At All by Mindy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the third book in this series, and out of all the brothers Sebastian was by far my favourite. There is so many ups and downs in this book it draws you in. Sebastian swore he would never fall for a girl until he met Maelie they have so much passion for each other you wont be able to put this book down.
Goddess of Everything by Paul DeBlassie III
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Goddess of Everything by Paul DeBlassie III was a psychologically thrilling novel, that centers around a mother and son with some very twisted events and happenings you don’t see coming. DeBlassie delves deep into the psyche of mind and religion in this novel, with a lot of spirituality mixed in as well. This was a very interesting, psychological read. Don’t look forward to a very easy read, this is one you definitely want to savor and make sure to understand and fully grasp the content of this novel. Full of incredible imagery and well written words from DeBlassie, this a book you won’t want to miss out on.
Goddess of Everything by Paul DeBlassie III
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a story based in the dark and desolate land of Aztlan Del Norte, it is a land of desert, scrub and sand which is whipped up into deadly storms on a regular basis, it is also home to religion and mysticism all rolled into one. This is where Gabriél de LaTierra lives and works as a psychiatric social worker and healer with his wife and son, as well as his mother Juana De La Cruz who is also the Mother Superior of the Nunnery and Orphanage of he Holy Innocents where Gabriél works with the children who reside there.
Gabriél loves his mother, but this conflicts with the love he has for his wife and his mother is behind it because she wants his love all for herself and to do this, she folds memories and feelings into his mind like silken threads. She has done this since his father died as they mourned at his gravesite, so as to make her the only one he loves, but what she doesn’t know is that he has another compartment she doesn’t see and this is where the spirit of his father left his message that he will always guide him throughout his life when he needs him. He has seen other things as well, the inner beasts of the people around him, shadows of dreams which come to pass in the days after and the spirit of a person, whether bad or good, he sees it all, but as he has grown up, he has become unable to do this as often as he used to, all because his mother blocks them from him with her arts.
As Gabriél prepares for his day, each one being different to the next as he helps the children of Aztlan Del Norte, he is focussing on one in particular that day, however especially when he is refused access to one of his patients, he digs deeper and finds that there have been reports of other children he has worked with disappearing and although the paperwork seems all in order, Gabriél feels that something isn’t right. He has his suspicions as to who is behind the disappearances, however, when he tries to gain clarity through his own mystic practices, what he discovers is more dark than he could have ever imagined and when he returns to his home, wife and son, he realises that the danger is reaching there as well.
Will Gabriél be able to uncover who is behind the dark practices enveloping the land and the children who live within it, or will his judgement be clouded by outside forces and will he be able to face the coming danger, or will his family be reached by the evil in the air? This fast paced drama will leave you reeling as much as it does it’s characters as mysticism, blood and death combine to create a world of darkness which sucks you in.
Reviewed by @roxsannel
Beckoned by R.B. Fields
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Over the years, I’ve read many different kinds of vampire books – so many that I run the risk of reading the same old vampire story.
In saying that, I took a chance on this book and I’m happy that I did. I’ve really enjoyed the journey that R.B. Fields took me on. I felt transported into a new world and the characters are refreshing. The book starts off by introducing the strong, kick ass, independent human that quickly falls into the dreamy and irresistible world of Silas- The vampire.
Their story intrigued me – pulling me in with their quick wit, their banter and their burning emotions. Their story soon turns into a multi point of view story just as I was starting to learn about Dawn and Silas. As much as I love a multi voiced story, the amount of voices put in here almost became too much. It felt busy and almost like a competition too be heard. I got distracted and I felt some characters were just not as interesting as others.
That being said, this story still grabbed my interest from the first page and I completely fell in love with the world building too. It leaves me hungry for more.
February 15th, 2021
Sara Shalovelo
Learning to Live: An Enemy to Lovers Ugly Cry by Kira Adams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Learning to Live is book one in the Infinite Love series by Kira Adams. It is an enemy to lovers story and one that sounded intriguing and attention grabbing right from the get go. Learning this new to me author’s writing style was a rewarding experience. I love to read new and exciting authors that breathe some new life and personality into the romance genre. Kira Adams’ characters were colourful, stimulating, interesting and vulnerable. Ciera was a woman who did not realise her worth and capabilities. She learns a lot about herself and turns into a confident, self assured woman. Topher is a character that you warm up to gradually, and needs Ciera to help him realise you catch more flies with honey, so to speak. From bad boy to lovable lad, their personalities develop and they became a couple who I absolutely adored. The story was written with outstanding high quality and it is always apparent when the author puts everything into delivering a compelling and emotional read. A 5 star effort.
Killer Blonde by Allan Evans
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
4 Stars
Killer Blonde by Allan Evans is a fast paced thriller- a tense game of cat and mouse between a season cop and a psychopathic serial killer. There is quite a lot going on here- with murder, mystery, hidden agendas, plots, politics, rivalry, a lot at stake, dramatic developments, danger, tension, and even a little romance.
Ok, so I am not going to lie- this book had me thinking about it long after I finished, debating how I should rate and review it. There was quite a lot of promise held in the title, premise, and intriguing cover. While the overall story was quite enjoyable and did ‘deliver’ on some of the potential of the story- other elements and issues detracted from what would otherwise have been a 5+ Star rating.
Cade Dawkins is at the top of his game. A seasoned detective with a string of high profile case closures under his belt. When a couple of unusual road accidents raise some concerning questions, Cade’s investigation opens up a can of worms. A serial killer is operating in the area, disguising his murder spree as car accidents. His victim(s) of choice- beautiful, tall, blondes. But we soon discover that there is far more to the story than first meets the eye. With a hidden agenda that makes the stakes even higher, Cade will need to outwit and outplay his cunning opponent, before it’s too late.
The story is told from a duel POV- giving us both Cade’s and the killer’s point of view- which gives the reader a well-rounded perspective of all the developments. But, we did discover the identity of the killer only half way through the book, which I felt took away from the tightly woven tension that the author was building quite effectively up to that point. And while the rest of the story was intriguing, I felt that knowing the identity of the killer made the last half of the book less intense and suspenseful than it could have otherwise been.
Overall, the story was tightly woven- with obvious research and attention to detail. But then there are some really cliché elements, attempt at adding humour using tired ‘jokes’ we’ve all heard a hundred times before, things that have done the rounds for years as memes and social media posts. As well as there being obvious police procedural errors- and I am no expert by any means, but I doubt a top cop and his detective partner would be discussing highly sensitive case details in the presence of a civilian, let alone the 17 year old relative of one of the murder victims- no matter how much she wanted to help (just as an example). At times the author used some odd word phrasing, which pulled me out of the story as my mind rearranged the word to make more sense. There are also a LOT of characters to keep track of- 65+ named characters either playing a direct role or who were referred to in the story – not to mention a slew of unnamed characters, too. There were a few other minor issues, which in the end I had to acknowledge in my final rating of this book.
Don’t get me wrong, this is an enjoyable story- but I felt the author missed the opportunity to take this story to the next level as this story really does have the potential to be quite an exciting and stellar read.
Looking forward to seeing what Mr. Evans does next.
Thank you, Allan Evans!
Reviewed by @angelahayes
Love at First Haunt: A Ghostly Paranormal Romance by Carrie Pulkinen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Love at First Haunt: A Ghostly Paranormal Romance (Haunted Ever After Book 1) was a story about romance and the unknown. There is so much romance and drama that is ready to be unfolded. The paranormal is a nice bonus in this love story. Ghost,psychic, empath even rich caring guy this story has it all and so much more.
A ghost haunted Logan Mitchell who happened to be an empath driving him closer to the woman. Allison Gray who was a psychic afraid of ghosts that can give him all the love he never knew he needed. This pair is odder than they seem. Are they just what they need? They are both afraid of their feelings and what it will mean for their future. Are they destined to drive each other away?
This is the first book in the series and loved every single page of it. Can’t wait to read more. I’m getting ready to read book two as soon as I can
Hungry Business: A Short Story by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Hungry Business: A Short Story by Maria DeBlassie is a horror story. It is a short story but as we know Maria has the knack for writing quirky, original and unusual stories. It is easy to become completely immersed in it making it feel like you have run a marathon in post-apocalyptic dating world. It is a little silly, a little creepy, a little strange but fun looking for love in a new world of zombies. Like the Walking Dead? You will love this book.
Reviewed by @jennadb
Hell In A Handbasket by Naomi Valkyrie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have quickly come to love the Life is Hell series by Naomi Valkyrie. I was super excited to read book 3, Hell in a Handbasket, and it did not disappoint. I do not normally read books about the paranormal, nor books focused around M/M/NGBTQ characters, but I really do love this series. Well done Valkyrie! I don’t know where your idea spring from, but keep them coming. The characters have come to life, and I love the little paranormal family that is built in this series. I appreciate that the relationships are clear, but they are subtle, and not graphic. More inferred than actually spelled out.
This book focuses around Teivel and Oren- the most unlikely couple ever! A Demon, and a Demon Hunter; a killer and a cop… but it totally works. I loved the reveal of Teivel’s past, and why he is such a jerk. As well as the history of Teivel and Malachai. The next story sounds interesting… I’m curious to see how that is going to work. To be continued…
Reviewed by @way2gosmartguy
Is This Me? by Tricia Copeland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Total Page-Turner!! Is This Me? is the first book in the Being Me series by Tricia Copeland. Set as a College/New Adult setting, Amanda is starting her freshman year in college. She thought she had it all planned until life sent her a curve ball. Her friend decides that she is going to attend her first college fraternity party. There she meets Doug, who of course, is all wrong for her. Thankfully that doesn’t amount to much until one day she becomes injured and needs the help of her friends and this guys is here to help. What will happen? You’ll have to read to find out. The characters in this book are really great! I loved reading about Amanda and the choices leading her into adulthood. This book is great for anyone but for those that are starting college, this is an excellent book. You will enter a rollercoaster of emotions and hard decisions. You will definitely not want to put this book down and want to read more afterward. I, myself cannot wait to read the book in the series to see how Amanda’s life has progressed!
Reviews by @vegasdaisie
Nobody Knows by Kyra Lennon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Nobody Knows: A British Rock Band Romance (Razes Hell Book 1) by Kyra Lennon is a beautiful contemporary romance story. It is also a friend to lover’s romance. It is an emotional journey that is both heart wrenching and heart-warming. Kyra’s narrative makes this journey feel real and is easy to read. There is never a dull moment in this fast-moving drama filled with angst and emotionally heartfelt moments.
Three best friends. Two brothers who don’t always see eye to eye but are on their way to fame. One woman who has always been in their lives and loves them both and has to help them all deal with consequences.
Reviewed by @jennadb
Cursed Sight by A.J. Renee
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Cursed Sight is the second book in the Broderick Coven series by A.J Renee.
Before reading this I hadn’t read the first book in the series. I would recommend reading it first, just so you can enjoy it even more. Despite jumping straight into book two I was able to piece things together easily.
Cursed Sight is the story of Ethan and Serena. Ethan is an oracle who is looking for guidance to help develop his power. Serena is the High Priestess of her coven and is looking for an oracle to join her coven.
Despite having not read the first book (although I have since gone back and read that too) I was hooked really quickly by the characters and the storyline. I read this in an afternoon, it is action-packed, fast-paced, and I didn’t want to put it down. It was one of those stories where I needed to know what happened next. The characters are great, I was totally invested. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series now.
Sacha T. Y. Fortuné writes “Real-life Romance” Women’s Fiction with difficult to love characters and unpredictable storylines that will make you think and feel things. If you like something that packs a greater punch than the usual fluffy Happily-Ever-After romance, and your heart can handle the twisting, torturous journey of these relationships, her stories will rattle you and remain with you. A Trinidadian writer, and print and web designer, she holds MA and BA degrees in International Journalism and Media & Cultural Studies. There’s a little bit of her in all the “Hart & Cole” women, who have been pleading with her for almost two decades to do them justice.
~ ~ ~ ~ BOOK SPOTLIGHT SHOWCASE ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Paul DeBlassie III, Ph.D., is a psychologist and award-winning writer living in his native New Mexico, crafting visionary thrillers energized with trickster mischief and natural magic.
At Last by Mindy McKinley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
READ THIS BOOK!!! The first in a three book series, this book by far was the best of the bunch. I laughed, I cried, and I feel in love with Dom and Lula! The storyline was funny, heartfelt, romantic, and exciting. I was so invested in the story, I actually lost sleep staying up through the night to finish it, lol. If Mindy McKinley can recreate this story dynamic and flow with her writing on future books, I will definitely be reading more of her work going forward.
The Buccaneers of St. Frederick Island by Linda Maria Frank
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This story is full of adventure and mystery and kept me guessing until the very end! It is a very intriguing short story about a group of young students trying to solve a mystery in their small town. The story follows a group of young investigators as they follow leads of fires, caves and much more. They have been investigating this mystery since before the story begins and the mysteries kept piling up! It has a very diverse cast of characters, which was a nice change from most stories out there.
After the first two chapters I was so intrigued about the mysterious goings on and wanted to know everything, could not put it down. I finished it in one sitting for I wanted to know all the answers. I had more and more questions after each chapter, keeping me invested in the story until the very end. I did wish some things had more of an introduction or explanation, but for the most part it flowed well. If you love stories that have tons of mystery set in a small town then this one is for you! I got very Sherlock Holmes vibes and loved that!
There were some darker parts not great for very young children, but was a story I would read with children maybe 7/8 and older.
All in all an entertaining read, perfect for a rainy Saturday afternoon.
Learning to Live: An Enemy to Lovers Ugly Cry by Kira Adams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Learning to Live: An Enemy to Lovers Ugly Cry (The Infinite Love Series Book One)
By Kira Adams
5 out of 5 stars
I loved reading the book Learning to Live: An Enemy to Lovers Ugly Cry (The Infinite Love Series Book One) by Kira Adams. It is a story that had my emotions going up and down. I loved the character of Ciera. She is a young woman who is intelligent, strong, and faces situations that are very difficult to endure. I had a harder time warming up to Topher, He is arrogant, confident, and is seeing Ciera in a new light. After a while, he developed into a character that I liked. What does the future hold for them? Read this book to find out. This is a story that had me turning pages to see what happens next. The author does a wonderful job of making the story and the characters come alive. There are additional characters some of whom are friendly and others who are hurtful. Don’t miss out on an amazing book that is entertaining and takes you on an emotional journey that you will not soon forget. I highly recommend reading it.
Black Dog Rising by Kat Caulberg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Black Dog Rising
By Kat Caulberg
5 out of 5 stars
I loved reading the book Black Dog Rising by Kat Caulberg. It is a story that pulled me in, and I didn’t want to put it down until the final page. I loved the storyline and the characters of Emma Aubrey and Toby Deering. What does the future hold for them? Read this book to find out. This is a book that had me turning pages to find out what happens. The author does an amazing job of making the story and the characters come alive. It takes you on a journey that you will not soon forget. Don’t miss out on a story that is interesting, intriguing, exciting, and entertaining. You will not be disappointed. I highly recommend reading it.
The Buccaneers of St. Frederick Island by Linda Maria Frank
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Buccaneers of St. Frederick Island by Linda Maria Frank
4 Stars!!!!
I have once again discovered a new author. I have to admit that although the book is short it is
full of drama and intrigue. I was very surprised at just how much was packed into this book. I don’t usually go for this genre but I thought I would take a chance and was not disappointed.
The author does a great job of bringing the characters to life and the adventure that pursues really grabs the reader and holds you till the end. I could not put this book down. I liked how the story was in first person narrated by the main character. I also like how the author brings in small back story to keep the reader in the know and story line flowing. I will definitely read more from this author.
Reviewed by @caraleeloonat
View all my reviews
Cursed Sight by A.J. Renee
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Cursed Sight (Broderick Coven Book 2) by AJ Renee
4 Stars!!!!
Wow is all I can say. I know I once again have started a series out of order but man I can say that I was not at all at a loss. I totally could see how this could be a continuation as well as how the story line was formed. The author has such a unique style and I was definitely hooked. This is one of my favorite genres so I was eager to read this book.
Ethan and Serena have such a great chemistry. I could feel the drama shrouding them and like how the author was able to keep the story fresh and unpredictable. I like how she helps him and they really both complete one another. The author has a great series here and I look forward to reading more.
Review by @caraleeloonat
View all my reviews
Hungry Business: A Short Story by Maria DeBlassie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a Horror short story coming in at around 15 pages. If you are looking for a quick read, look no further. Dating. More like, trying to find “the one” you have been looking for all your life. How hard could that be? Ah, but dating during a zombie apocalypse makes it all that much harder.
Mythical Alliance: Phoenix Team: The Complete Season by Claire Luana
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I was hesitant about this one at first. It’s challenging to write about mythical creatures being super heroes without it coming off as hammy or cliché, but Mythical Alliance gets it just right. I read the first book, Phoenix Selected, and I enjoyed getting to know Zariya, the half human, half naga hybrid, and Konstantin Bauer, the mysterious vampire. They were great as individuals and had great chemistry together. The world building was also spot on. The different mythical creatures, or supes, were integrated into the modern world believably, and each race was described as if they naturally belonged to the plot and setting. I highly recommend this series. It’s well written and is a fantastic example of great story telling.
The Buccaneers of St. Frederick Island by Linda Maria Frank
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The Buccaneers of St. Frederick Island by Linda Maria Frank was a really good read. I wasn’t sure what to expect reading this book, and it was a very pleasant and easy read. This was definitely a book for all ages. It was an interesting little adventure, children’s mystery book to read. This was also a very quick read, which I enjoyed. I really enjoyed the little back story at the beginning, of the authors childhood. It was very interesting to me. This wasn’t my favorite book I’ve read, but it was really good nonetheless. I would definitely read more from this author in the future.
The Buccaneers of St. Frederick Island by Linda Maria Frank
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
The Buccaneers is an exciting mystery suitable for readers of all ages. This book, set in the post-WWII era on a small island, delivers a cast of young teens who have formed a club to watch over their island, and hunt for clues to get answers to their questions. The story centres around the island’s latest mystery, which becomes more tangled and complex as the kids share information, hunt down clues, and dare to explore shadowy caves in pursuit of their villain. It is reminiscent of the Scooby Doo gang as they head toward “unmasking” the dastardly troublemakers.
I found the story to be fast-paced and very plot-driven. Much happens in these 89 pages, and keeping up with the events was sometimes challenging. I wish there had been more introduction to various plot points; I often found myself confused in the twisting action. More description of the physical island and background on the various relationships would have been valuable, and made this easier to follow for me. All in all though, it was a good story with lots of action, and I would recommend it to other lovers of Young Adult whodunnit-type books.
Reviewed by @ericalorraine
Learning to Live: An Enemy to Lovers Ugly Cry by Kira Adams
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
5/5 Stars
Learning to Live: An Enemy to Lovers Ugly Cry (The Infinite Love Series, #1) by Kira Adams
Adams has made my heart break with this story. Learning to Live is an amazing tear-jerker. It’s a great read and I can’t wait for the next one.
Ciera is in her senior year and has a brain mass. No one outside her mom knows she’s dying. Oregon is the one state where she can assist suicide. She’s chosen a date and falls in love. The quote I chose for Ciera is: “You don’t care what anyone thinks anymore. Your reputation is the least of your worries.”
Topher is the jock popular guy who picks on others. When he finds that his girlfriend is sneaking around with his best friend things change. He knows Ciera and he’s picked on her. When she seizes in front of him he panics. The quote I chose for Topher is: “Are we really going to play the what-if game? What if Sophia hadn’t slept with Joe? What if my dad wasn’t gay? It doesn’t f**king matter because it’s not real. I can’t take back the sh***y things I did to you, but I can be a better person. I can’t explain the way you make me feel, but I can tell you I’ve never felt more alive in my entire life than when I’m with you.”
Highly recommended for contemporary romance lovers.
Where Flowers Bloom by Nikki Vale
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really enjoyed this story. It has a mixture of romance and paranormal which I love. It is a sweet story set in an ancient plantation. I’ve never read a book before where I was thinking about the main characters history or the colour of their skin but the beauty of this book is that the author brings a lot of the main characters history and culture into it.
Kendyll is a romance writer. Her relationship with her partner is rocky so when she gets a chance to move them to a new home and a fresh start she jumps at it. However the home she falls in love with is a old plantation home. As a young black woman why is she drawn to a place where they used to have black slaves? After she takes over the house she starts to have dreams about the people who used to live there.
Are the dreams memories or just the imagination of a romance writer?
Add to this the confusion she feels with regard to Wes the man helping her restore the house. Feeling attraction to a white man is not allowed and is frowned upon by her family. So why can’t she stop the feelings towards him? Is Wes the man that appears in her dreams or is the romance of the house and its history making her recreate things.
Is This Me? by Tricia Copeland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
What I love about this book is there is a chance for forgiveness, love and recovery in more ways than one. But there’s more fight you would think as Amanda has two guys to consider. I love that she was able to overcome all of her obstacles and find love but it’s worth a read to see how much she’s been up against.
Is This Me? by Tricia Copeland
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I found myself pulled into the pages of this story and couldn’t put it down until I was done.
Amanda is starting her first year of college with her best friends. Since one of them is in a fraternity, and one of them is dating a fraternity member, she finds herself at the frat house her very first night on campus. There, she meets Doug and Zack. She finds herself spending a lot of time with Doug…but he never makes the move to be more than friends. A serious injury has her spending even more time with Doug…and Zack. An almost-kiss on Halloween sends her away from one while bringing her closer to the other. Can Amanda find happiness? Or is she hiding the truth from herself?
I found myself drawn to Amanda. Her character enjoys her independence and finds it hard to adapt when an injury has her relying on others. Her feelings are a mess because she can’t tell if she is being strung along or if she is imagining something that isn’t there. All the supporting characters were enjoyable and I wanted to know more about all of them! I am hoping there will be other books in the series!
Is This Me? by Tricia Copeland
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Is This Me? By Tricia Copeland is book one of the Being Me series. I absolutely devoured this book! This book is a coming of age/new adult clean romance.
Amanda is a college freshman and she’s got it all planned out. She doesn’t expect that her plan will be derailed on the first day. Amanda meets up with her friends and is introduced to the brothers at her friend, Mark’, fraternity. Doug and Zach are two people she ends up being pretty close to especially after an accident leaves her needing a lot of assistance from her friends, especially Doug. Even though he’s turned her down, she’s determined to be friends no matter how difficult it is. Zach makes it a little easier though, that and avoiding Doug. Can Amanda withstand all the turmoil she’s facing and make it out unscathed?
I don’t like Doug. I did at first and his develops well but I don’t like him for Amanda. From the beginning, Zach felt more like where Amanda should end up. This book is deep and you can relate to the characters and the feelings. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the rest of the series.
Black Dog Rising by Kat Caulberg
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Black Dog Rising by Kat Caulberg was a gripping story! I felt hooked by the supernatural elements and could not put it down. I loved all the twists and turns, it really developed beautifully. I loved Emma and Toby and the wild ride they went on. I was rooting for Emma and really felt connected with her. Toby was a mystery I felt compelled to solve. Acaptivating read with all of my favorite elements!
