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Edge of the Storm (Silent Secrets Book 2) by Lisette Kristensen – Review by Emma Morreale

Edge of the Storm: Book 2 (Silent Secrets)Edge of the Storm: Book 2 by Lisette Kristensen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

For the most part I really enjoyed Sloane’s journey into becoming Blackbird. I’m a little tired out on the destroying something at the Vatican story line but there isn’t really much else that old and precious to as many people so I get the intrigue. I’ve always liked more detail in training aspects of spies, secret agents, mercenaries, ect. so I would have enjoyed a little more of how she and Halo get to a point in their lives and careers that they are able to get back up form everything they endure. That being said, this book as well as the previous novel and novella are non stop and will have you tearing through to get to the next page. Can’t wait for the 3rd book

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Blinded by Betrayal with Spin Drift: Book One (Silent Secrets) by Lisette Kristensen – Review by Emma Morreale

Blinded by Betrayal with Spin DriftBlinded by Betrayal with Spin Drift by Lisette Kristensen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The first of the Silent Secrets series is Blinded by Betrayal where the daughter of a mafia boss has her privileged life ripped away from her. Sloane’s husband, Jimmy, is picked up by the cops and immediately starts talking. I kind of get that line of thinking but if I were involved in any sort of criminal activity, I would never speak to the cops. Jimmy holds no real love for anyone but himself so he doesn’t care who his words put in jeopardy. Sloane’s father and everyone else now see both of them as traitors. She can take pretty good care of herself but with powerful people now after her, Sloane must turn to a childhood friend.
Spin Drift is a great sequel novella that left me with a few more questions than I had at the end of Blinded by Betrayal but it did get me more excited for the next book in the series.

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Misfortune of Vision (Druid’s Brooch Book 4) by Christy Nicholas – Review by Emma Morreale

Misfortune of Vision (Druid's Brooch #4)Misfortune of Vision by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

When a man can’t cope, get you a woman who can. Orlaugh has been a faithful Seer to her cousin, the chief, for almost 50 years but for some reason he doesn’t hold too much stock in the Visions. A new bishop sees Orlaugh as a threat to himself and Christianity, and wants her dead on principle. Bishop Malachi insults her and outright says to kill her within seconds of meeting her. This dude got my blood boiling and I wanted to smack him. Orlaugh, however, knows what storm is coming and will not let men’s dismissal stop her from trying to prevent to war and bloodshed she fears is imminent.
I love Orlaugh so much. She’s witty, wise, and doesn’t give a good gosh darn. I want to be her when I’m old. This whole series is fantastic and I recommend them to anyone who likes historical fiction.

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Heels of Fortune (PJ Santini Series Book 2) by Lynne Russell – Review by Emma Morreale

Heels Of Fortune (PJ Santini Series Book 2)Heels Of Fortune by Lynne Russell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After reading the first book, I had decent expectations for the sequel. Lynne Russell didn’t disappoint and I was pretty well hooked from the first page. The plot was more evenly paced than the previous book and I didn’t feel like there were as many instances of “this was written for a male character and was switched at the last second” but there were a couple where I was thinking if the gratuitous description of PJ’s anatomy was entirely necessary. Tango was interesting but I just kept giggling at his name.

All in all, a definite improvement over the first book and I hope this series continues.

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Hell on Heels (PJ Santini Series Book 1) by Lynne Russell – Review by Emma Morreale

Hell On Heels (PJ Santini Series Book 1)Hell On Heels by Lynne Russell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book would make a killer start to a TV series. I am a huge fan of shows like Bones and Castle. I was enticed by fantastic synopsis and slightly because I love the song Hell on Heels by the Pistol Annies.
One of my only problems is that PJ seems like she was originally written as a male character but then stereotypical male things were switched to female things, like beer to wine ect. But honestly it was pretty easy to ignore that bit of it because I was so engrossed in the story and where the plot was heading.
Very excited to read book 2!

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Me and Cinderella (The Dirty Rooster Book 2) by Kelly Mooney – Review by Emma Morreale

Me and Cinderella (The Dirty Rooster #2)Me and Cinderella by Kelly Mooney
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Kelly Mooney has written a stellar second book in the Dirty Rooster series. This particular one centers around Eli who we learned a bit about in book one. This can be read as a standalone without being super out of the loop about any characters. that being said, I highly recommend book one.
Eli has fought for everything he has in life and even though he hates his home town and never wants to go back, his dead beat dad got out of jail and Eli has to protect his siblings. He never expected his little sister’s best friend to run out on her wedding and come to him. They’re too different and it will never work. But her pull is too strong and Eli knows he will never let her go now. Between fighting for the woman he loves and trying to pull his little brother Brandon out of the poverty of their childhood, Eli needs to keep his wits about him at the worst possible time.
Kelly Mooney is fantastic at putting you right in her characters heads and after reading both this and the first book, all I can say is that I hope this series continues.

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Vantage Point (Gray Ghost #4) by Amy McKinley- Review by Emma Morreale

Vantage Point (Gray Ghost #4)Vantage Point by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Let me level with you. Hawk? Dope as all get out. He’s the quiet one and they are the ones you ALWAYS need to look out for. Doubly so in Hawk’s case. Also, since he’s got an awesome name, it was almost impossible for him to not be everything I had hoped for in a main character.
Stella is pretty cool but I’ve think she could benefit from hearing the full idiom “Blood of the covenant is thicker than the water of the womb.” I get that she feels she needs to help her brother, but come one. That dude is bad news anyway you slice it. I also find him to be pretty rude but I would bet a considerable amount of money that it was deliberate. Family is family but if they get you in trouble to further themselves, cut them out like any manner of unsavory growths.
Lastly, so as not to gush over spoilers, who doesn’t love a good treasure hunt?!
This entire series is really good and you may be a little lost if you try to read them out of order. The back stories are very important. That being said, I love Vantage Point the most and want to tell everyone to read this first even though I am a huge proponent of reading book and watching movies, shows, ect. in order.

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LOVE on the LINE, A Great Expectations Love Story: The Graykens, Book 2 by Laurie Lewis – Review by Emma Morreale

LOVE on the LINE (Great Expectations Love Stories: The Graykens Book 2)LOVE on the LINE by Laurie Lewis
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Exactly 15 months ago I finished the first book in this series. As I said in that review, I really love a book that makes me think. So I was extremely excited to get my hands on the long awaited sequel! This book is full of love, sadness, and a bit of frustration (cough, cough Matt). Everything has been going pretty well for the Graykens and even though there are some hiccups with Matt’s health and Mikaela’s desperate longing to bear his children, the couple choose to fill their life with helping others. Their charity work warms my heart and Laurie Lewis continues to make me think, especially since a dear friend of mine has been going through radiation treatments. LOVE on the LINE explores the ugliness of cancer in a way that gets the reader a bit closer to what it is like to suffer through, whether first or second hand. Matt and Mikaela’s love for each other seeps out of the pages, and though they both second guess themselves and their own agenda, neither one will deny the other anything possible just to see a smile.

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North to Nara (Crimson Sash Book 1) by Amanda Marin- Review by Emma Morreale

North to Nara (Crimson Sash, #1)North to Nara by Amanda Marin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Gotta say, the first thing that drew me to this book is that it sounded a lot like the Giver mixed with a splash of 1984. Second would be that the girl on the cover looks like Mila Kunis.
I have always been extremely empathetic and the fact that in this world, there are empaths to deal with your pain for you is intriguing to say the least. The life of one such empath could ONLY be one of loneliness and pain so for our main character Neve to want to bring love to the life of the man who replaced her former Sufferer really hit me right in my easily activated little tear ducts.
I am so excited that this is the first of a series. I hope it is a long one!
Sidenote- I am hoping for a prequel novella, if not a complete novel. A world like this needs some introduction and I would love to hear more about the Nation beforehand.

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Age of Saints: Druid’s Brooch Series: #7 by Christy Nicholas – Review by Emma Morreale

Age of Saints (Druid's Brooch #7)Age of Saints by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Conall and Lainn deserve peace! This sibling duo has been through the ringer and most of it not their fault. Conall promised his father he would protect his baby sister with all that he is and what big brother wouldn’t? BUT there isn’t a whole lot you can do with an absolute expletive of an abusive step father and powerful fae out to get you basically just because.
I feel for Conall so much. He loves his sister and wants the best for her. Every decision he makes goes from bad to how could this possibly get any worse…. oh that’s how it could get worse. The only thing I didn’t like in this book was that the ending seemed kind of blah. It wasn’t exactly a cliffhanger but I’m hoping there will be more about these two in the next book. Can’t wait!

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The Dirty Rooster by Kelly Mooney – Review by Emma Morreale

The Dirty RoosterThe Dirty Rooster by Kelly Mooney
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was not too enamored with the beginning of this story. Preston seemed like a complete misogynist and a total creep in some of his interactions with Summer. Some of it was just to get under the skin of Jenny but that doesn’t really make it better. He’s a rich boy with daddy issues but he genuinely wants to be a good person.
Summer seemed like a smart girl who makes out of character bad decisions. She repeatedly says she’s done trying to convert bad boys but doesn’t stick to it. Jenny reminded me of a similar type of friend.
The characters grew on me as I read more and as they all grew. It could just be that it was brilliant character development but it almost put me off the whole book. With that said, I’m glad I continued and I will look for the next in the series.

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Misfortune of Song: Druid’s Brooch Series: #5 by Christy Nicholas – Review by Emma Morreale

Misfortune of Song (Druid's Brooch #5)Misfortune of Song by Christy Nicholas
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

With cross generational clashes, Fae, and a plot you could get whiplash from, Christy Nicholas has added another winner to the Druid’s Brooch series. I hadn’t read a book from this series in a while and after I finished this one, now I want to go back and read the others all over again.
I am in love with all things Celtic so the traditional names, places, and mythology draw me in from the get go. However, people who aren’t as well versed will still find this story and the rest of the series to be in a fantastic world that will draw you in like quicksand.
Maelan’s confliction over letting his granddaughter, Orlagh, live her own life and make her own choices is a subject that every parent/grandparent will struggle with and how Christy expertly blends it into 12th century Ireland was my absolute favorite part of the plot line. The fights with the Fae are fantastic, don’t get me wrong. But the teenage struggles for independence and personal autonomy have always been fascinating to me and I love seeing it in this light and time period.

The fifth installment in the Druid’s Brooch series can easily be read as a standalone but I highly recommend the series.

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Everyday Enchantments: Musings on Ordinary Magic & Daily Conjurings by Maria F. DeBlassie – Review by Emma Morreale

Everyday EnchantmentsEveryday Enchantments by Maria F. DeBlassie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the perfect companion book for the person who loves to get lost in nature. Finding joy and peace can be difficult in this day and age but one of my favorite activities is sitting on my porch with a cup of coffee in the morning and just listening. The serenity I can find for a few moments in the silence of the early morning is exactly the kind of thing this book is about. You don’t need to participate in any particular religion or lack thereof to appreciate what Maria DeBlassie has put together. While her particular flavor is Southwest USA, anyone from anywhere can gain perspective or at least find instances to appreciate the magic in everyday life.
The only thing I dislike about this book is Maria’s view of the myth of Persephone. I know it’s a weird thing to pick out and it’s only like one sentence in the entire book but it is literally the only thing I didn’t enjoy.

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Little Do You Know (Bayou Devils MC Book 5) by A.M. Myers – Review by Emma Morreale

Little Do You Know (Bayou Devils MC 5)Little Do You Know by A.M. Myers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was honestly a little off put by the beginning of this book. This series has been immensely enjoyable to me so I figured it would get better. And it did. A bit. This chapter in the Bayou Devils MC book will not be for everyone and that’s ok.
Kady and Noah have been together forever but I wasn’t fond of either of them being equated to the other person’s property. It’s not sexy and that feeling belonging can be described so much better.
Noah’s work with the club has been one of the only things to drive any sort of wedge between the happy couple. He promises this one last job will be enough for them to live the rest of their lives comfortably and like a good hearted cop one week away from retirement, something bad happens on that last job. Noah is sent to prison and hears nothing from Kady for seven long years. His only thought is getting out and finding her.
When he finally does, everything is different. He keeps pushing Kady for information and completely ignores her clear feelings. Spoilers abound if I continue on this thread of thought so I’ll stop. This was a decent read but Noah and Kady are far from my favorite characters in this series.

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Trouble’s Wedding Caper (Familiar Legacy Book 8) by Jen Talty – Review by Emma Morreale

Trouble's Wedding CaperTrouble’s Wedding Caper by Jen Talty
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

At first I was skeptical about this book because it starts off with a cat, Trouble, talking about the royal wedding… And for a wedding themed book I can’t say it’s extremely unusual, what with the cat being British and such.
Anyway, after that we meet our main character Annabel and the intrigue starts immediately. Each time the story seems to be getting into a bit of normalcy, something happens to throw a wrench into things.
Except for the fact that Trouble has his own dialogue, this book reminds me a bit of The Cat Who Series. It was a welcome distraction while I recovered from being ill and I will probably be picking up some more from the Familiar Legacy series.

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Rebel Heart (Immortal Kindred Book 2) by Clara Winter – Review by Emma Morreale

Rebel Heart (The Immortal Kindred Series #2)Rebel Heart by Clara Winter
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Annie was my favorite character from the first book in this series so I was thrilled that this book centered around her. The revolutionary war has also been of huge interest to me so huge win there too!
One of my main problems with the first book was that the jump to different times was confusing me but for some reason the jumps to Germany and whatnot were easier to wrap my head around timeline-wise.

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An Improper Encounter (The Macalister’s Book 3) by Erica Taylor – Review by Emma Morreale

An Improper Encounter (The Macalisters, #3)An Improper Encounter by Erica Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was skeptical and excited to see that this book was going to focus on Sarah. From what I’ve read of her in the first two books, she seemed like she was the most obsessed with societal rules and I wasn’t sure I liked her too much. She seemed like no fun at all but after this book, I see her in a whole new light. Sarah became a mother to her siblings when their mother passed and left them all orphans. She knows that any mistake she makes will have negative consequences for her sisters that have yet to marry and she will do nothing to risk the future of her siblings. Even if that means denying herself happiness.
I really loved Sarah’s interactions with William Gordon. This showed the realest and most true parts of who she is and who she won’t show the rest of the world. William seems to be a perfect match for her and wants to do anything he can to make up for the love she never had with her late husband. But everything goes wrong in the worst possible way and I honestly think this book threw me for a loop wayyyyy more than the other two.
My husband actually got irritated with me because I was ignoring him in order to finish this book.

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Deepest Midnight (Immortal Kindred Series Book One) by Clara Winter – Review by Emma Morreale

Deepest Midnight (The Immortal Kindred Series #1)Deepest Midnight by Clara Winter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I wasn’t sure about Deepest Midnight when I started reading it but it has really grown on me. It is far better than certain other contemporary vampire romances and I liked the looks back into Millicent’s past. It added more to the story in a great way as opposed to leaving huge questions for possible later books.
Even though this book probably wasn’t supposed to be as funny as I found it, one of my favorite bits near the beginning is when Millicent thinks “Oh I can’t just tell this guy I’m a vampire and can’t go out in the day time” when she absolutely could have. The time period being now, the fact that she wears all black, and her being crazy rich would have been PERFECT for her to just play it like she’s really eccentric or really into the goth lifestyle. She also could have played it like a deadpan joke. I definitely died laughing if she had.
Alexandre is incredibly intriguing and I constantly wanted to know more about his backstory and was rooting for Millicent to give him a piece of her mind for treating her like property at times.
Really looking forward to the next book

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The Monster’s Lover (The Fenris Series Book 1) by Samantha MacLeod – Review by Emma Morreale

The Monster's LoverThe Monster’s Lover by Samantha MacLeod
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sol’s father was killed during the course of his work and now the rest of her family has nothing to offer the king as payment for their land……except her. King Nøkkyn has a harem and no one really hears good things about it.
When he comes to inspect Sol to see if she’s good enough to be payment, Sol can immediately tell that he is cruel. She wants no part of him or his harem but without her as payment, her family will not survive the winter.
She escapes into the woods and comes across a strange man who is so unbelievably beautiful, she can only assume he is a demon. Fenris seems to take a liking to her but with Sol only has a short amount of time before the king comes to take her away.

I love almost everything to do with Norse mythology and this immediately caught my interest. I’ve already suggested it to several friends and will be reading the second book. The world building is fantastic and I need more

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The Light at Dawn by K. L. Montgomery – Review by Emma Morreale

The Light at DawnThe Light at Dawn by K.L. Montgomery
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In the wake of so many tragedies involving gun violence in this country, the message of this book is especially poignant. The political message surrounding gun control is the largest theme of this story with sprinklings of humor and romance.
Angelia and Mark are incredibly well fleshed out as characters and the sweet moments they share brought on more than a few happy tears but the horrible heartbreak had me dehydrated by the end and with the headaches I always get after crying. So if you’re like me, take advil before reading.
The tact with which K. L. Montgomery tackles both side of the issue (those who advocate for a more thorough gun control and those who believe being armed is the best defense) is commendable.

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The Perfect Duchess (The Macalisters Book 2) by Erica Taylor – Review by Emma Morreale

The Perfect Duchess (The Macalisters, #2)The Perfect Duchess by Erica Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was so excited to get into the second book of this series. I enjoyed A Suitable Affair so much and was so intrigued by Clara and Andrew. I absolutely tore through this book. There were a couple twists I picked up on a smidge before it was made clear but Erica Taylor got me again with that twist!
One of my favorite parts of this book was the snippets of the gossip rag that all the society people would have been reading and I think it added an extra layer to the story. You could really see how a small insignificant action would be blow out of proportion and how horribly wicked whoever ran that column was. Cut throat doesn’t even come close to the actions of some of these ladies trying to catch Andrew’s eye when he so clearly loved Clara.
Since the events of this book take place before the events of the first book, I already knew what was going to happen but I think I enjoyed it more so because of that. Little hints were dropped about Clara’s crazy past and I was excited to figure out the rest.
Can’t wait for book three and I really hope there is a book about Norah. I NEED to know about why she is still friends with Lady Laura when she is the epitome of toxic. Norah has been cryptic about why she is still friends with her and I want to know the reason!

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A Suitable Affair (The Macalisters Book 1) by Erica Taylor – Review by Emma Morreale

A Suitable Affair (The Macalisters, #1)A Suitable Affair by Erica Taylor
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The story of Susanna and Ian is filled with intrigue, passion, and bold decisions. Some of those decisions, however bold they may be, made me want to scream “How can someone so smart be so dense?!” But that makes for better reading.
Susanna is being courted by a man called Riverton and he has the personality of wet paper. The first time he shows a genuine emotion is when Susanna almost gets trampled by a horse. The flash of pure hatred at the rider, but oddly not the situation, is on his face for such a brief moment that Susanna thinks she imagined it.
Ian, the ill tempered lord riding the horse, hold Riverton responsible for the death of his sister and makes a quick judgement about the woman currently being courted by the man he hates.
I am always fascinated by the absurdity of social rules and norms in the 1800’s or so and I’m excited to start the next book and read more about the plethora of great characters Erica Taylor has created.

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A Talent For Trouble (Bad Boys of Space Book 1) by Landra Graf – Review by Emma Morreale

A Talent for Trouble (Bad Boys of Space, #1)A Talent for Trouble by Landra Graf
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I can’t remember if I’ve ever read a book series that was specifically set in space but I’m excited to read more.
The science was plausible, the sexual tension was thick, and the plot was captivating. Morales was kind of annoying in the beginning with his smug, arrogant attitude. But eventually he deflates his ego a bit and Toni just wants to use him as a means to an end. She never again wants to be under a man’s thumb again. She wants to be her own boss in every sense but there’s just something she can’t ignore about about that handsome smuggler.
I don’t want to give away any of the ending but I’m really excited to see how the rest of the series goes.

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Full Glasses and Burju Shoes by Blake Blessing – Review by Emma Morreale

Full Glasses and Burju ShoesFull Glasses and Burju Shoes by Blake Blessing
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My best friend works with Vets in a professional capacity and the fact that we talk about that a lot and that one of the main characters is a vet experienced PTSD intrigued me. The plot summary does NOT do this book justice.
Emil has only been stateside for two months and there’s already been a funeral for one of his Army buddies who survived deployment just to die in a car wreck. Perrin is an adrenaline junkie who is always on the lookout for new hobbies so she can live life every single day. An extremely sexy Latin dance (I’m serious, look up a video of bachata) brings them together, and though the sparks are not immediate and Emil’s flashbacks happen at the worst times, the pair cannot deny their feelings. Perrin usually lives her life solo. Emil wonders if he’s even safe to be around. They can both help each other but they need to freaking communicate!!
The tension is great and some of the random stuff that went through the main character’s minds made me laugh out loud.

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Beneath The Surface (Gray Ghost Book 3) by Amy McKinley- Review by Emma Morreale

Beneath the Surface (Gray Ghost #3)Beneath the Surface by Amy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

First off, if you haven’t read the first books, what are you doing? They’re fantastic.
Secondly, this book pulls no punches. You are immediately hit with two tragedies and not a lot of time to comprehend them before being thrown forward in time and into the next huge piece of plot. So get yourself a cup of coffee and strap in.
Hannah is a Russian sleeper agent who has been strategically placed within the Pentagon. Fate drags her kicking and screaming back into a situation with her ex, a former Navy SEAL. Jack still clearly has feelings for Hannah which doesn’t make him a very good operative but he’s only human. Hannah will let absolutely nothing get in the way of her mission, whether it be the one she has been assigned, or the one she promised herself and her sister she would complete.
The third installation of the Gray Ghost Novels is non stop action. Along with the in depth descriptions of danger and passion, this is no surprise to anyone who has read Broken Circle, Eye of the Storm and/or the prequel Moments That Define Us. Readers will enjoy deception, danger, betrayal, harrowing survival, and pure lust within this amazing series.

Reviewed by @emorreale

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The Moon in Her Eyes: A Witch’s Tale (Witch Series) by Nikki Broadwell- Review by Emma Morreale

The Moon in Her Eyes: a witch's taleThe Moon in Her Eyes: a witch’s tale by Nikki Broadwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

First off, this is the second book in the series and I read this one first. I don’t feel like I was missing out on any information that was super important to the plot of this book but I normally suggest reading a series in order.
The first chapter threw me for a loop because you are thrown right into some sort of ritual and the chapter ends abruptly with the next one starting by letting you know what specific year it is. I spent a minute trying to figure out if that had any bearing on what I had just read and why that wasn’t also put at the beginning of the book. Dialogue got a bit messy and confusing in chapter two and usually this would be enough to turn me off of a book but I could already tell this was my kind of story.
The main character, Emeline, is a time traveling witch. She is living in 1694 when she gets a surprising visit from her sister, Jean, who lives in the modern age. Jean tries to convince Emeline to come back with her but little bits of what she is saying don’t match up with her sister’s memories. I think about this kind of ramification of time travel all the time so I IMMEDIATELY latched on to this, ready for anything.
There were one or two bits that I couldn’t suspend my disbelief for (like a 16 year old living through the 2010’s and having no idea what sex is) but for the most part I really enjoyed reading this book and will absolutely be picking up the first book in the series.

Reviewed by @emorreale

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