Lily is a human servant in the royal household of Wolf Hollow. Her life is turned upside down when the family returns and she is attacked by a guard. Jason, the prince, catches her scent and realizes that she is his mate. Everything seems to be set against them meeting and ultimately being together. As they find their way to each other, will they be enough? Can Jason survive a challenge to them being together?
This is my first time reading this author. It caught my eye, and I couldn’t resist picking it up! It was a quick read and full of action. There were surprises throughout the book that kept me reading to see how it was all going to work out. I do love a good werewolf book! I won’t give away anything, but it did end the book at a bit of a cliff hanger. Looking forward to the next book and seeing how it goes!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Desiree Ottingerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDesiree Ottinger2022-03-17 07:59:592022-03-17 07:59:59Claiming My Mate (Wolf Hollow Pack Book 1) by Nicole Howl – Review by Desiree Ottinger
Van has been training hard since last summer’s mission. Now that she knows she is the Anchoress and has the responsibility of saving her people, she is starting to feel the pressure. She fell in love with Brux only to find out that they can never be together. As the summer mission becomes increasingly hard on the team, can Van find her light in the midst of the dark surrounding her? Can she love Prince Ferox despite having feelings for Brux?
This series is keeping me on my toes! So much is going on with Van’s need to find items of Creation, and her wrestling with her feeling for two boys. The way she works through it all is very well written. I love her friendships and how they are not without their complications. I felt that in this book it is learning about self-reflection and how to combat those dark feelings when they creep in.
Definitely recommend this book to any high schooler! Clean YA read!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Desiree Ottingerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDesiree Ottinger2022-03-12 15:21:302022-03-12 15:21:30Plague of Death (Anchoress Series Book 2) by D.L. Armillei – Review by Desiree Ottinger
Van is wrapped up in her own world and only focused on her summer plans. Suddenly, her dad goes missing and she’s recruited for a special summer mission. She thinks everything is stacked against her until she realizes that her fate is not as simple as the next girl her age. Van is thrust into mission where she discovers more about herself and her heritage than she has her entire life. Does she have what it takes to save both the Earth World and the Living World? Is she the fated Anchoress?
What a fun YA read! I enjoyed reading Van transform from a selfish, self-centered teen to one that looks at others and becomes their champion. This had me thinking about a girl version of Percy Jackson sans the Greek mythology. I enjoyed reading about a new world in danger of history repeating itself.
Highly recommend this YA read. It has clean language and good lessons on looking inside oneself to evaluate what the right choice is.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Desiree Ottingerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDesiree Ottinger2022-03-12 15:21:162022-03-12 15:21:16Shock of Fate (Anchoress Series Book 1) by D.L. Armillei – Review by Desiree Ottinger
Van begins the book full of frustration over her recent loss at the senior games and anxiety for her upcoming summer mission. She hasn’t heard from Ferox all school year and is hoping that they still have a future together. As the team begins their mission to Ferox’s home, it very quickly takes a different turn when an assassination attempt is made on the prince, and everyone is put on lock down in the palace. As time ticks away and new obstacles come into play, will the team be able to complete their mission? Is there a future for Van and Ferox? Or will they be doomed because he holds his family in higher esteem than Van?
I am really enjoying this series! I appreciate how the book starts out with an inner struggle for Van and throughout the book there are lessons that lead her to resolving her inner struggles. I know she has to learn these lessons to keep everyone safe, but I like seeing her work through her struggles to achieve the goal. All the characters and the intricacies of their relationships are very well written.
This is a fascinating YA series that I would suggest to any highschooler. It has clean language, deals with teenage insecurities and emotions without over sexualizing situations.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Desiree Ottingerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDesiree Ottinger2022-03-08 07:35:262022-03-08 07:35:26Helm of Awe (Anchoress Series Book 3) by D.L. Armillei – Review by Desiree Ottinger
As this, the second book in the series, picks up right where the first one left off, we find Seth in a struggle between his love for Miriam and his love for his dying sister. He feels likes he has to choose one or the other and that there isn’t an option to have both. Will he make the right choice or betray the love that could last a lifetime? In the meantime, Peter- Miriam’s brother, finds himself thrust into his Nature and ends up playing a vital role in the continued struggle with the Joneses. Will it be enough to stem the tide of the Joneses advances?
I am thoroughly enjoying this series! I love the author’s take on the Garden of Eden and its protectors. Her character’s struggles with each other in how they relate (parents to kids, kids to kids…) is very relatable. In this book there is a lot of forgiveness going on and what it looks like to forgive someone who has wronged you or a loved one. Admittedly, there were several chapters in this book that I became teary eyed!
I look forward to the third book! I need to know how everything goes!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Desiree Ottingerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDesiree Ottinger2022-02-28 00:43:162022-02-28 00:43:16Apocalypse (Guardians of the Garden Book 2) by Theresa Pocock – Review by Desiree Ottinger
Tess recently left a toxic relationship and began a new business selling vintage clothing. Every once in a while, she gets flashes of the previous owner’s life, if they wore the clothing during a poignant time in their life. Fate throws her a curve ball when Esther DeLeon asks her to wear a piece from her ancestor’s trousseau at her upcoming celebration of her family home turning 100 years old. Tess, along with Trey -Esther’s nephew, get flashes into the mysterious murder/suicide that has blackened the family’s history. What they see is very different from what everyone thinks happened. Can Tess and Trey work together to find out what really happened? Can they clear the family name or is it doomed to stay stained?
This is my first time reading this author. I really enjoyed the flow of the story and all of the characters. There was enough information given to keep me guessing until the very end of the book. It definitely kept me turning the pages to find out who did it. I will read this author again!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Desiree Ottingerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDesiree Ottinger2022-02-28 00:41:052022-02-28 00:41:05Divine Vintage by Sandra L. Young – Review by Desiree Ottinger
Adrijana longs for more out of life. She accepts an invitation for her and her father to stay for a celebration thinking this is the opening she has been seeking. However, she quickly learns that life is not always as it seems. Her world comes crashing down around her when she finds out her father has kept her true heritage from her since she was five years old. She has to come to grips quickly with who she is as the royal family is being murdered one by one. In a world of intrigue, secrets, and hidden agendas, Adrijana has to learn quickly who she can trust and who she cannot before it is too late! Can she learn everything about being a mesmerist fast enough to find the true killer? Or will the killer succeed in taking out the royal family?
This is my first time reading this author and I was not disappointed! The story drew me in immediately and I didn’t want to put it down. There were strange things happening to her and I HAD to know what was going on. I was drawn in by Adrijana’s vulnerability and her emotions throughout the story. The lessons she learns are hard ones, but she refuses to roll over and give up. All the characters were intriguing, and the storyline kept me guessing until the end! I hope there will be more books in this world!
This book finds Matt’s journey taking a different path from Julia and Dan. He has to journey through different universes to save not only ours but also those in the MultiVerse. When his friends are kidnapped, he is greatly tested. His archenemies are trying to distract Matt from his purpose of saving the world. Will he be able to focus on what needs to be done and trust others to rescue his loved ones? Or will he let his emotions get the better of him?
I enjoyed this book as much as the others! It is a fascinating read in how you see past characters come back into the story and how timelines feed into the completion of their paths. I appreciated reading the thoughts of the characters as they face challenges and how they also give different perspectives in conflict. I felt like by reading their thought processes, my way of thinking was challenged.
Hopefully, we will see more stories by this author!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Desiree Ottingerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDesiree Ottinger2022-02-16 15:31:372022-02-16 17:23:53Journeys Through AllCreation (Journeys Through Book 3) by James Talisman – Review by Desiree Ottinger
The book begins after the death of the leader of the hall of Buckquoy. Naturally, there has to be a replacement but there isn’t an heir to take over. The earl has to choose between a nephew, an illegitimate son, and a local boy to take over the hall. As the selection process begins, the widow’s daughter is seemingly enamored by first two options. However, doubts arise about who she really favors, as her mother is known to be a schemer. When the daughter is found murdered and no one claims the death, everything comes to a halt as insinuations abound as to who did it. It falls on the shoulders of Ketil and Sigrid to find out the truth of who killed the daughter before the wrong person takes over the hall. Can they find the murderer before they kill again? Who has the most to gain from her death? Or was it a crime of passion?
I enjoyed this story! It is a very well written historical mystery. I feel like the author did a wonderful job of getting inside Ketil and Sigrid’s minds as they tried to puzzle out the murder to find the murderer. All of the characters were well developed and personable. There was just enough information given about each to keep you guessing as to who exactly the murderer was until the very end. It wasn’t an obvious choice right off the bat, and I appreciated that!
All in all, a very good read! It is in a series, but you can pick this up without reading the first part of the series.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Desiree Ottingerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDesiree Ottinger2022-02-08 08:32:412022-02-08 08:32:41The Bear at Midnight (Orkneyinga Murders Book 4) by Lexie Conyngham – Review by Desiree Ottinger
Dahlia Nite has been keeping her partner Alex Creed in the dark about who she really is and what she knows about all the strange cases that they have been catching. However, it starts to become impossible to keep all the secrets as parts and pieces of multiple species -not of earth- are found in Sentinel City. As she shares some, but not all, of what is really going on, the lies become harder, and she struggles to keep everyone safe. Can she continue on this path and keep everyone in the dark without any fall out? Or will she need to share it all to solve this latest case and keep everyone safe?
I am enjoying this series. I feel the author does an excellent job of conveying how Dahlia feels disconnected with her dragon side and more in tune with her human side, as well as her empathy for humans. Her relationships are fraught with secrets and when she realizes just how much her friends mean to her, she starts to share more of herself. She is a lost person looking for where she belongs and what her purpose is. This book starts to show how she is finally finding her place, gives a bigger glimpse as to what her purpose is, but doesn’t give it all away. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Desiree Ottingerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDesiree Ottinger2022-02-03 18:41:242022-02-03 18:41:24Nite Fire: Smoke & Mirrors by C. L. Schneider – Review by Desiree Ottinger
There’s always been a pull between Elena and Marco. However, she has to go into hiding from the Russian mafia; leaving everyone behind thinking that she is dead. Marco finds out she’s alive and goes to retrieve her before the Russians can find her. To give her added protection, he marries her. As the heat on Elena ramps up, will they be able to find out why the Russians want her so bad? Can Marco protect her from them, if he finds out?
I am really enjoying this series! I love how the women are not just side pieces needing to be protected. They are strong in their own right, together. The men are typical Alpha males that love their women deeply and will destroy anyone that hurts them. The intricacies of all of their relationships are fun to read. Makes me wonder if the mafia is still alive and well! Can’t wait for the next book!!
Titania is a young queen but that doesn’t make her a foolish ruler. She has such insight for a girl her age and unfortunately a lot of responsibility. She handles it all well, and still she is put under surveillance for her actions in saving her realm and possibly that of the one above. No one seems to really appreciate what she has sacrificed and continues to sacrifice for protecting the realm. Throughout this book, she continually feels alone and struggles with her self-worth. Will she be able to see the help that is right in front of her in time to save the realm again? Will her actions be enough to prove that she always puts her kingdom first?
This is the second installation in this series, and I am glad it is not going to be the last! I mean… there has to be more! I enjoyed meeting new characters, finding out more about the realm, and reading all the changes that Titania went through in this book. She continually made good decisions, even when they were hard. She was able to find strength in others in the least expected places. While my heart broke for the good-byes she had to say, I was thankful that she didn’t rush to replace the holes that were left on her heart. She is figuring out who she is on her own, and I appreciated reading that.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Desiree Ottingerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDesiree Ottinger2022-01-20 18:33:042022-01-20 18:33:04To be a Fae Guardian (Realm Chronicles Book 2) by Tricia Copeland – Review by Desiree Ottinger
Anton and Elsa have the perfect life, or so it seems. When Elsa’s world is rocked by loss, she tries to rely on familial and social expectations to process and deal with the trauma. Anton, being an actor, has complete trust that she will be all right while he is gone filming. But when she isn’t, past wounds creep in for him. Can they both come together to find a healing path forward before it’s too late?
While the characters lifestyles are hard to identify with, their trauma and emotional struggles are not. The author presented both Anton and Elsa as happy people who get thrown a curve ball and have to deal with the fall out of it. However, society and family play huge roles in how they both respond to that trauma. I think that is true for anyone today. The loss and emotions wrapped up in it are conveyed realistically and broken heartedly. You FEEL Elsa’s emotions and Anton’s helplessness. I appreciated that they both stayed committed to each other as they found their way back to each other.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Desiree Ottingerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDesiree Ottinger2022-01-14 07:59:352022-01-14 07:59:35Imperfectly Yours (Titans of Manhattan Book 2) by Anise Storm – Review by Desiree Ottinger
Brock and Kirsa have been friends since they were 4 years old. They do almost everything together. One day when they are ten, their duo turns into a trio to include Victoria. As they hit the teen years and hormones run rampant, there is a moment of betrayal that turns their trio back into a duo. Only this time, Kirsa finds herself on the outside; labeled a traitor. She becomes the school outcast for the next three years. Now it’s her senior year and she only has to make it to graduation when she can put everything behind her. But then Rylan shows up and befriends her despite being told not to. Can his friendship help heal her broken heart and friendship with Brock? Will Brock finally be able to see through the lies to find the truth?
This is a new author to me, and I enjoyed reading this book. As I read this book, I felt like I was experiencing Kirsa’s betrayal, her loneliness, and her hurt. To me, the author did a great job of conveying teenage angst, bullying, and in general the high school experience of being on the outside. I appreciated that Kirsa could keep herself together throughout everything and still have hope that things would change.
Please note that this is a contemporary romance, I suggest this book is for 18+.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Desiree Ottingerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDesiree Ottinger2022-01-10 07:48:192022-01-10 07:48:19Blindsided by T. Christensen – Review by Desiree Ottinger
It takes tragedy striking for Lizbeth Gordon to seek out more information on her ancestors. She knew her family hailed from the Charleston area but didn’t really know much more than that. This is a story of how she went about tracking down information on her family with the added bonus of a fortuitous meeting of distant relatives when she takes a new job in Rio de Janeiro. Can she find information on all of them? Will her relatives be happy to help or wish she’d leave it all alone?
This was an enjoyable read! Having lived in South Carolina for 4 years, it was fun to know exactly where Lizbeth was driving to, visiting, and living. I enjoyed learning about the Gordon family, and the Civil War. The author did a wonderful job of including letters and then following it up with what was going on around the time it was written. The characters were all wonderful, relatable, and extremely brave. This is a great historical/contemporary read!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Desiree Ottingerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDesiree Ottinger2022-01-05 07:40:482022-01-05 07:40:48Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Desiree Ottinger
Oh, how I loved this book! Such a great story of judging a book by it’s supposed cover! The story of CC and Brant is fantastic read! The characters are well developed, and it gives more back story into previous characters mentioned. The friendships are very easy to relate to and the women building each other up is lovely to read and visualize. I want to be friends with these people and live in their town! The old people humor cracks me up and makes me think that I haven’t been around enough of them, LOL This was a fun book to end my year reading! Looking forward to reading more books from the Parker Lake area soon!
This is such a fascinating historical fiction read. I was intrigued from the very beginning and enjoyed learning more about Poland and their struggles in the 17th century. The characters drew me in and had me rooting for them from the get-go. I enjoy reading books where there are twists that don’t line up with what I think is going to happen. And this book did not disappoint in that aspect. In fact, I was left a little heartbroken at the end of this book and will have to read book 2 to see how it all ends!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Desiree Ottingerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDesiree Ottinger2021-12-29 08:28:132021-12-29 08:28:13The Heart of a Hussar (The Winged Warrior Series Book 1) by Griffin Brady – Review by Desiree Ottinger
This was a fantastic ending to Tasha and Levi’s story! I couldn’t have asked for a better wrap up, if I had wanted to. I enjoyed reading the culmination of all the buildup of the hellspawn army and how they find a way to defeat them in the end. I liked that it took all of the species working together to make it happen, too! It was a concerted effort by everyone.
In the end, it seems like there could be more added to the story but with other characters that were introduced along the way. I will be keeping my eyes on the lookout to see if Kimber, Remus, or Dominic get their own story!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Desiree Ottingerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDesiree Ottinger2021-12-22 08:20:342021-12-22 08:20:34Forbidden Moon (The Shadow Chronicles Book 3) by CR Robertson – Review by Desiree Ottinger
With it being the holiday season, what better read than a Christmas read about a town in Oregon named Holiday?
You meet Cora Lee riding a train west to meet the man who ordered her as a bride. Once she gets to Holiday, it becomes very apparent to her that something isn’t right. She soon discovers that her intended didn’t really send for her, but his dad did! Thinking he was doing his son a favor, he picked her out and wrote to her for his son! However, he has TWO sons, not just the one he had planned on Cora Lee marrying. While they await the arrival of the errant son, Cora Lee falls in love with his twin and vice versa! Will she declare her love before the intended brother comes to claim her? Will he? Or will she break her own heart and leave?
This was a sweet, western story. I felt like I got little snippets of interesting history while reading, too! The author did a wonderful job of showing how family can be disappointing but also can be chosen. I enjoyed reading about Cora Lee and how she found her place and learned to stand up for herself. Perfect afternoon read!
As Nite and her partner Creed are drawn into a new mystery that has links back to their first case, they quickly realize all is not as it seems. Nite has already confided in her side-kick Evans about who she really is but is hesitant to delve in too much deeper for his safety. Can she bring Creed in on the same level as Evans? Can she solve the mystery and keep the reality on the down low before all of Sentinel City combusts?
This is such an interesting series! I appreciated how the author went into more detail about the world of Drimera and how it relates to Sentinel City, the human world. I really enjoyed seeing Dahlia Nite come to the realization that she isn’t alone, and that she can be part of a team. I was drawn to the fact that there is still a lot of mystery that surrounds her and her abilities. Therefore, I will keep reading this series because I feel like I am getting to witness her finding herself and her true potential. And… I am pretty sure it is going to be amazing!
Amber doesn’t celebrate Christmas because of her very lonely past. In fact, the town knows her as a self-proclaimed grinch. Everything changes when she meets Gio, though. It is love at first sight. But then she learns he has a kid, and doubt starts creeping into her heart. Can she deal with her past so that she can open her heart to include others? Will she be able to move past her feelings of not measuring up to others to see what is being offered to her?
I enjoyed the story line. It was heart breaking for me to imagine what Amber must have gone through growing up the way she did. The characters were rather easy to relate to, which made the story flow very quickly for me. I enjoyed getting to know them and seeing them happy in the end.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Desiree Ottingerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDesiree Ottinger2021-12-10 08:29:562021-12-10 08:29:56A Cold Creek Christmas (Reigning Hearts, Book 5) by KG Fletcher – Review by Desiree Ottinger
Ian Troy is a man that was raised to have no conscience and when his magic takes a tragic turn, he suddenly finds one. Unfortunately for him, he spends the next 10 years’ time on regret, shame, and suppressing his magic. With a past enemy rising to power seemingly overnight, he struggles with keeping his magic under control while trying to keep Rella, the country he was raised to protect, safe. As he begins the trek to save what he was raised to protect, he finds out that everything is not always as it seems. Much of his past is a lie and secrets are revealed! Will he figure out who he is and what he can do in time to save Rella?
I enjoyed this read. At times, I felt like there was a lot going on. I feel like the author did an excellent job in world building and weaving in its backstory throughout the story. I enjoyed how she wove together the relationships between characters. I appreciated how I didn’t always see the twists and turns coming, too. This was an excellent beginning to what promises to be a pretty epic trilogy! Looking forward to book 2!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Desiree Ottingerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDesiree Ottinger2021-12-07 07:53:412021-12-07 07:54:11The Crown of Stones: Magic-Price by C. L. Schneider – Review by Desiree Ottinger
I have been waiting for this book!!! I was NOT disappointed! I truly enjoyed Stefano and Emiliana’s story.
Emiliana is a victim of Stefano’s vindictive, mafia boss, dad. However, she doesn’t let it define who she is. She might seem like she’s fragile, but she is far from it! I loved her inner strength to overcome the trauma and become a force to be reckoned with. Stefano is also a strong character. He had to deal with so much loss in his life that it turned him into a fierce protector. And Emiliana is his to protect until the end. He is determined that he will do anything, even take down his own dad, to keep her safe. But can he do it before his dad causes more damage? Can he ferret out the rat before all is lost?
Mafia Elite is a well written series. Every character drew me in immediately to their story and I couldn’t help but love them! I am definitely on the lookout for the next book!!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Desiree Ottingerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDesiree Ottinger2021-12-03 08:31:082021-12-03 08:31:08Born in Darkness (Mafia Elite Book 3) by Amy McKinley – Review by Desiree Ottinger
I felt like it was destiny for me to pick this book up to read because it’s about a half dragon, half human, red-headed woman… and I just so happen to be a red headed woman with the maiden name of “Dragon”! 🙂
Dahlia, the dragon half-breed, has to leave her world when she is slated for execution after hesitating to kill a child witnessing her assassinate a mark. That hesitation sets her on a course to the human realm, running from retrievers and keeping humans safe from creatures of other realms for almost a hundred years. She goes back to the city of Sentinel, where she first came out of her realm, and tries to start over, again. While she is there a string of hideous murders happen and don’t show signs of stopping anytime soon. Dahlia teams up with the police to steer their investigation away from what she knows is attacks by her own. As she battles within herself with what she was raised to know, to what she now knows, she is torn. Can she come to terms with the two halves of herself in time to protect dragons and humans? Can she learn to trust others, even as she finds out the truth behind her escape and exile?
I really enjoyed this read! It kept me turning the pages to find out what happened next. I rooted for Dahlia to figure out what was happening as I suspected that some of her friends were not truly her friends. All the characters were likable and well developed, in my opinion. I loved the ones I was supposed to and highly disliked the bad guys. The world building was fantastic! I felt like I was experiencing other realms in my mind.
As a first book goes, it was intriguing and gut-wrenching at times. It set up a world that I want to know more about and can’t wait to continue reading the series. My hope is that as it continues, more information is given about the dragon world, the Guild, and their “exits” to other worlds! Looking forward to reading more!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Desiree Ottingerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDesiree Ottinger2021-11-23 17:48:422021-11-24 07:27:53Nite Fire: Flash Point by C. L. Schneider – Review by Desiree Ottinger
Caspian Archer came from nothing until his uncle took him in, raised him as his own, and taught him everything he knew about running a highly successful company. When his uncle realizes that Caspian has become a workaholic, he tries to resolve it in the only way he can think of how to. He gives him an ultimatum. Get married and keep the company he has worked hard for over the years, or stay single and lose it all. For Caspian, that is easier said than done. He has surrounded himself with women that are beautiful and enjoyable, but not marriage material. Then he bumps into Paisley, a girl from his past that he knew before his uncle took him in. She’s unassuming, destitute, and the perfect girl for his dilemma. That is, until they actually fall in love with each other! Caspian has to open himself up to love or lose her and his chance at true happiness forever.
For the most part, I enjoyed this read. While I could not identify with Caspian or his world, I did connect with Paisley. I was drawn into their love story rather quickly. I appreciated that when Paisley was destitute, she never lost her pride and she knew her self worth. I would have liked to have seen more interactions with the other Titans of Manhattan, as this is the first book in the series. The next Titan was introduced in a very cursory manner in the middle of the book and wasn’t really mentioned again until the very end.
All in all, it was a quick read that was fun. However, it was a little too detailed for me in some parts. LOL I would definitely categorize this as a steamy, adult read.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Desiree Ottingerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDesiree Ottinger2021-11-18 21:07:302021-11-19 07:47:44Conveniently Yours (Titans Of Manhattan BOOK 1) by Anise Storm – Review by Desiree Ottinger
Breckin is TRYING to move on with her life after her ex left her for a recently graduated, high school cheerleader. Unfortunately, it is very difficult for her because he is the football coach at the same high school where she is a counselor. Griff is a broken hearted man who lost the love of his life five years earlier. Both are not looking for another significant other and yet, they find themselves intrigued by each other. Can Breckin trust her heart to a man who is still mourning the loss of his first love? Can Griff move past grief to see the phenomenal woman who loves him?
This is the second installment of the series that takes place in Parker, OK. I really love this series. The female characters are strong, supportive, and not afraid to be vulnerable. I love the relationships, the witty humor, and the town! Small town living is exactly like it is described in this book!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Desiree Ottingerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDesiree Ottinger2021-11-12 21:45:062021-11-12 21:59:17Unlikely to Fit (Parker Lake) by Olivia Sherwood – Review by Desiree Ottinger
Nix is an orphaned prince of the Twilight Realm who has to gone into hiding. Zoe, the daughter of the usurpers, ran away from her parents after years of abuse. Both are searching for a way to end the tyranny and set everything back to rights. As their lives and similar missions become intertwined, can they work together or will they let their differences come between them?
This was a fantastic YA read. The characters were well written and the plot moved quickly. My attention was captured from the very beginning and I was rooting for Zoe and Nix to overcome their fears and work together. It saddened me to read of the abuse (not explicitly written) that Zoe had undergone and the trauma that Nix experienced. However, I appreciated that despite these awful experiences, neither character let it define who they were or keep them from doing/seeing the good in others.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Desiree Ottingerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDesiree Ottinger2021-11-12 21:17:082021-11-12 21:57:20Twilight’s Curse (Twilight Realm Series Book 1) by K. M. Wray – Review by Desiree Ottinger
Wow. Just wow. This is my first time reading Kay L. Moody. I have seen several of her books because they pop up on my “suggested next reads” on my Kindle and I am so glad I picked this one up!!
From the beginning of the book, I was pulled in to the story of Talise. She comes from nothing in the Storm region to studying at the academy because of her talent to be able to shape 4 elements at the tender age of 7. Ten years later, she’s worked her way to the top of her class and has made some close friends. She realizes that she has relaxed in her training/shaping (because she’s the best), when Aaden comes to compete against her for the place of Master Shaper. He is surly and distrustful of everybody, but he is masterful in his fire shaping. If she doesn’t win, she gets sent back to Storm to live a life of poverty. I don’t really want to share more about the book because it really is about Talise finding her path; discovering who she is despite what others say she is. It’s also about family and the lengths that we will go to protect them.
As I was reading this book, I was afraid that the end of the book was near only to discover I was only 40% into the book! I was overjoyed!! It felt like there were massive conspiracies going on and I just wasn’t sure which one was going to pan out. Just when I thought I knew what was happening something shifted in the plot and it kept me turning pages well past midnight to find out how it was going to work out.
I truly enjoyed this book! It is a perfect YA book. There’s no bad language, no overly romantic scenes, and all around a wonderful read.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Desiree Ottingerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDesiree Ottinger2021-11-03 13:58:032021-11-04 07:20:13The Elements of the Crown (The Elements of Kamdaria Book 1) by Kay L. Moody – Review by Desiree Ottinger
Mark and Lauren are two people on different paths in life until their best friends get married and they find themselves spending the night together. Of course, they THINK that it’s a one and done kind of thing until they find themselves drawn to each other again and again and – you got it- again. In the turmoil of them trying to figure out how to work together to both achieve a relationship that will work, secrets come to light on both sides. When push comes to shove, they have to decide if they will be able to work through their pasts in order to make a life together.
I feel like Ms. Hanna did a wonderful job of writing Mark and Lauren’s story in finding love. I was drawn to the Lauren and her girl friends’ friendship. While I could not particularly identify with Lauren, I have many friends who, I imagine, could. Mark was- what I think- a typical man who has been on his own for too long, playing by his own rules would be like. I enjoyed getting to see his world get rocked by Lauren.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Desiree Ottingerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDesiree Ottinger2021-11-01 17:36:572021-11-02 19:05:48The Groomsman (Unexpected Series – Book 2) by Marina Hanna – Review by Desiree Ottinger
The second book picks up where the first one left off. Phillip and Kat are reunited after he figures out how to get back to her. As they are trying to figure out what their future looks like, Phillip decides that he wants to give Kat his mother’s ring. When he realizes that it has been lost in the years since he left, he knows what he has to do. What he wasn’t expecting was a jilted ex-boyfriend to follow and wreak havoc on his return plans. As Kat deals with a missing Phillip, she discovers that there will need to be compromises made in order for them to remain together. Can Phillip make it back? Or will their love be lost forever in time?
K.G. Fletcher paints a fantastic picture of love and sacrifice in this conclusion of Phillip and Kat’s story. She does a wonderful job of walking the reader through the character’s thoughts and how they reason through all of their decisions.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Desiree Ottingerhttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngDesiree Ottinger2021-10-27 13:06:502021-10-28 07:09:00Love’s Reverie (The Stardust Duet, Book 2) by KG Fletcher – Review by Desiree Ottinger
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Claiming My Mate by Nicole Howl
