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Dark Bastard (Dark Sparrow Novel Book 5) by India Kells – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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Dark Bastard (Dark Sparrow, #5)Dark Bastard by India Kells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sam Sarkhan is a man shrouded in darkness, his past and his present are dragging him down and all he wants is to end the constant tiredness and the void of despair he is being sucked into, but it is New Years Eve and he wants to leave his brother one last message before he takes the plunge, but instead he misdials and calls a unknown woman instead. Ellie is a woman who is at her breaking point, all her life she has tried to save others, but now she is about to lose herself, she is numb to life and all she can think about is ending it all as well, until a mysterious male caller pulls her back from the edge.

As Sam is talking to the woman on the other end of the phone, he can tell that she is a kindred spirit and is suffering as well, so when he asks for help finding her, he gets the information he needs and goes to look for her hoping that he is not too late, however, when a stroke of luck enables him to get closer to her while still being anonymous, he jumps at the chance. Meanwhile, Ellie is still in her state of not caring and the only thing she has to pull her through day to day life is taken away from her, until she feels that again, there is nothing left, but she receives another well timed phone call which again, leads her away from the edge, it is not until the next day when she hears a bang and swearing coming from the apartment next door that she goes round to check on them and this is where it is revealed that her mystery neighbour is the man from the phone.

As this information soaks in, she realises that she has inadvertently placed herself in danger going round at a very inopportune moment, however, Sam is all guilt that he has led trouble straight to Ellie’s doorstep and that he is determined to keep her safe at all costs, so when they escape their apartments and head to one of safety, Ellie is determined to find out why and after a tense conversation on a rooftop, an attraction appears which will not be denied, leading to a fiery burst of passion. However, when they return downstairs and safety is being discussed again, what she hears and the reaction Sam has all but pushes her out of the door, however, when she goes out, all she sees is a bright flash and hears ringing in her ears before everything goes black.

As Sam chases after Ellie once he realises what has happened, he is determined to rescue her and keep her safe, however, the kidnapper has other ideas and instead brokers a deal, Sam will stay with him and learn what he wants to teach him and bonding with him, while Ellie will stay as his entertainment. Will Sam and Ellie be able to escape the gilded cage they are trapped in, or will this deal with the devil end up bringing them down among their demons for the last time? This is a romantic suspense with a twist where past, present and future blur together as a race against time to save their sanity ensues, it is an emotional rollercoaster where you feel all the ups and downs along with them as the conclusion plays out.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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True Bastard: A Dark Sparrow Novel: 4 by India Kells – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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True Bastard (Dark Sparrow #4)True Bastard by India Kells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Liam Harker is a cop with the Chicago PD and is on semi-leave thanks to an injury he sustained while on duty, he is loyal to a fault and is always trying to tread the straight and narrow, but sometimes he knows that he has to cross it, even if it sticks in his craw. Catriona Walsh is a novitiate in a convent of nuns, she is a stunning woman with a head for numbers which her talent for seeing patterns and finding their source is what has led her to leave her old life and find this one, but is she about to take on a job which is more than she is capable of?

As Liam goes to sit in his usual café and look over the case files of what he is currently working on, he is distracted by a woman at the counter, but when she is introduced to him as Sister Catriona Walsh, he is completely thrown for a loop. Catriona meanwhile, is trying to convince him that she is the person for the job of digging into the financials he is struggling with so that she can use her skills for good, she is the light to his darkness and that is something he cannot understand.

Things start of on a competitive front with Catriona not backing down over Liam trying to take control of keeping her safe while not keeping himself in the same manner, to the point that she is annoying him so much he eventually backs down, but not without resentment and a bit of pride in how she handles herself, she is not the angelic being first impressions conveyed. Things go from annoying to rocky as things start to happen to them which lead them to becoming suspicious that someone is following them, their suspicion turn out to be right when after a night of digging, Catriona finds something she was not expecting and cannot compute, so she goes to somewhere she thinks is a sanctuary only to find out that it is the complete opposite.

Will Catriona be able to find the strength to protect those around her while continuing her mission to untangle the web of financial strands to figure out how to cut the money off completely, or will the web ensnare her and those around her? This is another romantic suspense which will hook you in and drag you along as the ups and downs of this rollercoaster ride keep you hanging on until the end.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Wild Bastard: A Dark Sparrow Novel: 3 by India Kells. – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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Wild BastardWild Bastard by India Kells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Isabel Osborne is a woman entrepreneur extraordinaire, she runs her own PR crisis management business and it is a tight ship, but she is always busy and that doesn’t leave much time for anything else and Kai Jones is a blast from the past she would rather not ever see again, not for a bad reason, but because of the past she escaped from after he knew her. Kai is a former Delta Force operative who has seen and done his fair share of bad things, but nothing affected him more than the one who got away, but when he comes face to face with her again, it is the last thing in the world that he wants.

As Isabel listens to the outline of what they want from her, mainly her knowledge and connections within the Chicago movers and shakers, to keep an eye one in particular, what they didn’t expect was for them to meet so quickly, as the man in question had already made an appointment to meet with her about working with him, this is an opportunity nobody can pass up, so they make the necessary arrangements and put them into place more quickly than she could have veer imagined.

When she comes face to face with the man in question, she realises that appearances can be quite deceiving, but she is determined to see it through to the end and so states that she will be in touch through her lawyers once they have looked through the contract and given their opinion. Meanwhile, Kai is trying to get to grips with his feelings for Isabel since she crashed back into his life, but he is struggling to keep a lid on them and cannot resist her, just like the time they spent together in the past, but they are both so different now that it may be an obstacle.

As Zoe is drawn into working more closely with the man they want to being down, attacks begin and other unsavoury things start to happen, so when Kai ends up being her appointed bodyguard, they struggle with the feelings it digs up as well as the questionable motives and moves her new partner is trying to pull on her makes everyone uneasy. Will they be able to dog out the information they need to being him down, or will their digging just lead them further into the rabbit hole? Can they all stay safe and protect each other as the stakes rise and the danger increases, or will they becomes the next victims of the plot? This is another romantic suspense which will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout as you read along the path they all travel to get to the conclusion of the story.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Cold Bastard: (Dark Sparrow Novel Book 2) by India Kells – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur,

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Cold Bastard (Dark Sparrow #2)Cold Bastard by India Kells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Zoe Somersby is an intelligent woman with a talent for languages and cracking codes, but she has a wicked sense of humour and a love for superheroes too and this is what makes her a dark sparrow, her past life of cracking codes, even when it was the last thing she wanted to do. Archer Blackwood is a British billionaire who is a cold and ruthless businessman who runs a tight ship and has no time for idiots or time wasters, so when Zoe is asked to go undercover into his business to watch over and protect him, she has no idea what she is getting herself into.

Zoe Somersby is starting another day working in Washington DC when a surprise meeting is called with a name from her past, instead of it being their usual weekly meeting, so when she sees the name, she is more than excited at the prospect of seeing her friend again. As she listens to the task she is being set and why, she is even more determined to see it through, apart from having to be stuck in an office again, which is the current bane of her existence, but with her skills and experience, she knows she will do a blinding job.

When Monday morning arrives and Zoe is about to have the interview for her new position, she warms to the woman completing it immediately, however, when Archer Blackwood himself enters the room, Zoe is speechless, but whatever she manages to say gets her the job and the day swiftly gets underway. As the days pass and Zoe is settling into her routine, she cannot deny that Archer is a temptation she is trying her best to resist, but between the work and the long hours in her office translating and drafting, she is exhausted, but every day, something seems to happen to her to annoy her boss even more, he has to deal with some of the consequences.

It is on the third day when the office is attacked and Zoe completely ignores Archers commands and goes out to protect the others working in the office, this is when the attraction between them nearly ignites, until they are interrupted, but later when Archer check in on her at home, things get a little heated and this makes things even more complicated than before, especially when Zoe becomes embroiled in a plot she can’t escape from. Will Zoe be able to protect all those around her while still keeping her sanity and stay alive, or will the players in this twisted game play it better? This a suspenseful romance with twists and turns throughout which lead you down a path you will not want to step off of until you have reached the final destination of the end of the book.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Lost Bastard: A Dark Sparrow Novel by India Kells – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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Lost Bastard (Dark Sparrow, #1)Lost Bastard by India Kells
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Deva Landry is a woman with a dark past, she ran away from it and barely survived, but she had some help, in return for a favour which could be called upon any time and now the person who helped her has come calling, but it isn’t all as straight forward as it seems. Aleksei Voronov is a man covered in tattoos who is an MMA fighter with a dark past as well, but he is the one that Deva is sent to watch over, much to her annoyance.

Deva has found a place in a rehab centre for veterans as a physiotherapist and is finally feeling settled when out of the blue an old friend comes calling and asking to call in a favour, she wants her to use her skills as a physiotherapist and knowledge gained from her days as an MC Princess in Chicago to move back there to where it all started and try to observe and protect a man. As they discuss the mission and she meets the man in charge who explains the situation and as soon as she agrees to help, she is put up in an apartment in the north side of Chicago. Her neighbours are lovely, albeit an odd couple and very eccentric but whom endear themselves to Deva pretty quickly and a couple of days of settling in later, she heads over to the gym she will be working in as the new physiotherapist with a mission to keep the MMA fighters who train there fit and ready to fight. However, when she arrives there on her first day, she is surprised to see that the gym is filled with who normally wouldn’t be seen dead around each other, but when she eyeballs the one she is looking for, she is taken aback and that reaction is not normal for her in the slightest.

As Deva becomes part of the furniture at the Gym, she hasn’t officially run into Aleksei and she is worried that she won’t be able to fulfil her mission or her promise, that is until one night when he sneaks into the gym after hours asking for a treatment, but when things get heated between them while Deva is treating him, things get a little spicy, but once Deva cottons on to what is happening, she stops what she is doing and leaves, it is when she realises that it isn’t the kind of treatment he was after. The next day the gym owner is not himself and when she asks what is wrong, it turns out that Aleksei was injured in a fight and needs to get better for his next one in a few days and he asks Deva if she knows anyone who can help, thankfully she does and her mission truly starts when she ends up staying at his apartment to treat him.

This triggers more than a professional relationship when neither of them can deny the burning attraction between them and as they get to know each other more, things get complicated and Deva and Aleksei are thrown together on a mission to protect more than just each other. Will Deva be able to keep her past and present separate, or will it come back to haunt her again? This is a romantic suspense with more action than you can throw a stick at which will dig in its claws and keep you reading until the end.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Repair (Rescue Me Book 1) by Trish Williford – Review by Stephanie Colley

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Repair: An Everyday Heroes World Novel (The Everyday Heroes World)Repair: An Everyday Heroes World Novel by Trish Williford
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If I had a love story to be told I wish for it to be like this!
After moving away from home. Living the life she dreamed, Charlie’s happy life came to a halt. But moving back home just might have been the best thing for her and Trent “Tank” (Charlie’s brother’s best friend).
Second chances don’t happen over night. And this story of romance, passion, and willing to try again will keep you on the edge of your seat.
I love when a romance has a happy ending. You dream for that kind of love!

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Journeys Through TimeSpace (Journeys Through Book 2) by James Talisman – Review by Stephanie Colley

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Journeys Through TimeSpaceJourneys Through TimeSpace by James Talisman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Man! I never knew I could love sci-fi adventure stories. James Talisman has become one of my favorite authors.
This second story picks up where the first left off. (It’s easier to follow a long if you have read the first book Journeys Through SpaceTime)
Action packed into every page. Friendships that last a life time. A quest to find the treasure! And of course the images that James paints of the worlds is astounding. His imagination has taken mine to a whole new level! I can picture the scenes in my mind and I want to be there. Right in the middle of the action. I read it on my kindle but this will be a series I will buy a physical copy of so I can really get down into the story when I read it again!
Highly recommend James Talisman!

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An Enduring Love by Wareeze Woodson – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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An Enduring LoveAn Enduring Love by Wareeze Woodson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Rebecca Balodis is a happy young woman who is married to Rhys Sudduth, they met in her native Latvia and married in one of their most revered and famous churches, however, only a few months later, Rhys receives word that his father is deathly ill and that he needs to return to England at his earliest convenience. He doesn’t want to leave his wife behind any more than she wants to be left there, however, her mother is also sick and needs her to stay, as a compromise, Rhys has booked both Rebecca and her mother onto a ship to England in a months time, where they will be reunited, as they both say their tearful goodbyes and watch each other as they part, they are torn with conflicting emotions and hope they will see each other soon, although, Rhys does not know that Rebecca is pregnant with his child because she knew if he did, that he would not leave her and would regret not seeing his father one last time.

As the weeks progress, the political turmoil in Latvia comes to a head and it is too dangerous for Rebecca to travel, even after her mother passes away, so over the next four years she survives and raises their child with the help of a serf belonging to a nobleman in the area. While Rebecca is counting down the days until she can return to her love, Rhys receives the news that Rebecca and her mother have died in the conflict, he is devastated and falls into a deep, dark pit of grief, he allows himself a week to wallow in this before he has to start to engage with the outside world again, this is easier said than done and so he has to bury his grief so far down in his heart that he also forgets the love he and Rebecca shared in the process.

As time moves on for Rhys and Rebecca, she is wondering why she never heard from Rhys and whether he still thinks of her, until one day, the nobleman who lives nearby makes his intentions towards her known, even though he is aware that she is married, this terrifies Rebecca and when she is offered help to leave Latvia with her son, she jumps on the chance, no matter what the danger is. As this is occurring Rhys has found a new life with a new woman and he has intentions of his own, however, this is well and truly disrupted when Rebecca turns up on his doorstep just as he is about to announce his engagement and to make matters worse, she has a young child she claims to be his, this hits him hard and fast, but not in the way either of them expect and he is barely polite as he interrogates her about the past four years and explains why her arrival is so awkward.

Rebecca is astounded by the reception she has received at Rhys’s hands and she is both outraged and filled with despair, but she hopes that she can turn the situation around once morning arrives and she has time to talk to Rhys, but will he accept this new and yet old future, or will too much time have passed for them to rekindle what he thought lost? This is a historical romance which will hit you hard and keep you hooked throughout the story as you are on tenterhooks to see whether their supposedly enduring love will be just that.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Awakening the Gods: A Celtic Urban Fantasy (Rise of the Celtic Gods Book 1) by Kristin Gleeson – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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Awakening the Gods (Rise of the Celtic Gods #1)Awakening the Gods by Kristin Gleeson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Saoirse is a young woman with flaming hair, green eyes and fair skin who wears her hair in the style of a braided coronet has just been fired from her job as a barista, she enjoyed it, but it didn’t fulfil her, but being late one too many times meant that she was not the model employee they were hoping for. Smithy is a man who lives in the rural countryside outside of Cork, he has been a blacksmith for as long as he can remember and he loves what he does, but the magic he used to feel while doing it has gone, it has left him with a hole in his heart and a lack of enthusiasm. He likes to spend what time he can playing in the local village pub with some session musicians and spending time with them, as well as having a bit of banter and good craic with them too.

Saoirse’s lack of a job does not help her pay the rent on the flat she lives in, or the fact that the lease on it will finish in a couple of months, so she will have to find somewhere cheap to live as well as a new job, so to help ease the depression of her situation, she does what she enjoys most and goes to a local bar and joins in with the other session musicians gathering there. Saoirse is just getting ready for bed when she hears a knock on the door, it turns out that it is a couple of Garda who have come to deliver some sad news, they have come to tell her that her father has died in a car accident and that she has their sympathies, she asks some questions, however, when the answers aren’t the ones she is looking for, she agrees to speak to his solicitor, however, when she goes to see him, he drops a bombshell on her about her heritage and how it is complicating the probate proceedings, but that he will be in contact at to let her know how things are progressing.

The next day she receives a phone call from a woman claiming to be her grandmother, she is apprehensive and doesn’t quite know what to make of it, but she agrees to meet her for a coffee and talk to her, this conversation leads to an invite to go and stay with her, Saoirse isn’t sure what to do, but agrees to go anyway and see where she comes from. When she arrives, she has a tour of the farm her grandmother lives on and makes an acquaintance with the woman who lives next door and when she finds out that she is a musician too, it is another thing they have in common. One day, Saoirse goes for a walk in the local area and is caught in a downpour when she comes across a man working in a forge who invites her in for tea and to dry off a bit, they find conversation easy and talk about music and the local area, but agree to meet soon at one of the sessions in the local pubs.

As the two keep running into each other and realise that as they make music together, it isn’t just music that draws them together, there is a deeper connection that neither of them can explain, however, they are both about to be pulled into a world which Smithy would rather forget and avoid and Saoirse doesn’t want to believe exists, but will they be able to fight the summons of Eire and come to her aid, or will they try to avoid a fated path and the danger which it holds? This is an Irish urban fantasy which keeps you entranced with tales of myth and legend, as they are woven into a modern day setting, which will keep you hooked throughout.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Master Descallia : Dark Vampire Romance (Masters of the Consulate Book 1) by Sylvia Black – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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Descallia: Dark Vampire Romance (Masters of the Consulate Book 1)Descallia: Dark Vampire Romance by Sylvia Black
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Salvatore Descallia a centuries old purebred vampire who lives on the Amalfi Coast and he is the Overlord of the Consulate of Masters, a group of vampires who make the decisions on how their kind will live with those around them, he rules with an iron fist and is not afraid to fight those around him into submission, including the human Syndicates around the world. Lucianna Denaro is a young woman with long, dark hair and crystalline green eyes and she is about to run into a man who will make her rethink every strategy she has.

Women have been going missing on the streets of Las Vegas, kidnapped while doing normal, everyday activities, but always at night, Salvatore knows that it is nobody in his clan as they wouldn’t dare do something like that behind his back, but he has no idea who is behind it, or where they are being kept, however, he is determined to solve the mystery and get them back, so he jumps on a plane and sets out to investigate it. As his second in command fills him in on the new information, he is also sent a picture of a woman who he has to keep an eye out for, however, this woman intrigues him and he cannot keep his mind off her for the entirety of his flight, Meanwhile, Lucianna is preparing to use her skills to prepare for another days work and decides to visit her new place of employment and get a feel for the place, but when she gets there, she senses the presence of a man with a magnetic personality, however, as she is being shown round the place, she and another girl are viciously attacked and as she is on the verge of death, Salvatore approaches her and asks for her consent to save her, she agrees, even if it is going to change her life forever.

When she wakes up from her transition, she cannot deny that everything is sharper and clearer, but she still doesn’t like the idea of what she now is, it isn’t made any easier when there is a physical and emotional connection with Salvatore which is so strong they both struggle to keep apart and resist the temptation lying in front of them. As she recovers and more information about the missing women surfaces, she realises that there is something she can do to help and she goes to great lengths to prove just that, however, Salvatore is resistant and doesn’t want her anywhere near the danger looming. Will Lucianna and Salvatore be able to keep denying their connection and make headway finding the missing girls and proving that their kind aren’t the ones responsible and will Lucianna be able to accept her new life and the loss of her old one? This is a thrilling paranormal romance with a mystery entwined within which will keep you guessing until the conclusion.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Fury of Conviction (“Villains” of the Dragonfury Series Book 2) by Coreen Callahan – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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Fury of Conviction (Dragonfury Short Story Collection, #2)Fury of Conviction by Coreene Callahan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hamersveld is Dragonkind, a dragon shifter with a chequered past, he has seen joy, tragedy and now friendship, but he is also alone, which is how he like it, he has his sanctuary on the edge of Lake Chelan, it is tidy, organised and clean, just how he likes it, but it is also empty, he cannot keep his mind from a woman who appeared a month ago, she is a beautiful redhead with green eyes and the perfect small package, but he cannot avoid the fact that she is also a captive in the lair run by his commander. Natalie is a fiery redhead with a temper, but she is also smart, ever since she was kidnapped in the middle of the night, she has studied her prison and thankfully made a friend in the process, but now is the time for her to try and escape, if only a tall blonde Viking like man didn’t interrupt her thoughts all the time, she would have figured things out a lot more quickly.

Hamersveld is about to go on patrol as soon as night falls, but when he gets to the abandoned bunker he calls his workplace, it is in even more of a state of dishevelment as the other warriors of his kind challenge each other to have access to the females in a couple of weeks, it is a prize they all want and need, so the fighting is vicious and if not curtailed, could turn out to be deadly, so in order to avoid the chaos which could ensue, he has to step in and stop the fighting before announcing the top three places, as he is sorting them out, he receives information that the woman who has caught his eye is in the midst of escaping. Hamersveld knows that if she is caught, a fate worse than she can imagine awaits her, however, when he gets to the site of the prison, another Dragonkind has his hands on her, this tips him over the edge and he becomes a feral fighting machine.

Natalie was so close to escape, she could almost taste it, but when she is caught and she sees the mystery man, she cannot believe her eyes as he transforms before her eyes into something she thought only existed in folklore, after he has placed in a safe space and shown his authority over the other man, he gives her a choice, to go back to the prison, or to go with him, she cannot deny that she is attracted to him, but is that decision in her best interest and which way will the pendulum swing? Which future will Natalie swing towards, a life in confinement, or an exchange of time for a bit more freedom? This is a paranormal romance with an element of danger, where choices could lead to either happiness or heartbreak, but which one is chosen can only be found out by reading to the end.
Hamersveld is Dragonkind, a dragon shifter with a chequered past, he has seen joy, tragedy and now friendship, but he is also alone, which is how he like it, he has his sanctuary on the edge of Lake Chelan, it is tidy, organised and clean, just how he likes it, but it is also empty, he cannot keep his mind from a woman who appeared a month ago, she is a beautiful redhead with green eyes and the perfect small package, but he cannot avoid the fact that she is also a captive in the lair run by his commander. Natalie is a fiery redhead with a temper, but she is also smart, ever since she was kidnapped in the middle of the night, she has studied her prison and thankfully made a friend in the process, but now is the time for her to try and escape, if only a tall blonde Viking like man didn’t interrupt her thoughts all the time, she would have figured things out a lot more quickly.

Hamersveld is about to go on patrol as soon as night falls, but when he gets to the abandoned bunker he calls his workplace, it is in even more of a state of dishevelment as the other warriors of his kind challenge each other to have access to the females in a couple of weeks, it is a prize they all want and need, so the fighting is vicious and if not curtailed, could turn out to be deadly, so in order to avoid the chaos which could ensue, he has to step in and stop the fighting before announcing the top three places, as he is sorting them out, he receives information that the woman who has caught his eye is in the midst of escaping. Hamersveld knows that if she is caught, a fate worse than she can imagine awaits her, however, when he gets to the site of the prison, another Dragonkind has his hands on her, this tips him over the edge and he becomes a feral fighting machine.

Natalie was so close to escape, she could almost taste it, but when she is caught and she sees the mystery man, she cannot believe her eyes as he transforms before her eyes into something she thought only existed in folklore, after he has placed in a safe space and shown his authority over the other man, he gives her a choice, to go back to the prison, or to go with him, she cannot deny that she is attracted to him, but is that decision in her best interest and which way will the pendulum swing? Which future will Natalie swing towards, a life in confinement, or an exchange of time for a bit more freedom? This is a paranormal romance with an element of danger, where choices could lead to either happiness or heartbreak, but which one is chosen can only be found out by reading to the end.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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The God (Her Three Immortals Book 2) by Hazel Storm – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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The God (Her Three Immortals, #2)The God by Hazel Storm
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Vanessa Maan is dead and at twenty four, that is pretty young, but she did it with good intentions, she sold her soul to Grey, the Don of the Underworld so that her brother could survive, a contract she sealed with a steamy kiss in the hospital car park, but when they come up for air, they are both in Grey’s apartment and are covered in gold dust, neither of them can understand why she was judged and sent there, but Grey is the most shocked of all, but that makes his mood terrible and he is more grouchy than usual. As they keep to their thoughts, Vanessa asks to see her brother to make sure that Grey held up his half of the deal, this is where she is handed a mirror with a lady’s face on the front, plus a lot of snakes for hair, he explains how to use it and then abruptly tells her to wash off the gold dust and to leave his penthouse before storming off to complete some business, Vanessa is taken aback by his rudeness, but isn’t overly surprised about it either, so she takes a look around the penthouse looking for the shower. While she is doing this, she notices that everything is in shades of grey, including her, so when the mirror starts a conversation about it’s capabilities and as the conversation flows between them, Vanessa finds out that she is called Gorgonita and that she was cursed by the Gods into her current form, Vanessa finds that they get on well too and it is nice that there is someone she can talk to in her current predicament, Gorgonita also explains briefly about the reason behind all the grey and would you believe it, it is because of Grey.

When she eventually finds the bathroom, she works out to use the shower and while she is in there, she has a visitation from another God who uses the dust to make his presence known and felt, as he does this, Vanessa is told that she can bring the colour back to the Underworld and she starts this with herself, once she is all dust free and feeling a little better about things, she goes for a nap after talking to Gorgonita, but just as she is about to lie down, the pillow under her head starts to purr, this freaks her out a little, especially when it unrolls itself and starts to eat the furnishings and saying that it is hungry. As Vanessa and Gorgonita try to figure out why it is here and why it is so big, Gorgonita reveals that she can order room service, so she does this and feeds the hungry caterpillar its usual fare, all after bringing its colour back. The caterpillar curls up on the sofa when it is done and Vanessa decides to do the same, however, she is happy to find that Raef joins her in her dreams just like before and the next day, she feeds her caterpillar and decides to head out and explore Elysium, however, when the Elevator won’t let her out, she is stumped, so decides to do a bit more research and discover as much as she can about her situation and why she is in the top level of the highest building there.

Meanwhile, Grey is back in the Overworld and carrying on his soul gathering, but leaving Vanessa is something he didn’t think would affect him this much and he doesn’t want to think about what the consequences of this may be, or to think of her at all, he is a God after all and has been strong for two hundred year, why should now be an issues? As both Vanessa and Grey try to figure out what is going on separately and Vanessa tries to navigate her new world and all its quirks, why is life so complicated after death, surely it should be easier than this? This is a paranormal romance with a twist where things are not as they seem and temptation lies around every corner.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Drifting, Falling — Diary Of A Call Girl Suicide by A.J. Ullman – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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Drifting, Falling -- Diary of a Call Girl SuicideDrifting, Falling — Diary of a Call Girl Suicide by A.J. Ullman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ripley Astilla Luna is a young woman with an interesting life and an interesting death too, she is young, beautiful and smart, she was named after the main protagonist in the Alien movies and relates to her in more ways than one, she also enjoys learning and has always had a thirst for knowledge, but she has also had dreams of becoming an astronaut and flying through space, but the closest she has come to is to bungee jump from bridges and buildings, however, she has also got other issues which she sees a therapist for, but she has recently had to change and is now seeing Dr Dan Truscott.

Ripley has decided to start a diary to try and explain her actions and the reasons behind them, she has thought about suicide many times, but she has never attempted it before, she has also read about suicide, as well as a lot of other things, the things she enjoys most are Greek Mythology and anything to do with space. As a child, she went to Space Camp and read everything she could find about being an astronaut, but that all changed when her childhood was filled with one trauma after the other, this has had an undeniable affect on her and the life she has been leading, she has never forgotten her dream, but she has detoured into other things along the way, she is not happy, but is not unhappy either, merely content with the people in and especially her friend Mort who she knows she can turn to and who always turns up or gets in contact right when she needs it.

As she works with her new psychiatrist, she gets the feeling that there is more to him that meets the eye and that he may be someone who she can engage with in other ways as well, however, Dr Truscott is trying his best not to get involved with this mysterious woman and the questionable feelings she raises in him, he has everything he could possibly want, but why does he want her as well? In this interesting and original story of one woman and her dreams, this diary is a glimpse into a mind which is as unpredictable as can be, but will she be able to get to space the way she wants to, or will those around her try to keep her tied to earth?

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Boy on Hold: a must-read psychological thriller by J.D. Spero – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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Boy on HoldBoy on Hold by J.D. Spero
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hen is a seven year old boy who loves hedgehogs and lives with his mother and his older brother Tyler who he looks up to and loves with all his heart, but he knows that there is something going on with Tyler when he starts to withdraw into himself. One night in October, Hen sneaks out of the house to find a hedgehog so that he can call it Louis and keep it as a pet, he is cold, but he is determined to sit in his tent and wait for his new friend to turn up, however, despite his best efforts not to, he falls asleep and is woken up by a terrible screeching sound. As he tries to work out where it came from, he looks to his neighbours house and sees shadows moving in the windows in front of the light from the television set, he continues to hear shouting and then sees one of the shadows attack the other and the sounds stop. Hen has no idea what he just witnessed but he is terrified and goes and curls back up in his tent until the next morning when his mother comes running out thinking he is missing, but he finds it really hard to find the words to tell her and in the end decides not to, it is only when the next door neighbours son calls and tells the family that his mother can’t look after Hen after school like she normally would, so Tyler is asked to step in, he agrees to, albeit grudgingly as he leaves the house t o go to school with his best friend.

As Tyler is heading to school, he is trying to make sense of what is going on in his head, he feels worse than normal, but can’t remember why, it worries him a little, however, not as much as it should, so he tries his best to ignore it and get on with his day and as usual it is music and cigarettes which are helping him to do this, at least until he heads home from school where he decides to spend some quality time with his brother, but this doesn’t go to plan either when he thinks he hears something and it sets off his other issues. Hen has an idea of what is happening, so he just leaves his big brother to himself until his best friend arrives, Hen doesn’t like him, but he doesn’t know how he can avoid him, until his neighbours son comes round to fix their window, he also tells them that their neighbour is in hospital after being attacked, this is when Hen realises what he has seen was real after all.

It is while they are fixing the window that a police officer knocks on the door and takes Tyler and his best friend in for questioning, this isn’t something anyone expected to happen, least of all Hen, but the longer that they stay at the station, the more worried Tyler’s family becomes and none of them want to believe that he is involved, especially Hen and his mother, but as the case progresses, Hen is determined to tell someone what he saw and to convince them that Tyler is innocent, but as Tyler’s mental issues manifest in more serious ways, will they be able to work out who was the culprit and who is innocent in this tragedy? This is murder mystery which deals with mental health and its effects on people in a thrilling murder mystery you will not want to put down.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Snowflakes and Holly: A Small Town Christmas Romance by Jae Dawson review by Heather Knalls

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Snowflakes and Holly: A Small Town Christmas Romance (A Hartwood Holiday Romance)Snowflakes and Holly: A Small Town Christmas Romance by Jae Dawson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have loved the 3 books in this series. Holly and Blake, will things fall into place for both of them. Holly has suffered a tragedy with her father at the hands of nature. Blake an Olympic athlete has suffered a tragedy that puts him in Holly’s area. They are both determined to get Blake to a new level. The writing and story is absolutely amazing. I need more of these stories!

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Heartbeats and Roses: A Small Town Valentine’s Day Romance by Jae Dawson review by Heather Knalls

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Heartbeats and Roses: A Small Town Valentine's Day Romance (A Hartwood Holiday Romance)Heartbeats and Roses: A Small Town Valentine’s Day Romance by Jae Dawson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Charlie Rose and Liam, where to begin? Best friends from a young age, torn apart by an affair his dad had with her aunt. Ripped the family apart and ruined his relationship with Rose. 20 years later he has returned and realizes what his life has been missing Rose. Will he be able to fix and will she be able to forgive him for everything? This enthralling love story kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time, it’s definitely a must read.

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Moonlight and Belladonna by Jae Dawson – review by Heather Knalls

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Moonlight and BelladonnaMoonlight and Belladonna by Jae Dawson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Bella and Cade, starcrossed lovers? Bella a theatrical arts teacher at Hartwood Falls High, Cade a big name musician from Hartwood Falls are destined to meet. Bella’s mother insists on adding her special magic to her love life. Cade falls for Bella during the ceremony that could possibly bring them together. They both have pasts that haunt them so will their love ever develop or come to be. Cade has fallen back to his old ways due to a recent loss and is sentenced to help Bella with the schools musical. Is it destiny? This love story is so well written and enthralling it had me on the edge of my seat!!! Everybody loves love, right.

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The Third Nanny: A twisted psychological thriller with a jaw-dropping ending (Secrets of Redemption) by Michele PW (Pariza Wacek) – Reviewed by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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The Third NannyThe Third Nanny by Michele Pariza Wacek
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Janey is a young woman with a bright future, she is studying psychology and lives with her best friend in a shared apartment, all is going well in her life until one day when she receives a letter in the post, well, it used to be a letter, now it is just some fragments in a plastic bag from the post office with a note attached to it, it has been sent from a town called Redemption in Wisconsin. As she talks to her friend about it, she realises that she doesn’t know anyone in Redemption, however, she did spend summers there as a kid and she has no idea who it is from until she sees the signature at the bottom of a piece of the letter, it says “Kelly”.

This throws Janey into a state of panic as memories surface of a time eight years before when her sister went missing and abandoned her, as her friend gets her some water, Janey debates about what to tell her, eventually she settles on the truth and opens up about what happened and why is has affected her so much. As she talks, she realises that she wants nothing more than to find out why her sister left and why she has only reached out now, but she is also dealing with too many emotions to deal with it, so she avoids opening the letter for a couple of days. After she has had a couple of glasses of wine, together they put the letter together and read what has been saved and realising the urgency in the words, they decide on a plan and even though Janey wants nothing more than to set off to Redemption straight away, she also knows that they need to do some research before she does. It is at this point that they check out the address and the people who live there, this is where Janey finds a picture she swears is her sister, who is named as being their nanny and this convinces her that she needs to find her and that she is wasting time, so she sets off the next day to start putting the plan into action.

Janey starts by learning the routine of the household and determines how she can befriend the lady of the house so that she can find out more about her sister’s situation, over the following days she does just that and ends up managing to step into her sisters shoes as the third nanny. As she takes on the responsibilities associated with her new job while trying to juggle it with finding clues regarding her sisters whereabouts, she realises that things are not as they seem. Will Janey be able to figure out where her sister is, or will the household secrets take precedence and lead her investigations astray? This is a twisted and tangled web of secrets and lies which multiply leaving more questions than answers as this psychological thriller races along at breakneck speed while you hang on until the end.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Houses of Deception (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 6) by Cynthia Hamilton – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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Houses of Deception (The Madeline Dawkins Series Book 6)Houses of Deception by Cynthia Hamilton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Madeline and Mike are back with the MDPI team and this time they are attending a function their Current Affairs event enterprise have been planning for an anniversary celebration for two up and coming real estate agents with an expensive lifestyle, Troy and Tara, it is the first event that Madeline has taken a back seat on and she is proud of her assistant and what she has done, the couple are more than happy with the result too. When they are about to leave the party, they receive a phone call from an unlikely person, it is their former nemesis and teacher Russel Barnett, he explains that he is concerned that his nephew, Dylan Latham has disappeared without a trace and nobody has heard from him for a week, that includes, friends, family and his employer, he is coming to MDPI for help to find the young man, it shows how desperate he is to ask for their help and because of their shared history, Madeline is inclined to help out however they can. Russel also tells them that he has tried to go see Dylan’s girlfriend Paige DeLong, but she hasn’t been seen or heard from for about the same length of time, but attempts to locate the two have been unsuccessful through the normal channels and it not in Dylan’s nature to just up and disappear.

Unfortunately, they are woken up early the next morning by a frantic phone call that the wife of the host has gone missing overnight and he has no idea what to do, as Madeline talks to Troy, she asks him questions so she can flesh out what he has already done, as well as starting to gather any information she might need and tell him that they will be at his house as soon as they can. When they get to the house, they have a tour and check to see whether there is anywhere that Tara could have hidden herself away, in order to do this thoroughly, they call in another member of the team, after they have done all they can do, they leave their team member there so that they can have any updates as they arise. They then go to their offices where they speak to Russel again and start to plan how they are going to approach Dylan and Paige’s case, as well as who they want to speak to and where they want to check out, they begin with a timeline with all the information they currently have, the first places they visit are Dylan and Paige’s homes and speak to their landlord and landlady, they don’t find much, but they note down what they do find and questions they may want to ask later on, they get a feeling from Paige’s landlady that she isn’t as concerned as she should be and that she is a little evasive. As they continue with the interviews, both Madeline and Mike believe that something isn’t right, but they can’t put their finger on it and the more information they glean about Paige and their relationship, more red flags are appearing.

They return to Troy’s house hoping that Tara has returned, however, when they see a package on the driveway which has appeared since they left, they get really worried, especially when Troy receives a mystery text and finds a lock of Tara’s hair in a package, their missing person’s case soon turns into a kidnapping and ransom. As the demands are made and reality hits in, Mike and Madeline try to convince Troy to go to the police, however, he is adamant that he can’t risk Tara’s safety, so he starts to make calls to get the money together instead, this in itself is a red flag to Madeline as she thinks that there may be al ulterior motive, especially when she starts to dig deeper into their living arrangements. Meanwhile, as they conduct more interviews with Paige’s family, a link to a possible piece of art comes to the fore, but this information just leads to more questions than answers.

As Madeline and Mike try to make sense of the situation with both of these cases becoming more complicated with not enough time to breathe, never mind review all the facts, questions and answers, the two are becoming suspicious that there is more than meets the eye to both these cases and that as the time passes, they are feeling increased anxiety about the welfare of the two young lovers. Will they be able to untangle the web of questions, answers and assumptions to piece the puzzles together, or will they run out of time and the unthinkable happen? This is a thrilling race against time where crimes are committed, mysteries abound and secrets are waiting to be revealed as the MDPI team race to figure out the who, what, where and why of these two complex cases.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Azrael by Matthew Huntley – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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AzraelAzrael by Matthew Huntley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Levi Andrews is a detective who has seen too much and has turned in his badge and turned to the bottle to try and numb all the feelings he is trying desperately to suppress, one day when he wakes up to another sunny day and another hangover, nursing a sore head and a cup of coffee he is disturbed by a knock on the door, when he asks who it is, he is surprised when it is a Detective who is looking for him, he wonders if it is to do with his private investigative business, but he is pretty sure he kept his nose clean, but when he asks what the visit is about, the Detective says is it about Azrael, a name he has tried to forget, a name associated with a case ten years ago which ruined his life. Levi considers his options and contrary to his need to run, he opens the door and invites the Detective in, he introduces himself as Detective Parker Williams and goes on to explain that a murder has occurred which he believes is the return of the Azrael killer, he has brought a case file with him with some photo’s and reports in it to show Levi and ask for his help in solving this new case.

As he looks at the information Parker brought with him, he can see the similarities, but when he is asked if he will help, he is not surprised that it isn’t something that the higher ups don’t want him involved in, especially after who he left when the original killer was arrested, but it irks him that this young Detective is trying to tell him that he thinks he arrested the wrong person, because the details are too similar for it to be a copycat, in the end Levi asks when the Detective is returning to where the murder has taken place, he says he will meet him an hour before and give him an answer. Levi now has to make the hard decision as to whether to return home, or let sleeping dogs lie, as he tries to weigh the pro’s and cons, he concludes the current case he has on.

As it approaches time to go, Levi decides that he will pack his bag and go with the Detective, he is still not wanting to, but he feels that he has to see whether what he suspects is true, or whether Azrael really has returned. Will Levi and Parker be able to work together to solve this new mystery and get to the truth of the matter at hand, or will Levi drown in his past memories as he confronts the things he has buried for a decade? This is a thrilling chase as the two Detectives race against time to solve the case and bring a killer to justice, all the while battling their own personal demons, when they are brought into the light of the present.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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The Forsaken: Wraith by Martin Ferguson – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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The Forsaken: WraithThe Forsaken: Wraith by Martin Ferguson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Alena Athscar is a young woman of sixteen who lost her family in one night eight years before which was filled with blood, fire and snow, all because she has a gift people are searching for, but she is rescued by her Uncle and she is taken to live with him and grew up training to be a part of the Guild of thieves, assassins, saviours and slayers which he is the Guild master, now she is in the midst of her trial and is walking through a torrential downpour towards a tavern at a crossroads, it is warm and inviting and the bar keep is friendly, it looks like there isn’t going to be much information she can use, that is until a man comes running in speaking of a terrifying incident which has destroyed his caravan and possibly those he was travelling with in a nearby forest, that is all she needs to know and she heads off in that direction. When she gets there, she immediately senses something isn’t right and her suspicions are confirmed when she sees a trio of bandits she crossed paths with earlier attack each other in such a way that she knows they are not quite themselves, when she looks closer and is then confronted by the cause of the disquiet, she ends up fighting for her life and triumphs in the end, as she returns to the inn, she observes another confrontation, this time between the man and someone in his party, this leads to her getting paid.

When she returns to the Guildhall to receive confirmation of the her apprenticeship and completion of her trial, she is given the brand of the Guild and the designation of Slayer, closely followed by designation of her first contracted job, she has to retrieve a missing person for the Sacred, a group of sorcerers who either recruit or destroy those with arcane abilities, the need for discretion and speed in insisted upon and after receiving all the information she can, she takes her payment and goes to visit some vendors to stock up on what she will need for the job. Her first stop is the Healer to treat her wounds and give an offering to the Gods, she visits the Fence to sell the things she didn’t give to the Guild, next is the Scholar to gather some information about where she will be going and the current situation there, including a map with the way clearly marked, a trip to the Alchemist for healing potions and something to help slay any obstacles in front of her and finally to the Armourer to replace her short sword, chainmail armour and gathering a few more weapons to add to her arsenal.

After she is packed and ready to go, she goes to a local inn to recruit a party tot travel with her and support her with the job, there isn’t much uptake to begin with, they disbelieve that she, a mere girl is worthy of them, but eventually people step up to the plate and they finally set off onto their journey, but it isn’t smooth sailing on the way, never mind when they reach their destination, however what they find there is nothing short of terrifying, but will the group be able to destroy what needs to be destroyed and stay alive in the process, or will the beasts and demons prevail over the Slayer and her group of individuals? This is a thrilling fantasy adventure which keeps you on a rollercoaster of emotions as you journey along a perilous path with this group of misfits.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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The Dream Catchers: PRESTORIA Series Book 1 by J.U. Menon – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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The Dream Catchers: PRESTORIA Series Book 1The Dream Catchers: PRESTORIA Series Book 1 by J.U. Menon
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Radhika Varma is a young girl who lives with her brother and aunt, she has a normal life, she goes to school, has a best friend, she spends a lot of time at the library, or reading in her room and she has a vivid imagination, but in her dreams she sees lost family and the other usual things, but one day she sees someone in her dreams whom she has never seen before, the first time, she thinks nothing of it, however, as he appears more often and even when she is awake, she starts to get worried. One night, she is dreaming as usual when she suddenly becomes surrounded by darkness, apart from a spotlight in which the man in her dreams is sat in an armchair, when she asks what is going on, he just pours some tea and asks her to wait for others to join them and eventually ten others appear and this is when he starts to explain everything.

As Radhika listens to the old man, she is finding what he is telling the group highly unbelievable, apparently, he has been observing them and because of their imaginations, he has picked them and brought them to the land of dreams and nightmares, also known as Prestoria to take part in a Challenge which takes place every fifty years, this challenge involves them using their imagination to travel to a portal while overcoming the obstacles set before them. He says that they are now the Dream Catchers and that they will have until dawn each day to complete the Challenge, if they don’t get to the portal in time, they will be forever trapped in Prestoria and will lose their lives in the real world, but this night, they will be taught the basic skills needed to compete and to have a practice before the real tasks begin.

As she starts talking to some of the others in the group and tries to practice the skills, she is realising that she may not be as good as she is hoping to be, but she is determined to persevere throughout the Challenge, however, as it progresses and she tries to help others in the group to win in the duels against mythical creatures and scenarios which test every aspect of their person, one Catcher in particular is determined to believe that she is not as wholesome as she appears and starts to set things up to prove this to the other Catchers, Radhika is suspicious, but only talks to a select couple of the other Catchers about it, they are the ones who don’t believe the accusations and know the truth. Will Radhika be able to complete the Challenge and prove to everyone that she isn’t the kind of person she is being made out to be, or will the accusations and ill wishes against her come to fruition and leave her in Prestoria forever? This is a thrilling race against time in a fantasy world, which will keep you on the edge of your seat and although it is a YA book, adults will enjoy it as well as you read along and share the experiences of the Dream Catchers.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Out of Time: Westbeach Series 4 by Toni Denise – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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Out of Time: Westbeach Series 4Out of Time: Westbeach Series 4 by Toni Denise
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Jessica is a young woman with ambition and a wish to travel as much as she can, but she is feeling stifled and under pressure at her family’s resort, so she decides to temporarily move away and start a bed and breakfast, she chooses somewhere in the small town of Westbeach which needs renovation and determined to do most of it herself, but her cousin keeps steamrolling over that and insists on helping here, even when she doesn’t need it. Will is a young man who works as a web designer, he mostly works from home, but he has had to move in with his sister’s children so he can look after them while she is in rehab, he has left everything behind to take on this new responsibility and he couldn’t be happier about it, especially because he can still do his job.

Jessica is a month into the renovations and has set up a meeting with Will, so that she can get started on the B&B website so that it is ready for when it opens, he is a friend with a bit of a tangled history and as they talk business, they realise that they work together well too, conversation soon turns to Will’s living situation and how it is going, when he inadvertently asks for help with a bake sale, but Jessica agrees, she isn’t going to turn away from spending some extra time with Will, but she is shocked when he suggests his house, they agree on a time and a day and leave it there. When he gets home, he tells the kids about the plan and before they go to bed, his sister calls and wants to talk to them, Will lets her, but he is worried and this turns out to be the least of them, when he receives a mysterious phone call from a stranger, he thinks nothing more of it until he starts to get notes and photo’s taped to his door, they are demanding money and threatening further action if the demands are not met.

As the days pass and life is seemingly back to normal, Will finds another letter, but this isn’t the only escalation, the kids have brought letters home as well that a stranger gave them, this set’s Will’s nerves on edge and he calls on some help, as he thinks about what to do, he is offered a room for him and the kids to stay in by Jessica, he has tried not to think about her and their attraction too much, but her kindness and support are quickly breaking down any barriers he try’s to erect between them. Will he be able to figure out who is behind the letters and threats before the situation becomes too dangerous, or will time run out? Can he keep away from the woman showing his everything he wants to have, or will emotions run wild and free despite the situation? This is a thrilling race against time with plenty of tension throughout, the danger hooks you in and the romance keeps you there as past and present collide to unsettle the future.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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FURY OF CONVICTION (The Dragonfury Series Book 2) by Coreene Callahan – Review by Stephanie Colley

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Fury of Conviction (Dragonfury Short Story Collection, #2)Fury of Conviction by Coreene Callahan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was such a good story. It was an easy read also.
The tale between Natalie and Hamersveld is very well told with the action and romance and, very well detailed for the shortness of the book.
From being kidnapped to kinda rescued, Natalie is having a inner battle with her feelings for her savior. Should she or shouldn’t she? That is her question.
Hamersveld is love struck with Natalie from the very beginning of the story! But he has to defy his leader to get to her. Will he? Who knows!

This was my first book by Coreene Callahan. But it won’t be the last!

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Manifested Dreams by Yvonne Johnson – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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Manifested DreamsManifested Dreams by Yvonne Johnson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Amari is a young Africa- American man dealing with the grief of losing his beloved grandmother two weeks before, he misses the stories of her life that she used to tell and now regrets that he didn’t listen to her more and pay more attention, he can still see her in his minds eye and misses her so much so that when he agrees to help to pack his grandmothers belongings up, he is dreading it, but he goes anyway and as he is folding her clothes, he hears someone shout that they found a box of letters, some of them are really old and some of them are more modern. It turns out that these letters are stories, passed down from generation to generation, stories of times past told by the person who lived them, they are the stories which his grandma told them, so when he asks to keep them, everyone readily agrees and Amari cannot wait to read them and learn more.

The first letter is from a woman called Sallie who was a slave on a plantation in Tennessee in the 1860’s, it tells of her first memories and the experiences she went through as a slave, as well as the transition between that and becoming citizens when slavery is abolished. The next story and from is her daughter Isabelle who talks about life in Chicago in the 1920’s where segregation between the races still exists and the troubles it caused between them, as well as the societal upheaval as people fought for equality. Lisa is the next generation of this family to speak and she continues with the fight against segregation and inequality in New York, specifically focussing on school life from the point of view of a child of 5 years old and the rise of Martin Luther King and how his speeches inspired those who lived at the time. Jessica is next with her experiences at college in Atlanta 1990 and how multicultural and interesting life was talking to people from around the world and learning about their lives at the same time as experiencing the changes in her own and finally it is the turn of Amari and their feelings around the events of modern day America.

This collection of stories tells the story of African-Americans from their point of view, not those of the history books, it is emotional, compelling and interesting throughout and inspires you to think about life and how much it has both changed and remained the same, it is thought provoking and well worth a read.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Sign Steal Deliver: A Paranormal Chick Lit Novel (Gods of Thunder MC) by Carrie Pulkinen – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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Sign Steal Deliver (Gods of Thunder MC)Sign Steal Deliver by Carrie Pulkinen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Hermes is the god of couriers, travel and thievery and he is the best at each of those things too, but he still loves a good vacation like nobody else, so when he convinces his friends to come with him to Mardi Gras in New Orleans for a couple of weeks, he is only thinking of enjoying himself and seeing the sites, as well as experiencing Mardi Gras in person, what is there not to like? Kat Gatakis is a young woman who works for a supernatural courier service in New Orleans as she tries to get away from her past occupation as a cat burglar, not to mention that she is a shifter who is literally a cat, she is trying to stay on the straight and narrow so she can keep a promise, however, when she goes on one of her more risky jobs, she unexpectedly runs into a handsome man. As soon as Hermes lays eyes on the courier he has arranged to do a job for him, he cannot take them off of her, he finds her beauty enticing and her attitude even more so, especially when she shows how light fingered she can be to a group of obnoxious young men in the process, but when she unwittingly dares the god of speed to a dare, she has let herself in for more than she bargained for.

As Hermes takes up the challenge offered by Kat, he is surprised to find that she isn’t as affected by his divine status as everyone else, he also can’t help but be completely honest with her and tell her things no mortal should know, however, what he doesn’t know is that he has just spilled a secret which Kat realises is a possible solution to a problem has been longing to solve, a way to contact her sister who passed away so that she can ask for forgiveness and return something she should have given her on her deathbed. As they complete the job together, Kat is already hatching a plan to steal Hermes’s special key and complete her mission, what she didn’t bank on is that she is attracted to the man and cannot deny her physical and emotional reactions to him.

As Kat is devising her plan, Hermes feels like he needs confirmation that how he feels for Kat is the real deal and not just some physical need for a fling, however, as things start to develop between them, she pulls a stunt which both impresses and annoys him, especially when he has to find the thing she stole and has a deadline in which to do it, if he doesn’t succeed, both of their lives are on the line, but things are more complicated than they seem and Hermes has to make some choices, as does Kat in order for them to achieve all their goals, but will they manage to do this, or will their time run out? This is a paranormal romance filled with comedy and misadventure which will keep you hooked while they sort out the tangled web surrounding them.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Check Out (Bobbins Sisters Series Book 1) by Debra Parmley – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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Check OutCheck Out by Debra Parmley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Betsy Bobbin is a librarian, she lives alone and when she is not at work, loves to curl up with a good book, or on occasion go to a movie or dinner, but she lives a quiet life and she is more than happy with it. Nash Ware is a former Marine who has been recovering from injury and moved to so that he can start afresh, but he has been having troubles and still needs to attend his appointments to try and level things out. One day while Betsy is at work, a very handsome man comes in with an eyepatch and an intense look in his other eye, she is intimidated and attracted to him all at the same time, but she cannot resist talking to him when he comes to the counter, although, she seems to say the wrong things each time, however, Nash is quite taken aback and taken with her at the same time, but he is not feeling his best and so is a little sharp with her, but when she seems to be in trouble in the parking lot after closing time comes around, he feels drawn to helping her out. Betsy has closed up and is heading out into the snow and for her car, but when Nash shows up to help her, she is afraid of the man, but accepts his kindness and help, especially when she tries to drive off and realises that she has a flat tyre, Nash offers her a lift home and so she calls her friend to let her know what is happening as she loads her things into his Jeep. He does exactly as he says he will and makes sure she is safe all the while and even offers to take her to get her car sorted the next day, Betsy declines, but she does swap numbers before he leaves.

As the days pass, Betsy and Nash cannot stop thinking about the other and so asks her out, but things don’t go quite to plan as Betsy has her sister visiting and cannot make it, but the next time he goes to see her at the library, he meets her sister and then overhears their conversation of their evening plans and he thinks this would be a good idea of somewhere to go with his friends, but when he sees the sisters getting into a spot of bother, he comes to Betsy’s rescue again, she is more than thankful and her sister is too, however, the side she sees of Nash scares her into thinking that maybe this is a bad idea. The next day after work, when she confronts her sister about what happened the night before, her sister opens up about why she has come to visit and Betsy is worried about her. Meanwhile, Nash is thinking of ways in which he can convince Betsy that she is the girl for him, however, things never seem to go to plan and the drama that Betsy’s little sister keep bringing is starting to worry Nash and it makes him think of the thing his ex-fiancé said and did and how he doesn’t want that kind of attitude around him anymore, but things happen and wires become crossed and nothing is smooth sailing for a while.

As time goes on and Nash and Betsy try to get to know one another more, more and more drama appears and it looks like nothing is going to stop it, but Nash being the gentleman he is steps up and offers to help out in any way he can, but will the drama stop this couple from making an attempt at a love which could become a future, or will barriers and obstacles keep getting in the way of happiness? This is a sweet romance with a touch of adventure and suspense weaved throughout which will keep you hooked and wanting to know more right up until the end.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Snowflakes and Holly: A Small Town Christmas Romance (A Hartwood Holiday Romance) by Jae Dawson – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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Snowflakes and Holly: A Small Town Christmas Romance (A Hartwood Holiday Romance)Snowflakes and Holly: A Small Town Christmas Romance by Jae Dawson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Holly Maryn is a physical therapist in Hartwood Falls, she enjoys spending time with her girlfriends, but hates anything to do with the holiday season, especially Christmas and this year is no exception, she is planning on delving into her work, avoiding anything Christmas related and watching movies which are full of interesting ways to kill off the main characters, she always plays it safe in life and has stopped taking risks ever since her father passed away in a tragic mountaineering accident and it has scarred her emotionally ever since. Blake Bellows is a former Olympic gold medallist who lost his leg due to bone cancer and has spent the last few years recovering from it and a car accident which injured his back, he has found friendship and a reason to keep going in Hartwood Falls, using his knowledge to train others, but he still has to have regular rehab to keep his recovery going the right way, however, he is also still extremely competitive and cannot let his dream of being back in peak condition and participating in sports again go.

As Holly is going back onto the slopes for the first time in years for her friends birthday, she is filled with anxiety and trepidation, but she cannot let her best friend down, so she takes a deep breath and starts slowly skiing down the mountain and is beginning to enjoy it, meanwhile Blake and his best friend are racing down a medium level slope on their snowboards when a young kid suddenly appears in front of him, he swerves to miss the kid, but unfortunately he doesn’t miss the woman he crashes into and this woman just happens to be Holly. After they tumble down the remaining run off of the slope, they are a mess of arms, legs and equipment as their friends race over to check that they are ok. As Holly is berating Blake for his disastrous form, she is also assessing the way he is moving and suggesting that he should see someone about the injuries he may have sustained, this puts Blake’s hackles up and he just retorts back that he knows his own body and knows when he is injured, it is something he has heard too often to count, so the groups head their separate ways, with the girls talking about the hotness levels of the guys and the guys discussing putting crisps in sandwiches and Holly’s attitude.

A couple of days later and Holly is heading into the office and getting ready to see the patients of the practice’s co-owner who has gone on maternity leave, however, as soon as she realises who the first patient of the day is, she is less than impressed and starts the appointment as she means to go on, at the same time, Blake is wondering who his stand in therapist is going to be and is frustrated to find that it is Holly, the woman he crashed into, but after a frank discussion, he decides that maybe she is his best chance for keeping his rehab on track, albeit grudgingly, as they go through the intricacies of the session, neither of them can deny that there is an attraction there, but they both are annoyed by each other, so they ignore that and carry on as patient and therapist. After the session, they run into each other again thanks to friends errands, but things aren’t as smooth as they both hope, but neither can deny the attraction there this time, but will they keep running into each other outside of the appointments, or will their fears around getting involved with someone new hold them back? This is a romance novel with a side of comedy which will keep you laughing and singing Christmas songs as you read through while discovering the journey within it.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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Sign Steal Deliver by Carrie Pulkinen – Review by Heather Knalls

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Sign Steal Deliver (Gods of Thunder MC)Sign Steal Deliver by Carrie Pulkinen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was my first book by Carrie Pulkinen and omg what took me so long. If you love Greek mythology and crazy twists, this is the book for you. It had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Hermes the god of thievery has his own caduceus stolen by someone he felt he was falling for. Was it all a set up? Was Kat really working for Pan or was Pan getting over on both Hermes and Kat? Great story and great writing by an amazing author!

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Bittersweep by Wareeze Woodson – Review by Roxsanne Lesieur.

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BittersweepBittersweep by Wareeze Woodson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The year is 1897 and Elizabeth is a young woman with a haunted past, one night, when she was five years old, she and her sister and brother were packed into a wooden buggy and sent away with their father, leaving their mother behind, while their house burned down to ashes. It is a sight and smell which has haunted her memories for fifteen years, but now, she is returning to her one time home in Bittersweep, Texas to take up a teaching position and hopefully find some answers to her questions about what happened that day and why. As she arrives into the town on the steam locomotive she has travelled on, she tucks her newspaper under her arm and prepares to disembark from the train and collect her luggage, she briefly questions her sanity of returning to this place and almost turns right back around before she admits that she needs the position and everything else that goes with it. She is looking around at the small town and thinking how much has not really changed overly much, but there is more of everything now, people, horses, homes and stores and because of this she is assaulted by memories she would much rather forget.

It is while she is lost in these memories that she is bowing her head down and hoping that nobody recognises her, but this also leads to her walking into the path of a carriage and horses veering out of control and heading straight towards her, when she does, she is paralysed by fear and cannot move even if she wanted to, that is until she is grasped round the waist and pulled out of the way by an unknown pair of hands and into a very masculine body just before she is run over. When she manages to regain some of her breath and senses, she looks behind her to see the mysterious owner of the hands and body and finds a look of anger in their face and an equally angry outburst along the lines of does she have a death wish and to have some consideration of those around her, even if she has no regard for herself. This encounter brings Elizabeth back to herself and she acknowledges what happened, apologises and states that she wasn’t concentrating as she was looking for the school chairman whom she was meant to be meeting at the station, it is at this point that she finds out that the stranger who saved her is indeed the chairman of the school board and she is more than mortified at this information.

As she takes a moment to regain her composure, she is told that she hasn’t necessarily made the best first impression, however, the town is very easy going and that hopefully that shouldn’t stop her from being accepted anyway, he then offers to take her to the boarding house where she will be staying, Elizabeth is grateful and accepts the kind offer, when she is settled, they agree on a time to meet so that she can see where she will be working and make her preparations for the start of the school year, Elizabeth is now hoping that she will make a better impression the next time, but she also cannot believe that despite her best efforts to enter the town unnoticed, she hasn’t made that happen either. Will Elizabeth settle back into life in Bittersweep and find the answers she needs, or will she find that she is even less welcome now than she was then? This is a historical romance with a thrilling edge to it which will keep you guessing as to what will happen next throughout and keep you hooked until it’s conclusion.

Reviewed by @roxsannel

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