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Cruel King by K.M. Scott – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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Cruel KingCruel King by K.M. Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Cruel King was such an amazing story. Ava lives on an estate with her dad and brother due to her father being the estate’s manager. Due to growing up on this estate, she became close with the King family who owned the property. Mr. and Mrs. King had 5 sons. Theo King is Ava’s best friend. They had a special bond for basically her whole life. She got along with all the boys but one, Matthias King. Matthias is the oldest of the boys and always was mean to Ava. When she is 19, he still treats her the same way and she never understood why. One winter, there was a really bad storm and she gets stuck staying up at the main house, but the only King home is Matthias. He is very cruel to her and confronts him about it. However, after an incident, he is all of a sudden changing his tone. Let me just say they spend 2 days in absolute bliss, but when everyone returns, things change. Matthias and Ava have always been told to stay away from each other but they never knew why. Well, there is a lot of is a lot of miscommunication throughout the entire story which leads to most of the angst that we see occur. This story occurs over at least a 5 year period so many ups and downs. Will the two of them ever be able to be together with no one else or either of them get in the way of happiness?
I really don’t know what to say about this story, without giving spoilers. I really enjoyed the entire book. While I am not big on miscommunication love stories, something felt different in this one. I loved all the characters, even Matthias who seems to be cruel and heartless. The development of his character is a beautiful one. The only thing that I would have liked better written were some of the intimacy scenes, but that is probably just a personal preference. I had many feelings as I read this book – the last handful of chapters I was crying. The plot definitely surprised me at times and that was refreshing.

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Guarding the Crease (The Playmakers Series Hockey Romances Book 9) by G.K. Brady – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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Guarding the Crease (The Playmakers #9)Guarding the Crease by G.K. Brady
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is an enemies-to-lovers hockey romance. Wyatt Tompkins use to be a star goalie in the NHL. However, his bad-boy reputation has gotten him into more trouble than he can count. He is trying to make his way back onto the team, but in the process is keeping up his old ways. That is until he comes to a rescue of a woman being attacked. While he saves her, he realizes he knows her. Serena Lambert is the woman he comes to save, but he is also her worst nightmare because she is the head of his former hockey team’s PR. She was the one in charge of covering up all his indiscretions, so she is not fond of him. However, they start to help each other out – her teaching him better PR so he can get back on the team, and also through a “fake dating” experience, they actually start to get to know each other. She is surprised by the person he is and vice versa. Is there more there? Can she get over his Playboy background no matter what her feelings are?
I enjoyed this story. There was great banter, movement of the plot, character development, and the ability to fall in love with the characters. I didn’t want to really give anything away, but I will say there is a lot of plot and character development. This is a quick-moving romance which I love. Serena is a great character, strong, intelligent, and open minded. Wyatt, while at the start you will think he is pig-headed, he actually becomes a really great character. His progress throughout the book was great. In the end, you can just feel the change and how much Serena means to him. There was even some spice, but nothing over the top.

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Lilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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Lilly Tames Her WorriesLilly Tames Her Worries by Carole Heaney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a really cute book! Lilly is a little girl who sometimes worries, but her stuffed bunny tends to help her deal with them. Well, what happens when you forget that buffer? Lilly forgets her bunny when she goes to school and starts to worry. Throughout the book a handful of people help her in different ways to handle her worries with breathing, naming her worries, etc. By the end, she feels good about having many ways to get rid of and handle her worries. I thought this was a great lesson for young individuals. I work in the psychology field and the number one problem I see today is that people were never taught coping mechanisms. A lack of coping mechanisms leads to this uptrend in anxiety. Learning them from a young age really helps the development process of people.

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How to Catch Little Boys and Eat Them by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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How to Catch Little Boys and Eat ThemHow to Catch Little Boys and Eat Them by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Well, this was a weird retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk, with really not that much from the original story. This blue genie lives in the clouds via the stalk and likes to eat little boys. He tricks them because he says earth boys are lazy. Well, Jack climbs the stalk but our wits the genie thing, while stealing his stuff. Once he “got caught” they make a deal to help each other out. However, once again Jack outsmarts him to destroy the stalk but get rich at the same time. Did that sound like a weird summarization, well that is how I felt when I read it. This story to me made no sense, especially toward the end. The title and concept were just creepy, in this form. The illustrations were fine but no real message or point for a kid’s story.

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Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines (Science Folktales #3)Goldilocks and the Six Simple Machines by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is a rendition of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears”. It goes through all the other aspects that the original book had with the sequence of events, but with a little bit of a twist. When Goldilocks enters the house she starts to use science to help with cooling porridge, fixing a table, and putting a chair together that she broke. When the bears come home they are not angry at all, they are impressed that she fixed so many things. The last thing she does is help put a flag up the pole. Children will learn about pulley systems, wedges, levers, etc. This was a cute rendition and children will learn something in the process. The only thing I would change is the illustrations, I thought they were a little too simple.

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A Toast for Laurent (Vine Valley Book 1) by Theresa Paolo – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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A Toast for Laurent (Vine Valley, #1)A Toast for Laurent by Theresa Paolo
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A Toast for Laurent is about 2 long-lost lovers finding each other after 20 years. Laurent is a wealthy vineyard owner who was very much in love with Phoebe, however, she is a “runner”. Phoebe having mommy, daddy, and their marriage issues is a runner – she runs from life, love, and anything uncomfortable. Well, 20 years ago she ran from Laurent and left him heartbroken. However, they made a pact that if by the time they were 40 and not married they would get married. Phoebe’s younger sister is getting married and is always criticized by her family so she wants to make good on their pact. She happens to be a successful businesswoman for the local hotel in the city Laurent lives in. At the story’s beginning, she is walking into his vineyard/bar and demanding he marries her. This begins the second phase love story. Love was never the problem so can they each learn from the past and begin a future of happiness?

I enjoyed this romance story. I think it isn’t often they have a male leader that isn’t really the problem in the story, and I quite enjoyed that perspective. Laurent is a likable, caring, loving, handsome, level-minded, and successful individual. You can tell he loves with his whole heart and will fight for what he wants. He is quite patient with Phoebe who is really the problem of the love always falling short. Phoebe was an okay character. She is someone who is scared and afraid to love, afraid to be happy. I appreciate her growth in the story but there were many times I really wanted to slap her. I hate that she thought when things were convenient for her they should be for him. I really just wanted her to get over herself a lot of the time and woman up. Also, one thing I would have liked a little more is their after story, would have felt better about where they were going, but overall enjoyable read.

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Twisted Oath (Bound By Blood Book 1) by A. S. Roberts – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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Twisted Oath (Bound By Blood #1)Twisted Oath by A.S. Roberts
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Twisted Oath is a mafia romance, enemies-to-lovers story. The story is about Salvatore – a bastard child to a Don that has been tossed aside in the family, and Serafina a mafia princess. When the story begins, it is written about how they both met in the past and Salvatore was biding his time to be with Serafina. They had secret meetings but never spoke. Salvatore, for one, is a little older than Serafina, the enemy of her family, and planning his revenge on the situation he was put in. As a bastard child, his mother was the mistress of the Don’s son and was eventually kidnapped and killed. Salvatore planned to get into his rightful family and plan revenge on the person who took his mother. In the process, while Serafina was part of the plan, he never planned to fall for her (especially since he is evil, dark-hearted, and incapable of love). Serafina was always intrigued by the boy/man who met her on the rocks and fell in love without understanding. As the story goes on, their love story takes a turn and they are arranged to be married. Serafina has always loved him, but also never really wanted the mafia life, she wanted to save lives rather than take them. However, being the mafia princess she is – she does her duty. There are many twists, turns, and stories throughout the book – will they be able to truly love each other? Will they each be able to get to their final goals? Can they make a life with so much difficulty going on around them?
Mafia romances are one of my favorite genres and this one was a little different than the ones I have read in the past. Make sure you read your trigger warnings. In the beginning, I had a hard time keeping up with where in their story they were – each chapter is from a certain character’s point of view at a certain age, but it does pretty much go in sequential order. I enjoyed the characters. Salvatore was your typical brawny, over-protective, mafia psycho, but the changes throughout the story were great to see. Serafina I thought was a good character. She was brave, smart, kind, and loving, but also not willing to completely be run over by these mafia men. Overall, I did enjoy the progression of the story.

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Shalom Israel by Melissa Lavi – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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Shalom Israel: A place like no otherShalom Israel: A place like no other by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Shalom Israel was a great learning kids book. It was great to feel like you were traveling to this country and learning about all the aspects in the culture. The book talked about the language, the people, the landscapes, art, shopping food, etc. Kids will learn a lot about this country and culture through the easy-to-read story. I also like that they included animation in with real pictures from Israel.

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Helpful Hudson by Dannielle Pickford – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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Helpful HudsonHelpful Hudson by Dannielle Pickford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Helpful Hudson was a really cute book with a great message. In this book, Hudson loves helping the ones he loves. However, by always helping others we sometimes get worn down. Hudson woke up one day not feeling well, exhausted. His family at first was a little cranky, because who will help? But quickly they realized how much he is always helping others and decide it was their turn to help him. At the end, the lesson is the one we all forget – to help others you need to help yourself too. This is a great message not only for kids but especially for parents. We can’t be our best selves if our best self is not well!!

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A Teacher’s Heart by Melissa Lavi – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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A Teacher's HeartA Teacher’s Heart by Melissa Lavi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Teacher’s Heart was a cute book. The author tells the readers that teachers can be many things from different appearances, different personalities, or even different teaching styles. However, no matter what the difference is they all have one thing in common – really BIG hearts! The story is meant for beginner readers. It would be a great story to read before your child goes into preschool or kindergarten. I think kids would like the illustrations – they are bright and funny. It may put new learners at ease to think no matter what, your teacher will teach you, care for you, love you, and make sure you are on a path to success!!

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Someone to Watch Over Me (Wounded Hearts Series Book 3) by Debbie Cromack – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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Someone to Watch Over Me (Wounded Hearts, #3)Someone to Watch Over Me by Debbie Cromack
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Someone to Watch Over Me is a friends-to-lovers romance. Angelo and Lucia’s moms have been best friends forever, so naturally growing up together the two were inseparable. However, secretly both are in love with each other but develop a million excuses to never share their feelings. The book starts while Angelo is a senior in college and about the graduate, but Lucia still has 2 more years. He is so used to being her protector that both are feeling uneasy about being apart. In conjunction with this, Lucia is a virgin and has been waiting for Angelo but decided to shoot her shot a little and is rejected. This rejection leads to a damper on their friendship. Basically, this tends to be the trend throughout the who book. This back and forth of wanting each other, not telling each other, and then oh yeah throw in the troubling pregnancy troupe. Can they get over themselves enough eventually and drop the excuses of timing to finally have their happily ever after?
This book, while a cute romance when things were good, drove me a little nuts. I loved the characters as people, but the thought process behind why they were not together, then together, then not together drove me insane. Maybe it is because I am in my 40s now, that I read these types of plots and just want to shake the main characters and say “Will you just be honest and say you love them – things would be so much easier”. Because of this thinking, I really wanted to smack the 2 of them so many times along the way of the book. However, I did enjoy the author’s writing style and Angelo as a character. Lucia was fine but you can hear how young she is in her actions, words, thinking, etc. While Angelo made me plenty mad with his unrealistic thinking, how he responds to Lucia made him loveable. He is a loving, protective, caring man that knows how to properly love a woman. Don’t get me wrong, it was a good read, I think I just don’t want young people to make these mistakes in life because all it is is a waste of precious time when you could just be happy!!

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Breathless Love (The Bennetts of Langston Falls Book 3) by KG Fletcher – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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Breathless Love (The Bennetts of Langston Falls, #3)Breathless Love by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Totally loved Breathless Love. This is based primarily in Tennessee when a farmer dreams of being a country star, and almost was until his band broke up. One night Hank decides to go to his country idol’s concert not knowing things would never be the same after meeting Ella Mae. Hank and Ella Mae quickly build a friendship and with her position in the music business things began to happen for him. However, he quickly realizes that the music isn’t the only magic that is sparking in his life – these friends quickly become more – lovers, confidants, and kindred souls. Ella Mae provides him with a realistic picture of what being a star looks like, but with fame comes so many other responsibilities. Is all of the love, music, and trauma worth the fame?
I loved this story so much. I don’t want to give too much away because it is just so heartbreakingly beautiful. First, the storyline – I loved the no-bullshit romance. The two were so honest and went for what they wanted. There was no back and forth, no telling each other their feelings and the drama that seems to come with romance books lately. Second, the characters were amazing. Hank, I can’t say enough about this man – he is what girls think of when they want a gentle, sexy cowboy. He is driven, honest, sweet, sexy, and straightforward in an unapologetic way, but in a gentlemanly way. Ella Mae, I also adored her. She is strong, passionate, straightforward, and independent, but a little broken. Her journey for herself is a great one. There will be other characters such as Ella Mae’s brother – it’s a love-hate relationship but so necessary for the plot. Last, but not least, it was face- paced. I was always interested and actually surprised I didn’t see the end coming till right before (it was nice just to be engaged in the book). Really recommend it for a great thought-provoking, encouraging life-love story. FYI read your trigger warnings.

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Sleeping Love by Natalina Reis – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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Sleeping LoveSleeping Love by Natalina Reis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sleeping Love is an MM Romance Fantasy story about a man named Ayo who is banished by his kingdom, but quickly finds himself on a quest to save his love, Prince Yi, and his magic. The Prince and Ayo grew up together as “brothers” but he quickly realized he loved him, but due to the prince’s cruel father, this is a path that could never be. Eventually, the king banishes Ayo, to an awful island that finds a way to kill many of its inhabitants, and steals his magic in hopes to use it for himself. Ayo comes to find out that the kingdom was put under a spell and his prince is in a deep sleep. This spell is hitting many of the realms so that the Mulluk can obtain more power, or that is at least the thought. Ayo is able to wake his prince with “a kiss”, and they begin their journey to save the kingdom and Ayo’s magic. We quickly learn that the prince feels the same way and is in love with Ayo, however, Ayo is questioning so many things because he knows Yi is hiding something. Ayo, Yi, and other comrades make their way to get Ayo’s magic back, learn about Ayo’s past, and try and save the realms.
I liked that the storyline seemed to move along quickly and is a standalone book. There were parts that I thought were odd or unnecessary due to the lack of information provided for it, but overall was a good story. It was full of humor, strength, romance, and adventure. I enjoyed the characters for the most part. Bai Qian, one of the comrades, is a female princess but wants to destroy the female persona for the time. She was a great character – she was badass, royal, strong, smart, and cunning. She was quite funny and enjoyable to read about. As for the main characters, Ayo and Yi, they too were great characters. There were times that Ayo got on my nerves because of his insecurities, but overall, he was a loving, devoted love interest. Yi was more my type of character. While he was royal, he was down-to-earth, loving, honest, and not shy about who he was. The love story uses old tales to show how powerful a kiss can be!

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Obedience (Ties That Bind Book 1) by Liza Snow – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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ObedienceObedience by Liza Snow
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Obedience is about a girl named Cassandra Blackstone. Cassandra is a silk aerialist who has always wanted to be mentored by one of the greats, Chandler Moreau. Cassandra auditions for the school that Chandler’s family owns and receives a full scholarship, mentorship, and a job as a teacher assistant. I won’t go into too much detail because there is a lot of things that happen in this book. Long story short, Cassandra is borderline obsessed with Chandler and he seems to have similar feelings once he saw her perform. He is quite older then her and recently divorced so he is seen as a little bit of a grump (not to mention he hates his father). While infatuated with each other, this is not a love at first sight type of story – they each have a lot of baggage and secrets. They do end up falling for each other, but at what cost. Chandler’s family is evil from what we have seen so far and Cassandra is trying to rid the evil from her former life. That doesn’t really bode well for falling for a guy who has evil in his blood. There is this back and forth of information throughout the entire book and is left on a cliff hanger.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I think it provided something a little different then what I am use to reading so that was refreshing. However, there is a lot of information to pay attention to so I had to make sure that I wasn’t too tire while reading. As for the characters, I thought they were interesting. I didn’t love them but didn’t hate them either. Chandler seems a little overbearing and overprotective, but I am sure there is a lot of reasoning behind it. However, I do think he is a little controlling as well, and while I normally love that in a male character, for some reason it just wasn’t hitting the same for me with Chandler. As for Cassandra, I thought she was smart, elegant (in her craft) but a little naive. However, there is a point where she just says what needs to be said and does what needs to be done. I do love that when came to the love story there wasn’t too much build up – however, there was always another secret around the corner. The romance built up so good, but then at times I wanted more. I will read book 2 because I now need to at least know what all the secrets are!!

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People Safari by Feather Chelle – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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People SafariPeople Safari by Feather Chelle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

People Safari was a cute book about a deer who wanted to adventure outside the forest. Ranger Marco, a raccoon, is about to take them on this journey, but the deer family is a little weary. Fawn, the young deer, is very excited to learn about his outside world and is amazed by many of the things learned. The fawn learns about neighborhoods, people, and what people do all according to the raccoon which is funny. However, they get spooked when they make their way into a garden and Fawn gets a little lost in the city. Ranger Marco finds the fawn quickly and because she was scared she quickly wants to find her parents and go back to the forest. When Ranger Marco asked if they were ready to explore more, the deer family wouldn’t have it. This was a cute book. I liked all the little thoughts about what they think people do in accordance with getting on a bus for school, walking their pets, and even how pooping works. The fact that the deer thought the human world was crazy was also funny because, well, it is!! I found the illustrations really cute too!

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Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow! (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow!: The Real Magic of the BeansFee, Fi, Fo, Grow!: The Real Magic of the Beans by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Fee, Fi, Fo, Grow is a recreation of Jack and the Bean Stalk. Jacqueline is a little girl living with her mother and they have a hard time finding food. They own a cow named Bessie and decide to sell her so they can eat. On the way to market, Jacqueline trades for some seeds. Well, as you probably know the seeds grow overnight into a huge stalk with a Giant couple living at the top. The wife is very nice and wants to help the little girl out, while the husband wants to eat her. He chased her and then said he would wait for her to come back because she was bringing his wife beans. Jaqueline sneakily brought the wife beans and got a basket of golden eggs in return, which now makes her and her mother rich. This book is a Science Folktale but I didn’t feel it taught as much as in the other stories the author has written. I thought this one explained how growing food is profitable for the sustainability of life, but how one goes about was fiction. One could take a deeper meaning from it where when you are at your lowest, there are times that your luck can change for the better. Sometimes you just have to take a chance on something that seems unrealistic.

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A Monster for Meg (Giants and Monsters) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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A Monster for MegA Monster for Meg by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Monster for Meg is about a girl who wants to understand why monsters are so scary. Meg is blind so she has her sister start to describe the scariness of a monster. The funny thing is Meg doesn’t find it so scary because everything being described reminds her of something her sister already does. It was a cute book. I like how they made it that just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean you can’t experience something. Also, the fact that although you may not see it doesn’t mean it is scary. It was a cute, inclusive take on a childhood fear for many.

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Afflicted Love (Rhythm & Heart Series) by Autumn Sand – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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Afflicted LoveAfflicted Love by Autumn Sand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Afflicted Love is the first book in the Rhythm & Heart series and I am excited for book 2. This is an M/M romance about Kyle and Lyle. The two met as young boys who were struggling with life – both coming from abusive homes. Kyle had come to Lyle’s rescue one day and the two have been inseparable since. They called each other brothers and Kyle even took Lyle’s family’s name and became his protector. As they started to become teenagers feelings started to change, both loved each other as brothers but also as more. Kyle ends up getting kicked out, for reasons I won’t say, but promises to come back for Lyle because they both agree that they belong to each other, always, and will never leave each other’s side. However, being together is not something that can take place in their situational lives. Well, you know how it goes, life happens – one boy wants a life with the other, and the other can’t get out of their own demons. Throughout the book, you see the struggle the two have about loving each other but how they just are not good for each other. What happens though when you literally cannot live without each other? Can they find the courage to live the life they want and dream of? This book does end on a cliffhanger so I am urgently waiting for book 2.
I enjoyed this book a lot. I am excited for the second book but I am really curious about how things work out for these two. I want them to work out on one hand, but on the other, I want so much more for Kyle. At the beginning of the book, I thought I was going to end up hating Kyle and feeling bad for Lyle. Well, lets just say it is almost the opposite feeling. I am pissed at Lyle and want to smack him upside his head. Kyle, on the other hand, I completely adore and feel so much for his situation. He deserves so much for the turmoil he has endured his entire life. I am hopeful that he will get the life and future he deserves and desires. I also hope that Lyle gets his head out of his ass and realizes the life he could have and how happy he could be. There is a part of Lyle’s story that I don’t think we are getting yet so I am interested in finding out what that is. Everyone deserves to not have to lie about who they are – I hope he realizes that.

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Consigliere’s Revenge (Sicilian Gods Book 3) by Via Mari – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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Consigliere's Revenge (Sicilian Gods Book 3)Consigliere’s Revenge by Via Mari
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I just love these dark mafia romances by this author. In this particular book, we get insight into the Lurussio’s family’s consigliere, Lorenzo. He is a dark, private, intense man, but on the inside, he is more caring then he lets on, but only for Isabella. Isabella is a reporter that is trying to secretly get the scoop on the mafia families of Vegas. However, Lorenzo, as consigliere, he knows all and calls her out when caught in one of their private clubs. The chemistry between the two is instant. In addition, they are both familiar with circumstances because Isabella’s father use to work for the family. Because of the attraction and her father, the Lurussio family offers her a deal to be their reporter and write the stories they want to be published. Isabella takes the job because, well does she really have a choice? It definitely starts as a love-hate relationship that quickly advances to love-love. However, being someone who is trying to spill the family’s secrets, will need to try really hard to gain her trust, but she needs it from him too, the lady’s man. Can the two of them find common ground to do what is best for all families involved? Can they learn to trust each other, even when love is clearly present?
As all the other books in this series, it was a great, quick, sexy read. The author has a great way of just getting to the point – I am not a slow-burn lover and this author never keeps you waiting. Both characters were quite loveable and you can see the growth of love they both portray for each other. I also love that you can see the trust unfold through the story on both sides – it just makes the love story seem more believable. I am not sure if this is the end of the series it seemed like yes, but I know there are more characters that can become important pieces for the family so I hope to continue to read more on the Lurussio family.

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Unexpected Entanglement (The Echo Series Book 3) by C.R. Alam – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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Unexpected Entanglement (Book 3 of the Echo Series)Unexpected Entanglement by C.R. Alam
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Unexpected Entanglement is the third book in the series. This book is about Chris – who we have met before -a hotel conglomerate, best friend of Dean, and now a great friend of Rae’s. We find out at the beginning that Rae has extended family that just found out about her. She is not sure how to handle this news, and due to the fact that she is pregnant, Chris volunteers to go check things out. Rae’s father has left property to her and her siblings, but not sure what to expect. Chris arrives on this small island and things from the start become quite interesting. He meets Rae’s siblings – Rowan and Kieran Kelly. The siblings own a farm and inn that is trying to reopen, but in two weeks they are holding a wedding and not really prepared. Once Chris makes it to his destination, things start to move quickly; Chris offers up his services to help prepare for this wedding. While no one understands why he would be doing this, he tries to reassure them it is for the love of his friend. What Rowan doesn’t realize is that Chris is a blessing in disguise. Can the two work together to host this wedding? Will obstacles always get in the way of progress? Can the two keep their attraction to each other at bay to have a successful opening? Will the siblings be able to come together to produce a successful inn that means so much to their father?
There is a lot going on in this book, but I love it. As the third book, I have already fell in love with most of the characters. Chris always had small roles in the first two books, but I knew I was just going to love him – and I do!! Chris is a down-to-earth, handsome, successful, smart, gentleman with a huge heart. He is a hard worker and confident in his abilities. Rowan is a strong, sassy, stubborn woman who is just a great partner for Chris. She is driven and begins to become more courageous about going after what she wants. The little bit of spice that is written was also enjoyable. It was a great story about siblings coming together, love finding each other, and healing from the past.

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Little Red, the Detective (Science Folktales) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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Little Red, the Detective: a science folktale (Science Folktales)Little Red, the Detective: a science folktale by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Little Red, The Detective is a retelling of “Little Red Riding Hood” but with a detective twist. A girl named Maureen who everyone calls red because of her red sweater she loves to wear (even though her hair is red) is asked to go see her Grandma. Her Grandma is knitting her a new sweater and needs to measure her. Grandma asks her to grab a special flower for tea on her way over. So as Red is walking in the woods she is looking for this flower; she uses her detective book to look at the picture to compare. While walking she can’t seem to find the flower, but all of a sudden a friendly wolf approaches with a bunch of flowers claiming they are the right ones. Red doesn’t believe him, but it gives him time to get to Grandma’s to eat her before Red gets there. She finally finds the right flower and heads to Grandma’s. When she gets there she realizes something is wrong but uses her detective skills to realize that the wolf is there and not Grandma. Red makes a special tea that makes him spit Grandma out. Then they drink tea and take Red’s measurements for her new sweater. I don’t really know what to say about the book. This author produces cute kid’s stories, but I also find them odd. The story always tends to move fast and skip detail so it always just seems rushed to me. Then the ending just seems anti-climatic and strange.

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The Challenger (The Hustlers Trilogy Book 2) by Rowan Rossler – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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The Challenger: A Sports Romance Saga (The Hustlers Trilogy Book 2)The Challenger: A Sports Romance Saga by Rowan Rossler
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The Challenger is a story about two people who are famous (within their fields), but have a lot of baggage and no capacity for love. Chavez is a pro tennis player who over the last year has gone downhill due to family issues, separating from his fiance, and issues with rage. While waiting for his therapist, he meets Flynn, a writer and motivational speaker. Both of these individuals are not in the place to add someone to their life but are unusually drawn to each other. The two of them are honest but shady about the hardships they are going through, but they are so attracted to each other that much of these feelings are ignored and sex and attraction are replaced as the fix-all. They are both trying to regain their lives, Chavez is trying to get back to tennis and Flynn is trying to start a new writing adventure. While all this is occurring, each of them are dealing with many other problems – Chavez has no coach and issues with his parents since the breakup – Flynn is trying to deal with a stalker that has been around for over a year. They decide to explore their feelings but in a messed up way – she becomes his coach for the amateur rounds of tennis and starts to travel around the world with him. This tour around the world brings them closer and closer together and each is finding puzzle pieces to becoming whole again. Flynn however is hiding a lot of information while Chavez is basically confessing his love. Flynn starts to realize that she loves him but doesn’t want him messed up in her history. Is there a way where the past can be healed and a future of happiness can prevail?
This book was okay. I did enjoy the premise of the story, but I thought the author left some things to be desired. For example, the sexy, steamy attraction the two characters had you could tell was there but she left a lot to the imagination – I would have preferred to have it written right on the page. The chemistry between the characters was good but I didn’t really enjoy the characters themselves. I didn’t really find anything special about either of the characters. I do like how you could see Chavez become more and more vulnerable, but it was a little hard to believe in a 25-year-old kid with anger issues – I guess that development though was intriguing. Flynn was an everyday female who came across as educated, brave, and well-rounded but I felt she just took a back seat to female characters. However, I did like that the disagreement that climaxed in the book didn’t take over the entire thing – quick resolve, but believable.

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His Forever Muse (The Echo Series Book 2) by C.R. Alam – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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His Forever Muse (Book 2 of The Echo Series)His Forever Muse by C.R. Alam
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

His Forever Muse is the second book in The Echo Series. In the first book we met Rae and Dean, but we also met Rae’s best friend Brandon. Brandon Rossi is the front man in a famous band, Canis Major. However, Brandon is also an artist and at the beginning of the book seems to have lost his way. He is visiting Rae while waiting to give birth and she helps him realize that maybe he needs to recharge his batteries. He decides it is time to rediscover himself and get back to having motivation to keep creating, creating music and art. On his travels, he ends up in Morocco, which wasn’t on his original journey, however, this stop leads him to a long lost friend. Calliope Chen-Bisset (Callie), his bestfriend and bandmate’s sister showed up to consult on some art for a new project when they are reunited. Brandon and Callie grew up together and were very good friends until she went to college. When speaking about their past I think both were closer then they ever realized and depended on each other, but as in many situations life happens. Now that they have reunited, neither of them are wanting to let go. The problem is though, Brandon lives in New York and Callie in Paris. Callie is fighting a past that won’t seem to let her go, and Brandon is trying to keep the past from slipping through his fingers again. Each seem to be realizing that they have an energy together that they have never felt with anyone else. There lives are so far apart, but Brandon refuses to let her go again, but will her past keep her from moving forward and letting him in? Is he ready to really give up his entire life to make sure he stays in hers?
I really enjoyed book 2. I was already loving Brandon in the first book. He is an honest, down to earth, smart, artistic, gentleman who is a romantic at heart. In every ounce of this book he was respectful, loving, patient, and just what every woman would dream of. Callie was a great character too. She is brave, strong, and finding herself once again as a force to be reckoned with. The chemistry the two had jumped off of the page. You could truly feel the love they had for each other. The author described the feelings in a great way where you could feel the strength at times it took to hold back, or how much hurt they were dealing with. I will say the first love scene, wow!!! Before they even get to the main course she is approaching him like a piece of art and the process of taking her time absorbing everything this man had to offer – okay sign me up – HOT!! Definitely excited for book 3!

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Master Calabrea (Masters of the Consulate Book 6) by Sylvia Black – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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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

This was another good vampire romance in the Masters of the Consulate series. This book sort of leaves off where book 5 ended – Isala is trying to overthrow the underworld and kill her sister. They have been hunting her and finally feel they are on her trail. In book 6, things are going down in Master Calabrea’s territory. They do not know who to trust because even their own kind seem to be turning on them. Master Calabrea and Overmaster Descallia are going over plans to keep everything under control. What Master Calabrea didn’t plan on was Tansia, the cousin of Embry, who works for Overmaster Descallia and is with his right-hand man, Lucus. The tension between Calabrea and Tansia is there from the start – he doesn’t want to have to take care of another person, especially a human even though he is physically attracted to her. Tansia, doesn’t want to get involved with the underworld, she just left a bad relationship, and she doesn’t like how Calabrea is eying her up and down. However, Overmaster Descallia groups them together to try and find intel on what is going on. Tansiacomese to find out that she should have powers of sight; she does not believe this to be true because she claims she has no powers. However, it is foretold that her sight and a master will save the underworld. This partnership quickly takes a turn toward romance. Because of the blossoming love, will that help them save the underworld, will she gain the power she needs to win this war, and will being a human get in the way of everything?
I thought this was a good addition to the series. It wasn’t my favorite story in the series, however, but I am glad that answers are finally coming to the forefront. I thought the characters were great. Tansia is a badass woman who is proficient in martial arts, and for a human she can really handle herself in their world. Master Calabrea is a little mysterious and rough around the edges, but completely loveable. The banter at the beginning that they have gives great build up. While I love that this book, and many of the others in the series, moves quickly along, the love story portion of this book happened in a blink of an eye. One minute I felt like they would never allow this relationship to happen, but then the next chapter starts and it is a completely different story. I would have just liked a little bit more build-up. Overall, still a good addition to the series.

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Braving Lily (True Platinum Series Book 7) by Morgana Bevan – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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Braving Lily (True Platinum, #5)Braving Lily by Morgana Bevan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Braving Lily was a great rock star romance. Lily is a famous rock star who auctioned off a date for charity. When she went to meet the date, she was stood up. For some reason, she cannot get over the fact that she was stood up and decided to confront the man. The man is Rhys, a divorced man who isn’t ready to date but is constantly being set up by his mother. After they do meet for the first time, both of them are intrigued with each other and decide to try a real date. While the two didn’t start on a great footing, they quickly start to really enjoy each other’s company. Lily is giving him feelings he hasn’t felt in quite some time, he finds himself trusting her very easily. He provides a private life and a non-caring about her fame mentality that makes her quickly fall for him. However, the problem both face is she is leaving for a year long tour so they try to keep it casual, but that is hard to do when feelings get involved. Can they both get over their past and present livelihoods to let this love story bloom?
I liked this story a lot. I liked how it started with a girl going after what she “wants”, but the guy not wanting her just because she is famous. They advance quickly in their dynamics and I love how there was no bull in the story. The author kept it straightforward, always moving, with one issue, and a solution. I feel that while they experienced miscommunication, she kept that part short and sweet so I didn’t get pissed at the characters. I thought the characters were great. Lily was a strong, but vulnerable girl who goes after what she wants and doesn’t apologize for it. However, she is also caring and honest about her life. Rhys was also a strong, caring, honest character. He was upfront about his expectations, and while he had insecurities, his confidence was sexier. I will also mention that the sex scenes were just spicy enough for a nice romance-type story.

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Saving the Gingerbread House by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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saving the gingerbread housesaving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was an interesting story. Saving the Gingerbread House is a weird play on the original story of Hansel and Gretel. In this story, Hansel and Gretel are out for a picnic with their dad. They are careful while having a picnic because there are rumors about a witch who has a cauldron, who might kidnap children, who might eat children, etc. The kids hear a sound and go running away from the picnic and get lost, but they come upon a gingerbread house. They start to eat the house, along with the forest animals, and the woman who lives there is mad because she is trying to win a beautiful house contest. She forces the kids to help fix the house. Gretel tells the woman her dad will worry and had to go find him, but she keeps going down the wrong path. Finally, she finds her dad, brings him back to the house, and the woman wins the contest. In the end, the question is “was the woman a witch?” I did not really understand the point of the book, especially the ending. Normally this author has a learning point of view and I am not really sure what the message was here. I am sure kids may like this book because there is a cool candy house, but as a parent wasn’t my favorite.

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Ruthless Hawke (The Hawke Family Second Generation Book 1) by Gwyn McNamee – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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Ruthless Hawke (The Hawke Family Second Generation Book 1)Ruthless Hawke by Gwyn McNamee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After “Night Hawke” left you on a cliffhanger, of sorts, it was totally worth it for “Ruthless Hawke”. I really loved book one in this series. This book starts 5 years after ‘Night Hawke’ with Issac (aka Nolan) in court working for his family’s businesses as their lawyer. After court that day he gets an emergency text from the family to get over to his dad’s office. On the other side of the story, Mina (aka Jack) is on her way to New Orleans to “hide” with a family friend of her father’s that she has never met. Her mother is Donne in Chicago and threats have been made against the family. Until the threat is handled they want Mina in a place no one would look. While not trying to give too much away, you come to see very quickly how Nolan and Jack will reunite after these 5 years. Two people who have been obsessed with each other, in their own minds, but never thought they will ever see each other again are now going to be emotionally jolted. The man she has been dreaming about is now her protector. Needless to say, Issac is pretty pissed after how they parted, but there are many complications coming their way. Can Issac handle being around this woman who has haunted him for so long, and can he keep her safe from this threat? Will the secrets the two have been keeping come out and affect the situation? Will they be able to keep their hands off each other? It is definitely a great story projected just what a small world it is out there.
I really enjoyed this book. I thought the plot was fast-moving and interesting, the characters were loveable, and the surprises along the way were great. As for the characters, these two together are just magic on paper. Issac is a confident, over-protective, possessive (in an endearing way), smart, and overall sexy character. Mina is a strong, but shelter woman. She hasn’t been given much freedom in her life, but she still is a dreamer, realist, creative, talented female character. The two have great chemistry even when they are fighting. The intimate scenes, while it is mainly a plot-driven book, are amazing. He is a dirty talker which helps you truly visualize the aspects that are happening between the two of them. The one thing that was a little difficult is that there are a lot of characters introduced and it was really hard to keep track, but props to the writer she kind of include the difficulty in the characters remembering family too. I am excited to read other books that come out in this series.

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Echoing Hearts (The Echo Series Book 1) by C.R. Alam – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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Echoing Hearts (Book 1 of The Echo Series)Echoing Hearts by C.R. Alam
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Echoing Hearts was a good romance book. It starts with Dean, a successful, handsome, CEO, getting stood up at the altar. Then three years later, he is a changed man who is just walking through life. Rae, is a renowned travel blogger who is asked to go do a piece for Home Magazine on a house in the south. Rae does not know who the house belongs to and seems confused when she pulls up to an empty house, however, it actually isn’t empty when she stumbles upon a sexy man doing laps in the pool. Their meeting was rocky, he didn’t want to be disturbed, and she told him how it is. They quickly however learned to tolerate each other for that short weekend Rae would be doing the piece. Months later Rae is attending an event for her BFF Brandon who fronts a band – Dean happens to own the company that signed the band. The two have sporadically thought about each other, but due to the rocky start were intimidated about running into one another. However, the two do meet and begin a friendship. This quickly turns into something else but you have two individuals not wanting or not “available” for a relationship. Rae doesn’t believe in love and Dean is still “dealing” with being left at the altar. Can the two of them find a middle ground to further their friendship and get over their pasts?
As I stated before, the book was cute. The banter between the characters was on point. The book was a little longer but the chapters went quickly. Rae is an independent, straight shooter. Dean is a stuffy, misunderstood, heartbroken man, but at the same time has an air about him. The two complimented each other well. However, as a 40-year-old woman, I am getting tired of the “miscommunication” romance. The book seems to have a lot of moments where if you just say something and listen carefully, the drama could be avoided, but I guess we live for the drama. I did like how you could feel the change in both characters and the love jumping off the page. I will be interested in reading the next book in the series.

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Loretta’s Caterpillar (Loretta’s Insects) by Lois Wickstrom – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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Loretta's Caterpillar (Loretta's Insects #4)Loretta’s Caterpillar by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loretta’s Caterpillar was a cute story of how caterpillars become beautiful butterflies. Loretta woke up to no more butterflies flying around her garden and she got quite upset. When she went to investigate, she saw many little eggs on leaves. She started to look after one of them that she considered her pet. She saw the egg hatch, as a caterpillar, change colors, build a chrysalis, and become a beautiful butterfly. The author always takes Loretta on an adventure teaching the reader along the way about nature. Even as an adult I learned that caterpillars always eat their shedded skin and if the butterfly has black dots that indicates it’s a boy! The author always provided a summary at the end about the subject which is a great teaching moment.

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Night Hawke (The Hawke Family Second Generation Prequel) by Gwyn McNamee – Review by Dr. Anya Schultz

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Night Hawke (The Hawke Family Second Generation #0.5)Night Hawke by Gwyn McNamee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you were looking for a quick all-night sex extravaganza, then Night Hawke is your book. Issac Hawke is a newly graduated lawyer who is leaving Chicago to move back to New Orleans to be a part of the family business. He thought having one more amazing celebration with a gorgeous redhead would do the trick. The two spark up a conversation both wanting the same thing – a really good one-night stand. The catch is that they want to end it with no strings, which means no real names; Isaac goes by Nolan and the redhead goes by Jack. Well, this one-night stand becomes the best thing either one of them has ever experienced. The whole story is a prequel that starts their relationship, but the only thing that really occurred was a lot of untruths (to safeguard each other’s feelings, but also their lives) and sex, lots and lots of sex. “Jack” you don’t really learn much about her except that her family is highly controlling and she isn’t supposed to be out. She makes little hints but there is no description of why she is kept “captive” by her family – my guess will be maybe mafia related. Either way, the two feel more then they expect when one night turns into two. However, while Nolan wants more, he is left wanting when she up and leaves in the morning. He has no information on how to find her except that she lives and is from Chicago – he doesn’t even know her real name. As characters, I find both of them charming, and mysterious, but want more for their lives. That is the only info you get so the prequel sets you up for future stories, but you have no idea what that will be. It worked because I am interested to find out what happens.

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