A fantastic series that is well worth it for Sci-Fi fans. Talisman manages to create rich, layered, colourful worlds that impossible to forget. The stories are detailed and interesting, with each of the many characters each having a unique voice and perspective. Masterfully planned, coordinated, and executed, the authour is an expert in this genre. The collection is truly an adventure.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Shoebridgehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Shoebridge2022-02-13 21:54:322022-02-13 21:54:32Journeys Through Collection: Volumes 1-3 by James Talisman – Review by Erica Shoebridge
This is an engaging, realistic, and well-written novel. When the novel opens, Rourke is in Grade 7, starting middle school, and is hoping for a fun year with friends, enjoying sports, and maybe making some new friends. His older brother Carson has autism and his parents have decided to reintegrate him into public school. And not just any school – Rourke’s school. Carson struggles a bit to fit in, and unfortunately causes more than one incident that embarrasses Rourke. Rourke loves his brother, but is sometimes caught between defending him and making the friendships he hopes to have. He feels a sense of responsibility for Carson, and so he worries a lot about how to best protect him.
I thought this book tackled a really interesting theme. Though Rourke is only 13, he spends a lot of time worrying about his vulnerable brother, while also having all the same challenges that middle schoolers face. He tries hard to make the best decisions for both of them, and his anxiety over Carson bleeds into all areas of his life. Learning how to manage competing demands with grace and loyalty is lesson that is universal. The story is nuanced and realistic, and very well thought out.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Shoebridgehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Shoebridge2022-02-13 21:52:212022-02-13 21:52:21The Worry Knot by Mary Bleckwehl – Review by Erica Shoebridge
A very engaging romance between an seraph come to earth and an entrepreneur in New Hampshire with an affinity for the moon and her goddess. When Dae moves in next door to Cathy as a cover for fighting deadly demons, the sparks sizzle immediately upon them meeting. Despite their instant attraction, there is much that Cathy doesn’t know about about Dae. Would she believe him if he told her he was an immortal angel sent to earth to battle evil? Or would she think him crazy and run away?
The connection between these two was irresistible and engaging. I had a bit of trouble connecting to the story in the beginning, but once the relationship started to develop, I was hooked. There are some steamy sections that definitely hit their mark. Tika is a fun character that added some levity and humour to the story. A good read!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Shoebridgehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Shoebridge2022-02-13 21:49:522022-02-13 21:49:52Unlock the Angel (Seraphim Angel Order 1) by Calla Zae – Review by Erica Shoebridge
I very much enjoyed this story, and read it through until the wee hours! The Brightley sisters are a wonderful trio of young women who have entered “society” and have been tasked with looking for a husband. Despite reservations on Charmaine and Arabella’s part, the impending loss of their family estate motivates them to find someone with the means to care for them – especially the eldest, Charmaine. She feels a keen responsibility to her younger sisters to land a husband who can care for them all. She very grudgingly admits this necessity, but has no feelings for any man – until she meets a swarthy handsome stranger. But mystery cloaks him, and he is hiding some explosive secrets. Can the two of them find a way to be together?
This book gives off some major Jane Austen vibes, and definitely charmed me with its wit and plot twists. The characters of Charmaine, Arabella, and Rosalind are very unique and well-drawn, I was hooked into reading until the end. Masterfully written, lots of fun, and I definitely recommend it!
Noah is furious when he learns that his father has placed conditions on his inheritance, but reluctantly agrees to marry a woman known through mutual friends, Mary Stanton. They create a one-year contract for marriage, wherein Mary will be his wife and then leave with a stipend after 12 months. For Mary, it becomes a boon of huge importance. At her father’s home, she was nearly destitute, uncared for, and without any options for a happy life. Coming to Broken Arrow farm feels like opulence – running water, stocked pantries, and a kind man to care for. As they go about their lives and start to learn about each other, they each start to wonder if perhaps they could love each other as a true man and wife.
Mary and Noah are both sweet characters, realistic and likeable. I enjoyed reading about their romance, and felt engaged in the novel. A Bride for Noah is well written, easy to read, and a nice feel-good story for romance lovers.
Aranha is the last of an extinct species – the webmakers. Raised without a community, she got used to life on the run with her single mother, keeping to the shadows and staying out of trouble. When her mother died, she kept up the practice, and has a very solitary life. Now, she hunts serial killers to cut them down for food. When she meets Dag at a seedy bar, she is shocked to learn that he is also a species nearing extinction – and gives off pheromones for days. The unlikely duo end up on a mission together that will pit them against vampires and werewolves – two species that can kill them with their venom. In the process, they gain some answers about their ancestors and the future of their species.
I enjoyed the plot of the novel, and liked femme fatale Aranha. Her attraction to Dag is scorching. I found myself struggling to keep engaged in some parts, but I’m glad I stuck with it in the end.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Shoebridgehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Shoebridge2022-02-10 07:10:242022-02-10 07:10:24A Spider in the Garden by Courtney Davis – Review by Erica Shoebridge
This is a fantastic paranormal story with a page-turning plot, compelling characters, and complicated mystery. Adrijana longs to get away from her provincial verbena farm and live in the city with the interesting and colourful characters that reside there. She finally gets her wish, and the adventure is much more than she bargained for. A murderer is on the loose, one who has a very particular set of powers – and a small list of possible suspects. But there is more going on than most people are aware. Will the murderer be revealed before the body count gets too high? Adrijana is an awesome heroine – brave, intelligent and lacking in the hubris that many of those who live at court embody. The friendships she makes with Simeon, Georgi and Nevena help her to survive the cunning of shadowy forces. Each of them are interesting in their own right, very well-developed characters. Dragan was my favourite – his true nature is so elusive and it was great fun trying to keep up. A must read for fantasy and YA lovers!
Loved returning to the world of Orkney, and watching the politics of life in Scotland play out. There are lots of interesting details and facts in this historical work, and they greatly added to the feeling of having transported from reader to inhabitant of ancient Orkney. Watching everyone wrestle with replacing their fearless leader Einar led to some interesting and heated conversations! Once again, a murderer strikes, and unpinning the clues to figure out whodunnit takes a lot of twists and turns. I found this mystery very difficult to guess at, and was surprised at the outcome – I was convinced it was another character! If you like unraveling murder mysteries or are interested in the culture of Vikings and ancient Nordic societies, you’ll likely love this one.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Shoebridgehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Shoebridge2022-01-31 07:53:492022-01-31 07:53:49The Bear at Midnight (Orkneyinga Murders Book 4) by Lexie Conyngham – Review by Erica Shoebridge
Tomb for an Eagle brings to life the town of Orkney, and all of the colourful citizens and complex relationships at Buckquoy. Solving the mystery of a dead man is difficult without modern technologies, but Ketil and Sigrid follow the clues anyways. Every person in this story has a web of connection to the others – it was a bit arduous at first to keep it all straight, but I’m happy I stuck with it, as it was good fun and a well crafted world. There are some real characters in this story, I especially loved Sigrid – smart and forthright, she has motivations and secrets that were fun to discover as the book wound on. Looking forward to reading the other mysteries in this series!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Shoebridgehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Shoebridge2022-01-31 07:53:362022-01-31 07:53:36Tomb for an Eagle (Orkneyinga Murders Book 1) by Lexie Conyngham – Review by Erica Shoebridge
Wow! This is an awesome book 3 that starts right in the thick of things, and doesn’t let up the action for a moment. I was immediately drawn in again, and there is so much going on that it will keep you guessing. Dahlia is struggling to understand the crimes that are happening, but her usual senses that provide the clues aren’t helping. Something more sinister than ever is at play, and she needs to figure it out before it destroys her beloved city and the friends she has made there. Will she have to reveal herself to more people than just Evans? Will she be able to protect her friends and keep her identity hidden? I highly recommend this book, and the entire series for that matter, these are fantastic reading!
An interesting, unique novella featuring an unlikely duo who stumble across a foreign land. Is it extraterrestrial? Another dimension? As they explore the terrain, the landscape becomes more and more bizarre. Thomas and April are strangers until they meet and agree to set out on an adventure to understand the nature of the strange world. Though they are not close in age, they both have an adventurous spirit, love exploring, and are curious people. I appreciated the friendship that they built, two souls with a similar drive and sense of humour. They each brought helpful skills to the table as they puzzled out what they were seeing. Very imaginative and easy to read.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Shoebridgehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Shoebridge2022-01-27 07:47:472022-01-27 07:47:47The View from Here by Leon Stevens – Review by Erica Shoebridge
The latest in the Moore Family Saga starts with a bang, and hits the ground running. AriMusic’s most controversial artist, Lil Pharaoh, is causing all kinds of problems for Media Director Bella Moore. Despite warnings from her and Miles, he keeps making questionable choices and spending time with unsavory folks. People who don’t mind using force to get what they want. Will they come for Miles and his family if they don’t get what they want? There is a ton of action in this book, which might be the most suspenseful yet of the series. I enjoyed the tension and nuance in Bella’s relationships with Miles and Lil Pharaoh in particular. She doesn’t act according to script, and I appreciated the honesty and struggle she exhibits. Powerplays and rebellions between Lil Pharaoh and Miles cause lots of disturbance and friction. This is a powerful book 5 that you shouldn’t miss.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Shoebridgehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Shoebridge2022-01-25 07:40:002022-01-25 07:40:00Face the Fire (Moore Family Saga Book 5) by Michele Sims – Review by Erica Shoebridge
Miles Moore, musician extraordinaire and notorious playboy is finally getting married. At an extravagant Scotland wedding and reception, Miles and Bella are united in marriage. They are desperately in love and over the moon to claim each other as husband and wife. However, Bella was a bit unprepared for how long Miles’ famous shadow could be. He spends much of his time perfecting his persona of Ari Moore, and many of the times they spend together are simply him playing for he cameras. She loves him deeply, but she will she ever just get to be with the real Miles, or will she be forever standing alongside camera-ready Ari?
The wedding and infatuation scenes were beautiful and sweeping, but I did find them a bit corny and overdone. Miles and Bella’s need to “claim” each other was more possessive than I like my love stories. However, that’s my personal preference… if you like grand love stories with some steamy scenes, you’ll likely find this one to your liking.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Shoebridgehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Shoebridge2022-01-25 07:39:122022-01-25 07:39:12A Moore Affair (Moore Family Saga Book 4) by Michele Sims – Review by Erica Shoebridge
The action continues in Book 3, with lots of fast cars, gorgeous women, and lots of money. Miles Moore is a musical sensation, with a growing staff of people all catering to his every need. Even his social calendar is filled by his agent with beautiful women dying to share his bed. That is, until he meets ice queen Bella. He’s oddly drawn to her, even though she is neither fiery or easy. He’ll have to decide if he wants to keep playing the field or stick with the woman that has captured his heart.
I enjoyed seeing a bit more from the Network, the shadowy league of powerful folks who look out for special folks like Miles. I found the character of Miles to be a bit personally insufferable and shallow. Going through women like water, never connecting with any of them besides what pleasure they can offer his body. He is a great performer however, and the story had lots of suspense to keep readers intrigued.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Shoebridgehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Shoebridge2022-01-25 07:38:182022-01-25 07:38:18The Fire God Tour (Moore Family Saga Book 3) by Michele Sims – Review by Erica Shoebridge
The long-awaited sequel to the Fae Queen is here! I was happy to delve back into the world of Aubren in Middle Earth to see how Queen Tatiana is faring. She is a young, forward-thinking monarch, with strong opinions of unity that shock and irritate the ‘old guard’ of Fae. Though she is deeply committed to protecting her realm, not all of those in power support her views on how to accomplish this. When she is accused of treason, her power to save the realm is compromised, and she struggles to save the Fae even in the face of punishment. She is smart, driven, and brave, and with the help of her friends, hopefully she can save everyone in time. I found this book a bit difficult to get into at the beginning, but I was glad that I stuck with it to get to all of the action and excitement later in the novel. This could also be because I have the plague so it was hard to concentrate! Regardless, Copeland is a good writer with a compelling story and set of characters, so anything written by her is a good bet to be interesting.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Shoebridgehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Shoebridge2022-01-21 08:13:142022-01-21 08:13:14To Be a Fae Guardian (Realm Chronicles Book 2) by Tricia Copeland – Review by Erica Shoebridge
There is lots of action in this Book 2 of the Moore Family Saga series. Miles is quite the surprising little character, with lots of tricks up sleeve! When his powers are discovered, the family members all react in different ways, casting about as to how to handle the new development. Then tragedy strikes the family, it’s all they can do to hold together and keep safe. I really enjoyed getting to know Miles and figuring out about all the things he can do. There were a lot of plot twists, and some surprises I definitely didn’t see coming. The characters deepened in this book 2, and became more lifelike for me. Overall, I found this book more engrossing and layered than the first one in the series. Glad I decided to check out the second one.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Shoebridgehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Shoebridge2022-01-20 07:55:262022-01-20 07:55:26Playing with Fire (Moore Family Saga Book 2) by Michele Sims – Review by Erica Shoebridge
Seed on Fire is book encompassing a wide of range of emotional topics in life: love, hardship, sacrifice, loss, disillusionment, and forgiveness. Throughout the turmoil, Lecia and Cade’s love is tested and strained to the edges of its bounds, as it is pummeled by threat after threat. Cade loves his wife deeply, but struggles to come to terms with his changing role as a father, and what that means for his career, his marriage, and his sense of self. These two love each other fearlessly throughout the ups and downs of the early marriage, and hope that if they hang on tight enough that their relationship will survive forever. I found this book tended to be rather melodramatic and hokey in parts, leaning heavily on the ‘soulmate’ trope in way I found hard to take seriously. Perhaps I am too jaded a reader, but I found it hard to believe in their relationship. A more romantically inclined reader may have a very different take!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Shoebridgehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Shoebridge2022-01-20 07:50:352022-01-20 07:50:35Seed on Fire (Moore Family Saga Book 1) by Michele Sims – Review by Erica Shoebridge
Living the Dream is a cute western for country and romance lovers. Becky has come through a lot of turmoil and upheaval in the preceding books, and now finally has her man, her career, and a spunky little stepdaughter to keep her happy. Obviously that isn’t the end of the action, though! There is a lot of suspense in the plot to keep readers interested, plus old and new characters that fans of the series will like. I was a bit put off by the style of writing; it felt like someone recounting a story that had already taken place, rather than something that was currently happening. That remove from the action caused it to feel slow in parts for me. However it is in a similar vein to the other books, so if you liked the others, you will likely enjoy this one as well.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Shoebridgehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Shoebridge2022-01-15 15:25:572022-01-15 15:25:57Rebecca Steele Living the Dream (Rebecca Steele series Book 3) by Joanne Patterson – Review by Erica Shoebridge
This book came back full circle to focus more on the time travel aspect of the Armstrong and Foster story. We get to examine how the amulet and box work, and just how many times they can be used before the stone disappears completely. If one of them travels forward or backward in time, will they be able to return, or will the chance be lost forever? Maggie and Dylan are both desperately in love with their 16th Century Fosters, and suffer at the thought of being separated. It is really hard to review this one without spoilers!! A LOT happens, and I was thrilled to find out after finishing this one that there will be a 4th book, because I am not ready to let these clans go yet. I’ve really enjoyed reading about Scottish and English history and culture, and getting personal with the values and traditions that were important. The characters in these books are phenomenal, and even the characters that have a smaller role are well-defined and believable. I read all three books back-to-back in a matter of days. When is Book 4 coming??
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Shoebridgehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Shoebridge2022-01-07 21:15:052022-01-07 21:15:05Shake Loose the Border (Thunder on the Moor Book 3) by Andrea Matthews – Review by Erica Shoebridge
The adventure and edge-of-your seat action is ramped up in this Book 2. Now that Maggie knows the truth about what happened to her father, and the real nature of Ian Rutherford’s character, she is desperate to protect her beloved, Will Foster. The Armstrong clan are still convinced that smooth-talking “Bonnie Will” has beguiled the innocent Maggie, and that he needs to be brought to justice and she liberated. They are on the run, trying to escape the long arm of the law, and save Will from certain death in the gallows. But can they run forever? What will it take to save the star-crossed lovers? The Armstrong and Foster clans clash yet again, and while both believe they are doing the best by Maggie, they are at odds. Tensions run very high in this novel, and the plot turns on split-second decisions. My heart was definitely pounding in places, and shed some tears in others. Very emotional and exciting continuation to this series.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Shoebridgehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Shoebridge2022-01-07 21:14:192022-01-07 21:14:19Ride with the Moonlight (Thunder on the Moor Book 2) by Andrea Matthews – Review by Erica Shoebridge
This is a fantastic start to series that I am already loving. 19-year-old Maggie Armstrong gets sent back to 16th Century Scotland with her father and best friend, and finally gets to experience having the loyal family she’s always dreamed of. But family relations aren’t as easy as they seem, and Maggie chafes under women’s obligations in the 1500s. I love that she is a strong, stubborn, tenacious woman, very much her father’s daughter, and stands up for herself and her beliefs no matter the cost. While the life of border reivers can be violent and short, she appreciates the joy, love, and simplicity of strong family ties and protecting your own. This novel has plenty of battles, betrayals, and love stories to keep readers on the edge of their seats. Book 1 is the start of what I expect to be an epic saga, and I am here for it!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Shoebridgehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Shoebridge2022-01-07 21:10:002022-01-07 21:10:00Thunder on the Moor (Thunder on the Moor Book 1) by Andrea Matthews – Review by Erica Shoebridge
Exiled South is one woman’s journey to overcome unimaginable grief and reconnect to the parts of her family’s past that she has tried to ignore for over two decades. After the death of her husband, Lizbeth leaves town and heads for her family’s vacation cabin down South to rest and recuperate, with the help of her cousin Charlotte. With Charlotte’s tender care and gentle prodding, she starts to reconnect with her roots in North Carolina. Throughout her emotional and physical journeys, she learns to reclaim her ancestry, the good the bad and the ugly. The themes in this novel were handled very well, and I appreciated the frank and vulnerable way that Cannon drew Lizbeth for her readers. The story was very relatable and Lizbeth is an interesting, intelligent, complicated human. Charlotte was a fun character as well, and I appreciated both her loving gestures for Charlotte mixed with a no-nonsense ‘tell it like it is’ attitude. Very realistic of a big sister – one minute gracious and caretaking, the next minute calling out her sister on her bullsh!t. A lovely read written with a gentle touch and a reflective vibe.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Shoebridgehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Shoebridge2022-01-04 07:37:112022-01-04 07:37:11Exiled South by Harriet Cannon – Review by Erica Shoebridge
This is a phenomenal story. Crime is a genre that I don’t pick up very often, but this one had such an awesome story and wholly believable characters that I couldn’t put it down. Grace is an intelligent, flawed, sometimes self-doubting, relatable character that keeps fighting even when the chips are down. I loved her vulnerability, and willingness to keep pushing forward even the face of strong adversity, and especially even in the face of her own self-doubt. She has to re-learn how to lawyer, how to walk, how to adult, and how to be an authentic version of this person she has become. The mystery of the whodunnit had me wrapped in circles trying to untangle it, and I still wasn’t able to do it in time at the end of the novel. So many great side characters, including the retired mob man with a heart of gold Vinny, and the big black badass ASA Marcus who is Grace’s loving friend and confidante. The motley crew of people that helped hold Grace together become a family of sorts, and the way she is able to find love and confidence in those that truly have her back made me so happy.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Shoebridgehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Shoebridge2022-01-01 08:13:322022-01-01 08:13:32States of Grace (Grace Locke Mystery Series) by Mandy Miller – Review by Erica Shoebridge
Swipe Right to Bite is a short and sassy romantic comedy among demons. Our sexy succubus Katrina is determined to send Gorgeous Gabe the incubus packing to whatever Hell he came from, but is sidetracked by his luscious form. As a sex demon on the wagon, she is trying her mightiest to keep everyone’s clothes on, but the temptation for both is more than they bargained for (literally). The humour is very tongue-in-cheek and the witty puns are rampant in this story, similar to other works by Pulkinen. If you have read and loved any of her other works, you will find this book just as delicious. Fans of quirky humour and steamy romance will enjoy this saucy story.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Shoebridgehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Shoebridge2021-12-31 08:08:542021-12-31 08:08:54Swipe Right to Bite (New Orleans Nocturne Book 6) by Carrie Pulkinen – Review by Erica Shoebridge
Asia’s lost memories from the night her children died have haunted her as she’s tried to move forward with her life. She can’t get over the fact that she has no idea what happened to her for three missing hours… hours that she might have been enough to save her babies. When she meets Ethan, the two of them develop a very special connection, and together they become determined to get Asia some closure. As they start to track down the clues to figure out this mystery, it becomes more and more clear that what happened that night may not be of this world. I thought this book was written very well and Frelick did an excellent job of making the unbelievable seem believable. I was very engaged throughout the story, the characters were fantastic and the plot hummed along at a great pace. Ida Micken is a hilarious character that became crucial to the plot, and I was totally here for it. A great sci-fi, even for those who may not typically read the genre – there is more than enough to keep you hooked!
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Shoebridgehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Shoebridge2021-12-29 21:02:162021-12-29 21:02:16Unchained Memory (Interstellar Rescue Series Book 1) by Donna S. Frelick – Review by Erica Shoebridge
Another excellent book by Donna Frelick! I was a little trepidatious because the book sounded bloody and harsh, I wasn’t sure it would be quite my cup of tea, but I know the authour is great, so I gave it a go. Very happy I did! The story is phenomenal, very action-packed with lots going on. The two races on the planet, the Thrane (ruling class) and the Hinarr (poor and maligned) have been at odds for centuries. The Hinarr are treated abysmally, with few rights and are little better than slaves. A lot of the interactions echoed the racism that occurs in our world today, and so it was very relevant despite being set in a fictional world. The clash between these sects ultimately becomes one of the main themes in this book. This book has romance, adventure, space travel, fantasy and shape-shifting snow cats! What’s not to love? Read this book.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Shoebridgehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Shoebridge2021-12-29 21:01:532021-12-29 21:01:53King of Pain (Interstellar Rescue Series Book 5) by Donna S. Frelick – Review by Erica Shoebridge
An endearing YA novel about the End of Times (Maybe) and finding love and humour along the way. Kella is stuck trying to outrun the “hyenas” with her anxious cousin Jumper and her little brother Huck, who has autism. Trying to protect and defend Huck, and put up with Jumper’s over-enthusiastic rules has her worn out, let alone hiking miles per day with the threat of cannibals attacking 24/7. Her sardonic wit and familial loyalty make her a loveable character to follow through the ETM. A captivating plot, plus colourful characters met along the way, make this a fun read.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Shoebridgehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Shoebridge2021-12-23 08:04:522021-12-23 08:04:52Apocalypse Thoughts (The Pox Series Book 5) by Kendra Griffin – Review by Erica Shoebridge
A lovely follow-up adventure to Book 1. Tally must use her intellect and courage to survive the challenges in front of her to save the day. The remote Yukon town is tainted with a century-old curse that Tally must unravel and contend with. Lots of exciting twists and turns in this story to keep readers on their toes. Tally is a great heroine, brave but vulnerable, and I enjoyed jumping back into her world. A nice family story for adventure lovers of all ages.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Shoebridgehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Shoebridge2021-12-22 08:55:582021-12-22 08:55:58Tally and the Angel: Book Two, Canada by Eleanor Dixon – Review by Erica Shoebridge
Gorgeously written and full of page-turning action, this book is a treasure. I loved all of the characters, especially Oliwia and Jacek, who are fantastic in their own ways. They are deeply believable heroes, and I was entranced in their saga from the beginning. I wasn’t sure I’d like a novel set so long ago, but honestly I was scarcely aware of it as their unflinching humanity was the star of the show. There are gory battle scenes, highly emotional scenes of heartache, behind-the-scenes cunning, and triumph over adversity. A very full work that book lovers of all types could appreciate.
https://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.png00Erica Shoebridgehttps://itsybitsybookbits.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/IBBB_2020_logo_sq.pngErica Shoebridge2021-12-20 16:43:022021-12-20 16:43:02The Heart of a Hussar (The Winged Warrior Series Book 1) by Griffin Brady – Review by Erica Shoebridge
Book 2 in the Nite Fire series does not disappoint. Lots of action and mayhem, just as in Book 1, with Dahlia kicking supernatural butt. Used to diving in to solve sticky problems then hopping on to the next trial, she is trying this time to stay put. She is unused to having relationships, and the anxiety his can bring when people you care about are at risk. As she wades through those murky waters, she also battling a new entity – humans infected with a paranormal drug that is killing them in droves. I enjoyed seeing a bit more character development of Dahlia, making her a more complex hero. Can’t wait to start book 3!
We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.
Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.
Essential Website Cookies
These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.
Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refuseing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.
We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.
We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.
Google Analytics Cookies
These cookies collect information that is used either in aggregate form to help us understand how our website is being used or how effective our marketing campaigns are, or to help us customize our website and application for you in order to enhance your experience.
If you do not want that we track your visit to our site you can disable tracking in your browser here:
Other external services
We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.
Google Webfont Settings:
Google Map Settings:
Google reCaptcha Settings:
Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:
Other cookies
The following cookies are also needed - You can choose if you want to allow them:
Privacy Policy
You can read about our cookies and privacy settings in detail on our Privacy Policy Page.
Journeys Through AllCreation by James Talisman
