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Black Canvas by Laura Rossi – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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Black CanvasBlack Canvas by Laura Rossi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! This is an original psychological masterpiece – it gets inside your skull and worms around until you are completely hooked. Aria De Luca is a forensic psychiatrist seeking to help women who have been subjected to the worst of humanity. At the start of this book, she is back in action for the first time since the difficult loss of a patient to suicide. As she starts unravelling what happened to her new patient, whose memory has been damaged due to trauma, she realizes that these abusers may be part of an organized group targeting young, pretty women. The case sets off something in Aria, who becomes obsessed with getting deeper into the case. As Aria spirals down into the seedy world, her psyche starts to fissure. Trying to figure this one out as you turn the pages faster and faster will have you staying up til the wee hours to get to the bottom of it!

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No Names to be Given by Julia Brewer Daily – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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No Names to Be GivenNo Names to Be Given by Julia Brewer Daily
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This novel is absolutely RIVETING. I was completely captured by the accounts of Becca, Faith and Sandy, and was turning pages fast as their stories were slowly revealed. They have wildly different lives, loves, and circumstances, and the pressures they faced to give up their babies as teenagers were immense and all-consuming. It is easy to forget in the 21st century that just 60 years ago, women had so few rights and options. These women are wholly controlled by the men in their life, and the Magnolia Home for Unwed Mothers was not a choice they wanted to make. Their time at the home changes them forever – a pivotal moment in their lives. None can forget each other or the babies they birthed on the same day, and the shadow of these babies haunts them. Their firstborns are never far from their minds. The scandal that could ensue if their secret is ever revealed could be catastrophic for each of them. Fantastic work of historical fiction that me hooked until the end.

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Piasa by Maggie Adams – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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Piasa (Legends, #3)Piasa by Maggie Adams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Piasa is a compelling story that I enjoyed. I had trouble keeping the characters straight at first as there seemed to be a lot of information at once. Likely this is because I didn’t read the previous books in the series. It did become clear, and I was glad that I stuck around. The writing flows very well, and the story had a good arc. Delta is a wonderful character, a shaman with a beautiful heart, but troubled by the visions she receives from her spirit guides. She wants to do what is right, but the spiritual elders are giving her information that seems to clash with her morals and what she knows of the world. There are lots of interesting characters, dragons, sha(wo)men, dragons, vampires… lots of magical beings to get your imagination in overdrive. A good read for fantasy lovers.

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Thief of Magic by Bree Moore – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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Thief of Magic (Shadowed Minds, #1)Thief of Magic by Bree Moore
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thief of Magic is a great fantasy novel with lots of action and interesting characters. Our heroine, Lee, is bright, tough, and singularly driven to do whatever it takes to avoid her fate. Growing up without parents, and having to steal to survive, she is resourceful and pragmatic, but also slow to trust anyone. When the new teammate joins the crew, he seems inordinately interested in her movements and motivations. His interest makes her uncomfortable, but she needs his help to complete the jobs and earn the money for her plan. There are plenty of exciting heist scenes, complete with otherworldly magic and powers. Lee’s race to find a cure provides excellent drama and suspense to keep the reader interested. I highly recommend this read.

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Practically Pagan – An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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Practically Pagan - An Alternative Guide to Magical LivingPractically Pagan – An Alternative Guide to Magical Living by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Practically Pagan is a very accessible and wonderfully written book. DeBlassie guides us to find magic in the everyday, and to learn how to tune in to our inherent wisdom and intuition. She shares her journey to slowing down, discovering what nurtures or saps her energy, and how she’s found joy in charting her own path. Her voice is honest and gentle; it feels like a wise woman having a chat with you, inviting you to listen to your heart and live a life of intention. This book is a breath of fresh air in a world of Busy and judgement. I really enjoyed this work, and definitely recommend it for anyone who needs some inspiration for tuning in to joy and lightness in their life.

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Diabolical Sword (The Charm Collector Book 1) by Melissa Erin Jackson – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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Diabolical SwordDiabolical Sword by Melissa Erin Jackson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This fantasy is hilarious, action-packed, and a really good time. Harlow is a smart and interesting young woman, who despite her career, has a good head on her shoulders and wants to see justice prevail in the world. The sword she stumbles across becomes “imprinted” on her (think baby duck) and she quickly develops an affinity with it. It is like an adorable murderous puppy, loyal to Harlow but quick to anger, and just as quick to exact vengeance on those who threaten it or Harlow. It often puts her into very real danger as she becomes blamed for the crimes it commits. But there is more at play here, and as Harlow tries to figure out what the sword is ultimately seeking, she uncovers more and more strange events happening in the town of Luma. Something in the Collective isn’t the way it seems, and danger is lurking. Is the government being truthful about the safety of the city? Are the boundaries as sturdy as they are purported? As she discovers more and more of the underbelly of the city, and the risk to her life increases, Harlow has some decisions to make about what to do with her discoveries.

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The Crown of Stones: Magic-Price by C.L. Schneider – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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Magic-Price (The Crown of Stones, #1)Magic-Price by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An interesting dark fantasy with a tortured protagonist. Ian Troy fears the power his body can wield, and has attempted for many years to drown out the calling to release it. He is shamed by how uncontrollable his magic can be, and has paid dearly at the times it has taken over him. Having white-knuckled through the temptations for a decade, he stumbles into a battle which thrusts him back into the world of magic. I liked getting to know this unlikely hero, the pieces of dark and the pieces of light. The plot has plenty of battle scenes with armed combatants, and a nefarious villain to be rooted out. Lots of twists and turns in the plot as Troy is forced back to answer for his past sins and to stop future ones. A solid book that will have you turning the pages as fast as you can.

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Strega – Magic: The Spirit Never Dies by Lynne Russell – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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Strega - Magic: The Spirit Never DiesStrega – Magic: The Spirit Never Dies by Lynne Russell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A very well-written novel that follows the women of the Ciofani family through time. These ‘wise women’ are intuitive, intelligent, romantic and strong – they are young independent women and the backbones of their families. I really enjoyed following the women that Russell drew for us, and the choices that determined their fates. The lush descriptions of Italy and Italian family tradition had me eating pasta and drinking wine three nights in a row… never a bad decision. The plot was very engaging and the way the authour was able to bring the past to life was gorgeous. Definitely recommend!

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Still Taking Chances by Roz Lee – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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Still Taking ChancesStill Taking Chances by Roz Lee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A very spicy book between sometimes submissive Hud and ex-dominatrix Mary Beth that turns even more heated than either planned for. Mary Beth’s unique brand of domme heavily involves not just physical submissiveness, but mental as well. She uses her skills to draw out emotional and psychological pain from her partners, as a way to exorcise them of their (figurative) demons. She has more than she bargained for with Hud, who is military-trained, and not an easy target for anyone to extract information from. Both characters are interesting, and I was surprised by how thoughtfully they were drawn. The sex scenes are very explicit, and reveal a lot about Hud and Mary Beth in more ways than one. This book turn a few turns I was not expecting, and if this is your type of novel, you may just want to pick it up.

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Caught in Midnight Shadows (The Caught Series Book 4) by Sharleen Scott – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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Caught in Midnight Shadows (Caught series, #4)Caught in Midnight Shadows by Sharleen Scott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was very captivated by the characters in this book, they seemed to leap off the page and I was invested almost immediately. Brant Bellamy is a sexy cowboy with integrity and a good heart, who values family and protects those he loves with everything he has. Aubrey also surprised me with the layers to her character, is similarly loving and loyal, with lots of independence and spunk. I liked that this story was also between two people near middle age, it was a refreshing change from many love stories. The two have lives and loves and life experiences that made them interesting and complex. There are also a few twists in the plot that I didn’t see coming, so I was all the more focused on story and its turns. A very cozy read for me that I heartily recommend.

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Surprise Baby for Mr. Fischer (Curvy Ever After Book 2) by Stephanie Harrell – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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Surprise Baby for Mr. Fischer (Curvy Ever After, #2)Surprise Baby for Mr. Fischer by Stephanie Harrell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A very engaging book that I really enjoyed. This is my first time reading anything by Stephanie Harrell, and I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked it. Harper and Lincoln are relatable characters, and their love story is believable and interesting. Harper is a fuller-figured woman and Lincoln is a conventionally handsome movie star, and I thought the theme of this was handled really well. Harper feels like he can’t possibly be attracted to her body as much as he might a slender movie starlet’s, and this impacts some of her decisions and fears in the book. Her growth as a character involves, in part, her coming to terms with her insecurities and how she wants to move forward with Lincoln and his very public career. I appreciate the depth of the story for elements like this, rather than a simple surface-level work. I would happily check out other books by Stephanie Harrell.

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The Mating Call by Brooke May – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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The Mating CallThe Mating Call by Brooke May
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really liked the characters of the Long Claw pride, especially Cheyenne, and her sisters and brother. All are deeply affected by the despicable actions of Casper, their father, who was by turns absent and abusive. While all the children grow up knowing that the mating call is part of life as a lion shifter, and that they will likely meet their mate one day, they are scarred from witnessing the action of their mother’s mate. Despite this, the women are all strong, independent females with unique personalities and interests. Cheyenne is an interesting heroine, one who has quite an emotional and psychological journey in this novel. I felt her deep connection to the land and her kin, and her closeness to family resonated with me. None of the characters are simple or archetypical; they are layered and unique, interesting and flawed. I appreciated this in particular about the book.

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Christmas Cookies on a Cruise Ship (The Perfect Pairing Series Book 1) by Parker Fairchild – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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Christmas Cookies on a Cruise Ship (The Perfect Pairings Series Book 1)Christmas Cookies on a Cruise Ship by Parker Fairchild
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Who doesn’t love a bit of magic at a Christmastime, or a sweet romance set on the high seas? When the destined couple each separately meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus, they are initially skeptical that the wizened elderly duo are the real deal. Resident Navy Seal Jace Thomas, being the sober one, is the first to believe that the storybook pair are actually the one and only St. and Mrs. Nick. Good thing he is trained in doing recon, as he trails the beautiful Dr. Olivia Chasen around the ship, trying to believe that this captivating woman might be his own prettily wrapped gift. There is a healthy dose of cheesy lines in this romance, as well as many unlikely plot points that wrap up all of the coincidences with a neat bow. You’ll need an above average-sized ability to suspend disbelief for this tale to be believable. But, if you are a sucker for a Christmas miracle story, and a heartwarming soulmate happily-ever-after, you may enjoy this whimsical book.

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Born to Fall (Can’t Resist You – Book 2) by Brittany Anne – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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Born to Fall (Can't Resist You, #2)Born to Fall by Brittany Anne
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Derek and Julia have an intricate romance, that has more substance than other, more whimsical romance stories. Julia’s history of abuse and torture make her falling in love with Derek complex and fraught with her growth as a character. She comes to realize the depth of her feelings for him, but her emotional and psychological health is still healing from her imprisonment. Her past associations with sex are non-consensual and shame-filled. Because of this, her reaching for him often is two steps forward, one step back. Luckily for her, Derek is supremely supportive of her, and doesn’t seem to mind her tentative steps toward him. This romance, set in a post-apocalyptic world where revolution is rolling makes it even more emotionally fraught. Julia must come to terms with her fears and learn to stand up and fight for what matters to her. Everyone’s safety may be hinging on it.

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Rock Me To The Top (Gracefall: Vicious Love Tour) by Victoria Zak – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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Rock Me To The Top (Gracefall: Vicious Love Tour Book One)Rock Me To The Top by Victoria Zak
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Rock me to the Top is an easy-to-read romance set in the backdrop of the electric beats and growling vocals of the rock n’ roll world. I enjoyed this aspect, and liked reading the details of live concerts and life on the tour bus. Joe and Melody are childhood friends, and have the solid background of so many memories together. I found their friends-to-lovers romance to be a bit abrupt; I would have liked a more detailed build-up. I liked the character of Joe, and found his feelings and motivations to be well drawn out and believable. Melody slightly less so; I wanted to know more from her perspective about what her personality was like beyond her feelings for Joe Grace. It took awhile for her to reveal her character and what matters to her. Still, this is a fun romance with a good theme and the supporting characters round the read out nicely.

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Spoilsport (Pierce Brothers Book 2) by Belinda Williams – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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Spoilsport (Pierce Brothers, #2)Spoilsport by Belinda Williams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Spoilsport is a fun, lighthearted, enemies-to-lovers romance. Nadia is an uber competitive and quick-witted nurse who prefers her relationships with men to fun-filled and less than 24 hours long. She and Luke Pierce have a past, one that left a bad taste in her mouth. Unfortunately, his brother is the boyfriend of her best friend, Chelsea, so their worlds bump together often. Chelsea sees the spark between the two, and plays a bit of under-handed matchmaking to get Nadia to see the sweeter side of Luke, and start to trust him again. The banter between Luke and Nadia is full of fire and sass, and hints that a romance might be equally steamy. I enjoyed hearing from Chelsea and her boyfriend Tom again, after reading Book 1 in this series. If you enjoyed Book 1, I’m sure you’ll find Spoilsport equally engaging. If you missed out on the first one, this one definitely works as a fun stand-alone rom com.

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Nite Fire: Flash Point by C. L. Schneider – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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Flash Point (Nite Fire, #1)Flash Point by C.L. Schneider
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book straight through over two evenings (and one late night), completely ignoring my family and my responsibilities and I REGRET NOTHING. This book is action-packed, and had me on the edge of my seat. Dahlia Nite is a century-old lyrriken (dragon/human hybird) with powers of empathy related to grief and trauma. All to say she is a kick-ass fighter and protector of the human world from the various creatures that go bump in the night. After being hired to consult on a triple murder, she starts realizing that this is no ordinary monster or demon. She is forced to confront her own fears and enemies, while carefully keeping the human authorities in the dark about her real abilities and DNA. The tension between these worlds is so taut, and being half of this world and half of another keeps her balancing on a razors edge throughout the story. There are so many fight scenes that are written so vividly, you will feel the heat from the fire dripping from her fingertips. Great world-building, lifelike characters and epic battles you will not forget any time soon.

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Shadows of Doubt (A Crawford Mystery) by Merissa Racine – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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Shadows of Doubt (A Crawford Mystery)Shadows of Doubt by Merissa Racine
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a very good crime mystery, I really enjoyed it. There is a lot of detail in the plot, but it is never difficult to keep it all straight, nor veering into boredom with monotony. I do find other books bore me with too many details, but this one was just right. The twists of the plot were very interesting, and definitely kept me guessing. Racine’s writing style is very engrossing, and seemed very realistic in the level of detail about Lauren’s stenography job and how the courtroom works. Great job!

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Love’s Reverie (The Stardust Duet, Book 2) by KG Fletcher – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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Love's Reverie (The Stardust Duet, #2)Love’s Reverie by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was excited to finish this duet, after recently reading Love’s Refrain. While this book 2 does catch you up on the plot of Book 1, I’m glad I had already read the first and had already come to love these characters before embarking on this one. There is much more emphasis on the soulmate/transcendent nature of their love affair, which many romance readers may find lovely. Phil’s battle to return to his love, and all of the barriers in the way to his hoped-for reunion made for interesting plot points. What’s a romance without a bit of the ‘star-crossed lovers’ theme anyway? The writing struck me again as very lyrical and whimsical – Fletcher has a unique voice with a dream-like quality I appreciated. Romance lovers, pick up this book!

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A Spell of Rowans by Byrd Nash – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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A Spell of RowansA Spell of Rowans by Byrd Nash
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a phenomenal book that I’m so glad I picked up. I finished it days ago, but I notice my brain is still swirling in the world of Grimsby and the Rowans. When Vic lands back in town after the death of her horrible mother, the Rowan children are together again. Old hurts and haunts rise up about the distinctly odd family, and not everyone is happy that the siblings are united. As we learn about the unique abilities, histories and secrets of Vic, Pip, and Liam, the layers of their lives become slowly peeled away to reveal the horrors of what they have endured and covered up over the years. Very interesting book with plenty of mystery, crime, and intrigue to keep you interested to the last page.

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Fate, Frankincense & Funerals by Naomi Valkyrie – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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Fate, Frankincense & FuneralsFate, Frankincense & Funerals by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fate, Frankincense and Funerals is a very well-written tale. This is my first book by Valkyrie, and it’s not a genre I typically read, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. The characters were quite interesting and deeply believable. I wish there was more backstory – on this world she’s created, the relationships, and societal beliefs of its inhabitants. I was very curious about some of the unanswered questions. Honestly I debated giving this a 5-star review, and would have if those elements had been included. This authour is excellent, and I will be checking out some of their other works.

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Twilight’s Curse (Twilight Realm Series Book 1) by K.M. Wray – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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Twilight's CurseTwilight’s Curse by K.M. Wray
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this elven story. The characters are multi-faceted and complex; they have weathered their own hardships and become very interesting characters. A lot happens in the plot, and I was hooked, wondering what would happen next. Nix and Zoe are both great heroes, even though they each doubt themselves in different ways. Their mentor manages to be supportive, encouraging, and helpful, nudging them into confronting their demons, but never over-stepping or pointing the way. Despite their misgivings, they are destined for greatness, and I enjoyed every minute of watching them grow into the confident, capable beings they were meant to be. I look forward to the continuation of the story.

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Sea Mage (The Nightshade Guild, Book 10) by Louisa Bacio – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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Sea Mage (The Nightshade Guild, Book 10)Sea Mage by Louisa Bacio
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Sea Mage is a delightful tale with lots of fun and intrigue. Serena is a great heroine – intelligent, brave, and never shies away from defending a loved one. Her membership in the Nightshade Guild, and relationships with other sea friends and familiars make for great character development. The tiny future elven queen is an adorable toddler, whose knowledge and strength exceed her years. I loved following this story, and love affair, through all the twists and turns as Serena demonstrates just how much a sea mage is capable of. This is a very fun story, I recommend it.

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The Girl and the Demon (The Girl and the Raven Book 3) by Pauline Gruber – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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The Girl and The Demon (The Girl and The Raven, #3)The Girl and The Demon by Pauline Gruber
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

All of the lovable cast mates are back in the third book of this fun series. Lucy is still working on awakening the witchy side of her genes, and Dylan’s demon is coming out in greater strength. Jude’s absence is affecting everyone, and although he tries to reach out to them, his communications are unclear and incomplete. Lucy is stressed about Marcus leaving to spend time with his protector kin, and unwittingly falls into a trap set by Seamus. I enjoyed hearing from all of these characters again, but I found this book really slow to get going. I was waiting for all of the action I expected from Girl and the Gargoyle, and it took awhile to arrive. Having said that, this book is as well written and developed as the others in this series, and if you enjoyed the others, you should definitely complete your experience with this book.

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The Elements of the Crown by Kay L. Moody – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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The Elements of the Crown (The Elements of Kamdaria, #1)The Elements of the Crown by Kay L. Moody
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holy smokes, this book is great! I barely even noticed that it is 4 novellas in one – the story flows seamlessly. Talise comes from the very impoverished area called The Storm, but is determined to win the coveted title of Master Shaper so that she can escape poverty for good. Her powers to shape the elements – Earth, Air, Fire, and Water are almost unparalleled. She is a strong heroine with awesome powers that provide lots of excitement in the story. Aaden, the prickly new student, is possibly equal to her abilities, and so they are tested together in a fight for the right to stay in The Crown, the richest area of Kamdaria. Lots of twists and turns in this book that kept me hooked. I finished and immediately bought the sequel, Elements of the Gate. Buy this book!

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Ashes of Aldyr by Russell Archey – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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Ashes of AldyrAshes of Aldyr by Russell Archey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ashes of Aldyr is a dark and disturbing work. The language struck me immediately – it is dripping with imagery that is terrifying and putrid. The stories, collectively, weave together a hellish world where dark magic abounds, and souls are ripped away into the inky black. At the centre of this is an ancient tome called The Dread Praises, which is the key to all the madness. Can the evil be stopped before everything is lost? Give it a read to find out.

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Death Under Palm Trees (A Jack and Frances Mystery Book 4) by Carmen Radtke – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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Death under Palm TreesDeath under Palm Trees by Carmen Radtke
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A clever mystery set in 1930s high society. Plucky Frances joins her beau Jack, plus a few other characters, to assemble the clues to this whodunnit crime. The writing has a comforting cadence to it and it was a pleasure to read. I felt transported into early Hollywood cinema; the writing is perfect for an adaption. The characters are rich, full, and delightful. This mystery will have you guessing as the clues turn up, and the people reveal themselves and their intentions. Death under Palm Trees drew me into Radtke’s lush world straightaway, and had me staying up way too late to discover the end to this delightful tale!

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Come Back Tomorrow by Amy Argent – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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Come Back Tomorrow (Embrace Tomorrow, #1)Come Back Tomorrow by Amy Argent
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An emotionally fraught romance between a grief specialist and a dying cancer patient. When Tori decides to befriend terminally patient Will Emerson, she gets more than she bargained for. As she slowly gets to know the sweet, creative, loving artist, she becomes more and more attached to him. When she realizes the depth of her feelings, she feels powerless to stop it, and he seems to feel the same. I thought this was a well-written work, heavy on Tori’s thoughts and feelings about Will, and what is happening psychologically for them. At parts it felt like the tension was drawn out a little too long, but overall a book I would recommend.

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Fool Me Twice by Gledé Browne Kabongo – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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Fool Me TwiceFool Me Twice by Glede Browne Kabongo
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Intrigue starts right at the beginning of this one. It begins with hang-up calls, being followed and chased, then threats on the lives of her children. Someone has it out for Shelby Cooper, and they promise not to stop until she is utterly destroyed. There is lots to unpack here; Shelby is obviously hiding much from her family, but we find out about it slowly, as the clues are revealed. The psychological thriller aspect of this book is done very well. The characters fell a bit flat for me… I had trouble caring for them, which took a bit away from the plot. However, Kabongo is a good thriller writer, so if you like being on the edge of your seat, guessing at what’s coming next, this may be a good choice for you.

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Kingdom of Embers (Kingdom Journals Book 1) by Tricia Copeland – Review by Erica Shoebridge

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Kingdom of Embers (Kingdom Journals #1)Kingdom of Embers by Tricia Copeland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really liked this book, and finished it in one sitting. We get to follow Alena as she learns more about the dual sides to her identity, and what she is capable of from both the vampiric and witchy sides of her DNA. She is a very relatable character, and I was instantly hooked. Her curiousity sometimes gets the better of her, resulting in some interesting plot points. She is also dating for the first time in her life, and has several suitors who are interested in her. I kept hoping for more fighting or uses of her powers, but it seems like book 2 will be well situated for those. I definitely will be reading the next book in the series to see what happens next!

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