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The Lies We Tell by Brittany Butler – Review by Emma Morreale

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The Lies We TellThe Lies We Tell by Brittany Butler
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A plot twist? In a book about lies? What?!
But seriously, I did not see that coming and it made up for almost everything else I wasn’t too fond of.
Natalie is a liar. It’s pretty helpful as an author, I would imagine. But she lies about everything and honestly it got old after a while. The lies were something I could relate to since I was a pretty big liar as a child and it would be about the most ridiculous things that I didn’t need to lie about but it would make whatever situation I was currently in just a little bit easier. As with our lovely main character Natalie, it doesn’t hold up well in the long run. SOOOO many of her problems could have been solved with a short conversation and although I know this is how Natalie operates, but this is really similar to when characters make stupid decisions for drama’s sake. Not a fan of that. This instance is a bit different since Natalie has always been like this but still.
The story gets pretty intense and the twist is worth it.

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The Mother-in-Law by Judy Moore – Review by Emma Morreale

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The Mother-in-LawThe Mother-in-Law by Judy Moore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am an absolute sucker for clickbait lists and horrible mother in law stories are some of my favorite. So obviously I saw this book was immediately like “I need this”. Maybe I like stuff like this so much because my mother in law is one of the sweetest women I’ve ever met. IDK
My first thought in this was why would anyone ever get married after knowing someone for only a month? My husband and I got married after dating for 8 years! Victoria just decides she’s ready to be a wife and a mother? Girl is entitled to her opinion but the mother in law she didn’t know was going to be living with sure made her question that decision. Victoria gets tangled in the web of lies that Madeline is weaving, while Brad remains willfully ignorant. There were so many times I just wanted to shake Victoria by her shoulders and tell her to drop everything and leave that house while she still could of her own will!
I definitely got just a pinch of Skeleton Key and Norman Bates in this book and I would recommend it to almost anyone.

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Souls Collide (Collide Series #3) by Kristina Beck – Review by Emma Morreale

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Souls Collide (Collide Series #3)Souls Collide by Kristina Beck
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The hearts and flames on the cover are they perfect way to represent this book.
I did not read this series in order and while I didn’t feel super lost in some parts, I would recommend reading them in order to get the most out of these books.
Alexa has it all. She has looks, luck, smarts, and doesn’t need to worry about money. Kent doesn’t want the darkness that pervades his life to tarnish Alexa’s even though he is drawn to her.
The connection between the two main characters is palpable and would make this book worth reading if it was just these two going at odds with their emotions. Fortunately, Kristina Beck added so much more. Strangers lurking in the dark threaten Alexa and force Kent to come to terms with his protective instincts and the inescapable pull he feels around Alexa.
Also when I read “Your bright light shines through the cracks in my wall” I giggled like the nerd I am and thought about the crack in Amy Pond’s bedroom and wondered if Prisoner Zero would make an appearance.

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Beachcomber Gone (Beachcomber Investigations 9) by Stephanie Queen – Review by Emma Morreale

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Beachcomber GoneBeachcomber Gone by Stephanie Queen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Nothing puts the brakes on a prewedding visit to your hometown like finding out what you thought was a closed case has been reopened because of a possible insider. Shana wants Dane to meet her family before they get married but Murphy’s Law is in full effect and everything seems to get worse.
I felt so frustrated and angry for all the curves thrown at Shana and Dane. I love these characters and I just want them to be happy. But then again, that doesn’t make for a very interesting story series. Danger around every turn in Australia? Super exciting and interesting! Each character is explored and has depth. I learn more about the couple in each story and the world building is fantastic. Attention to detail and in character arcs is brilliant. Kevin gives me creepy chills, Shana makes me want to cultivate my game face, and Dane’s deep affection for Shana makes me just want to hug him.
This could absolutely be a stand alone novel but I do not recommend it. This entire series is worth every second of read time.

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It Ends Tonight (Bayou Devils MC Book 4) by A. M. Myers – Review by Emma Morreale

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It Ends Tonight (Bayou Devils MC Book 4)It Ends Tonight by A.M. Myers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I can’t get enough of this series! As I’ve said before about other books in this series, fans of SOA and romance will love these books.
Quinn and Lucas have an undeniable bond immediately. Family is the most important thing to them both, unfortunately through horrible pasts and violent deaths. These horrible memories and events come back to haunt both of them after everything seems like nothing could get more picturesque in their lives.
The quick jumps from wholesome to action packed had me tearing through the pages.
I need more of this series STAT!

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Venganza: The Fuentes Legacy by Greta Cribbs – Review by Emma Morreale

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Venganza: The Fuentes LegacyVenganza: The Fuentes Legacy by Greta Cribbs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I read Primogénito first and was pretty confused by it. I finally got the prequel I desperately needed! This book shed so much light on everything that happens in Primogénito that I may actually read that one again.
Fans of Stephen King will enjoy these book just for the sheer creepiness of the Fuentes family. It almost would be less terrifying if these books were set in a fantasy world.
Damian’s father, Leo, is the first to try an escape the life of ritual and torture that has been his family’s legacy for centuries. Renato will not tolerate this act of betrayal by his son and kidnaps his grandson to continue the family traditions. Damian suffers more than any child should have to bear for the sins Renato says Leo has committed. Jenn is Damian saving grace and even though I’m doing my absolute best to distance what I know about Primogénito so I don’t spoil anything, I still think Jenn is the only one with even a shred of common sense even though she loves a man who has gone through worse than Hell and will carry it with him forever.
If you like King levels of dark and twisted, read this first and then Primogénito.

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The Killmore’s (Killmore Book 2) by Martha Sweeney – Review by Emma Morreale

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The Killmores (Killmore #2)The Killmores by Martha Sweeney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Laurie and Aiden are killer power couple. Pun intended.
With book one of this series being so good, I had high expectations for the sequel. All in all, Martha Sweeney did a pretty good job. There were bits where Laurie lost faith in herself and it didn’t really sit well with me because she is a total badass and it just didn’t seem to me like that what her character would actually do. It seemed more like drama for dramas sake.
Other than that I enjoyed this book immensely. Aiden never treated Laurie like anything other than an equal and there was never any over the top masculinity stunts that I’ve seen all too much of recently.
More than anything, what makes a book great is a solid cast of secondary characters and believable villians. The Killmore’s has that in spades!

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Truly Unfortunate (Welcome to Knollville Book 1) by C. A. King – Review by Emma Morreale

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Truly Unfortunate (Welcome To Knollville Book 1)Truly Unfortunate by C.A. King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Truly has no memory of her childhood. Life is pretty bad for her now, so what could her brain possibly consider so bad that her memories refuse to come forward? Jeff is a detective who is seeing deeply disturbing patterns in deaths and will stop at nothing to find the connections between them. Each of them will need to decide which is the lesser of two evils.
This paranormal thriller kept me on the edge of my seat and up at night. I absolutely agree with the warning that is for mature audiences but that could be because I have a pretty over active imagination especially in the worst case scenario department.
C.A. King is a fantastic writer and if you enjoy this book, you should read The Portal Prophecies and The Four Horseman series.

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Killmore (Killmore #1) by Martha Sweeney – Review by Emma Morreale

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Killmore (Killmore #1)Killmore by Martha Sweeney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

You’re life has to be pretty screwy if you’re in Witness Protection and the FBI can’t keep you safe. But that is what makes good reading and television!
Laurie was used as an informant against a powerful Mexican cartel boss and as always, the Butcher’s Bill comes due and will be paid. The man who is tasked with protecting her is sexy, mysterious, and can’t really say anything about himself which is worst case scenario for the distrustful Laurie. But really, who can blame her?
I actually thought she was a bit too trusting, especially in Aiden and the government’s ability to keep her from harm. Maybe that’s because I’ve seen too many movies but I’m a worst case scenario kind of woman and money talks as it always does.
The plot twist about gave me whiplash and the cliffhanger……. THE DREADED CLIFFHANGERS!!!!
But seriously this book is fantastic and I didn’t wait more than about three minutes to calm myself before I jumped into the second book.

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Tomb for an Eagle (Orkneyinga Murders #1) by Lexie Conyngham – Review by Emma Haverstock

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Tomb for an Eagle (Orkneyinga Murders, #1)Tomb for an Eagle by Lexie Conyngham
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Viking who dunnit mystery? More please!
I’ve always been fascinated by the people we call Vikings so I was hooked at the summary. Sigrid and Ketil are wonderful main characters in this historical suspense novel and the attention to detail on every page were such that it wouldn’t surprise me to find some of these locations in real life and wonder if I’d been there before.
There were many twists and turns, red herrings, and I have seldom been more wrong about who I believed to be the culprit.
I can’t wait to read more of Lexie Conyngham’s books.

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Do Not Open Until Halloween by C.A. King – Review by Emma Haverstock

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Do Not Open Until HalloweenDo Not Open Until Halloween by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This woman writes some of the best fantasy I’ve ever read. Do Not Open Until Halloween is no exception.
Caitlin’s Aunt tells the best stories and it wasn’t that long ago that Caitlin believed every word. The unfortunate side effect of teenage bravado has pushed those thoughts to the side and boys and school has taken over. When Petunia asks Caitlin to house sit for her on the same weekend Caitlin’s crush asks her on a date, she’s pretty torn on who to choose. Justin may never ask again if she turns him down (tragic but I don’t think he’s good enough for her) but Petunia is family and she’s already promised. What is an 18 year old to to except throw a party? The problems start when one of those creatures Caitlin doesn’t believe in anymore crashes the party and is in trouble.
King always has a way of adding to and twisting the stereotypical fantasy characters to make them new and fascinating. I will read anything this magnificent woman publishes.

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The Fifth Knight (The Knights of Caerleon series Book 1) by Claire Luana & Jesikah Sundin – Review by Emma Haverstock

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The Fifth Knight (The Knights of Caerleon #1)The Fifth Knight by Jesikah Sundin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Strong female character in an Arthurian tale? Sign me up.
Fionna is a fierce and talented warrior who is the key to breaking the fae curse that Arthur and his Knights are up against. I was hooked from start to finish. I have always enjoyed Arthurian legends and this is my first RH novel so it was pretty interesting to add to the mix of what I’ve already consumed in terms of Arthurian literature.
The story is told from several different POV characters, which I’ve always thought helps to flesh out characters. I also like that although Fionna is a strong willed character, she doesn’t have that irritating trope of getting in over her head to prove herself and then needing to be rescued like any old damsel in distress. It was kind of annoying that everyone seemed to fall in love with her like they’d never seen a woman before but I guess it fits in with the timeline/history/ story that the whole thing is based around. Can’t wait for the next book!

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The Boss (Fire’s Edge #1) by Abigail Owen – Review by Emma Haverstock

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The Boss (Fire's Edge, #1)The Boss by Abigail Owen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

So. This book is nuts. It’s like riding in a roller coaster car but instead of it being on a track like any normal, sane person would ride on, the car starts at the top of a mountain. The prologue starts as your car tips over the side to see that the trail down is full of switchbacks and you realize pretty quickly into the first chapter that you’re going to be careening down each of those sharper than a pin turns at breakneck speed. Unless you put this book down (highly unlikely) and walk away for a moment to collect your thoughts, the story of Finn and Delaney gives you almost no room to recover from the whiplash of emotions and startling revelations.
Finn is a dragon enforcer, hot as fresh baked bread (and just as delicious), and he’s sealed his heart against the thought of finding a mate. New potential mates are found less and less every year, and the tragedy of what happened to the woman he thought was his mate is literally his own personal torture. I can’t blame him.
Delaney has weird fires starting up around her when she passes out and they’ve followed her. She also has lost loved ones in a tragic accident and has the added bonus of a stalker. Lovely. She has more strength than Finn has ever seen and she will not take the chance that one of these fires will hurt someone.
Finn is drawn to her but he’s concluded she’s just a normal human, right? RIGHT?!?
Also this is book one of a series. Score.

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Seized by Obscurity (Evergreen Series #1) by Joann Herley – Review by Emma Haverstock

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Seized by Obscurity (Evergreen Series #1)Seized by Obscurity by Joann Herley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First off let me say that I love it when fantasy writers add more to established types of characters like vampires. The basics in this story are the same like you become a vampire by being bitten and drained and then drinking the blood of another vampire. BUT Joann Herley adds so much more to the background of what a vampire can be and what kind of powers a vampire can posess.
Thomas is our main male character and I really love his transition from lost soul hellbent on revenge to someone who is willing to sacrifice all that he has for others. Lara is a wonderful leading lady and I thoroughly enjoy that she’s not just some simpering aristocrat. She is loving and incredibly tough. She wants the best for her people even when they don’t believe they deserve it.
I would have liked a little bit more background than the prologue provided but this is the first book in the series so hopefully we will learn more about Lord Evergreen and Alltree. I was especially intrigued by Magna and her relationship with her sister. I need to know if they were always this different!!
This is a very promising beginning to a series and I have high expectations for the rest of it.

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The Wanderer (The Sin Bin #1) by Dahlia Donovan – Review by Emma Haverstock

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The Wanderer (The Sin Bin, #1)The Wanderer by Dahlia Donovan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the first book in the Sin Bin series by Dahlia Donovan.
Wanderlust has been one of the best things in Graham Hodson’s life. The itch to travel to new and exciting places and write for a travel magazine makes him who he is and he almost defines himself by it. Boyce (BC) Brooks is a (regretfully) retired professional rugby player who decided to try his hand at innkeeping after his late uncle leaves him an inn by the sea in Cornwall. A chance meeting at a friend’s wedding brings the two together for the briefest of moments for a romantic tangle in a secluded closet. Neither one thinks they are any good at relationships so it’s not too surprising when they go their separate ways shortly after.
Graham’s editor posts him in Cornwall after a trip to Australia and she just so happens to book him at BC’s inn. A concerning succession of illnesses brings him back to Cornwall much sooner than he would have liked as his family and BC push him to get a checkup with his doctor. The diagnosis puts an immediate stop to all travel and BC steps up to make a place for Graham at the inn until he gets better.
This story will make you laugh, cry, and wonder at the love that two souls can share. My only complaint is that it took me a minute to wrap my head around the UK slang but that’s more on me than the author. I can’t wait to see what the next book in the series will be like.

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A Halloween’s Curse (The Portal Prophecies #2) by C. A. King- Review by Emma Haverstock

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A Halloween's Curse (The Portal Prophecies #2)A Halloween’s Curse by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Halloween’s Curse is the second book in the Portal Prophecies series by C.A. King and it has just as much, if not more, going for it as the first book. I adored the first book (A Keeper’s Destiny) and was supremely excited when I got the second one, half because I was so intrigued by the story and half because of the cliffhanger from the first book. The second one did not disappoint. We learn so much more about the magical creatures inhabiting the world and their extensive powers. There is potential for so much more and I am just as excited to read the third book.
Willow and the others get many answers but just as many new questions about the prophecies and what it means for the world. One of my favorite parts of this book was the witch tour that takes place at the beginning. The tour group is taken to several places that are important historically or otherwise to witches and we are able to learn quite a bit about the magical community on Earth and how it has kept itself hidden from the terunji, or non magical population. A few new races of creatures are introduced and we learn just enough about what King Cornelius has planned for the world to worry what is coming next.
With quite a bit of doom and gloom, I was very happy to see there were still bits of humor when everyday things had to be explained to Willow and her people. Willow’s reaction to the changing of the seasons was hilarious to me.
All in all, this was a great sequel and I can’t wait to read the next one.

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The Demon Inside by M.L. Sparrow- Review by Emma Haverstock

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The Demon InsideThe Demon Inside by M.L. Sparrow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Demon Inside by M L Sparrow
4/5 Stars
The Demon Inside by M. L. Sparrow is a great science fiction novel that reads like 28 Days Later mixed with I Am Legend (the movie). This book is written in our main character, Darcy’s, point of view and brings more of a feminine perspective to the monster aftermath. Darcy and her boyfriend, Alec, are out celebrating her academic success when the world as they know it ends. Meteors fall from the sky and people start dying and it doesn’t take long to realize that somehow the meteors have turned some people into horrifying monsters. Darcy and Alec, along with a few other survivors, need to find a way to survive this new world and keep the monsters at bay.
At first I thought this was going to go heavy on the romantic theme and I’m glad it didn’t but I enjoyed the devotion of the main characters. Also as a survival enthusiast, I enjoyed reading about some of the challenges the group comes up against that I hadn’t considered before. It did take me a while to realize this book was written by someone from the UK and I had to look up some of the jargon that I couldn’t quite understand from the context. The only thing I didn’t like about this book was some of the pacing. There were sections that were very detailed about the group’s activities and then some parts that ended with the phrase “and blank did just that”. Other than that I enjoyed this book immensely and would absolutely read it again.

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A Keeper’s Destiny (Portal Prophecies Book 1) by C.A. King- Review by Emma Haverstock

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A Keeper's Destiny (The Portal Prophecies #1)A Keeper’s Destiny by C.A. King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Portal Prophecies: A Keeper’s Destiny is a wonderful syfy adventure story for all ages. It the first book in the Portal Prophecies series begins in a magical world where everyone has their own special talent but no one knows exactly what it will be until they reach 16 cycles. The Council and their families are set above everyone else and are mostly concerned with their own pleasures and entertainment. The talents of others are only there to be exploited by the oppressive leaders. Reading and learning are considered unnecessary but listening to the storyteller is on everyone’s list of favorite activities. However, some stories have much more truth than the Council would like the people to believe. Willow has had voices in her head ever since she can remember and they have always looked out for her and helped her make sense of her world.
Willow and her friends are suddenly shifted from life filled with normal teenage woes to a terrifying, enigmatic world they can hardly comprehend. Each person needs to stretch their abilities far beyond what they ever imagined if they hope to make it through the disasters predicted in a mysterious book called “The Portal Prophecies”. Understanding the prophecies is vital but when each one can mean different things to different people how can you know which interpretation is correct? Trusting in new abilities and new friends, Willow and her people prepare for the worst.
A Keeper’s Destiny is written mostly from the main character Willow’s point of view. I love that Willow is confident in herself and isn’t a stereotypical female character. My favorite parts of the book are people trying to describe what is normal to them to someone else who has no idea what they are talking about. The book ends with a gloriously tantalizing cliff hanger and I cannot wait to read the next book in this six part series.

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