Irish Urban Fantasy Novel by Rowan Dillon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Following the fallout of the attack from the PEM (Pure Earth Movement), the PHAE (Protectorate for unHidden Advancement and Education) find themselves struggling to heal all those that were harmed. While healing the outer wounds, Roisin finds a deeper sickness that she can’t quite grasp to heal with her powers. She and others request the help of the old Irish gods. But their help will come at a cost. Will their cost be too high a toll? Can they find a way to protect themselves from PEM without the gods help?

This book picks up right after book 1. The story was intriguing, and I kept reading because I wanted to know how it was all going to work out. There was a lot of information but not quite an inundation of it like in the first one. Seeing the introduction of the gods with each of the characters whose power coincides with was quite an addition to the story. In my opinion, the author did a fantastic job capturing how the gods would think as opposed to humankind. The conclusion has promise of being epic. I truly hope that it is!

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Falling Home (Buckeye Falls Book 1) by Libby Kay – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Falling HomeFalling Home by Libby Kay
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Ginny and Max were married, high school sweethearts. Everything was great until their dreams seemed to fork in different directions. Ginny followed her dream job to New York and Max stayed in their hometown. A couple years later, Ginny finds herself returning to her hometown to take care of her father. When she can’t avoid running into her ex… she finds that her feelings for Max, while buried, are still very much there. Can they find a way back together again? Or is it too late for them to bring their paths back together again?

What a sweet story! I truly enjoyed reading this book. Ginny and Max’s story is a beautiful one that isn’t too far from reality to be believable. Both of them love the other deeply, but lost sight of their love by letting life get in the way. I love how Max never truly gave up on Ginny. Their heartache and struggle to find each other again is similar to a Hallmark story. This is a sweet, heartwarming read!

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The Fifth Daughter of Thorn Ranch by Julia Brewer Daily – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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The Fifth Daughter of Thorn RanchThe Fifth Daughter of Thorn Ranch by Julia Brewer Daily
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Emma is the heiress to one of the biggest ranches in Texas. Growing up, she always knew that she would one day take over the ranch operations. For generations the Rosales women have taken on the role of caretaker for Thorn Ranch, so it is only right that she is next. But what if she doesn’t even want to run the ranch? While riding the ranch one day, Emma’s horse is hurt, and she has to put him down before walking back home. When a sudden storm breaks over her, she seeks shelter in a cave. Only the cave isn’t a home to an animal, it is the gateway to a whole other civilization – living right on her ranch. Can she make her way home before her parents lose hope on ever finding her? Or will she discover a different purpose for her life?

This is my first time reading this author and I found the book fascinating. The use of going back and forth between Emma’s past, her present, and her parents’ present point of views rounded out the story. Emma’s inner turmoil surrounding her inheritance was well written and I think encompassed most young people who have struggled with huge responsibilities weighing on them. It was a read that I didn’t want to put down, because I had to know if she would return home. No spoilers, but it is worth the read!

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Snow in Love by Libby Kay – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Snow in LoveSnow in Love by Libby Kay
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sienna is a competitive skier in the Paralympics. She has grown up knowing that one day all of her hard work will pay off in the form of a gold medal. When her controlling mother sets up extra training over the Christmas break to prepare for the upcoming games, she is anything but excited. Connor is known in the motocross community as a bad boy, until he has an accident that takes part of one of his legs. In order to reach that rush of adrenaline from his motocross days, he becomes a skier. Both are thrown together to train over Christmas break in a ski resort that is empty because it is being renovated. It’s just them, the slopes and their trainer. Will they be able to find a balance between love and competition? Or will one have to come before the other?

This was a quick, fun, Christmas read! I found the characters to be believable and likable. While I am not a skier, I found the story to not be too bogged down with skiing lingo. I was able to follow along with what the characters were talking about and enjoyed the emotional storyline. Sienna is used to her mother making decisions for her and it takes love to kind of wake her up to the fact that she can choose, too. I appreciated that Connor doesn’t make her choose him or skiing. He sees her for what she is and wants what is best for her, even if he isn’t part of it.

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After She Became a Lady by Wareeze Woodson – Review By Desiree Ottinger

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After She Became a LadyAfter She Became a Lady by Wareeze Woodson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Laurel is young, in love, and desperate to marry her hero, Lord Laningham. When her aunt agrees to let her marry, she is beyond thrilled to become his wife. However, before they even leave the countryside for his estate, she starts to wonder if everything will be as wonderful as she has imagined it would be. Surprised to find out that he has a twin sister that has been in the role as Lady Laningham, she finds herself in a struggle to take the reins of her new household. Further complications arise when Lord Laningham is called away to Spain on urgent orders. When nighttime noises begin, and midnight intruders are spotted, she tries to convey her fear only to be met with prejudice against her age. Lord Laningham returns wounded to furth complicate matters in their marriage. Can they survive their first year of marriage together? Or will family bonds win over marriage vows?

I really liked this book. Oftentimes books set in the Regency era are centered around finding love, complications arise, and then their happily ever after ending. This book is the after story of it all. I really appreciated a different insight as to being married in that era and dealing with all of the intricacies of running a household, country gossip, and staying true to vows made. This was a very enjoyable read.

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Kamana Wanalaya by Susan Renee – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Kamana Wanalaya for the Holidays: A Grinchy/Sunshine Holiday RomanceKamana Wanalaya for the Holidays: A Grinchy/Sunshine Holiday Romance by Susan Renee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Tenley has a podcast giving advice to people on how to have “practical adult relationships”. She does not believe that love conquers all and has no interest in being swayed in her opinion. Teagan is a self-proclaimed “love guru” and believes that love truly is the most wonderful thing in the world. During an interview, Teagan, AKA TJ Mack, throws down a challenge for Tenley, AKA TJ on Par, to join him for a week-long vacation to Hawaii at the resort Kamana Wanalaya to see if he can change her mind. And if he cannot, he will donate 10K to her podcast. Thinking she’s in for a free tropical vacation and can skate through the week on her own, she accepts! Only once she is there does she find out that it is a couple’s retreat week, they are rooming together, assigned to a table with other couples, AND they are going to be pretending to be a couple! Can she make it through the week pretending to be in love without succumbing to love?

I literally laughed out loud at several points in this book! The situation and story line are very believable, as are all the characters. Throughout the book you get to read Tenley and Teagan’s perspectives but there is also a chapter for each of the other couples sprinkled in there. After the epilogue the author explains that they all have their own books, too! That was fun to find out and I will now be looking into those books. 🙂 I really liked how social media played a role in this plot and not always in a good way.

Also, this is my first time reading this author and I have to say that I genuinely appreciated the author’s note: “This book is a steam-filled romcom! Definitely not a family friendly holiday read for the kids! Please don’t do it lest they be scarred for life!” The humor is right up my alley and I feel like we’d be friends should we ever meet!

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Gunner (Hollins & Haring Book 3) by T.J. Beach – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Gunner (Hollins & Haring #3)Gunner by T.J. Beach
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Gary has a past, but Debbie does not know all the details of it. While Gary is visiting Debbie and her family, they find out that Debbie’s mom has been exposed to the Coronavirus. Unfortunately, her mom tests positive, and everyone else is negative. Debbie’s mom leaves them all to quarantine together to keep them safe. When her mom takes a turn for the worse, Gary decides to distract Debbie by telling her his story of how he came to be in Australia working with her. As she learns his truth, can she look at him the same? Can she still trust him? Will her mom pull through so she can say all the things that are left to say?

This was a quite a read. The author did a fantastic job of intertwining the two stories together. The characters were realistic and relatable. I could feel their emotions as they were going through their separate struggles. The end of the book leaves you wanting to know more about what happens next because while it is somewhat a closed story of Gary, he opens up part of his past in the end. I look forward to finding out what transpires next!

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The Veil by Wanda Luthman – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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The VeilThe Veil by Wanda Luthman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Samuel completed his Jewish ceremony to become a man. As he reads from the scroll of Isaiah his is prayerful that Yahweh will use him. A Priest picks him to accompany him home and to learn about serving in the Temple. As he starts to learn the pattern of his days, it quickly changes when the man named Jesus is crucified. Could the prophecy that he read at his ceremony possibly be coming true?

I enjoyed this fictional writing as to what might have taken place the day of Christ’s crucifixion. This is a quick read that is appropriate for families. It could be used for good conversation starters with kids about what they think might have happened and how they would have responded if they were the ones in Samuel’s place. Highly recommend this book.

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Raine Down (The Shadow Guardians Book 1) by CB Samet – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Raine Down (The Shadow Guardians, #1)Raine Down by C.B. Samet
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Raine Thoren is shadow guardian who saves FBI special agent Will Decker’s life when their cases collide. Both are used to working alone. However, with their cases being one in the same, they have to pair up and find answers in order to hunt down their serial killer. As their case progresses, can they stay focused on the task at hand? Or will their feelings for each other cause them to become distracted?

This was such a fun read that I didn’t want to put it down! I enjoy reading stories about crime that is otherworldly being solved by a mixed task force of normal humans and humans who have special powers. What I enjoyed most about this book was the mix of Norse myths and magic. Both Raine and Will have ancestral ties to more than they understand. This was a great first book to a promising series! Looking forward to the next book!

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Road to the Mansfield (Express Investigations Book 1) by CB Laurence – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Road to the Mansfield (Express Investigations, #1)Road to the Mansfield by C.B. Laurence
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Three stories of three different people, time and places that all converge in one tragic night.

Francie Roubideaux is from the Louisiana bayou and is handed a tough go. When she finds herself at the mercy of Ms. Claire and her house of pleasure in New Orleans, her singing saves her from a worse fate. When tragedy strikes, she gets out of New Orleans and eventually finds herself in California singing at the Mansfield.

Rose Donovan is swept off her feet in her small, hometown in Illinois one day by a handsome stranger. Seeing him as her way out, she leaves with him despite her father and friend’s advice to stay. When they move to California, he sells her singing talent to the owner of the Mansfield. It’s not all that she expected it to be though, and she finds herself in an abusive marriage with no way out.

Beau Hartwell is an up-and-coming lawyer in Georgia with a perfect record, job and wife. When his hometown best friend is framed for murder and he witnesses the demise of his hometown, it leaves him questioning all that he has held dear for the last ten years. After being fired, divorced, and homeless, he makes his way to California to friends that give him help, a job and a purpose again. He becomes a part of their Express Investigation team.

This was a great first book to a series. It gives background on all the characters in such a way that is concise but in depth. I felt like I had all the information on each one to picture them and their struggles. I am looking forward to the next book and finding out how the tragic night transpired and how they all play into it. I think I can see the way that it is going, but there were some surprises with the back stories. Definitely going to be on the lookout for book 2!

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Defiant Princess (Mafia Elite Series Prequel) by Amy McKinley – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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Defiant Princess (Mafia Elite Prequel)Defiant Princess by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Being born into a Mafia family means life is never normal. College was supposed to be a period of time where Liliana, Sofia, Emiliana, and Marissa get to at least pretend to be closer to normal than how they had grown up. Senior year has approached and despite it being their last year of freedom, their families start making plans for their future. Each of them is faced with the inevitable prospect of marrying someone they don’t love or even like. When a Russian mafia member is spotted watching the girls’ house, it can only mean their time is running short. As they each face their fears and cling to the last vestiges of their normal-ish lives, can they make it through together? Or will they succumb to the mafia way and be punished for unknowingly putting themselves in harm’s way?

This prequel answered a lot of questions from the Mafia Elite series that were always mentioned but never truly explained in depth. I enjoyed getting to see the girls in their “formative” years before their lives were not really their own. Each perspective brings a different view into how the girls really became a unit that would do anything for each other. My heart broke a little for each of them as they had to go through yet another tragedy to realize that their lives really are not their own and that they are just pawns in the greater scheme of the Mafia life.

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The Rom Com Movie Club (The Rom Com Movie Club Book 1) by Bernadette Marie – Review by Desiree Ottinger

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The Rom Com Movie Club - Book OneThe Rom Com Movie Club – Book One by Bernadette Marie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lisa, Mindy, Ruby, and Tina have been friends since college. Although Lisa didn’t actually attend college, she met the other girls while working at the coffee shop the others were at to study. The girls adopted Lisa into their lives, and they became an instant chosen family. Every month they gather together for a Rom Com movie night of food, face masks, and toe nail polish. On Lisa’s night, Lisa meets Tina’s soon to be brother-in-law, Ryan, and is instantly attracted to him. Tina, in the throes of wedding madness, tells Lisa that under no circumstance is she ok with her dating Ryan. While the other girls all try to help even out Tina’s wedding mania, Ryan pursues a relationship with Lisa. Can Lisa find a way to balance her love for Ryan and not get caught up with comparing their love to a Rom Com? Can Tina see that her friend’s happiness is worth more than her feelings?

Wow. What a great first book to a series! Each character was well written and all relatable. The author did a fantastic job of describing anxiety and how it affects those who suffer from it. The girls’ relationships with each other are something that everyone should have. Love that is deep and willing to tell the truth even when it hurts. People in their corner, cheering them on but pulling them back from the crazy ledge. I am really looking forward to reading about the other girls finding love!

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