Posts

Dark is the Wood: A Young Adult Fantasy Romance by Kristin Ward

Dark is the Wood: A Young Adult Fantasy RomanceDark is the Wood: A Young Adult Fantasy Romance by Kristin Ward
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dark is the Wood by Kristin Ward was such a good book! I really enjoyed the enemies to lovers trope- normally not my fav but I thought it was well delivered and written here. I was insanely frustrated with Marius- how hard it was for him to see the selfish monster he had become over the centuries. Really loved the resolution at the end and the HEA that I wasn’t sure was going to happen. Very well written and enjoyable to read. Had a hard time putting it down.

View all my reviews

Notebook Mysteries ~ Art of Deception by Kimberly Mullins

Notebook Mysteries ~ Art of DeceptionNotebook Mysteries ~ Art of Deception by Kimberly Mullins
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Notebook Mysteries: I really enjoyed this book! I started off the series with the previous book and still haven’t had a chance to dive any further back; however, the author does a wonderful job of keeping the story line up to date but also gives enough backstory without bogging down the plot. I love the characters and the strong female lead, which is something that most period books just don’t have, or are not written as well as these are. I love the world building and the witty banter. It is romantic but not steamy. Loved it and will definitely read the next, and eventually the previous!

View all my reviews

Finding Cheer by Heather Schneider – Review by Kat Mellon

Finding Cheer (Magical Emerald Hollow #2)Finding Cheer by Heather Schneider
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Finding Cheer: Paranormal Women’s Fiction Cozy Fantasy Novel (Magical Emerald Hollow Book 2) was a really cute book! I didnt’ realize when I started it that it’s a part 2, and I do wish I would have read them in order. Even though the author does a great job of explaining without bogging down the storyline, I do feel there were a few instances when the current story would have made more sense. Not enough to make the read less enjoyable though.

Almost love at first sight with a person who has a completely unheard (outside of the movies) type of full on amnesia and then finding out who both are individually and together. After coming together with the help of some Christmas magic (in the spring) true love is found and happy ever after achieved. Heavy on the romance, light on the steaminess. Would definitely recommend 🙂

View all my reviews

The Winemakers – Box set: A Series of Sun-Kissed Historical Romances by Giovanna Siniscalchi – Review by Kat Mellon

The Winemakers - Box set: A Series of Sun-Kissed Historical RomancesThe Winemakers – Box set: A Series of Sun-Kissed Historical Romances by Giovanna Siniscalchi
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Winemakers is a box set of 3 amazing books- While they could stand alone with enough backstory to explain the previous book, it reall would be better read in order. All 3 take place in Portugal.

The True Purpose of Vines follows a widowed winemaker (Julia) and a foreign Englishman (Griffin) who are thrown together, and cannot keep apart no matter how much they both feel they should. Even though it has a ‘hero saves the day’ theme at the end, Julie is independent and stubborn (both are, really) and I loved reading about her story. Happy endings and great historical tales weaved throughout.

A Taste of Light follows the ruthless Count Almoster, who we met in the first book. Though he played the role of the villain there, this book sheds more light on his tragic upbringing and history that lead to the jaded and wounded man he is today. Anne, Griffin’s sister is the heroine in this one, though they both end up saving each other. More happy endings.

The Truth About Myths surprised me. I really thought the 3rd would be about Almoster’s brother or cousin from the previous book; however, this tale follows Princess Isabel and notorious rake Count Henrique who are VERY reluctantly forced into a trip to Spain together. Of the 3, this one was my favorite. Political intrigue and scandal, of course a hefty amount of hesitant romance that leads both to find each other while also finding themselves and who they really are as individuals. The mystery and suspense in this book was, in my opinion, a lot more intense than the other two.

Overall, great stories! Amazing world building and historical accuracies, truly lovable and hatable characters, steamy romance but not to the point that it takes over the book and becomes the theme. Very well written, page turner and neatly wraps up the ending without leaving anything missing. I really can’t wait to see if there are more from this author and hope that Cris finds a happy ending as well!

View all my reviews

Basil by K. Rose – Review by Kat Mellon

Basil (Silver Springs Pets, #7)Basil by K. Rose
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Basil is part of a Silver Springs lineup that features different authors, this one by K. Rose.
RH, why choose, spice, fantasy, supernatural, vegan, vampire, HEA (yeah, what did I just write? haha)

The story starts with Basil waking up in ICU after a horrific first date that somehow ended in a car crash and also her turning into a vampire… that’s vegan. No idea what happened to her date other than he was in the ICU as well or who turned her, how did she turn, etc. Feel like a lot of set up was missing there. Maybe it was intentional since she didn’t know, I’m just not sure I see a super science biomed girl just walking away from that question. The science part behind how she was able to sustain her diet without eating anything with a face was fun to read. She moves to Silver Springs- again, not sure about how easy it was for her to find out about a whole town of supernaturals but it’s also on the downlow from the rest of the world… in the space of a few days of her shop (vegan smoothies and tanning salon) opening, she meets 3 fated mates.

Drama ensues via the twin of one of the mates. Happily ever after is wrapped up. No cliffhangers unless you count the plot holes haha For a while there I thought the caterpillar/butterfly in her shop was going to turn into one of her fated mates (no, seriously. I really did, and it would not have seemed far fetched in the story line)

It was super easy to read, even with the plot holes and really very funny at times. Maybe another one will come along and fill in the gaps? Wasn’t set up for a part 2, but I could see it happening. I’ve read a lot of RH, fantasy mashups, supernaturals, fated mates stories, but this was definitely unique. World building, set up and backstory could have been a little stronger, the spice was NOT lacking. if there was a 2nd, I would give it a read 🙂

View all my reviews

A Cold Creek Christmas (Reigning Hearts, Book 5) by KG Fletcher – Review by Dahnielle Hibbert

A Cold Creek Christmas (Reigning Hearts, #5)A Cold Creek Christmas by K.G. Fletcher
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This sweet Christmas Novella has everything you could ever want in a HEA story for the holidays. There is a grinch whose heart gets softened, there is a little girl who wants nothing more than a new mommy for Christmas and a man who loves his daughter but is lonely. The secondary characters are amazing people and really help the story along. I would say this story is more character driven but very enjoyable nonetheless. This tale could easily be played out on the TV during Hallmark or Lifetime Small Town Holiday Romances. If your looking for a great Holiday HEA look no further! Definitely worth the read!

View all my reviews